This 12-day cycling tour through southern Ethiopia offers an adventurous mix of cycling through breathtaking landscapes, cultural encounters and wildlife exploration. From Addis Ababa to the Bale Mountains, participants will experience varied terrain, scenic trails and the hospitality of the locals in an unforgettable journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This guided 12-day mountain bike and e-bike tour explores the diverse landscapes of southern Ethiopia. Several departure dates are available. The trip starts in Addis Ababa and takes you through lush forests, volcanic craters and the green highlands of the Gurage zone. You will experience thrilling descents into the Great Rift Valley, drive through the coffee-growing region of Sidama and explore the breathtaking Bale Mountains, home to unique wildlife such as the Ethiopian wolf. The tour also includes visits to hot springs, picturesque lakes and lively villages, offering a perfect blend of adventure, culture and nature in an unforgettable cycling experience.<\/p>\n","cost_includes":"englischsprachiger Radreiseleiter \nalle \u00dcbernachtungen in Doppelzimmern mit eigener Toilette und Dusche in Hotels oder Lodges; Einzelzimmerzuschlag 330 Euro\nalle Transfers und Fahrten in \u00c4thiopien mit Privatwagen\nVollpension (1 Getr\u00e4nk pro Mahlzeit inklusive, alkoholische Getr\u00e4nke ausgeschlossen)\nalle Eintrittsgelder und Genehmigungen f\u00fcr Touristenattraktionen, Kirchen, Museen und Nationalparks\nFahrradbegleitfahrzeug w\u00e4hrend der gesamten Tour verf\u00fcgbar\nalle (obligatorischen) lokalen Guides in den einzelnen Destinationen","cost_excludes":"internationale Fl\u00fcge\nReiseversicherung\nVisum in \u00c4thiopien\nalkoholische Getr\u00e4nke\nTrinkgeld\nFoto- und Videogeb\u00fchren (falls vorhanden)\nalle Extras und pers\u00f6nlichen Ausgaben","itineraries":[{"title":"Arrival in Addis Ababa - The new flower","content":"\n
Early morning arrival in Addis Ababa. From the airport we go for an entertaining city tour through the capital of Ethiopia. At 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. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Monarch Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bus travel time 1 h<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Transfer to the green west for our first trip","content":"\n 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\u2019re flexible about it, depending on your interest, but usually it\u2019s a 4h ride with about 20km and 700-800m climbing (which can be shortened). It\u2019s also our first ride which should mainly help you getting confidence with the bike and the high altitude in Ethiopia. After lunch we\u2019ll 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. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Negash Resort<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cycle route 21 km, 750 am, level of difficulty: medium<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel time bus 4 h, 140 km<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Cycle tour on the extinct Wenchi volcano","content":"\n 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. Depending on the local circumstances (2025 there are constructions going on) the route can be modified, but without alternating the character of the ride. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Negash <\/a>Resort<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cycle route 43 km, 500 am, level of difficulty: medium <\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel time bus 1 h, 40 km<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Further west into the Gurage zone","content":"\n 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\u2019ll be using for the next 2 days: Desalegn Lodge in Agenna. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Desalegn <\/a>Lodge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cycle route 31 km, 550 am, level of difficulty: moderate <\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel time by bus 1.5 h, 60 km<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Beautiful day trip to the green Gurage highlands","content":"\n 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 \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell us in advance so that we could prepare a ceremony for you?!\u201d. Gurage is also famous for some of the unique and special Ethiopian food like kitfo or kocho. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Desalegn Lodge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cycle route 43 km, 800 am, level of difficulty: difficult<\/p>\n"},{"title":"From the highlands to the Great Rift Valley","content":"\n After breakfast, we check out of the lodge and make our way to one of the highest ridges in Gurage. You can cycle part of the route on partially tarmac roads before the highlight of the day: We bid farewell to Gurage with a rapid descent from 3350 to 2050 metres above sea level. This breathtaking descent into the Great African Rift Valley will be one of the highlights of your holiday. After lunch near Butajira or Ziway, we drive back to Hawassa (3-4 hours), where we check into a lodge directly on the lake. (F,M,A)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Haile Resort<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cycle route 30 km, 400 am, level of difficulty: moderate<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel time by bus 3.5-4 h, 170 km<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Exploring the fertile highlands of the new Sidama region","content":"\n We\u2019ll set off from the lodge by bike (alternatively some by car) and cycle southwards halfway around the lake, before a steep uphill to the Sidama plateau. 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 local tea or coffee. We will head to the southern part of the Senkele Wildlife sanctuary before heading on exciting trails back down towards the lakeside. Pick up by car or cycle back to the lodge. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Haile Resort<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cycle route 68 km, 900 am, level of difficulty: difficult<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel time bus 0.5 h, 25 km<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Hot springs of Wondo Genet and boat trip in Hawassa","content":"\n After a transfer of 45min in direction East we unload the bikes and explore the highlands around Wondo Genet. First we climb some 700m on a rough road, before the part on the plateau with small ups and downs, and finally descending down to Wondo Genet, famous of being a resort town since the times of Haile Selassie. We\u2019ll also take a bath in the hot springs there. Loading bikes and drive back to Lake Hawassa where we can have a boat tour at sunset. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Haile Resort<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cycle route 30 km, 850 am, level of difficulty: moderate<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel time bus 2 h, 60 km<\/p>\n"},{"title":"First trip in the Bale Mountains National Park","content":"\n In the morning we will transfer for about 4.5 hours. In Dinsho e unload the bikes to cycle on a dirt road into the Bale Mountains National Park. Our goal is to reach the Habera Waterfall located at almost 3,500m altitude. If possible, on the way back we take a slightly different road to the Bale Mountains National Pak headquarters where there is some wildlife to see 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 road a part of the way to our hotel. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honeycomb Shebelle<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cycle route 29 km, 600 am, level of difficulty: moderate <\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel time by bus 4.5 h, 180 km<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Across the Sanetti plateau at an altitude of over 4000 m","content":"\n 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\u2019ll load again the bikes. Besides cycling, on Sanetti plateau we\u2019ll 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 almost 2000m is taking us back to Goba. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n