Omo Valley Tribes: 3 Day Tour with Markets & Rituals

Summary

Meet Omo Valley tribes, join rituals, visit markets and villages

You’ll travel deep into Ethiopia’s Omo Valley—meeting Mursi women with lip plates, joining Hamar dances after a long dusty drive, and crossing rivers to reach Dassanech villages. Local guides open doors you wouldn’t find alone. It’s fast-paced but somehow leaves you changed.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the road out of Jinka to smell so much like earth after rain. Our guide Tesfaye met us at the airport—he had this calm way of explaining things, never rushed. By the time we reached the Mursi village (it’s about an hour’s drive), I could feel the dust settling in my hair and on my arms. The women wore those famous clay plates in their lips—honestly, it’s something you’ve probably seen in photos but seeing it up close is different. One woman let me touch a bead necklace she’d made; I fumbled a bit with the Amharic word for “beautiful” and she just grinned at me. Dinner back in Jinka tasted smoky and spicy—I wish I remembered the name of that stew.

The next morning was long—Jinka to Turmi is over 140 km, so you get this slow unfolding of landscape. We stopped at a roadside village; kids ran up laughing, trying to sell us bracelets (I bought two, can’t resist). Turmi felt hotter, drier—red dust everywhere. After lunch (more injera), Tesfaye took us to meet the Hamar people. We caught part of a bull jumping ceremony—there was singing and clapping and this wild energy that made my heart race a little. I tried to join in their Evangadi dance but mostly just flailed around while everyone laughed (including me).

We left before sunrise for Omorate to visit the Dassanech tribe. The air was cooler by the river—kind of sharp against your face. Crossing the Omo River by boat felt surreal; water birds skimmed past us and it was so quiet except for our guide humming under his breath. The Dassanech village felt almost dreamlike—mud huts, goats everywhere, kids watching us with these big eyes. On the drive back to Jinka for our flight out, I kept thinking about how much life fits into just three days here—you see it all so quickly but it stays with you longer than you’d think.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jinka to Mursi tribe visit

• Meet at Jinka airport
• Drive to Mursi tribe village
• Visit Mursi tribe village
• Drive back to Jinka
• Dinner in Jinka

Day 2 — Jinka to Turmi and Hamer visit

• Breakfast in Jinka
• Drive to Turmi with village stop
• Arrive in Turmi
• Lunch in Turmi
• Visit Hamer tribe village
• Overnight at Buska hotel

Day 3 — Turmi to Dassench and return

• Breakfast in Turmi
• Drive to Omorate
• Boat trip on Omo River
• Visit Dassench village
• Drive back to Jinka
• Catch flight to Addis Ababa

Top questions

How long is the Omo Valley tour from Jinka?

The tour lasts 3 days starting and ending in Jinka.

Which tribes will I visit on this tour?

You’ll meet Mursi, Hamar, and Dassanech communities.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup from Jinka airport is included.

Are meals provided during the trip?

Lunch is included each day of the tour.

What kind of accommodation is included?

You’ll stay one night at Nasa Hotel in Jinka and one night at Buska Hotel in Turmi.

Is this Omo Valley tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Do I need to be very fit for this trip?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

Will there be opportunities to see tribal ceremonies?

You may witness events like Hamar bull jumping or Evangadi dancing depending on timing.

What’s included

Your trip covers airport pickup in Jinka, all transport by air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide throughout, entrance fees to villages and markets along the way, daily lunch featuring regional dishes, plus two nights’ accommodation—one each in Jinka and Turmi—before returning for your onward flight.