Voyage Omo Village

This day is dedicated to welcoming group members arriving from various international destinations. Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be met by your dedicated Prime Ethiopia Tours escort guide and transferred to your designated hotel for check-in and rest. 

Start your day early with breakfast, as today offers a rare opportunity to attend a captivating church service. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, founded in the 4th century, is the most prominent faith in Ethiopia. While its core beliefs are Christian, it incorporates deep-rooted and fascinating traditions. The most sacred item in every Ethiopian Orthodox church is the Tabot—a replica of the Ark of the Covenant or one of the Tablets of the Law placed in the Ark by Moses. The Tabot is removed from the holy of holies only on significant religious days and is always concealed by draped sheets. Sundays are highly anticipated by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, who gather in the church courtyard dressed in beautiful traditional white garments to attend sermons that can last for hours, often continuing with rhythmic chanting. After wrapping up your time at Trinity Cathedral church, In the afternoon, explore the bustling Merkato, the largest market in Africa—a chaotic yet fascinating mini-town in itself. Afterwards, visit the newly inaugurated National Museum, formerly the Jubilee Palace of Emperor Haile Selassie.

Overnight at Hotel Lobelia

Catch a morning flight to Arbaminch. Upon arrival, you will meet your #PrimeEthiopiaTours driver(s) and begin your adventure. Start by driving uphill to visit the Dorze tribe village. The Dorze people are renowned for their exceptional weaving skills, which are reflected in their traditional costumes and the distinctive elephant-shaped huts they construct. The Dorze, who inhabit the breathtakingly lush and green southern escarpments of the Rift Valley, rely on subsistence agriculture for their livelihood. Known for their free-spirited and welcoming nature, they often prepare small ceremonies for visitors, dressed in vibrant ceremonial attire. After exploring the village, descend back to Arbaminch while enjoying the scenic views. After a lunch break, continue your journey to Konso. The Konso people are celebrated for their unique terracing and housing traditions — an impressive engineering feat adapted to the rocky terrain and steep slopes. This centuries-old tradition, driven by social survivalism, earned UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 2011. The horizontal stone walls not only prevent soil erosion and landslides but also serve as protective barriers against potential enemy attacks. Once in Konso, visit the village of Gamole and discover its rich cultural heritage. Learn about the community’s youth and homeless housing, the generation poles installed every 18 years to mark the age of a neighborhood, and the circular maturity stones, among other unique traditions. 

Overnight at Edget Hotel

Start the day early with a drive to Arbore. The Arbore people, whose name means "land of bulls," inhabit the arid lowlands of the Omo Valley near Chew Bahir (Salt Sea). Although believed to be descendants of the Konso ethnic group, the Arbore have developed their own distinct language and traditions. After exploring the Arbore village, continue your journey toward Turmi, stopping enroute to meet the playful and talented Bana boys who are known for their skill in walking on stilts. Upon arrival in Turmi, you will camp at a Hamar tribe village. Engage with a Hamar family to learn about their daily routines, lifestyle, and cultural practices. 

Overnight at Buska Lodge 

After breakfast, visit the vibrant open-air market of the Hamar tribe, known for their deep-rooted nomadic traditions. The Hamar shares cultural ties with the Bana tribe. Explore the unique goat-skin dresses and elaborate hairstyles of Hamar women, and learn about their rituals, language, daily activities, and sources of economic wealth. 

Overnight Camping

Today is fully dedicated to experiencing and capturing a village life of the Hamar tribe. Step into one of the Hamar village homesteads to discover the unique goat-skin dresses and elaborate hairstyles of Hamar women. Learn about their distinctive rituals, language, and daily life, including their household responsibilities. In the late afternoon, witness the Bull Jumping Ceremony — a rite of passage for young men from the Hamar and Kara tribes. 

Overnight at Buska Lodge 

Depart early in the morning for Nyangatom village in Kakuta. The Nyangatom people are believed to be descendants of the Toposa tribe in South Sudan. This visit offers excellent opportunities for photographing the tribespeople, who live in the harsh arid environment of the Omo Valley. Nyangatom women are known for wearing numerous strands of beads, which they add to throughout their lives. Afterward, drive to Korcho village to visit the Karo people, the smallest ethnic group in the Omo Valley. The Karo are renowned for their elaborate body painting, using ochre, white chalk, and yellow minerals to create intricate designs on their faces and bodies. The word "Karo" means "fish eater" in the local language. Return to Turmi 

Overnight Camping at Nyghatom

After breakfast, drive to Omorate and cross the Omo River in an improvised wooden boat to visit the scattered villages of the Dasanech tribe. The Dasanech are a semi-nomadic people who rely on livestock and seasonal agriculture for survival. After exploring the village, return to the vehicle and drive to Jinka. 

Overnight at Qayideter Hotel

The Bodi are renowned for their cattle-centered culture, where livestock play a vital role in marriage, divination, and name-giving rituals. They are both pastoralists and agriculturalists, cultivating sorghum, maize, and coffee along the fertile banks of the Omo River. In the evening, visit an Aari tribe village, where you will learn about their agricultural practices and cultural traditions.

Overnight at Eyob Hotel

After breakfast, take a short excursion to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe. The Mursi women are famous for wearing large circular plates in their lower lips and earlobes as symbols of beauty and social status. After spending time with the Mursi, drive back to Jinka and continue toward Keyafer. In Keyafer town, visit a lively open-air market, where you will encounter members of the Bana, Aari, and Tsemay tribes, as well as merchants from Jinka and neighboring villages. Return to Jinka for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Enjoy dinner at Yod Abyssinia Restaurant, accompanied by a traditional music and dance performance. Transfer to the Bole international Airport to catch a flight back home.