Ethiopia · Tribal Experiences

9-Day Omo Valley and Danakil Depression Tour from Addis Ababa

9 Days Round trip from XQRH+WHW Moderate pace
Mursi tribespeople
Danakil Depression
Konso tribespeople
Erta Ale

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Discover the Dorze people and their elephant-shaped houses
  • 02 Explore the Konso tribes and their UNESCO heritage terraces
  • 03 Visit the Mursi tribes, known for women wearing clay lip plates
  • 04 Marvel at the striking landscapes of Dallol and Lake Asale
  • 05 See active lava at Erta Ale volcano
  • 06 Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Chamo to spot crocodiles on the shore

Embark on a 9-day journey through Ethiopia, combining the tribal cultures of the Omo Valley with the dramatic landscapes of the Danakil Depression. Fly to Arba Minch to explore Dorze village and continue to Jinka, Konso, Turmi, and Mago National Park for encounters with the Konso, Mursi, Hamer, Yangatom, Karo, and Arbore tribes. The adventure then shifts north to Dallol, Lake Asale, Erta Ale, and Lake Afdera, where you will experience salt formations, volcanic scenery, active lava, and a refreshing swim. This tour also includes a boat trip on Lake Chamo and a cultural evening in Addis Ababa with live dance performances from different ethnic groups.

This tour also includes a boat trip on Lake Chamo and a cultural evening in Addis Ababa with live dance performances from different ethnic groups.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Addis Ababa, Arba Minch, Mekele, Konso, Jinka, Turmi, Chencha, Mago National Park, Afdera, Erta Ale, Dallol, Lake Chamo
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Addis Ababa and Cultural Dinner

  • We will take you to your hotel for a short rest, then take you to the oldest coffee shop in Addis. At about 7 pm, we will take you to a restaurant with live dancing.
  • You will witness dance performances from different ethnic groups of the country while enjoying dinner. This is a perfect introduction to the whole tour.

Overnight: Hotel

2
Day 02

Fly to Arba Minch and Visit Dorze Village

  • Fly to Arba Minch and drive about 45 minutes to Dorze village.
  • The Dorze people are known for weaving and for their elephant-shaped houses. This day is a market day in Chencha near Dorze.
  • We will visit this local market.

Overnight: Lodge

3
Day 03

Drive to Jinka via Konso and Arbore

  • Drive to Jinka, about three hours and 30 minutes, and visit the Konso tribes, who are rich in history and culture, as well as their terracing registered as UNESCO heritage.
  • The terracing continues toward Jinka.
  • On the way, we will stop to visit the Arbore tribes and then drive on to Jinka.

Overnight: Lodge.

4
Day 04

Mago National Park, Mursi Village and Turmi

  • Drive from Jinka to the Mursi village through Mago Park and visit the Mursi tribes, known for their women inserting clay plates in their lips.
  • Drive back to town and continue to Turmi, a small town of the Hamer people.
  • In the evening, we will visit a Hamer tribe village near the town.

Overnight: Lodge

5
Day 05

Visit the Yangatom and Karo Tribes

  • Drive to visit the Yangatom tribes. They are the tallest, and their lifestyle is like that of the Yangatom of South Sudan.
  • On the way back, drive to the other side of the Omo River to visit the most decorated tribes of the area, the Karo tribes, and then continue to Konso.

Overnight: Lodge.

6
Day 06

Lake Chamo Boat Trip and Return to Addis

  • Drive from Konso to Arba Minch and make a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the crocodiles on the shore of Lake Chamo.
  • We will then drop you at the airport to fly directly to Addis.

Overnight: Hotel

7
Day 07

Drive from Mekelle to Hamed Ela and Dallol

  • Here, you begin your Danakil tour with the group. From here, you drive to Hamed Ela, about 280 km away, on a new asphalt road. It is about a 3-hour drive.
  • In the afternoon, you will start touring some attractions, including Dallol Mount, just a 40-minute drive from your camping site. The main highlight of these days is the spectacular sun over the white and spectacular Lake Asale: drinks and fun.

Overnight: camping under the stars in Hamed Ela

8
Day 08

Explore Dallol and Hike to Erta Ale

  • Visit all sites around Dallol, including the colour mounts, salt mountain, and salt plate.
  • In the afternoon, we will drive to the volcano.
  • You will have about 45 minutes of hiking, and when it gets dark, we will visit the active lava.

Overnight: camping near the lava lake.

9
Day 09

Lake Afdera, Mekelle and Flight to Addis

  • Drive to Mekelle, making a stop at Lake Afdera for a swim, and then continue the journey to Mekelle.
  • Conclude the tour by flying back to Addis.
Omo Valley tribes, Dorze village weavers, Dallol salt formations, Erta Ale lava lake

Where this trip takes you

Omo Valley tribes, Dorze village weavers, Dallol salt formations, Erta Ale lava lake

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from XQRH+WHW 12 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Van with an English-speaking driver/guide throughout towns and cities
  • Fuel and instructor expenses
  • In Danakil, Erta Ale, and the south, 4x4 vehicles are used
  • Entrance fee to all sites
  • Hotels with breakfast
  • Local guides in all locations
  • Airport/hotel transfers
  • In Danakil and Erta Ale, where accommodations are outdoors, camping equipment and cooking are provided
  • In Danakil and Erta Ale, unlimited bottled water
  • In Danakil and Erta Ale, the following meals are provided:
    • First day - lunch and dinner
    • Second day - breakfast, lunch and dinner
    • Third day - breakfast and lunch

What's Not Included

  • Domestic and international flights
  • Lunch and dinner, excluding Danakil and Erta Ale
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Laundry
  • Medical and personal insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Photography fees at the southern tribes
  • Entry fee for the Hamer Bull Jumping Ceremony (the ceremony is held randomly)

What to bring

  • Camera
  • Passport
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Jacket
  • T-shirt
  • Sandals
  • Light clothes
  • Change of clothes
  • Personal medication
  • Swimwear
  • Towels

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Airport Road, Bole, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tour start
XQRH+WHW, Airport Rd, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 days finish where they began, in XQRH+WHW.

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USD 1,575 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,575.00 — $3,600.00
Double Sharing $1,575.00 — $2,520.00

When

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