Heart of Omo

Day 1 — Jinka Airport → Ari Village → Jinka

Meet your guide at Jinka Airport and transfer to your hotel. After settling in, visit an Ari village – the largest tribe in the Omo Valley. The Ari are known for their pottery, weaving, and blacksmithing traditions. Explore their coffee plantations and organic farms, and learn about their cooking traditions and daily life.

Overnight: Jinka

Day 2 — Jinka → Mursi Tribe → Turmi

Drive into Mago National Park to visit the Mursi, famous for their women's lip plates, scarification, and striking body decorations. Spend time in the village with a local guide who'll explain the traditions and customs.

Continue south to Turmi. If it's a market day (Monday, Thursday, or Saturday), we'll join the vibrant gathering where Hamar, Banna, and Karo people come to trade.

Overnight: Turmi

Day 3 — Turmi → Karo Village → Bull Jumping (if available)

Morning visit to a Karo village perched above the Omo River. The Karo are masters of body painting – using white chalk to create intricate patterns – and the views from their settlement are stunning.

Return to Turmi for the afternoon. If a Hamar bull-jumping ceremony is scheduled, we'll attend this extraordinary rite of passage – complete with traditional dancing, the whipping ritual, and the bull-jump itself. If no ceremony is happening, we'll spend more time with the Hamar community.

Overnight: Turmi

Day 4 — Turmi → Dassanech Tribe → Turmi

Drive south to Omorate near the Kenyan border and cross the Omo River by traditional boat. The Dassanech live in one of the hottest, driest parts of the valley – their domed huts, distinctive hairstyles, and cattle-based lifestyle are unlike anything else you'll encounter.

Spend the day exploring their villages before returning to Turmi.

Overnight: Turmi

Day 5 — Turmi → Benna Village → Jinka Airport

Depart Turmi and head back toward Jinka, stopping to visit a Benna village. Closely related to the Hamar, the Benna are known for their body decorations, beadwork, and cattle culture – a final immersion before the journey ends.

Continue to Jinka Airport for your departure flight.

End of tour