Mountain Biking on Ethiopia's Best Roads and Trails

This 14-day tour combines Ethiopia's northern highlights with the greener country southwest of Addis Ababa. After a city tour of Addis Ababa, riders fly to Lalibela to visit its rock-hewn churches and cycle to the cliffside Asheten Maryam monastery, before flying on to Gondar.

From Gondar, several days of high-altitude riding cross Simien Mountains National Park (up to 3,620m), home to Gelada baboons, Ethiopian wolves and lammergeiers, before a smoother tarmac ride to Lake Tana at Gorgora for some downtime and kayaking.

A domestic flight returns the group to Addis Ababa for the final stage: biking the Wenchi volcano crater rim, the green Gurage highlands, and a fast descent into the Great Rift Valley finishing near Bishoftu's crater lakes.

Highlights:

• Explore Lalibela's rock-hewn churches and cycle around the village
• Ride to the cliffside Asheten Maryam mountain monastery
• Cross Simien Mountains National Park among Gelada baboons, with a chance to spot Ethiopian wolves and lammergeiers
• Cycle the Wenchi volcano crater rim and the green Gurage highlands
• Relax and kayak on Lake Tana at Gorgora
• Finish with a fast descent from Gurage into the Great Rift Valley

Surface and terrain:

Wide-ranging: rough, high-altitude tracks in Simien National Park (up to 3,620m), volcanic ash trails at Wenchi, partly sealed Gurage roads and a Rift Valley descent, plus smoother tarmac to Lake Tana. Several days rated "difficult" with sustained climbs and off-road sections.

Likely weather:

Altitude ranges widely, from Rift Valley lowlands up to 3,620m in the Simien Mountains, so conditions vary significantly.

Suitable for:

Experienced cyclists wanting a demanding, high-altitude, multi-region adventure with several domestic flights. Several days rated "difficult," so good fitness is needed; optional harder/easier variations offered on some days.