14-Days Mountain Biking on Ethiopia'...

>> Early morning arrival in Addis Ababa. Afterwards departure for an entertaining city tour through the capital of Ethiopia. In the National Museum we visit Lucy, with her 3.2 million years of age probably one of our oldest ancestors. From the Entoto Mountains we have a far-reaching view of the pulsating metropolis and from there we have a great view the city of
Addis Abeba. then drive back to our hotel.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Sunspot Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

>> Travel: 45 min

Biking: 10 km (difficulty: easy ↑200m, ↓200m)

Morning flight to Lalibela (2500 m). The town is world famous for its unique churches carved out of the fields, often called the eighth wonder of the world. After visiting the rock churches, we will explore the village together by bike, including magnificent panoramas of the surrounding mountain ranges of the Amhara region and interacting with the locals before we get back to our hotel.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Lalibela Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)

>> Biking: 25 km (difficulty: difficult, altitude difference: ↑650m, ↓650m)

Hiking: 1 km (difficulty: easy, altitude difference: ↑200m, ↓200m)

In the morning a varied bike tour to the rock church Asheten Maryam at 3000m awaits us. A wide track leads through village settlements and fields up to the Asheten table mountain. The last 30 min to the monastery will be done hiking on a narrow path. From here we have a wonderful panoramic view of the Lalibela area. The location of the hidden church with its impressive and rustic atmosphere guarantees a goose bump atmosphere!

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Lalibela Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)

>> Flight time: 45 min

Travel: 30 min

Biking: 25 km (difficulty: easy, altitude difference: ↑200m, ↓700m)

On a contemplative panoramic road we leave Lalibela and wind our way down a long descent into the Tekeze valley. A short domestic flight takes us to the old imperial city of Gondar, where we explore the mediaeval old town with its magnificently preserved fortress which we will visit in detail.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Goha Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

>> Travel: 3 h; 120 km

Biking: 25 km (difficulty: difficult, altitude difference: ↑700m, ↓450m)

The high mountains are waiting! After a short transfer to Debark (2900 m) we will go by bike on a well developed track directly into the park. The endemic flora and fauna seems to increase with every step: Erika-vegetation, wide grass mats and beyond the tree line the bizarre beauty of the afro-alpine senecio's and lobelias. This flora and fauna can be spotted directly from the bike while entering and riding through the national park.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Simien Mountains NP

>> Biking: 25 km (difficulty: difficult, altitude difference: ↑800m, ↓450m)

Optional Bawit Pass: 15 km (difficulty: challenging, altitude difference: ↑600m, ↓600m)

Hiking: 30 min (difficulty: easy)

The animal world is a big hit in the national park. Unlimited stars are the large populations of the blood-breasted baboons (Geladas), from the bike of on a walk we can watch them eating, frolicking and lousing around. With a bit of luck we may also spot mighty lammergeier, graceful Ethiopian wolves or majestic ibex. In addition to all these unique experiences, the gigantic cliffs and steep cliffs offer us fantastic panoramic views. It is not for nothing that the Simien Mountains are also called the "Roof of Africa".

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Simien Mountains NP

>> Travel: 2-3 h; 150 km

Biking: 30 km (difficulty: medium, altitude difference: ↑400m, ↓400m)

Hiking: 10 km (difficulty: difficult, altitude difference: ↑600m, ↓500m)

In the morning we can hike and climb without bikes the mountain Inataye (4070 Hm) and then return to the roadside. Alternatively we cycle on the rough roads around Cheneck camp. Depending on the fitness and interest we’re flexible to find the best fit for you. Biking, hiking, amazement and enjoyment - this is probably the best way to describe the days in the Simien National Park! We can spot the wildlife both from the bike and on foot. In the afternoon we return back to Gondar by car.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Goha Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

>> Biking: 70 km, (difficulty: medium, altitude difference: ↑700m, ↓1000m)

