Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Join me for a 10-day immersive photography expedition to Ethiopia’s Omo Valley — one of the most culturally rich and remote regions in the world. It’s not a leisurely trip — it’s a deep creative journey designed to push boundaries, develop meaningful connections, and produce powerful photographic work. You’ll return with unforgettable images, a renewed perspective, and a stronger sense of purpose in your craft.
DURATION: 10 Days
LOCATION📍: OMO VALLEY, ETHIOPIA
DATES 🗓️ : April 1-10, 2026
PRICE: $4000
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WORKSHOP
Attend traditional ceremonies and seasonal events like Bull Jumping
Meet the Ari, Bana, Hamer, Karo, Mursi and Arbore tribes
Experience the weekly markets at Key Afer, Dimeka and Turmi
Camp next to tribal villages
Explore the natural wonders of the Great African Rift Valley
Visit a national park and a wildlife sanctuary
Dates: July 2026
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT OMO VALLEY?
The Omo Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world’s last remaining crossroads of ancient culture, migration, and early human history—where fossils dating back over 2.4 million years have been discovered. My first journey there in 2014 reshaped everything I thought I knew; the raw landscape, the coexistence of the sacred and the everyday, and the intimate time spent with tribal communities offered a perspective far beyond research or expectation. While scholars travel to study and document the region, my purpose as a photographer is to preserve a vanishing way of life—its rituals, beauty, violence, family, and connection to nature—before modern influences inevitably transform it. For those who join, this isn’t just travel; it’s an invitation to step outside familiarity and witness a world that has resisted time, globalization, and the collapse of tradition.
PHOTOGRAPHY MODULES:
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN?
Lighting & composition
Hands on training in location photography using professional lighting equipment as well as natural light.
Style & genre
Exposure to different genres of photography, ranging from documentary and street to landscape and portraiture.
Professional equipment training
Applicants will have the opportunity to work with equipment from industry leaders, like Profoto, Nikon/Canon, and grips from industry leaders like Manfrotto to develop their styles in the best possible way.
Post-production & retouching
Basic training on post-production procedures using Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Camera RAW, and Bridge.
Workflow procedures & data management
Learn how to work with hard drives, memory cards and effectively manage data to store and archive your photographs.
What’s Included
Photography workshop by Trupal Pandya, local guides, and drivers
Entry fee for villages, markets, and ceremonies we will attend.
Breakfasts, lunches, dinners (typically in local restaurants where viable)
Packed drinking water throughout
Professional lighting equipment for training
All transport (4XWD land cruisers to/from Addis Ababa)
10-night accommodation (4 nights in hotels, 3 nights in camps and 3 nights in various lodges)
This is subject to change as per the location we are in.
What’s Not Included
Your flights to and back from Addis Ababa
Your Visa/Travel fees
Tips to the locals
Alcohol and other personal expenses are not included.
Camera Equipment, Memory cards, Laptops, Etc
How this works?
You apply by clicking the button on the bottom of the page
We schedule a zoom call and set expectations, answer questions, get to know each other and confirm things
Trupal Pandya is a commercial/documentary photographer based between New York and Mumbai. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York, he has built a visual style rooted in cinematic storytelling, texture, and emotional authenticity.
He documents indigenous communities, explores their local practices, and shows through his pictures how people around the world live. His portfolio includes pictures of the Huaorani Community of the Amazon Rainforest, Headhunters, Brokpas, Aghoris, eunuchs, and shepherds in India, shamans in Guatemala, Mundari people of South Sudan, and the tribes of Omo Valley in Ethiopia.
His work has been published internationally in outlets such as CNN, ELLE, HuffPost, The Week, BuzzFeed, Homegrown and more. Trupal has also photographed notable personalities including Anoushka Shankar, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol, and has led campaigns for brands such as Ekaya, Behno, FAE Beauty, Gucci, R Narayan, and Mukta Sabharwal.
In addition to his commercial practice, Trupal has taught photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, serves as a Black Team member at the Eddie Adams Workshop, and conducts lighting workshops globally.
He is also the founder of Inline Creatives, a Mumbai-based creative agency offering in-house production for fashion, lifestyle, and documentary projects.
Know Your Instructor
FAQs
1. Where does the workshop take place?
The photography workshop takes place in the Omo Valley in Ethiopia. (10-days, excluding travel from your city to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia).
