Omo Valley Photography Expedition
Date : 13th – 23rd Dec, 2025 ( 11 days and 10 nights )
Mentor : Tania Chatterjee

Join Tania Chatterjee on an extraordinary photography journey to the Omo Valley in Ethiopia. This is your chance to explore and capture the vibrant culture, local tribal markets, and stunning landscapes of one of Africa’s most unique destinations. Don’t miss the opportunity to create powerful images and unforgettable memories while immersing yourself in one of the world’s most diverse and visually captivating regions.
Omo Valley Photography Workshop Highlights:
Tribal Portraits & Culture Shoot: Capture powerful portraits and immerse yourself in the rich cultural traditions of the Omo Valley’s indigenous tribes.
Tribal Markets Photography: Photograph the vibrant, bustling markets and witness the daily life of local communities.
Explore Omo River & Stunning Landscapes: Discover and photograph the breath-taking beauty of the Omo River and its surrounding landscapes, offering unforgettable vistas and natural wonders.


Itinerary:
Day 01 :13th Dec, 2025 ( Arrive Addis Ababa)
Arrive at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our driver will pick-up you from airport and bring you to the hotel. Evening there will be an introduction and orientation session by team leader Tania Chatterjee. Overnight stay at Addis Ababa.
Day 02: 14th Dec, 2025 ( Flight to Jimma and drive till Mizan Teferi)
Flight from Addis Ababa to Jimma ( 1 hour flight) by Ethiopian Airline flight .
Jimma is the largest city in south western Ethiopia, it used to be the capital of the former Kaffa Province, and it is this region which is recognized as the home of the famous plant Coffea Arabica, or coffee. After lunch proceed driving to Mizan Teferi ( almost 4 hours drive ). The scenery on this drive is made up of a mosaic of forest and cultivated land dominated by coffee, tea and various spices, and we will have ample opportunity (plenty of time) to stop and take advantage of any photographic opportunities we may encounter. Overnight Mizan Salaysh Hotel



Day 03 : 15th Dec, 2025 (Drive from Mizan Teferi to Kibish to photograph Surma Tribe)
Kibish is peaceful and untouched; this area is a photographers delight and an adventurers dream !!Today is an exciting travel day as we head deep into the little-visited portion of southwestern Ethiopia. En route we pass through Bebeka coffee plantation (located about 30km outside Mizan), which is the largest and oldest coffee plantation in Ethiopia.
Much of our focus this day will be photographing the fabulous Suri people who, due to their remoteness, are one of the least visited of the Omo Valley”s tribes. Surma People, also known as the Suri people, live in the southwestern plains of Ethiopia. They raise cattle and farm when the land is fertile. Cattle are important to the Suri, giving them status.
The more cattle a tribesman has, the wealthier they are. In order for a man to marry a woman in the Suri tribe, he must own at least 20 cattle. Cattle are given to the family of the woman in exchange for marriage.
Like the other tribes, the Suri will use the milk and blood from the cow. During the dry season, the people will drink blood instead of milk. Blood can be drained from a cow once a month. This is done by making a small incision in its neck.
The Suri are very much like the Mursi tribe and practice the same traditions. The women wear lip plates that are made out of clay. The men in the tribe fight with sticks called Dongas. Both the men and women scar their bodies.
Lip plates are a strong part of the Surma culture. At the point of puberty most women have their bottom teeth removed in order to get their lower lip pierced. Once the lip is pierced, it’s then stretched and a lip plate is then placed in the hole of the piercing. Having a lip plate is a sign of beauty and the bigger the plate, the more cattle the women are worth. This is important when the women are ready to get married.
Overnight camping at Kibush.


Days 04 : 16th Dec, 2025 (Surma Tribe)
We have full days to explore and photograph the fascinating Suri tribe, making the most of our time in this remote region of Ethiopia.
As a photographer it will inspire you to capture the amazing connection they have with nature, which they express through their body art, using natural clay from the river. They grind it down to a paste with different colours and apply the body paint in a very artistic way, combining seasonal and exotic flowers, plants, berries, and seed pods, with patterns inspired by birds and other natural elements. They have been doing this for hundreds of years.
The bond between members of the tribe is strong. It’s like going back in time, to a place where mankind and fashion likely began, where mothers paint their infants to start an important tradition, and where the people stand out with their ornate body paintwork and exotic head decorations made of flowers.
Overnight camping


Day 05: 17th Dec, 2025 (Kibish – Nyangatom )
Starting early morning we drive to Kangaton via Kakuta, to visit and do a photo shoot at Nyangatom Tribal Village; the people are said to be descendants of the Toposa tribe in South Sudan.
Here, we will have opportunities to photograph the tribe who live in a climatically challenging area of the Omo (very arid). The women wear numerous strands of beads, which they build upon during life.
Tribal adornment is an integral part of their culture. The area is semi arid and water has to be collected from rivers each day.
Overnight Yeshi Hotel.
Day 06: 18th Dec, 2025 (Full day photo shoot in Kara)
After an early breakfast, we drive 1h to Dus village to visiting the Kara people. Dus is the second of three village settlements of the Kara tribe. Sited on the banks of the Omo River, the Kara known for their creative and decorative body chalk painting. Many of the Kara women have pierced lips and insert nails, flowers and pins. Additionally there will be various photographic opportunities in the village and on the banks of the Omo River. Here you will photograph the communal dance performed by the people of Dus. This is dusty and very atmospheric – photo opportunities abound. The Kara of Dus pride themselves as the best dancers in the Omo.
Overnight camping at Dus Village
Day 07 : 19th Dec, 2025 (Dus to Turmi )
Early morning visit to the Kara tribe, and proceed to Turmi in the Southern Omo. Visit Turmi market. The Hamar women have high cheek bones, wear thick copper/metal necklaces, elaborate beads, goat-skins and their hair is often colored with red ochre and butter. The men often use colored clay on their hair and take real pride in their appearance and culture. Like all the tribes, they are very photogenic.
Overnight at Buska Lodge


