Cycling and E-Biking in Ethiopia's Southern Mountains

Travel: 1 h

Biking: Biking: optional 10-12 km (difficulty: intermediate, altitude difference: ↑200m, ↓750m)

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. Here we’ll also check for the first time our bikes on a short ride.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Garden Hills Hotel or similar, in Addis Ababa

Travel: 4 h; 140 km

Biking: 19 km (difficulty: intermediate, altitude difference: ↑1000m, ↓1050m)

In the morning we leave Addis Ababa to reach a small forest just outside of the capital. Here in Menagesha we have different options for easy or tougher rides, we’re flexible about it, depending on your interest, but usually it’s a 4-5h ride with about 20km and 700-800almost 1000m climbing (which can be shortened because the vehicles are able to follow us throughout the whole route). It’s also the first serious ride which should mainly help you getting confidence with the bike and high altitude in Ethiopia. After lunch we’ll be transferred from here for about 110km to Wolisso where we take our rooms in a resort with a swimming pool, spa and a big garden full of monkeys.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Negash Resort or similar, in Wolisso

Travel: 1 h; 40 km

230Biking: 45 km (difficulty: intermediate, altitude difference: ↑1050m, ↓2300m)

In the morning there is a shot (but optional) walk through a green valley with lots of water streams and hot springs, after which we jump on the bike for the cycling. 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.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Negash Resort or similar, in Wolisso

Travel: 1.5 h; 60 km

Biking: 36 km (difficulty: easy, altitude difference: ↑750m, ↓500m)

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 (Gubre) to reach the lodge we’re using for the next 2 days: Desalegn Lodge in Agenna.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Desalegn Lodge or similar, Agenna

Travel: -

Biking: 47 km (difficulty: difficult, altitude difference: ↑1000m, ↓1000m)

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.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Desalegn Lodge or similar, Agenna

Travel: 3.5-4 h; 170 km

Biking: 37 km (difficulty: moderate, altitude difference: ↑450m, ↓1650m)

After breakfast we check out from the lodge and make our way to one of the highest ridges of Gurage. 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 breath-taking downhill ride into the Great African Rift Valley will be one of the highlights of your holiday. After some lunch near Butajira or Ziway we will drive to Hawassa (3-4 hrs.) where we check in into a lodge directly on the lake.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Haile Resort or similar, in Hawassa

Travel: 1 h; 45 km

Biking: 54 km (difficulty: difficult, altitude difference: ↑600m, ↓800m)

We’ll leave from the lodge by car which takes us uphill to the Sidama plateau where we start biking. Here we find great trails among the enset plantations on red dirt roads, as we head off exploring the green area. We will stop for a packed lunch or in a simple restaurant, and grab some tea or coffee locally. We will head to the southern part of the Senkele Wildlife sanctuary before heading on exciting but a bit challenging trails back down towards the lakeside. Pick up by car or cycle to the lodge. Alternatively, for those not experienced with downhill or single tracks, there is an alternative and easy road back via a wide dirt road.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Haile Resort or similar, in Hawassa

Travel: 2-3 h; 70 km

Biking: 31 km (difficulty: moderate, altitude difference: ↑450m, ↓1650m)

After a transfer of 2-3 hours in direction South-East we unload the bikes and explore the highlands around the Garanba Mountain. First we cycle the part on the plateau with small ups and downs, and finally descending down to Yirgalem famous for its green fertile land and the coffee plantations. In the evening there will be some hyena feeding directly at the lodge.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Aregash Lodge or similar, in Yirgalem

Travel: 4-5 h; 200 km

Biking: 35 km (difficulty: moderate, altitude difference: ↑500m, ↓1000m)

In the morning we have a transfer of about 4-5 hours. Before Dinsho we unload the bikes to cycle on a dirt road into the Bale Mountains National Park, precisely through the Gaysay Grasslands, to see some wildlife like the Nyala antelope, warthogs and dikdiks. For those who want to cycle more, and if the time allows it, there is the option to cycle on an asphalt or dirt road road a part of the way to our hotel.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Nurobe Hotel or similar, in Robe

Travel: 1.5 h; 40 km

Biking: 63 km (difficulty: moderate, altitude difference: ↑700m, ↓2300m)

Today we reach the highest point of the whole trip which is way higher than 4,000m altitude. To avoid the long uphill to reach the so called Sanetti plateau, we’ll load again the bikes. Besides cycling, on Sanetti plateau we’ll also see the Ethiopian wolf and some other wildlife. Those interested can climb Tullu Dimtu, with 4,377m the highest peak of the Bale Mountains. Then a long and nice descend of more than 2000m is taking us back to Robe.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Nurobe Hotel or similar, in Robe

Travel: 5-6 h; 300 km

Biking: 25 km (difficulty: moderate, altitude difference: ↑300m, ↓300m)

Today we have our last day of cycling and we’ll take it easy. We cycle into Abjatta Shalla National Park and hope to see some wildlife like flamingos, warthogs and ostriches. Definitely we’ll some hot springs where the locals wash and cook food. In the afternoon, after returning back to the lodge, we just relax on Lake Langano which is one of the few lake in Ethiopia suitable for swimming.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Sabana Lodge or similar, in Langano

Travel: 4.5-5 h; 230 km

After some enjoyable moments at the Lake and a boat tour and lunch on Lake Ziway, today's drive will take us back to Addis Ababa, where your return flight will probably take off late in the evening. If there is enough time before your departure, we visit a market or shop in Addis Ababa to buy souvenirs. Finally, there is a joint traditional Ethiopian dinner with music and dance performance. End of the trip and departure depending on flight times.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: -

• all accommodations in double rooms with private toilet/shower in hotels or lodges; supplement for single room 330 Euro;
• all transfers and travels in Ethiopia with private car;
• full board (1 drink per meal included, alcoholic drinks excluded);
• all entrance fees and permissions at tourist attractions, churches, museums and national parks;
• bike support vehicle available throughout the tour;
• all (mandatory) local guides in the single destinations;
• experienced SimienEcoTours tour bike guide (fluently English & Amharic speaking).

• international flights;
• travel insurance;
• visa in Ethiopia (currently about $60);
• bike rent (in case you’re not bringing your own bike): 220 Euro for a hardtail MTB, 450 Euro for a full suspension E-Bike;
• alcoholic drinks;
• tipping;
• photo and video fees (if any);
• all extras and personal expenditures.