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NEW! INTO THE OMO VALLEY
Isolated for millennia from the rest of the world, the beautiful Omo Valley is home to an intriguing mix of many small and distinctive tribal groups. Amongst others we find the Karo, the Mursi and the Hamer - all of whom have retained their own unique customs and traditions. On this journey of discovery we get truly off the beaten track, exploring little visited National Parks, picturesque villages and vibrant local markets. We discover some areas on foot and are privileged to witness age-old customs and rituals, learning of the symbolism that remains an integral part of everyday life in this captivating region. Addis & the Rift Valley Leaving the bustling city of Addis Ababa we head south travelling by 4WD as we make our way along the Rift Valley to Langano and the Rift Valley Lakes. Here we are introduced to the incredible variety of birdlife that inhabits this area, including the thousands of flamingo found at Lake Abiata. Continuing to the small and absorbing regional capital of Arba Minch, we take a detour to the small mountain village of Chencha, where we find the distinctive architecture of the Dorze - renowned weavers living in bee-hive shaped huts. The Omo Heading through the steeply terraced, cultivated homeland of the Konso, we make our way to the lively Thursday market at Key Afar. Here we mingle with the Ari and Tsemai peoples before continuing to Jinka - gateway to the Omo region. In the Mago National Park we camp on the river bank where we encounter the Mursi, whose women are uniquely distinguished by the clay lip plate cut into their lower lip. Arriving at the Omo river we meet the Karo, characterised by their unique hairstyles and distinctive body paintings. Vibrant Markets & Desert Lakes In the colourful weekly markets at Turmi and Weyto we experience life seemingly from a bygone age, as local tribes gather to trade as they have done for centuries before. In this desolate area we expect to encounter Meeting Konso villagers/Jane Sweeney
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Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Addis Ababa. 2 Arrive Addis Ababa; PM city tour. 3 Drive via Rift Valley lakes to Langano. 4 Continue to Arba Minch via Chencha, home of the Dorze people. 5 Drive to Jinka via weekly market at Key Afar. 6 Drive to Omo River, visit Mursi village on foot. 7 Visit Mursi village; drive Mago National Park. 8 Drive to Murelle through the region of the Karo. 9 Drive to Turmi via weekly market; visit Hamer region. 10 Full day walk to Hamer villages. 11 Visit Arbore people and Weyto weekly market; continue to Konso. 12 Full day walk to Konso villages. 13 Drive to Yabelo via El Sod crater lake. 14 Visit Agere Mariam weekly market; continue via Lake Awasa to Wondo Genet. 15 Drive to Addis Ababa. 16 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 9nts hotel, 2nts tented lodge, 3nts camping; 14 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 12 dinners included. See p41. Mode of Travel: 4WD/Motorboat/ On foot. Comment: A tough overland journey into one of the most remote areas of Ethiopia, we also include two full days walking to remote villages. The tourist infrastructure in this little visited region is undeveloped with poor roads, some basic hotels, and nights of wild camping. However, for those prepared, the cultural interactions and experiences more than compensate for the basic conditions. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Leader plus driver(s) and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 9 to 12. Tribal encounters
16 DAYS HOTELS/CAMPING/TENTED LODGE REMOTE TRIBES OF THE RIFT VALLEY several tribal groups who have adapted to the harsh environment and make full day walks to remote villages of the Hamer and Konso people. We visit El Sod crater lake, where the Borena tribe still extract salt for their cattle, and the weekly market of the Guji at Agere Mariam before relaxing at Wondo Genet and finally returning to Addis Ababa.
DATES AND PRICES Flight Inc 16 days Sun to Mon REF:BOV 2008 deps flight land Price in £s inc only *27 Jan-11 Feb 1795 1345 *10 Feb-25 Feb 1795 1345 21 Sep-06 Oct 1795 1345 05 Oct-20 Oct 1795 1345 19 Oct-03 Nov 1795 1345 14 Dec-29 Dec 1945 1395 28 Dec-12 Jan 1845 1395 2009 Price in £s 01 Feb-16 Feb 1845 1395 15 Feb-02 Mar 1845 1395 20 Sep-05 Oct 1845 1395 04 Oct-19 Oct 1845 1395 Land Only tour: 14 days - start Addis Ababa day 2 (Mon), end Addis Ababa day 15 (Sun). *operates on 2007 itinerary, please request a dossier. Single Room Option: £175 see p41 for details. Plus Local Payment: US$200 (approx £100) payable Addis Ababa These are guide prices, see p45 for details.
Into the Omo Valley Ref BOV
ADDIS ABABA
LL EY
Debre Zeyit Crater lakes
ETHIOPIA
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LANGANO
Lake Abiata Lake Shala
T
IF
Lake Ziwey Lake Langano
Visit Wolayta Lake Awasa villages
T
V
A
R
Om o
G
E
WONDO GENET
A
Mursi village walk
Guge Mountains Visit Dorze village Lake of Chencha Abaya
ARBA MINCH Lake JINKA Chamo
MAGO NP
Agere Mariam Key Afar Visit local market market villages Weyto
Karo
MURELLE village
Hamer village walk
km 0
KONSO YABELLO
Visit Borena villages El Sod Crater
TURMI
Market KENYA
150
Konso village walk
Lake Turkana
For latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk
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