Omo Valley Tours
Omo Valley Cultural Journey
A week through south-western Ethiopia, built around the valley's market days.
- Region
- Omo Valley
- Starts
- Addis Ababa
Overview
The Omo Valley sits in Ethiopia's south-west, along the Omo River towards the Kenyan border. It is a long way from the northern historic route in every sense — different landscape, different languages, a different rhythm of travel. This journey works south from Arba Minch through Konso to Turmi and Jinka, and is deliberately timed around market days, when people come in from the surrounding country to trade. Markets are where the region is most itself, and planning around them is the difference between passing through and actually being somewhere.
Highlights
- Market day in the Omo Valley
- Dorze weaving villages above Arba Minch
- The terraced landscape and walled settlements of Konso
- Karo and Hamar communities around Turmi
- Mursi communities at Key Afer
- The museum at Jinka, and Ari communities
- Lake Chamo and the Arba Minch escarpment
Itinerary
Day 1
Addis Ababa to Arba Minch
Fly south to Arba Minch, arriving around the middle of the day. Arba Minch sits on an escarpment between Lakes Abaya and Chamo, and the afternoon is spent getting a first look at the lakes and the Rift Valley floor below.
Day 2
Dorze villages, on to Konso
Climb into the Gamo highlands to Chencha, where the Dorze are known for weaving and for tall bamboo-framed houses. The drive continues south to Konso in the afternoon.
Day 3
Konso, on to Turmi
Konso's terraced hillsides and walled settlements are a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape, and the terracing is still farmed. After time in the area, continue south to Turmi.
Day 4
Karo and Hamar communities
A day given to two communities rather than a drive: time with the Karo, and with Hamar communities around Turmi.
Day 5
Key Afer market and Mursi communities
Key Afer's market draws people in from the surrounding country, and Mursi communities are currently settled around the town — so both happen here. Which market falls on which day depends on when you travel; the schedule is set when the trip is planned. Continue to Jinka afterwards.
Day 6
Jinka: the museum, and Ari communities
The museum at Jinka, and time with Ari communities, who live in and around the town.
Day 7
Jinka to Addis Ababa
Fly back to Addis Ababa. Depending on your onward flight, there is usually time in the city before you leave.
Who it suits
Suited to travellers who are comfortable with long drives on rough roads, hot weather and simple accommodation outside the larger towns. The point of the trip is time spent with people rather than sights ticked off, so it rewards patience and preparation more than a packed schedule.
Before you go
Village visits are arranged in advance rather than turned up to. Photography should always be asked about first, and the answer is sometimes no. Your guide will explain local expectations before you arrive anywhere.
Common questions
- Is the Omo Valley part of Southern Ethiopia?
- Yes. The Omo Valley is an area within the wider Southern Ethiopia region, in its south-west corner. It is distinct enough — in landscape, cultures and how you travel there — that most people treat it as a destination in its own right rather than one stop on a Southern Ethiopia trip.
- Why is the itinerary planned around market days?
- Markets rotate between towns on a weekly cycle, and they are when people come in from the surrounding country. Building the route around them is the difference between seeing a village and seeing it on the day it is busiest.
- Is it appropriate to photograph people?
- Always ask first, through your guide, and accept no as an answer. Norms around photography and payment vary between communities, and your guide will explain what to expect before you arrive.
Places visited
- Arba Minch
- Chencha
- Konso
- Turmi
- Key Afer
- Jinka
