Omo Valley Photo Expedition To Suri (Surma) And Omo Valley Tribes(10 DAYS)

Day 1 Fly ADDIS TO JINKA(BCO)

Pick you up from the airport, transfer to the hotel freshen up and go to the south Omo research center, Visiting the ethnological museum would give us a brief preview of ethnographical information about a variety of tribal groups residing in Omo valley,  depending on our time we can also have a chance to visit the evening market of Ari tribe and Ari tribe’s village who are settled on the Plateau lands surrounding the lower Omo Valley zonal Administrative town of Jinka.
Overnight in Jinka Resort.

Day 2 JINKA-MURSI-TURMI

This day our expedition starts early morning with an excursion to the unique tribe of Mursi (approx 60km from Jinka).  ( The women are famous for putting clay made circular lips and ear plates which symbolizes beauty in honor) crossing through Mago National Park in order to reach their village. After Spending much time as you needed to drive back to Jinka have lunch then Continue driving to Turmi(120 km). Overnight in Emer-Land Lodge.

Day 3 TURMI-KORCHO-DUS-TURMI

Early in the morning, make an excursion trip to Karo Tribe’s village of Korcho located in nearby the shore of Omo River where you will make a lot of interactions 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 Emer-Land Lodge.

Day 4 TURMI-KANGATEN-KIBISH

After early breakfast we depart to kibosh to the heart of Suri land(Surma), crossing Omo river the from kangaten sides on newly build a bridge, the west side of the river relatively been isolated and preserved from tourist radar en route we encounter different wild animal as we crossing omo national park.
Today mostly it driving aiming to get Suri for the evening photo section.
Overnight through camping with Suri tribes.

Day 5 FULL DAY SURI(SURMA) PHOTOGRAPHY

After early breakfast prepared by our professional cook start our expedition.
The Suri still remain less-visited tribes due to their remoteness and inaccessibility and are also the most photo desired of all, For for their incredibly ornate decoration of themselves, which they achieve through painting, scarification, and adornment with flowers and other natural objects.
Overnight through camping in the village.

Day 6 KIBISH-KANGATEN

After early breakfast in the village prepared by our excellent cook, depart to Nyangatom spend this afternoon and the morning visit and photo the bump tribes.
The BUME: camping in Kakuta will give us chance to get familiar with the life and culture of one of the most worriers 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 killing traditional enemies, man’s hairstyle is clay hair buns in to with ostrich feathers could be fixed. Both men and women elders are also famous for their labial piercing in which they plug decorative wooden, metallic, or ivory structures.
Overnight through camping with the tribes.

Day 7 KANGATEN-TURMI

In the morning after breakfast in the village prepared by our excellent cook, start the expedition and after spending much time in the afternoon Continue drive to Turmi central town of the Hamar Tribe, transfer to Emer-Land Lodge relax getting ready for the next morning tribal photo expedition.
Overnight in Emer-Land Lodge.

Day 8 TURMI-DASENECH-TURMI

Early in the morning, we drive further down to Omorate, which is a border town with Northwest Kenya as to visit 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. After much time on photo expeditions, later on we drive back to Turmi.
Overnight in Emer-Land Lodge.

Day 9 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 through Camping in Arbore village.

Day 10 ARBORE-JINKA- ADDIS (FLY JINKA(BCO)-ADDIS

In the morning after breakfast, drive back to Jinka airport. En route, visit the weekly tribal market of Keyafer(on Thursday). The market is a bustling place where various dwindling tribes of the Omo Region come together to socialize, share what is happening around, and sell and buy goods. Ari, Tsemai, Hamar, and Benna people can be seen mixing in the colorful marketplace and proceeding to Jinka and transferring to the airport.

Pricing:

• Small Group / Shared Departures: $2,800 USD per person (based on double occupancy). These are organized expeditions where vehicle and logistics costs are shared among a small cohort of photographers.

• Private Expeditions (2 Travelers):  $4,500 total ($2,100 to $2,250+ USD per person), or roughly $3,500 USD for a solo private traveler. Dedicated private 4×4 Land Cruisers are mandatory for the rugged, remote tracks up to Suri land.

Why the Suri Expedition Costs More:

• Extreme Logistics & Infrastructure: Traveling to Kibish and the Suri region requires navigating some of the roughest, most isolated roads in the country. It demands a heavy-duty 4×4 vehicle, experienced mechanics/drivers, extra fuel provisions, and sometimes camping gear or basic local guesthouse coordination.

• Specialized Local Scouting: Visiting the Suri—famous for their elaborate body painting, lip plates, and stick-fighting ceremonies (Donga)—requires specialized local guides and community scouts to ensure smooth cultural immersion and safety.

• Extended Reach: Unlike standard tours that loop through Jinka, Turmi, and Konso, this route pushes far off the beaten path, effectively adding significant distance and fuel overhead.

Typical Inclusions:

• Private or group 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with fuel and an expert driver-guide

• 9 nights in regional hotels, mid-range eco-lodges, or designated campsite setups in Suri territory

• All necessary village entry permissions, local community scouts, and security/cultural guides

• River crossings and local boat fees where applicable