Day 1:  Depart USA

Depart on your flight from the USA to Addis Ababa. (ADD)

Day 2:  Arrive Addis Ababa

Arrival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and transfer to the Sheraton Addis Hotel.

Day 3:  Fly to Arbaminch

Fly to Arbaminch and drive to the village of the Konso, registered by UNESCO for its amazing landscape and cultural villages. We spend time photographing in the village. Kanta Lodge in Konso.

Day 4-5:  Jinka-Mursi Tribes-Omo Child 

Drive to Jinka and photograph the Mursi tribe, a close family of the Surma, known for the lip plates worn by some women and the ritual stick-fighting called Donga. The Mursi have fantastic clay facial and body painting.

We will photograph a Donga during our stay and visit the Key Afer village market for an afternoon of browsing and photographing as well as the the Tsemay, Ari and Benna people. Two nights at Eco-Omo Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 6-7:  Turmi-Hamar Tribes

Drive to Turmi. We will visit a few Hamar villages the next few days. The Hamar are known for elaborate body adornments, extensive beadwork, and the male coming-of-age “bull jumping ceremony”, which we are planning on photographing. Two nights at Buska Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 8-10:  Lumale Camp

Drive to Lumale Camp and stay for 4 nights. Take a boat to different villages every day till sunset. Photograph the Kara (Karo) and their villages of Korcho and Duss, with magnificent views over the River Omo. Photograph the Nyangatom tribe, located across the river. In order to get to their villages, we have to cross the crocodile-packed Omo river by boat and then walk. Heavy necklaces and long skirts from goat skins, which are richly decorated, are characteristic for the women. The women also decorate themselves with ornamental scarification on their faces, chests, and bellies.

Drive out to another tribe called the Dassenech (Geleb), who live along the Ethio – Kenyan border. During a ceremony, the Dassanech men dance with large sticks and the women hold wooden batons. A Daasanech man blesses his daughter's fertility and future marriage by celebrating the Dimi. During the Dimi, 10 to 30 cattle are slaughtered. Both men and women wear fur capes while they feast and dance. (B,L,D)

Day 11:  Konso People

We will drive to Arbaminch (4 1/2 hours). Along the way, we will visit the village of the Konso, registered by UNESCO for its amazing landscape and cultural villages. Photograph their unusual engraved wooden statues frequently used as grave markers. During the visit, we will have exclusive photographic access to their village, agricultural practices and traditions. After lunch, we will drive to Arbaminch. Overnight at the Paradise Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 12:  Fly from Arbaminch to Addis

We will have a day room at the Sheraton Addis. Farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant in Addis which will be accompanied by a traditional live music performance. Departure to USA in the evening. (B,L,D)

Itinerary is subject to change.