TRIBAL PORTRAIT & LIFESTYLE PHOTO TOUR :OMO VALLEY, ETHIOPIA
Through The Tribals & Their Lifestyle
TOUR SYNOPSYS:
OPPORTUNITIES: PORTRAIT, LANDSCAPE, PEOPLE, NATURE, TRAVEL & DOCUMENTARY
DURATION: 10 DAYS AND 9 NIGHTS
Location: Addis Ababa and Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Arrival/Departure: Addis Ababa International Airport
Schedule: From 07 to 16 January 2026
Number of Photographers: 10-12 people
TRIBES TO BE COVERED
Suri/Surma
Toposa
Hamar
Dassanech
Arbore
Bana
Murshi
Karo/Kara
ARI
TSEMAI
Bume
ITINERARY (10 Days and 09 Nights)
DAY 1: ARRIVAL (Jan 07)
– Pick up of participants at the Addis Ababa airport
– Check in hotel
– freshen up and leave for the city tour in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.
Morning:
National Museum of Ethiopia: Explore Ethiopia’s rich history and culture, including the famous fossil of “Lucy”.
St. George’s Cathedral or Holy Trinity Cathedral: Visit one of these significant churches, which are important landmarks in Ethiopian Orthodox history.
Ethnological Museum: Delve deeper into Ethiopian ethnic diversity and cultural heritage.
Afternoon:
Merkato Market: Experience the vibrant atmosphere and bustling activity of Africa’s largest open-air market.
Entoto Mountain: Enjoy panoramic views of Addis Ababa and the surrounding landscape.
Unity Park(Optional): Explore this park, which houses various historical and cultural attractions.
Evening (Optional):
Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony: Participate in a traditional coffee ceremony, a significant part of Ethiopian culture.
Cultural Experiences: Enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner with live folkloric dances.
Flexibility: Be prepared for a flexible schedule, as some sites may have varying opening hours.
Overnight in Addis Abeba at Lobeila hotel
DAY 2: ADDIS ABABA-JINKA-MURSI-TURMI
Day 03 TURMI-KORCHO-DUS-TURMI
Early in the morning, drive down to the Karo Tribe’s village “Korcho” located nearby the bank of the Omo River where we will make a lot of interaction with these unique tribes of Karo (The least numbered tribes in terms of population size). After staying for as long as drive back to Turmi, have lunch, and then in the afternoon Visit the deep communal village of Hammer tribes.
Overnight in a hotel or Lodge.
Karo/Kara Tribe
Day 04 TURMI-KANGATEN-KIBISH
After early breakfast we depart to Kibish to the heart of Suri land(Surma), crossing the Omo river from Kangaten sides by a newly built bridge, the west side of the river relatively been isolated and preserved from tourists’ radar. En route we encounter different wild animal as we will be crossing OMO National Park. Today mostly we spend our time driving aiming to reach Kibish for the evening photo section.
Overnight camping with Suri tribes in Kibish.
Suri/Surma Tribe
Day 05 FULL DAY SURI(SURMA) PHOTOGRAPHY
After an early breakfast prepared by our professional cook, we will start our expedition. The Suri is still remained as a less-visited tribes due to their remoteness and inaccessibility and are also the most desired of all photo hunters, for their incredibly ornate decoration of themselves, which they achieve through painting, scarification, and adornment with flowers and other natural objects.
Overnight camping in the village.
Surma/Suri Tribe
Day 06 KIBISH-KANGATEN
After an early breakfast in the village prepared by our excellent cook, depart to Nyangatom and spend this morning and the afternoon visiting and shoot the Bume tribes. The BUME: camping in Kakuta will give us a chance to get familiar with the life and culture of one of the most warrier tribes in Omo Valley. Nyangatom women use (Hang) enormous loose colorful bead necklaces around their necks, they shave around their scalp and leave a central friezed tuft of hair on to which a generous amount of red ochre is applied. And Nagatom man undertakes voluntary scarification on his upper body for killing traditional enemies, man’s hairstyle is clay hair buns with ostrich feathers that could be fixed. Both men and women elders are also famous for their labial piercings in which they plug decorative wooden, metallic, or ivory structures.
Overnight camping with tribes.
Nyangatom(BUME) and Desenech Tribe
Day 07 KANGATEN-TURMI
In the morning after breakfast in the village prepared by our excellent cook, we will drive to Turmi central town to shoot the Hamar Tribe. In the evening, will transfer to Emer-Land Lodge relax get ready for the next morning’s tribal photo expedition.
Day 08 TURMI-DASENECH-TURMI
Early In the morning, we drive further down to Omorate which is a border town with Northwest Kenya as to shoot the Dasenech tribe deep in their remote villages leaving the commonly visited ones by going down as far as the Northern tip of Lake Turkana. Spending much time shooting there we drive back to Turmi.
Overnight in at a hotel or Lodge.
