This 12-day cycling tour through Southern Ethiopia offers an adventurous mix of cycling through stunning landscapes, cultural encounters, and wildlife viewing. From Addis Ababa to the Bale Mountains, participants will experience varied terrains, picturesque routes, and local hospitality \u2013 an unforgettable journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This guided 12-day group tour explores the diverse landscapes of Southern Ethiopia with multiple departure dates. Starting in Addis Ababa, the route takes you through lush forests, volcanic craters, and the green highlands of the Gurage Zone. You'll experience exciting descents into the Great African Rift Valley, drive through the coffee-growing regions of the Sidama Region, and explore the impressive Bale Mountains, home to unique wildlife such as the Ethiopian wolf. The tour also includes visits to hot springs, picturesque lakes, and vibrant villages \u2013 a perfect combination of adventure, culture, and nature.<\/p>\n","cost_includes":"alle Unterk\u00fcnfte in Doppelzimmern mit eigenem Bad\/WC in Hotels oder Lodges; Einzelzimmerzuschlag 330 EUR\nalle Transfers und Reisen in \u00c4thiopien im privaten Fahrzeug\nVollpension (1 Getr\u00e4nk pro Mahlzeit inklusive, alkoholische Getr\u00e4nke ausgeschlossen)\nalle Eintrittsgeb\u00fchren und Genehmigungen f\u00fcr touristische Sehensw\u00fcrdigkeiten, Kirchen, Museen und Nationalparks\nBegleitfahrzeug f\u00fcr Fahrr\u00e4der w\u00e4hrend der gesamten Tour\nalle (erforderlichen) lokalen Guides an den jeweiligen Stationen\nerfahrener SimienEcoTours-Radreiseleiter (flie\u00dfend Englisch & Amharisch sprechend)","cost_excludes":"internationale Fl\u00fcge\nReiseversicherung\nVisum f\u00fcr \u00c4thiopien\nalkoholische Getr\u00e4nke\nTrinkgelder\nFoto- und Videogeb\u00fchren (falls zutreffend)\nalle Extras und pers\u00f6nlichen Ausgaben","itineraries":[{"title":"Ankunft in Addis Abeba \u2013 \"Die neue Blume\"","content":"\n
Early morning arrival in Addis Ababa. Afterwards, we depart for an enjoyable tour of the Ethiopian capital. At the National Museum, we visit Lucy, who, at 3.2 million years old, is likely one of our oldest ancestors. From Entoto Mountain, we enjoy a panoramic view of the vibrant metropolis. For those interested, we will check our bikes with our first ride of around 10 km, mostly downhill, to test our bicycles and our fitness at the altitude of the Ethiopian highlands. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garden Hills Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bus journey time: 1 hour In the morning, we leave Addis Ababa to reach a small forest just outside the capital. Here in Menagesha, we have various options for easy or more demanding rides; we are flexible depending on your interest, but it is usually a 4-5 hour ride covering about 20 km and almost 1,000 metres of climbing (which can be shortened as vehicles can accompany us for the entire route). It is also the first serious ride, aimed primarily at helping you gain confidence in cycling and adjust to the high altitude in Ethiopia. After lunch, we will be driven about 110 km from here to Wolisso, where we will check into our rooms at a resort with a swimming pool, spa, and a large garden full of monkeys. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Negash Resort<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bus journey time: 4 h, 140 km In the morning, there's a short (but optional) walk through a green valley with many streams and hot springs, after which we'll get on our bikes to begin cycling. The first part of the route follows the crater rim of Wenchi with pleasant paths on volcanic ash and beautiful views down into the crater. An exciting downhill section through Oromo villages and farmland brings you back to Wolisso for the second night at the lush gardens of the Negash Resort. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Negash <\/a>Resort<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel time by bus: 1 h, 40 km After breakfast at the resort, we set off by car, leaving the Oromia region and making our way to the Gurage Zone, which is one of the greenest places in Ethiopia. Muslims and Christians live peacefully together here, following traditions that are centuries old. For our first cycling tour in this area, we'll undertake a moderate route starting at Wolkite University (Gubre) to reach the lodge we'll use for the next two days: Desalegn Lodge in Agenna. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Desalegn <\/a>Lodge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bus journey time: 1.5 h, 60 km A challenging but rewarding and scenically beautiful day trip through typical Gurage landscape awaits us. The beauty of the surroundings is complemented by the warmth and hospitality of the local people. This tour gives you the opportunity to visit the homes of these people, whose only complaint on our previous visit was: \u201eWhy didn't you tell us beforehand so we could have prepared a ceremony for you?!\u201c. Gurage is also famous for some unique and special Ethiopian dishes such as Kitfo or Kocho. