Experience the rugged beauty of Ethiopia on a 13-day mountain biking journey, where each day unfolds a new adventure. Starting in the vibrant city of Addis Ababa, you’ll cycle through remote villages, across high plateaus, and down into breathtaking valleys. Along the way, immerse yourself in Ethiopia’s rich history, diverse landscapes, and unique culture, culminating in the awe-inspiring rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. This is more than just a bike tour—it’s a deep dive into the heart of Ethiopia.
Wild Bike Tour — 13 Days Mountain Biking Adventure
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa – City Tour
Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you’ll be greeted by a representative from Zagwe Ethiopia Tour and transferred to your hotel. After preparing the bikes, we’ll explore Addis Ababa, whose name means “new flower” in Amharic, the beautiful local language. The city, chosen for its lush surroundings and pleasant climate, was not always Ethiopia’s capital. According to a rather romantic tale, it was selected by the wife of Emperor Menelik II, who favored it over the former capital, Entoto.
As you step out of the airport, you’ll find yourself entering a world rich in ancient traditions, where the old and the new coexist. This vibrant city is a fascinating blend of Menelik-era remnants and modern developments. Before we venture into Ethiopia’s rural beauty, we’ll dive into the dynamic life of the city with your knowledgeable local guide. Visits include the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, now an impressive ethnographic museum, St. George’s Cathedral, and a panoramic view of the capital from Entoto Mountain.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Hotel
Day 2: Muketuri – Jemma River
1st Stage – 73 km – Elevation: 500 meters
The day starts with an 80-kilometer transfer. Our cycling adventure begins just after the small village of Muketuri, where locals heading to the market greet us with curious looks. The stage features gentle ups and downs, and around kilometer 35, breathtaking cliffside views start to unfold. We begin our descent at kilometer 50, and after lunch, we continue to our camp on the banks of the Jemma River, where we’ll enjoy stunning views of the cliffs from which we descended.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Camping
Day 3: Jemma River – Wenchit River
2nd Stage – 52 km – Elevation: 1,200 meters
We kick off the day with a challenging 20-kilometer climb to the village of Fetra, passing through remote and impoverished areas. After a break, we ride across the plateau to Alem Katama, the main village in the area, where we’ll have lunch and experience the traditional coffee ceremony. The afternoon features a fast descent, ending at our camp on the winding Wenchit River.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Camping
Day 4: Wenchit River – Midda
3rd Stage – 32 km – Elevation: 1,500 meters
This stage begins with a series of ups and downs leading to a climb along the river. After 10 kilometers, we’ll pass a large tree near a bridge and see wild fields for the first time. The toughest part of the day involves a 12-kilometer climb with steep gradients, ascending through switchbacks to the village of Tegera, where lunch awaits. The scenery here is stunning, reminiscent of an Ethiopian Monument Valley with majestic mountains. We can visit a traditional mill powered by an engine from the Italian occupation in the 1930s. The day ends with a final push to reach Midda.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Hotel or Camping
Day 5: Midda – Wereliu
4th Stage – 71 km – Elevation: 600 meters
Today’s ride takes place entirely on the plateau, at an elevation of 2,600 to 2,700 meters. The area is characterized by extensive fields of tef, a traditional Ethiopian crop. Initially, we’ll still enjoy cliffside views, but after passing the village of Togolo, the landscape shifts, and towering mountains over 3,000 meters high come into view. Our day concludes in Wereliu, where we’ll encounter a throng of people returning from their daily work in the fields or markets.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Camping
Day 6: Wereliu – Ginchiro
5th Stage – 80 km – Elevation: 1,600 meters
Departing from Wereliu, we start with a series of ups and downs as we approach the high mountains that we’ll tackle today. After 30 kilometers, we reach the village of Kabe, at the end of a broad and beautiful valley. Here, the most challenging climb of the day begins, leading to a pass at 3,450 meters above sea level. We’ll continue through a stunning high-altitude valley and stop for lunch in a small village before ascending another 250 meters to a pass at 3,700 meters. From here, the descent is fast, but the remaining ups and downs require a final effort to reach our guesthouse in the small village of Chiro, where an impressive mosque dominates the landscape.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Camping
Day 7: Ghinciro – Bechelo River
6th Stage – 77 km – Elevation: 800 meters
