Wild Bike — 13 days MOUNTAIN BIKE

Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be accompanied by Zagwe Ethiopia tour employee and transferred to your hotel and preparation of the bikes.   In the afternoon we visit ‘Addis Ababa’ translates as ‘new flower’ in Amharic – the beautiful local language you will hear sung throughout its chaotic streets. Chosen for its verdant setting and wonderful climate this was not always Ethiopia’s capital —the (rather romantic) story tells that it was a love gift, the choice of the consort of the Emperor Menelik II who preferred the location to the country’s original capital Entoto.

The flower has most certainly bloomed and the second you step out of the airport you realise you are opening the door into an ancient, mystical and deeply religious world fighting strongly to keep its presence amongst high rises and shopping centres. A city of immense contrasts its chaotic streets are a hotchpotch of Menelik remains and dizzying investment. Before heading into the country’s rural splendour strike out into this colourful metropolis with your charming local guide. Visit the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, now a fabulous Ethnographical museum , St George’s Cathedral and a panoramic view of the capital from the Entoto Mountain.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight at Hotel

1st Stage – Kilometers 73 – Elevation 500 metres

The day begins with a transfer of 80 kilometres.

We start our bike adventure just after the little village of Muketuri, among the astonished looks of the people who are reaching the town market. The stage goes on with some easy ups and downs. Around kilometre 35 we begin to observe the amazing views beyond the edge of the cliff. We start the downhill around kilometre 50 and after lunch we continue until we reach our camp situated on the bank of the Jemma River. From here we will enjoy a prime view of the cliffs we just arrived from.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight: Camping

2nd Stage – Kilometers 52 – Elevation 1,200 metres

We start the day with a long climb of about 20 kilometres which takes us to the village of Fetra. The first part crosses very poor villages in an area that is very remote. After a break in Fetra we ride on the plateau until we reach the main village of this area, Alem Katama, where we will have lunch and enjoy the coffee ritual. After lunch we leave the village to ride a fast descent that leads us to our camp located on the bends of the River Wenchit.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight: Camping

3rd Stage – Kilometers 32 – Elevation 1,500 metres

The first part is characterized by various ups and downs as we are led to a climb along the river. After about 10 kilometres we will see a huge tree near a bridge. For the first time we will observe some wild fields. From here we begin the most difficult part, with a climb of about 12 kilometers with some really steep gradients. We ride up to the plateau with continuous switchbacks until we reach the village of Tegera, where lunch awaits us. The scenario that we leave behind us is majestic, a sort of Ethiopian Monument Valley with amazing mountains. We can stop to visit a mill for grinding Tef (typical Ethiopian cereal), whose engine dates back to the Italian occupation in 1930. The second part of the day, despite being short, still requires an big effort to overcome the last 450 metres of elevation that separates us from Midda.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight at Hotel or camping

4th Stage – Kilometers 71 – Elevation 600 metres

Today’s stage runs entirely on the plateau between 2,600 and 2,700 metres above sea level. The area is characterized by the strong presence of cultivated fields, mainly in tef. In the first part we can still see the spectacle of the cliffs, then after the village of Togolo the scenery changes. The boundaries of the plateau are no longer visible and instead on the horizon appear the towering mountains above 3,000 meters, which we will cross over the next few days. The arrival in Wereliu is marked by an encounter with the mass of people coming back from work in the fields or markets.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight: Camping

5th Stage – Kilometers 80 – Elevation 1,600 metres

We leave the village of Wereliu and begin to ride with ups and downs that bring us closer to the high mountains that we have to overcome today. After 30 kilometres, we reach the village of Kabe at the end of a broad and beautiful valley where the most challenging section begins – a steady climb that brings us over a pass situated at 3,450 metres above sea level. We continue in a beautiful valley that runs in the high mountains. Once we reach the main road we encounter a small village where we will stop for lunch before tackling the last 250 metres in altitude. Once at the pass, at an altitude of 3,700 metres, we enjoy a spectacular view of the valleys below. The track from here is very fast but the ups and downs make this second part of stage far from easy so we need a last effort to reach the cozy guesthouse in the small village of Chiro, where an imposing mosque stands.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight: Camping