Day 08 : 20th Dec, 2025 (Turmi – Omorate)
Early morning we drive to Omorate (a home of the Dassanech tribe),a tribe who setteled at the last border nearby where Omo river inter to the Kenyan lake Turkana.Then after you arrive Omorate, you will take the local wooden boat in order to cross the majestic Omo river and meet the Dassanech people at one of their local village.
Afterward drive back to Turmi for lunch. Today if there is a Hamar tribe bull jumping ceremony that will be seen.
Overnight Buska Lodge.
Day 09 : 21st Dec, 2025 (Turmi – Arbore)
After breakfast heading to Arbore located at the northern edge of Mount Buska. The Arbore women are absolutely stunning, with extremely dark skin and strong features.
Arbore women wear very colorful accessories like beaded earrings, necklaces and bracelets which are a characteristic of this population who believes that ornaments are fundamental to be more attractive. Even leather skirts are adorned with bead and metal ornaments. They also wear beaded leather skirts. (redundant?) Unique beads are one of the main distinguishing features of Arbore and it is easy to tell them from other tribes.
Unmarried girls completely shave their hair, this is a symbol of virginity, and they cover their heads with a piece of black cloth to protect themselves from the sun, while married women braid their hair in short braids; the men of the tribe wrap their heads with a piece of white cloth. The children are also shaved. On special occasions the Arbore practice body painting that is performed using natural colors made with earth and ground stones.
Overnight camping


Day 10 : 22nd Dec, 2025 ( Arbore – Jinka )
After an early breakfast, we will start photographing the morning life of Arbore people, with the sunrise light. Then proceed to Jinka for overnight ( almost 3.30 hours drive ). Along the way we will have a stopover to shoot the Bana tribe boys of stick walking.
Overnight Jinka Resort.
Day 11 : 23rd Dec, (Jinka – Mursi – Addis Ababa)
Today early in the morning we will drive from Jinja to Mago National park to photograph the Mursi tribe with the morning sun light. The Mursi Tribe are closely related to the Suri Tribe and they share a similar culture, including traditions such as lip plates, kinship organization, birth, marriage, and funeral customs. The Mursi Tribe are in the Lower Omo Valley and the Suri Tribe live in the Upper Omo Valley. Traditionally the women in both of these Ethiopian tribes wear lip plates.
After the Mursi visit, we will drive back to Jinka to catch the flight to Addis Ababa ( 1 hour 20 mins flight ). Our epic trip will end at Addis Ababa airport.
Workshop Fee : 3300 USD ( Shared Accommodation ). During camping, we will provide single tents.
Single accommodation in hotels will cost 300 USD extra.
Booking Amount : 1000$ advance to book your seat. WhatsApp (+91-8240238287) for registration and booking
Click Here


Fee Include:
10 nights accommodation arrangements either in hotel or lodges or tents. This is subject to change as per the location we are in.
All camping equipment
Fee will cover all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) starting from Day 1 lunch to Day 11 lunch.
Mineral water throughout the trip
All local transports in 4×4 vehicles for off-road travel ( 3 person in 1 vehicle )
2 domestic flights in Ethiopian Airline
Hiring of Local guide, drivers and translator
All entry fees
Arrangement of portrait shoots
All Photography tips related to the photo shoot
On field assistances, image reviews and mentor’s guidance fee.


Fee Doesn’t Include:
International Flight tickets.
Visa
Travel Insurance
Any personal habits or expenses like alcohol
Any additional food or beverages ordered etc.
Tips to the hotel staffs and local guide
Personal tips to the tribal people
Any other expenses not included in the list above.
Safe and Guided Trip to Omo Valley
Travel with experienced photographer: Join an experienced portrait and cultural documentary photographer, Tania Chatterjee, for an insightful and immersive photography journey.
Experienced Local Guides: Our knowledgeable, multilingual local guides will ensure a smooth, safe, and enriching experience throughout the trip.
Small Group for Personalized Experience: Enjoy a more intimate and customized experience with a small group size, allowing for more focused attention and flexibility.
Cultural Sensitivity & Local Support: We will provide cultural sensitivity guidelines to ensure respectful engagement with the communities, with constant local support to make your journey both meaningful and safe.
Embark on a well-organized and culturally respectful photography adventure in the Omo Valley!
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
If you cancel your registration, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:
45 days or more: 50% refundable of total workshop fee
Less than 30 days : Non-refundable entire workshop fee
DISCLAIMER
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- Please read the itinerary and Terms and Conditions of the workshop organised by submitting a deposit or payment, you formally accept our Terms and Conditions as stated herein.
- Participant is responsible for ensuring that he or she meets foreign entry requirements and that his or her travel documents, such as passports and visas, are valid and compliant.
- No one under the age of 18 is allowed to attend our Omo valley workshops.
- TCPJourneys is not responsible for the services and policies imposed by the applicable airlines. Airline schedules and flights are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for penalties incurred for tickets, international or domestic flights, not issued by us due to reschedule and/or flight changes.
- TCPJourneys is no way ever responsible for damage or loss to personal belongings of participant including any electronic goods during the tour.
- TCPJourneys don’t have any control over weather conditions, pandemics, accidents or any medical emergencies. Under any unforeseen conditions, we may have to change our itinerary. We expect tour cooperation during unplanned situations.
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