Omo Valley Tour from Jinka with Harar and Volcano – 10 Days
Discover an unforgettable Ethiopia tour that combines rich cultural travel, tribal experiences, and dramatic landscapes. This 10-day organized trip takes you deep into the Omo Valley, home to some of Africa’s most unique tribes, and continues to the historic city of Harar and the otherworldly Danakil Depression. From traditional villages and vibrant markets to active volcanoes and desert adventures, this Travel in Ethiopia offers a perfect mix of culture, nature, and adventure travel.
Day 1: Arbaminch Arrival – Dorze Village
Fly from Addis Ababa to Arbaminch in the morning. Then drive to Dorze Village. The Dorze people are renowned for their weaving skills, music, dance, and beautiful elephant-shaped houses. They live in one of the most densely populated areas of the country, but the Dorze have maintained a lifestyle that coexists with the environment by practicing mixed farming, handicrafts, and weaving. After enjoying time with the Dorze people, drive back to Arbaminch.
Overnight in Arbaminch at hotel
Day 2: Arbaminch – Turmi
Drive to Turmi via Konso Village. Konso is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its traditional landscape terracing system, wonderful walled villages, old community squares, stone monuments, generation poles, and carved statues. Konso has an immensely rich historical heritage and a traditional village atmosphere. Continue driving, crossing the Weito River, home to the Tsemay and Bena tribes, before arriving in Turmi.
Overnight in Turmi at lodge
Day 3: Turmi – Omorate
After breakfast, drive to Omorate, home to the Dassanech tribe, on the border with Kenya along the Omo River and north of Lake Turkana. Cross the Omo River and visit their mobile village. Afterwards, drive back to Turmi for lunch, then continue activities such as attending the bull-jumping ceremony (a Hamer rite of passage), visiting a Hamer village, or exploring a tribal market in Turmi on market day.
Overnight in Turmi at lodge
Day 4: Turmi – Karo
In the morning, after breakfast, drive to Korcho, one of the villages of the Karo people. The Karo tribe calls themselves Karato, meaning “fish eaters.” They are most famous for their artistic body painting. After visiting the Karo village, return to Turmi for lunch. Afterwards, visit a Hamer market, attend a bull-jumping ceremony, or visit a Hamer village.
Overnight in Turmi at lodge
Day 5: Turmi – Jinka
In the morning, drive to Jinka, where you will stay for the night. Jinka is home to the Ari people. Although the Ari are more modern, they are the largest tribe in the Omo Valley and still live in their traditional villages. On the way, if it is market day, you may stop at Dimeka, Key Afer, or other small tribal markets. You may see the Bena, Hamer, and Tsemay tribes.
Overnight in Jinka at lodge or hotel
Day 6: Jinka – Addis Ababa
After an early morning breakfast, drive to a Mursi village, crossing Mago National Park. The Mursi tribe is well known for the large lip plates of the women, which have become one of the most iconic images of Omo Valley travel. After spending time with the Mursi people, return to Jinka for lunch and transfer to the airport. Fly back to Addis Ababa.
Overnight in Addis Ababa
Day 7: Addis Ababa – Dire Dawa – Harar
In the morning, fly to Dire Dawa. At the airport, meet the driver who will take you to Harar. After checking into your hotel, meet your guide for a Harar city tour, visiting the old town and museums. In the evening, visit the Hyena Man, where you can feed meat to wild hyenas.
Overnight in Harar
Day 8: Harar – Addis Ababa
After finishing the city tour of Harar in the morning, drive back to Dire Dawa to take your flight to Addis Ababa.
Overnight in Addis Ababa
Day 9: Addis Ababa – Mekele – Danakil Depression (Erta Ale)
Early in the morning, take a flight to Mekele. Meet your driver outside the airport terminal and join a group for a Danakil Depression tour. Drive from Mekele to Dodom, the starting point to explore the Danakil Depression. From Dodom base camp, trek for about 3 hours to Erta Ale Volcano, famous for its permanent lava lake. Enjoy a spectacular night view of lava flows and eruptions.
Overnight camping on the mountain
Day 10: Erta Ale – Hamadela – Dallol – Mekele – Addis Ababa
Wake up early and travel from Erta Ale back to Dodom, then drive to Hamadela (100 km). Along the way, you will see camel caravans and enjoy a beautiful sunset over Lake Assale. Continue to Ragad (Asebo) to observe traditional salt mining, then drive to Dallol to visit the unique landscapes formed by volcanic activity. This colorful scenery looks like Mars or the Moon. Finally, drive to Mekele Airport and fly back to Addis Ababa.
End of Tour