6th Stage – Kilometers 77 – Elevation 800 metres

The downhill profile of the stage should not deceive us. The altitude and continuous ups and downs make this day far from easy. In the first part we will cross several villages whose houses are built in succession at the side of the road. Also interesting is the crossing of some small forests of eucalyptus and pine trees. After arriving in Tenta, the capital of this area, we will stop for lunch. We have been feeling for several kilometres the end of the vast plateau that we are crossing. The Church of St. Michael, situated on the last hill is the prelude to the long descent that opens in front of us and offers incredible scenery . We can see the other plateau at 3000 metres above sea level and below us the huge valley carved by the river over thousands of years. The descent is long and spectacular. It will be impossible to resist the temptation to stop and capture this magnificent panorama. The last 5 kms to reach camp on the river are very fast and should be approached with caution.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight: Camping

7th Stage – Kilometers 30 – Elevation 1,500 metres

We leave the river that we cross through a long newly built bridge and go up to the new plateau. We reach the first village after about 12 kilometres. After the village we began a spectacular climb of over 1000 metres with continuous turns in the track that give us constant changes of perspective. When we reach the end of the climb we can already begin to see groups of gelada monkeys, a species of baboons that live only in Ethiopia and are characterized by the presence of a double red triangle on the chest. After reaching the plateau at 3,000 metres, we now have just a few more kilometres to Wegel Tena, the village where we will eat and spend the night.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight: Hotel

8th Stage – Kilometers 43 – Elevation 150 metres

Today’s stage is not too difficult, but the first part on the plateau is often quite windy. After about 25 kilometres, we come out on yet another grandiose scene, one of the most beautiful in Africa. We see the river, which opened this valley, 1200 metres below us, and the plateau where we are headed in front of us at 3000 metres. All of this  is accompanied by beautiful villages of huts that in this area are on average larger and better maintained than elsewhere. We finish with a long descent to arrive at our camp where we will spend the second half of the day, relaxing on the banks of the river.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight: Camping

9th Stage – Kilometers 76 – Elevation 1,900 metres

We enjoy the cooler hours of the day during the initial climb – over 15 kilometres with 1000 metres of climbing to reach the plateau on a rideable but rocky road. In the last part of the climb we will see the gelada monkeys again, who find shelter in the caves of the cliff. Once on the top we will ride a long mostly tree-lined road with a slight slope that leads us to Gashena, where after 9 days, we will encounter again a paved road. Instead of the pavement we will take a fast gravel road to our camp.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight: Camping

10th Stage – Kilometers 26 – Elevation 1,000 metres

Today’s stage finally brings us to Lalibela. After summiting the easy first pass we will ride on asphalt for the final 17 km. With the city in site, there are still some strenuous ups and downs before we reach the new cobbled road that crosses Lalibela downtown. Following this road we arrive at St. George church, for the traditional group photo and then continue to our hotel. After lunch we will spend the afternoon visiting the Western churches and St. George Church.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight: Hotel

At over 2,500 M the small town of Lalibela is situated high in the Lasta Mountains. Even though Lalibela has been a destination for travelers and pilgrims since the 16th century, the town is remarkably undeveloped. The day is spent exploring the ancient city and its many rock-hewn churches. Lalibela is arguably one of the most important religious and historical sites in Africa, and certainly in the entire Christian world. Although it is not widely known in the west, Ethiopia was the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion and, due to Ethiopia’s becoming Christian long before the Catholic church was born or instigated the structure we recognize today, the roots of Ethiopian Orthodox religious practices are as recognizably Jewish as they are Christian. The Lalibela churches are said to have been constructed during King Lalibela’s reign in the 12th and 13th centuries when Lalibela (then known as Roha) was the capital of the Zagwe dynasty. Legend has it that King Lalibela was exiled in Jerusalem and returned to Ethiopia to build a New Jerusalem. There are many theories as to how these architecturally very advanced churches were built.

Packing of the bikes.

Meals : B/L/D

Overnight at Hotel

Transfer to Lalibela Airport and flight to Addis Abeba. Free day in Addis Abeba.

Eventually it is time for your final Ethiopian dinner, and a sad farewell to this culturally rich, visually dramatic and downright beautiful country.

transfer to the airport and fly back home.

Meals : B/L/D

End of Services for Cycling Tour.

• Please note: This tour may precede or follow any other Ethiopian tours offered by Zagwe Ethiopia Tour.

This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirement.