Finot Tour Ethiopia is your option for a responsible and nature friendly tour.
Ethiopia: this is not just the mountainous highlands in northeastern Africa. Coptic churches, vibrant colourful villages, hospitable locals, delicious food, plus a very pleasant dry, mostly warm climate make this country a very exciting destination for cycling. As always, we travel in small groups of 2-16 participants with a guide on the bike plus the accompanying vehicle.
Up on your arrival at Bole International Airport and you will clear immigration and proceed to baggage claim, after collecting your checked bags, clear customs and pass through the arrivals hall where you will be meet by Finot Tour Ethiopia representative, who will assist you with your transfer to your hotel. After a break in the afternoon, you will enjoy a half day guided tour of the Ethnological Museum, with its artefacts and displays of the cultures and handicrafts of Ethiopia’s many ethnic groups. At the famous National Museum, with its cultural and archaeological relics, you will visit the famous “Lucy,” a 3.2 million-year-old female hominid who was discovered in Ethiopia’s Awash Valley in 1974. The open-air market of Addis, the Mercato, is the largest on the continent, and you will take a drive through it. Time permitting; you may also visit Ba’ata Church, also known as Menelik’s Mausoleum, one of the oldest of the churches in Addis, built in 1911. It houses beautiful paintings and the royal tombs of past emperors, including Emperor Haileselassie I. Read more
After breakfast drive to Debre Markos via Dejen which is the famous Teff growing region in the country. Teff is staple food of Ethiopians. You will bike Dejen to Debremarkos. Further down, you will enjoy the fabulous Blue Nile Gorge. Similar to the Grand Canon of USA. Travelling via the Blue Nile Gorge we pass through dramatic landscapes enjoying the spectacular scenery. After lunch, we drive on to the city of Bahirdar, a town by the edge of Lake Tana, through the beautiful scenery and visiting the Amhara people and their villages. Have a lunch at Bahardar, the capital of the Amhara National Regional State. Afternoon, we make city tour of Bahir Dar that includes: Colorful market where someone could find the pottery, traditional hand-made woven clothes, etc. Visit Woito Basket market and Mount Bezawit where the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie is gracefully situated. This hilltop is the best viewing point for the town, the lake and the river. Read more
Today, the real bike adventure begins. We depart by bike from the hotel and ride the first 6 km through the village on a busier road and then turn down onto a wide, but quite dirt road. The dusty road runs mainly downhill (cycling a total of 1,800 meters to 1,600 meters above sea level) through a beautiful agricultural area. We regularly cycle through small villages welcomed by the many enthusiastic schoolchildren. After 34 km we come via a small dirt road at the entrance of the Blue Nile Valley Waterfalls. We have a picnic lunch sitting on small benches in a local coffee booth while the guides put the bikes back on the bike trailer. In the afternoon we walk over the oldest stone bridge in Ethiopia and cross a long suspension bridge to a beautiful viewpoint of the waterfalls. Afterwards, it is still a kilometre on a dried grass path back to the support vehicle. Transfer back to the hotel. (34 km, 50 am or 68 km, 300 am, tar/gravel road) Read more
After an early breakfast we ride 7 km by bicycle through the village towards the shores of Lake Tana. We turn right onto a wide dirt road, which runs through a vast agricultural area. Along the way, we meet regularly shepherds with their small herds of skinny cows. After a drink/rest stop under a big tree, overlooking a small Village, we cycle along a narrow road with beautiful views of a large lake. After 30 km, we cycle through Victory, a lively village and the road gets steep for a short 500 meters. After a nice descent, we come to the entrance of Ura Kidane Mihret church. This round church interior decorated with beautiful, brightly colored murals is between 100 to 250 years old. After an extensive visit we take the bike to the shores of the lake and enjoy a picnic lunch on a nice terrace overlooking the lake. The picnic might be on the boat if we run out of time. In the afternoon we take a boat to Gorgora on the other side of the lake. Upon arriving on the northern shores of the lake to Gorgora, we visit Debre Sina Maryam monastery before we ride to the lodge. (33 km, 200 am, tar/gravel road) Tim and Kim Village Read more
After a bike ride through a desolate landscape, punctuated by lively villages, we arrive at Azezo where we put the bikes on the trailer for a short transfer to the former capital of Gondar. In the afternoon, we visit the many ruins of palaces and Castles in this ancient royal City, led by a local guide. (55 km, 600 am, gravel road) Read more
After an early breakfast we take the support vehicle +/- 50 km away from the City, where we unload the bikes. We cycle up and down over a nice asphalt road, through villages and small towns. The closer we get to the Simien mountains, the more eucalyptus trees we see on the side of the road. Upon arrival in Debark, we pay the entrance fee of the park and have a basic lunch at a local restaurant. The bike ride in the afternoon on gravel is difficult, partly because of the altitude. We pass some poor villages where the locals welcome us warmly. During the first km, there are some descents, then it is mostly uphill, some long and steep climbs. However, there is always the assistance of the support vehicle to assist weary cyclists. (70 km, 550 am, tar/gravel road) Stay for two nights at the Simien Lodge Read more
No biking today: In the morning coolness we start our day walk led by a local guide. We walk all day (6 to 7 hours) along the mountain ridge with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Because of the altitude we take it easy. Around noon, we plan a picnic lunch at one of the breathtaking viewpoints. We end the day with an extensive visit at the baboons (monkey species typical of this region), who are getting ready to sleep overnight in one of the many caves in the neighborhood. Read more