Upcoming workshop: April 2026
2. Who can apply for this workshop?
A photography enthusiast with a DSLR camera, dedicated and passionate about furthering their knowledge of photography and sensitive about different cultures and people. However, please be warned, this is not a vacation but an 10-day intensive workshop. We are restricting the group to a maximum of 6 participants, so the application is highly competitive. Only your experience and interest matter.
3. What is the total cost of the workshop?
The total cost of the workshop is $3500. This includes transport in Ethiopia, Hotels/Tents, meals, workshop fees, water, translator/guide and village entrance fees.
Your flights, Visa, tips to the locals who you photograph and other personal expenses are not included.
Once you apply and the application is reviewed, we will help you with the payments.
5. What about travel arrangements, VISA and local permits?
Participants are expected to book their return flight tickets from their city of residence to Addis Ababa, where you will meet Trupal Pandya. In case you are flying from New York, you can coordinate with Trupal to travel together. We will take care of pick up and drop off from the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and the campsite.
Tourist visa can be issued for three months on arrival at Bole International Airport for nationals and residents of the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Democratic people's Republic of Korea (northern Korea), Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea (south Korea), the Russian Federation, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Please confirm your VISA eligibility prior to applying for the workshop by checking out the Ethiopian embassy website.
6. Where would the participants stay and what about daily meals, sleeping arrangements, toilets?
Accommodation in the Lower Omo Valley is very basic. Hotels are rare and generally of a very rustic standard. In many places, the only option is to camp (equipment provided). Where possible we will be staying in simple eco-lodges.
Water: We will have at all times have enough packed water stored in the cars.
Meals: I recommend local restaurants. Part of the trip experience is trying local dishes. I have been going there quite often and have been eating without any problems. Food is normally prepared from fresh local produce. Meals will usually be hot but occasionally will be light meals such as sandwiches.
We recommended you consult your doctor and carry vaccines for travel to Ethiopia. Check the link for more details.
8. What are the weather conditions in the month we visit the Omo Valley? How will we get around?
Light rains and humid.
This trip is done in a private, 5-seater land cruiser. Road conditions in the south of Ethiopia are generally very poor, especially during the rainy season, and during dry seasons the roads turn quite dusty.
7. What is the photography gear participants should carry?
Mandatory: DSLR Camera, lenses, extra batteries, memory cards & card readers, laptop to transfer data, external hard drive for backup.
Other essentials: Flashlight, dust/rain protection for your cameras and bags, ziplocks, bug repellant spray or cream, hand/face wipes, basic medical supplies and first aid kit, good shoes, light cloths.
You will have to restrict your luggage to 2 bags max. 1 for your equipment and second for clothes/other supplies. We will be traveling in a car and will have limited space. Try and bring only the necessary things.
9. What about communicating with the tribes of the Omo Valley?
We have a guide/translator who has been taking me to the tribes from last couple of years. He is a local and has grown up with the tribes. Its home for him! Where does the workshop take place?
This workshop will take place in professional photo studio in Mumbai, India. Location to be sent to you once you register.
Testimonials
-
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ “The workshop in Ethiopia was one of the greatest, most real experiences of my life. Being an 18 year old, I got to learn and nurture my skills at still-image making from one of the finest portrait photographers while being completely out of my comfort zone. Trupal not only taught us the practical process, but even touched upon the theory to create a great still photograph. This workshop taught me the art of story-telling behind photography which was one of my biggest take-aways.”
Priyanka Shah, India
-
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ “As an avid traveler and casual photographer I had been looking to improve my skills as well as take another trip to beautiful Southern Ethiopia, when I stumbled on Trupal’s work and workshops on a mutual friend’s website. His images spoke to me and I decided to apply instantly. Best decision I ever made.Trupal is not only an incredibly gifted artist, he is also a terrific teacher. His groups are small and he spends a lot of time with each student individually, making sure that you grasp the theory he introduced, can apply it well, use the tools right, and ultimately are happy with the images you produce.This workshop is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a serious interest in photography to learn from a world-class talent in one of the most unique and beautiful corners of the world. ”
Yakov Pavlov, Canada
-
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐“I had read an article regarding Trupal’s work photographing tribes around the world. His unique style and approach to photography is originally what caught my attention. As an university professor covering the topic of photography I am always keen to develop methods through practice. While already having years of knowledge and experience taking pictures there was still a lot to learn from his workshop to Nagaland. A lot of attention was given to each participant both during the shoots and the post-production process. I would highly recommend all levels of photographers, professional or enthusiast, to participate in his workshops as they are a worry free learning experience with an approachable workshop leader. I can not wait to join the next adventure. "
Thomas Groves, Thailand
Contact us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!