PTT 0302 - OMO VALLEY WITHOUT CAMPING (9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS)

Day 1:
Arrive in Addis Ababa to a warm welcome by PTT staff at the airport, and then
transfer to your hotel. Morning will be free. Afternoon, start your sightseeing tour
of Addis Ababa, starting your tour from the Trinity Cathedral, visit to the
National Museum (archaeological and historical), which has the best collection of
Ethiopian antiquities and archeological discoveries, including the famous oldest
hominid “Lucy”; then drive up to Mt. Entoto, the highest part of the capital, where
you will have a panoramic view over the town of Addis Ababa; a visit to the adjacent
church of St. Mary; a drive down to the biggest open air market in East Africa
called Mercato.
Drive back to the hotel for overnight.

Day 2:
Drive from Addis to Arba Minch, visiting the Rift Valley lakes en route. Lunch will be at Shashemene, followed by an afternoon drive to Arba Minch via Wolayta village. Overnight at Swaynes Hotel.

Day 3:
In the morning, you will visit Nech Sar National Park, famous for its wild animal, bird and plant collections. Sites very much worth your attention are the two rift valley lakes i.e. Abaya and Chamo, found in the park. In the afternoon, go for boat ride on Lake Chamo to view the huge hippopotamus family, great white pelicans and other offshore birds, as well as the biggest crocodiles in Africa. 
Overnight will be at Swaynes Hotel.

Day 4:
Morning drive to Jinka. If it is a Thursday, you will visit the colorful market of the Benna and Tsemay tribes at Keyafer on your way, 42 Kms before you reach Jinka.
Overnight will be at Resort Hotel.

Day 5:
In the morning, you will drive to Mago National park to visit the Mursi tribes, who are the most famous in of the Omo valley. You can not miss their most fascinating cultural traits such as lip clay insertion to enhance beauty. Afterwards, return to Jinka for overnight at the Resort Hotel.

Day 6:
Drive to Turmi via Dimeka village. At Dimeka, you will see the big and very colorful market of the Hamar, Karo and Dassanech tribes. Later in the afternoon you will reach Turmi, home of Hammer tribes. If you are will it, your guide could organize for you to watch the beautiful late afternoon dance of the Hammer youngsters called ‘Evangadi’.
Overnight will be at Evangadi Lodge in a fixed tent.

Day 7:
Full day in Turmi, which depends on the market date: visit the open air market of the Hammer people, or make a day’s excursion to Omorate, 70 Km from Turmi, and on the way visit the Dassanech tribe, cross Omo River by local boat, then drive back to Turmi late in the afternoon and visit the villages of the Turmi.
Overnight will be at Evangadi Lodge in a fixed tent.

Day 8:
Drive back to Arbaminch. On the way, visit the Erbore and Konso tribes. Make sure to observe the Konso land terracing culture which has been so for 6000 years. If it is a Monday, you will see their market too.
Overnight will be at Swaynes Hotel.

Day 9:
Drive back to Addis, and in the evening you will be invited for traditional dinner with folk dances at one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis.
Later you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.