Short Cycling Tour from Addis Ababa to the South

Travel: 1 h; 40 km

Biking: 43 km (difficulty: intermediate, altitude difference: ↑500m, ↓1550m)

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.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Negash Resort or similar, in Wolisso

https://negashresort.com

Travel: -

Biking: 79 km (difficulty: easy, altitude difference: ↑1000m, ↓850m)

After breakfast at the resort we start cycling from there, leave the Oromia Region and make our way into Gurage Zone, which is one of the greenest places in Ethiopia, mostly on asphalt, so that we’re fast to reach the capital of Gurage, Wolkite, after 40km from Woliso. We’ll have lunch in Wolkite or Wolkite University, and in the afternoon we 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

https://desalegnhotelsandresort.com/desalegn-lodge-resort/

Travel: -

Biking: 43 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. Muslims and Christians live together peacefully and follow century old traditions. 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

https://desalegnhotelsandresort.com/desalegn-lodge-resort/ 

Travel: -

Biking: 59 km (difficulty: moderate, altitude difference: ↑1500m, ↓1600m)

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.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Rediet Hotel or similar, in Butajira

Travel: -

Biking: 51 km (difficulty: easy, altitude difference: ↑200m, ↓650m)

After breakfast, today we leave the Gurage Zone and descend further down into the Great African Rift Valley. It will be an easier cycling day. A flat part takes us to the border to Oromia Region where we cycle down on the asphalt. Temperatures are getting higher, but soon we’ll reach our beautifully located resort at the lakeside. Ziway, on Oromia language Batu, is also known for it’s wine and fish dishes. If we’ll have time left, we’ll explore the birdlife of the lake in the course of a short boat trip.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Haile Resort or similar, in Ziway/Batu

https://hailehotelsandresorts.com/ziway-resort/

Travel: 2-3 h; 160 km

Biking: 50 km (difficulty: moderate, altitude difference: ↑650m, ↓1000m)

Today’s last ride of your totally 8 days tour is about 50km, good for intermediate cyclists, with the second half of it almost purely downhill. For the first time after days we use the cars for a 2-3 hours transfer northwards in direction Addis Ababa, then we start cycling at about 2,200m, and we'll reach Bishoftu at an altitude of 1,900m. We cross the Ethiopian highlands, with some ups and downs at the beginning and cycling around the impressive Yerer mountain. At halfway, when we'll have our lunch stop, there is a lake, a reservoir which provides water to the farmland below where onions, garlic and other vegetables are cultivated. Finally a steeper descent brings us down to Bishoftu where we will stop on the shores of one of the crater lakes for a well deserved cold drink, a nice finish of a memorable bike holiday.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Kuriftu Resort or similar, in Bishoftu

https://www.kurifturesorts.com/bishoftu/

Travel: 1-2 h; 60 km

Biking: 0-20 km (optional)

Upon interest, in the morning we can cycle around the town and see one or 2 other crater lakes. After some enjoyable moments at the lake and a boat tour (alternatively but optional and at your own cost a visit to the water park of Kuriftu Resort), today's short drive will take us back to Addis Ababa, where your return flight will probably take off late in the evening. Before this, there’s 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 200 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;
• Bike rent (in case you’re not bringing your own bike): 160 Euro for a hardtail MTB, 340 Euro for a Full suspension E-Bike;
• Alcoholic drinks;
  Tipping;
• Photo and video fees (if any);
• All extras and personal expenditures.