Don’t let the downhill profile of today’s stage fool you; the altitude and continuous undulations make for a challenging day. In the first part, we’ll pass through several villages, with houses lined along the road, and cross small forests of eucalyptus and pine trees. After lunch in Tenta, the regional capital, we’ll begin a long and spectacular descent, offering magnificent views of the valley below. The last 5 kilometers to our riverside camp are fast and should be approached with care.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Camping
Day 8: Bechelo River – Wogel Tena
7th Stage – 30 km – Elevation: 1,500 meters
We cross the river via a newly built bridge and begin the ascent to the next plateau. After 12 kilometers, we reach a village and then tackle a spectacular 1,000-meter climb with continuous switchbacks offering ever-changing views. At the top, we might spot groups of gelada monkeys, a species of baboon found only in Ethiopia. We then ride a few more kilometers to Wogel Tena, where we’ll dine and spend the night.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Hotel
Day 9: Wogel Tena – Scit River
8th Stage – 43 km – Elevation: 150 meters
Today’s stage is relatively easy, though the first part across the plateau can be windy. After 25 kilometers, we emerge onto one of Africa’s most stunning landscapes, with the river 1,200 meters below and the plateau we’re headed to at 3,000 meters above. The descent to our riverside camp is long and ends with a relaxing afternoon by the water.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Camping
Day 10: Scit River – Tekezze River
9th Stage – 76 km – Elevation: 1,900 meters
We start the day with a 15-kilometer climb, ascending 1,000 meters to the plateau on a rocky road. In the latter part of the climb, we may spot gelada monkeys again. Once on the plateau, we’ll follow a tree-lined road with a gentle slope leading to Gashena, where we’ll encounter a paved road for the first time in nine days. We then switch to a fast gravel road leading to our camp.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Camping
Day 11: Tekezze River – Lalibela
10th Stage – 26 km – Elevation: 1,000 meters
Today’s stage takes us to Lalibela. After an easy initial pass, we’ll ride the final 17 kilometers on asphalt. As Lalibela comes into view, we’ll face some challenging ups and downs before reaching the new cobbled road that crosses the town center. We’ll arrive at St. George’s Church for a group photo and then head to our hotel. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Western churches and St. George’s Church.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Hotel
Day 12: Lalibela
Located at over 2,500 meters in the Lasta Mountains, Lalibela is a town steeped in history and religious significance. Despite being a pilgrimage destination since the 16th century, it remains remarkably undeveloped. We’ll spend the day exploring this ancient city and its many rock-hewn churches, considered some of the most important religious and historical sites in Africa. Lalibela, once the capital of the Zagwe dynasty, was named after King Lalibela, who, according to legend, built the town as a “New Jerusalem” after returning from exile in the Holy Land.
In the evening, we’ll pack up our bikes in preparation for departure.
Meals: B/L/D
Overnight: Hotel
Day 13: Flight to Addis Ababa
We’ll transfer to Lalibela Airport for our flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, you’ll have a free day to explore the city or relax. In the evening, we’ll gather for a final Ethiopian dinner, bidding farewell to this culturally rich, visually stunning, and profoundly beautiful country. After dinner, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: B/L/D
End of Services for Cycling Tour
Wild Bike Tour — 13 Days Mountain Biking Adventure Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa - City Tour Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you'll be greeted by a representative from Zagwe Ethiopia Tour and transferred to your hotel. After preparing the bikes, we’ll explore Addis Ababa, whose name means "new flower" in Amharic, the beautiful local language. The city, chosen for its lush surroundings and pleasant climate, was not always Ethiopia’s capital. According to a rather romantic tale, it was selected by the wife of Emperor Menelik II, who favored it over the former capital, Entoto. As you step out of the airport, you'll find yourself entering a world rich in ancient traditions, where the old and the new coexist. This vibrant city is a fascinating blend of Menelik-era remnants and modern developments. Before we venture into Ethiopia’s rural beauty, we’ll dive into the dynamic life of the city with your knowledgeable local guide. Visits include the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie, now an impressive ethnographic museum, St. George’s Cathedral, and a panoramic view of the capital from Entoto Mountain. Meals: B/L/D Overnight: Hotel
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