Hello Heinz. I promise you that you will not be disappointed as a photographer coming to the south Omo Valley of Ethiopia. It is rich in culture. The body decoration, the costumes, the markets and the ceremonies (if you are lucky enough to see one) are worth your time and money.However, as a tour leader myself in Ethiopia,I think 15days is too short to experience both Northern historic route and the south cultural route overland. So your options may be:

A)Add some more days to your trip to make the best of your trip. Sometimes you will need to wait a day or two to see some of the tribal ceremonies (eg.The Hammer bull-jumping)
B)try to combine driving and flying to save some time (flying in the south is not much of an option but you can fly to the north and do the south overland.but note that domestic flights are very expensive unless you fly Ethiopian Airlines from home to Addis)
C)try to limit your plans either to the north or just to the south
If you would like a reliable local tour operator organise it for you and/or get some more info; pls visit: www.ethioguzo.com

thanks for the information. I try to do the trip from 2 to 16th January 2011.
Hereafter a program, which I have been suggested. I would be interested to find somebody, who likes to join this trip in order to share the cost

First Program(Recommend this one)
Day 01: (Jan 02) Addis Ababa
Arrival in Addis Ababa if you will be arriving mid night half day city tour of Addis Ababa can be done.

Day 02: (Jan 03) Addis Ababa - Makele – Amedilal
Fly fom Addis to Mekele and then drive from Mekele to Ahmedilal, Via beautiful Berhale ,a town in amazing rock formation and the best place for picture of the Camel Caravan with the African Sunset. O/n Camping

Day 03: (Jan 04) Ahmedilal, Lake asale and Dallol.
Drive to the Salty Lake Asale, and visit the salt workers and the merchant from the highland the salt market and the lake and proceed 17 km to Dalol and enjoy the spectacular view and small hill which is colorful by hot spring in several places. The hot spring out with the sulfurs, potash and salt it forms spectacular formation. Drive back to Berhaile for an overnight stay, camping.

Day 04: (Jan 05) Back to Mekele
Back to Mekele and visit the museum and market if you arrive early

Day 05: (Jan 06) Mekele to Lalibela
Drive through a very dramatic high lands of Ethiopia, crossing Mount Mekdela(where Minilik II had a battle with the Italian troops around 1935-36)

Day 06: (Jan 07) Lalibela
On this day it is Christmas day so that you can attend the very colorful ceremony of the orthodox church at Bete Mariam church. Afternoon you can do an excursion to visit the churches found out of the city Lalibela.

Day 07. (Jan 08) Fly back to Addis
Fly back to Addis and if you wanted continue the city tour and shopping or, drive to Awassa visiting the creator rift valley lakes.

Day 08: (Jan 09) Addis/Awassa to Arbaminch
Drive to Arbaminch by admiring the welayita peoples house and the falls banana where the tribe prepare their local bread called Kocho.

Day 09: (Jan 10) Arbaminch Turmi
Drive from Arbaminch to Turmi, on the way visiting the tribes of Karo, tsemay, Ari, Bena,etc…

Day 10: (Jan 11) Turmi
Morning drive to Omorate to visit the dasenech people near the omo river then back for lunch Turmi and then visit the Hamer people and if lucky the market of dimeka.

Day 11: (Jan 12 Turmi)
Drive to visit the Karo people, for their very interesting decoration and scarification all over their body; and very nice views over Omo river from Kortcho village. Back afternoon to the very interesting Hamer people and visit their villages. With luck we'll try also to participate to their marriage ceremonies, with the bull jumping & more. ON Turmi

Day 12: (Jan 13) Turmi , Mursi,Key Afer Market, Jinka
Drive to Mursi to visit the very interesting tribes of Murisi, where a women put a disck plates on the lower part of the lip, the day is Thursday so you will be able to visit also the Key Afer Markt before you drive back to Jinka

Day 13: (Jan 14) Jinka, Karo, Arbaminch
Driving to jinka, you will arrive early afternoon, so that you will have time to drive and visit the chencha village, where the Famous Dorze tribe lives. They are famous on their colorful cotton closing and the falls banana bread called Kocho.

Day 14: (Jan 15) Arbaminch, Addis Ababa
Early morning, you will starte driving to Addis Ababa, and visiting the Debreziet creater lakes etc… evenings don’t miss in one of the finest traditional night club with good Ethiopian folklorist music.

Day 15: (Jan 16) Addis Ababa and Departure
On the day visiting historical and some touristic places, such as, Merkato, Piazza, monuments, church of Trinity etc… evening departure


Heinz

Hello Heinz,
I did not travel to the Omo Vally when I was in Ethiopia last January. However, my understanding is that you are asked to pay for each photo that you take of the local people - approximately 1-10 birr per photo. As a photographer, you should be aware of this.

Ethiopia is lovely in January and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

Hi, I am a photographer and I have booked a trip to Ethiopiaa from 2nd to 16th January.
I look for two tracks somebody to share the cost of the 4 wheel vehicle.
the trip is divided in two parts
1st part
Jan 3rd to 8th Mekele, Ahmedilal, Lake asale, Dallol and Lalibela (christmas ceelbration)
2nd part
Jan 9th to 15th southern villages
The cost of the Toyota Landcruiser is 110 €/day including driver and guide.
If you are interested I can send you the detailed itinery.
Herafter a link to look some of my photos.
I am Austrian living in Italy and therefore I speak Italian, German and English

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hh253/collections/


Heinz

Dear Heinz,

We are a couple from Malta (in the Mediterranean). We are arriving Addis on 29 December and would really like to join you on you trip. Will you please send us a detailed itenary? our e-mail is elphants23@yahoo.co.uk. We have to be back in Addis on 15 January since our flight leaves 16 very early in the morning (however, we are flexible since we have not yet confirmed our flights! )

Warm regards,
Lu and Pete
PS we speak English and Italian...

oops!! our e-mail address is elephants23@yahoo.co.uk. I got too excited hehe!!!