Today we start with a long transfer (170 km) by support vehicle through the Tekeze mountains. The road, further to the north through spectacular scenery, is still partially under construction. The road winds through the beautiful mountains Tekeze, again the views are unique and spectacular. At lunch time we stop at a small local restaurant to eat a picnic lunch. Arriving at the height of a beautiful open space, we get on the bikes and ride on a good asphalt road through a vast agricultural area. The road goes slightly up and down, but despite of the sometimes strong wind, the route is not very sporty. In Shire we load the bikes on the trailer and drive the last 60 km to Axum. (40 km, 600 am, tar/gravel road, cycling distance can be extended if desired). For two nights we stay at the Yared Zema international Hotel Read more
In the morning we have a city tour led by a local guide to visit the many cultural highlights of the city. We start this historical section with an extensive visit to the obelisks and the accompanying tombs. Afterwards, the church (not museum), the pole, the stone of Ezana and the Tomb of Kaleb and Gebre Meskel. We have lunch in a nice restaurant in the old town. In the afternoon, we undertake a short bike ride through the small villages in the area of Axum. (20 km, 100 am, gravel road, distance can be extended if desired) Read more
In the morning, we leave the hotel for a transfer trough the peaks of Adwa. On these mountains 40,000 Ethiopians lost their lives in 1896, after a courageous battle (which they won!) against the Italians. After an hour, we turn on a gravel road towards the pre-Axumite Temple. We visit the ruins of the temple and adjoining church in the company of a local guide. In Adigrat, we stop for a delicious lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, we drive another 20 km on a ridge, before unloading the bikes. At an altitude of 2750 meters above sea level, we start with a wonderful descent of +/- 5km. Afterwards we ride on a beautiful piece of tarmac road up and down along a winding river. There is one long ascent, which is not really steep, but as always you have the assistance of the support vehicle. Then we cycle on a flat and very quiet tarmac path between the different farms. The typical Tigra style, buildings made from stone with pitched roofs, bordered by large stones and with sand and grass in between. After 42 km we arrive in the dusty Hawzen. For two nights we stay in Geraltha Lodge or Korkor Lodge, subject to availability. (50 km, 300 am, tar/gravel road) Read more
Today we have a day trip on bicycles through the beautiful scenery of the Gheralta mountains. We cycle through the countryside and enjoy the many spectacular views of the red-brown mountains. Most of the ride on this day is on a dirt road. Along the way we visit the little church of Dugum Silassie. The route is rather sportive, a combination of climbing and descending. Eventhough the state of the road is poor, the landscape is very unique. As always you have the assistance of the support vehicle. After 33 km we arrive at the church of Abreha We Atsibeha. Depending on the time of arrival, we have a picnic lunch here. Given the next day will be a longer bike ride, we suggest loading the bikes on the trailer and drive back to the lodge. (50 km, 300 am, sandy gravel road, return cycle possible but rather strenuous) Read more
After a delicious breakfast, we depart on bicycle from the hotel, back to Megab. The road winds for kilometres through the varied landscape of russet mountains and plains full of cacti. As there are no visits planned today, we have the whole day to cover the 70 km. Along the way we stop for a picnic lunch in the shade of a large tree. The bike ride to Abi Adi is really beautiful. Here we load the bikes and drive an hour to Mekkele. (73 km, 900 am, Tar/Gravel Road) Stay for 2 nights in either Axum Hotel Read more
After an early breakfast we take the support vehicle to the top of a pass, some 3600 meter above sea Level. On the rest day we will transfer to Woldiya. This day should fall on a Thursday, then you can visit the very busy and lively market where they trade camels, goats and cattle. There we will unload the bikes. We then cycle through a very desolate landscape. At the exit to Gashena we stop for a picnic lunch while the bikes are loaded to transfer us to Lalibela. (50 km, 190 am, Gravel Road) Stay for 3 nights in the Mountain View Hotel Read more
While enjoying the nice breakfast in our Hotel you can marvel at the spectacular views of the low lying fields. With a local guide we go on an extended visit to the highlights of this ancient city, known as the Black Jerusalem. We will explore the various rock churches in the company of many pilgrims and colourful priests. We end this beautiful day with a sunset over Bet Giorgis (House of St. George), a church in the shape of a cross carved into the rock. Read more
Today will be an active and beautiful day. We cycle on a gravel road where some patches are in poor condition. The undulating road with many ups and downs leave little chance to recover. However, it is not required to cycle the whole distance, the support vehicle is always around to pick up the weary travelers. The route is beautiful and we stop every 10 km to replenish our energy reserves. A very nice 4-5 km long winding descent leads to a scenic drive through small, rather poor villages stretched between the mountains. After a picnic lunch it is just a 10 minutes’ walk to the Yemrehanna Kristos Church. After an extensive visit, we take the support vehicle back to Lalibela where we enjoy a last meal. (43 km, 1100 am, Gravel Road) Mountain View Hotel. Read more
After breakfast transfer to the airport to fly back to Addis Ababa and arrival more free time for Shopping and evening head to the farewell Evening cultural dinner party in one of the Traditional Ethiopian restaurant with dances from the different ethnic Groups then transfer to the airport for your departure. fter breakfast transfer to the airport to fly back to Addis Ababa and arrival more free time for Shopping and evening head to the farewell Evening cultural dinner party in one of the Traditional Ethiopian restaurant with dances from the different ethnic Groups then transfer to the airport for your departure. Read more
No need to look any further: book your tour at this company!! I highly recommend Finot Tour Ethiopia Haile is the perfect guide and tour leader. He is very experienced, has boundless energy, combined with a very wide knowledge of his country and its culture, history, music and food.
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