Mountain Bike Expedition & Relax - Bale Mountains, Sidama & Langano

This 12-day tour opens with several days of demanding off-road mountain biking through Bale Mountains National Park, starting with a fast downhill from the Sanetti Plateau (4,100m) into the evergreen Harenna Forest. Riders continue through remote trails in Ethiopian wolf territory around the Moraro Valley, visiting the coffee-growing village of Manyette, with mules carrying luggage between wilderness camps.

After the biking stage, the tour shifts pace: several relaxed days in the Sidama coffee region include village walks and a traditional coffee ceremony, before finishing at Lake Langano with a boat cruise to spot hippos and fish eagles, and a visit to Abijata-Shalla National Park's Lesser Flamingo colonies.

Described by the operator as "nothing for the faint-hearted," it's an adventurous, remote biking expedition with a comfortable finish.

Highlights:

• Trail bike through Bale Mountains National Park's Harenna Forest and Sanetti Plateau (4,100m)
• Cycle remote trails in Ethiopian wolf territory around the Moraro Valley
• Visit the coffee-growing village of Manyette and meet Sidama coffee farmers
• Boat cruise on Lake Langano to spot hippos and fish eagles
• Visit Abijata-Shalla National Park's Lesser Flamingo colonies
• Multi-night wilderness camping with mule-carried luggage support

Surface and terrain:
Off-road trails, gravel roads and singletrack across Bale Mountains National Park, including a long downhill from Sanetti Plateau (4,100m). High-altitude, remote and technical, with mule-supported wilderness camping over several days.

Likely weather:
Altitude reaches 4,200m (Mt Wassama), with frosty overnight camps around 3,900m.

Suitable for:
Experienced, adventurous cyclists comfortable with high altitude, remote camping and technical off-road trails ("nothing for the faint-hearted," per the operator). Later relaxation days suit a slower pace after the biking stage.