Hamer Tribe
Day 09 TURMI-ARBORE
Early In the morning after breakfast drive to Arbore for the morning photo session. Arbore tribes settled in the harshest arid land under a scorching sun. Arbore Girls and women are adorned with beads and bracelets. They dress in skirts made from skin uniquely designed and decorated with beads and pieces of metal.
Overnight Camping in Turmi
Day 10 : ARBORE-JINKA- ADDIS (FLY JINKA(BCO)-ADDIS
In the morning after breakfast drive back to Jinka airport. En route we will shoot the little Bana boys’ stilt walking(walking on sticks) and then proceed to Jinka and will get transferred to the airport.
End of the Tour !!
ARBORA TRIBE & BANA TRIBE BOYS’ STILT WALKIN
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
EQUIPMENT
CLOTHES
TOUR COST:
US$ 2890 for twin sharing basis. Single occupancy would cost US$ 300 extra.
(TWIN SHARED ACCOMMODATION IN HOTELS/LODGES/TENTS, TOUR TRAVEL IN SPACIOUS & COMFORTABLE VEHICLE)
INCLUDED COST
. All Meals & Mineral Water
NOT INCLUDED IN COST
• Personal spending.
Cancellation and Refund Policy :
If you cancel your registration, then you will be charged according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:
Greater than 120 days from the start date of the Workshop: only service tax.
Between 120 to 90 days: 25% of total fee
Between 90 to 60 days: 50% of total fee.
Between 60 to 30 days: 75% of total fee.
Less than 30 days : The entire tour fees, ie. NO REFUND WILL BE DONE.
Payment Policy :
While booking………$700
Final Part………….$2190/$2490(on arrival)
Under any unavoidable circumstances, if we have to cancel our photo tour, your entire booking money will be refunded(NOT APPLICABLE FOR TRAVEL BOOKINGS)
FAQ & TOUR INFO
What do I get from this photo-tour?
Guiding all participants about lens requirement, creative composition and camera settings on the field during photo shoot.
Everyday review of participants’ photographs.
Assisting in possible editing guidance.
Guiding participants in finding photographic locations and vantage points for places and events.
Helping in finding the local delicacies.
Outdoor portrait shoot of local people in traditional and relevant local attire.
Am I eligible for this tour?
Anyone above 18 years (unless accompanied by a parent or guardian) is welcome to join this photo tour.
I am new to photography. Will I join this trip?
Yes of course. This tour is for all photography enthusiastic people. The more you travel and explore, the more your photographic eye will open. Moreover, our team leaders will ensure to give special attention to the beginners.
I am not a serious photographer, just a traveller. Shall I join this trip?
Yes, you too can join this tour as our tours are designed for both serious photographers and casual travelers for the purpose of both learning and entertainment. But you need to pay the amount of the full fee as the seats are limited and you could take place of a fully paid serious photographer.
What is the difference between ASP Photo Tour and other tours?
We are not offering a package tour for general tourists; it is specifically meant for photography enthusiastic people and designed by experienced professional photographers. You will discover the place and learn a lot about this ancient city, local people and their culture which is an important part of our travel photography. We will try to observe the local people, their daily activities and cultural beliefs and will try to capture those moments using right compositions and techniques. Our Team Leaders will help our guests to learn camera settings, framing and as well as post processing. If that’s what is your requirements then surely join us for this exciting Ladakh photo tour with ASP.
Our Liabilities & Limitations:
All itineraries are sample itineraries, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, natural calamities, the physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before the tour or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change any schedule in the interest of the trip participants’ safety, comfort & general well-being.
We shall not be responsible for any delays & alterations in the program or expenses incurred – directly or indirectly – due to natural hazards, flight cancellations, accidents, breakdown of machinery or equipment, breakdown of transport, weather, sickness, landslides, political closures or any untoward incidents.
We shall not be responsible for any personal loss, injury or damage to person, property, or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation or other services, resulting – directly or indirectly – from any act of GOD, dangers, fire, accident, breakdown in machinery or equipment, breakdown of transport, wars, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, medical or custom department regulations, defaults, or any other causes beyond our control.
We do not have any insurance policy covering the expenses for accidents, sickness, loss due to theft, or any other reasons. Visitors are advised to seek such insurance arrangements in their home country. All baggage & personal property/s at all times are at the client’s risk.
COVID19 PROTOCOL: As per the latest updated inter-state air travel rules must be followed by all participants regarding the NEGATIVE RTPCR REPORT. Return RTPCR TEST can be arranged well in time in Leh if need be.
All individuals must follow the COVID19 PROTOCOLS governed by Govt and the ASP AUTHORITY without being failed. Expenditure incurred on RTPCR/ANTIGEN whenever and wherever required will be of individual’s responsibility.
In case of any emergency risen due to the COVID19 situation for any participants, the decision will be taken in the view of larger interest for the entire team.
Please Note: We will not be responsible for any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like Flight Delays, landslides, roadblocks, bad weather, etc.
(All Tour Photographic Opportunities are Subject to Probability)