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Desalegn Lodge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cycling: 47 km (Difficulty: challenging, Elevation gain: \u21911000 m, \u21931000 m)<\/p>\n"},{"title":"From the highlands to the Great African Rift Valley","content":"\n After breakfast, we check out of the lodge and head towards one of the highest mountain ridges in the Gurage region. On partially asphalted roads, you'll be able to cycle a portion of the way before the highlight of the day: we say goodbye to Gurage with a rapid descent from 3350 to 2050 m altitude. 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 to Hawassa (3-4 hours), where we will check into a lodge right on the lake. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Haile Resort<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bus travel time: 3.5\u20134 h, 170 km We leave the lodge by car, which brings us uphill to the Sidama Plateau, where we will start cycling. Here we will find great trails among enset plantations on red dirt roads as we set off to explore the green surroundings. We will stop for a packed lunch or at a simple restaurant, drinking local tea or coffee. Afterwards, we head to the southern part of the Senkele Wildlife Reserve before descending on exciting, yet somewhat challenging trails back towards the lakeshore. Pick up by car or cycling back to the lodge. Alternatively, for those who do not have experience with descents or singletracks, there is an alternative and easy route back via a wide gravel road. (B, L, D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Haile Resort<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bus journey time: 1 hour, 45 km After a 2\u20133 hour transfer southeast, we unload the bicycles and explore the highlands around Garanba Mountain. We'll first cycle on the plateau with small ascents and descents before finally descending to Yirgalem, known for its green, fertile land and coffee plantations. In the evening, a hyena feeding takes place right at the lodge. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aregash Lodge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bus travel time: 2\u20133 hours, 70 km In the morning, we have a transfer of approximately 4\u20135 hours. Before Dinsho, we unload the bicycles to ride on a gravel road into the Bale Mountains National Park, specifically through the Gaysay grasslands, where we might see some wildlife such as Nyala antelope, warthogs, and dikdiks. For those who wish to cycle more, and if time permits, there is the option to continue part of the route on an asphalt or gravel road to our hotel. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nurobe Hotel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bus journey time: 4\u20135 h, 200 km Today we reach the highest point of the entire trip, which is well over 4000m above sea level. To avoid the long ascent to the so-called Sanetti Plateau, we load the bikes onto the vehicle again. In addition to cycling, on the Sanetti Plateau we will also see the Ethiopian wolf and some other wild animals. Those interested can climb Tullu Dimtu, which at 4377m is the highest peak in the Bale Mountains. Afterwards, a long and beautiful descent of more than 2000 vertical metres takes us back to Robe. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nurobe Hotel<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bus travel time: 1.5 hours, 40 km Today is our last cycling day and we will take it easy. We will cycle into Abijatta-Shalla National Park and hope to spot some wildlife such as flamingos, warthogs and ostriches. For sure we will see some hot springs where locals wash and cook food. In the afternoon, after returning to the lodge we will just relax by Lake Langano which is one of the few lakes in Ethiopia that is suitable for swimming. (B,L,D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cycling (optional): 10\u201312 km (moderate, \u2191200 m, \u2193750 m)<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Transfer to the Green West for the first tour","content":"\n
Cycling: 19 km (medium, \u21911000 m, \u21931050 m)<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Day trip to the extinct Wenchi volcano","content":"\n
Cycling: 45 km (Difficulty: medium, Elevation gain: \u2191500 m, \u21931550 m)<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Further west into the Gurage Zone","content":"\n
Cycling: 36 km (Difficulty: easy, Elevation gain: \u2191550 m, \u2193250 m)<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Beautiful day trip in the green Gurage Highlands","content":"\n
Cycling: 37 km (Difficulty: medium, Elevation gain: \u2191400 m, \u21931600 m)<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Exploring the fertile highlands of the new Sidama Region","content":"\n
Cycling: 54 km (Difficulty: challenging, Elevation gain: \u2191600 m, \u2193800 m)<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Cycling in the green region around Yirgalem, where the coffee comes from","content":"\n
Cycling: 31 km (Difficulty: medium, Altitude difference: \u2191450 m, \u21931650 m)<\/p>\n"},{"title":"First trips in Bale Mountains National Park","content":"\n
Cycling: 35 km (Difficulty: medium, Altitude difference: \u2191500 m, \u21931000 m)<\/p>\n"},{"title":"About the Sanetti Plateau at over 4000 m altitude","content":"\n
Cycling: 63 km (Difficulty: medium, Elevation gain: \u2191700 m, \u21932300 m)<\/p>\n"},{"title":"Cycling and Enjoyment around the Rift Valley Lakes","content":"\n