With the bike we follow the tarmac road which crosses the flat plateaus and hills south-east of Gondar until we reach the northern shore of Lake Tana in Gorgora. Although with tarmac surface, the road has very light traffic. After the rough roads of the Simien Mountains we’ll enjoy a smoother surface. Once in Gorgora by lunchtime we still have time to enjoy the rest of the day with some walking around the lodge or kayaking on Lake Tana, trying to spot some water birds which are abundant around the shore of the lake.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Tim & Kim Village Budget lodge located at Lake Tana

>> Flight time: 1 h

Travel: 4 h; 170 km

In the morning we still have some time to enjoy the peaceful ambient of the lodge. Then we’ll make our way back to Gondar by car to catch a domestic flight which brings us back to Addis Ababa. From here we’ll be transferred about 110km to Wolisso where we take our rooms in a resort with a swimming pool, spa and a big garden full of monkeys, and different species of the area.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Negash Resort Mid-range hotel located in Waliso (Town)

>> Travel: 1 h; 40 km

Biking: 45 km (difficulty: difficult, altitude difference: ↑500m, ↓1600m)

The first part of the ride follows the Wenchi crater rim, with smooth trails on volcanic ash and beautiful vistas down into the crater. An exhilarating downhill stretch through Oromo villages and farmlands will bring you to Wolisso for your second overnight stay at the green gardens of Negash Resort.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Negash Resort Mid-range hotel located in Waliso (Town)

>> Travel: 1.5 h; 60 km

Biking: 30 km (difficulty: moderate/medium, altitude difference: ↑400m, ↓100m)

After breakfast at the resort we depart by car, leave the Oromia Region and make our way into Gurage Zone, which is one of the greenest places in Ethiopia. Muslims and Christians live together peacefully and follow century old traditions. As our first bike trip in this area we have a moderate one starting from Wolkite University to reach the lodge we’re using for the next 2 days: Desalegn Lodge in Agenna.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Desalegn Lodge Mid-range lodge located outside Addis Ababa (City)

>> Biking: 45 km (difficulty: difficult, altitude difference: ↑800m, ↓800m)

A challenging but rewarding and very scenic day trip through the typical Gurage landscape awaits us. The beauty of the scenery is matched by the warmth and hospitality of the local people. This tour gives you the chance to visit the homes of these people whose only complaint when we visited before was “Why didn’t you tell us in advance so that we could prepare a ceremony for you!”. Gurage is also famous for some of the unique and special Ethiopian food like kitfo or kocho.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Desalegn Lodge Mid-range lodge located outside Addis Ababa (City)

>> Travel: 4 h; 170 km

Biking: 30 km (difficulty: moderate, altitude difference: ↑300m, ↓1300m)

After breakfast we check out from the lodge and make our way home to Addis. On partly asphalt roads you will be able to cycle part of the way before the highlight of the day: we say goodbye to Gurage with a fast descent from 3350 to 2050m altitude. This breathtaking downhill ride into the Great African Rift Valley will be one of the last rides of your holiday. After some lunch near Butajira we will drive back to Addis Ababa (3 hrs.) where we checked into a hotel near the airport.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: Sunspot Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

>> Biking: 40 km (difficulty: easy, altitude difference: ↑200m, ↓600m)

The final ride of your two-week tour is about 40 kilometers long, suitable for both intermediate and advanced cyclists, with the second half almost entirely downhill. The starting point in Lagodedi is around 2,500m, and we'll arrive in Bishoftu at 1,900m. We cross the Ethiopian highlands, which are mostly fertile farmland, with some ups and downs in the beginning. At halfway, where we'll stop for lunch, there's a lake, a reservoir that supplies water to the farmland below, where onions, garlic, and other vegetables are grown. Finally, a steeper descent brings us to Bishoftu, where we will stop for a well-deserved cold drink on the shores of one of the crater lakes, capping off a memorable bike trip. Then we return to Addis Abeba, pack the bikes, rest in a hotel dayroom, and go out for a farewell dinner. Transfer to the airport in the evening for your flight back to your home Country.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

•  Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)