Community Hiking in Ethiopia's Green Gurage Zone

Travel: 3-4 h; 120 km

In the morning your driver meets you at your appointed place in Addis Ababa and you drive to Wenchi Crater Lake. With some snacks on board you can enjoy the 3 to 4 hour drive. The iconic and beautiful volcanic lake has its own feature with extreme hospitality of in habitants. Depending on the fitness and interest you can pick a route of one to five hours of hiking. Take this chance to decide with your local guide which hiking route is best for you as there are easy and flatter trails along the crater rim and more challenging and steeper ones down into the crater or even surrounding the lake. Locals provide also horses to do some parts on the horse back.

In case you decide for the longer hike, the route back to the car takes you through a breath-taking green valley with lots of water streams and hot springs. Boat trip in quiet and non-fishing lake of Wenchi is something you will remember for long time.

After your visit your driver will bring you to Negash Resort in Wolisso for your overnight stay. The beautiful garden, the unique structure of rooms which represent most of the ethnicities and the indoor and outdoor hot spring swimming pools are good plus to enjoy the evening and night.

Meals: -/L/D

Accommodation: Negash Resort, Wolisso

Travel: 2 h; 100 km

Hiking: 3 h; 7 km

Driving from Woliso to Gurage will take you about 2 hours. Through passing the towns Welkite and Gubrie we will drive up to the highland of Gurage. You'll start hiking in the beautiful and breath taking villages and landscape of Gurage. Our destination for today, after hiking 2 to 3 hours, is a campsite in a rural area close to a forest and waterfall. In our campsite fresh and delicious dishes will be served as soon as you arrive. First night in the tent.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Camping

Travel: -

Hiking: 6-7 h; 13 km

After breakfast we hike further eastwards, witnessing closely the traditional way of life of the Gurage ethnic group. It's yet another spectacular journey for nature lovers. The evergreen hills, the beautiful rivers, the traditional godjo houses in every village and the morning smile of Gurage people are all in one pack ahead of us. Upon arrival in our next host community, you'll have some time to relax, then have dinner and the second night in a tent at a local family's property.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Camping

Travel: 2 h; 80 km

Hiking: 3 h; 8 km

Today you will be crossing a green valley and climbing a few 100m uphill on the other side where the vehicle is waiting. Drive down into the Rift Valley to Ziway (2.5 hours). Then driving to Ziway will open another spectacular adventure in the Great African Rift Valley of Ethiopia. We have an option to explore the beauty of one of the lake in the valley during a relaxed walk along the newly built shore promenade. Overnight at Haile Resort on the lake.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Haile Resort, Ziway

Travel: 3 h; 180 km

Relax and rest in the morning after the hiking adventure. In the late morning, through a boat tour we will witness closely the diversified birdlife and spot some hippos. If you like, you can try some fresh fish for lunch and then return to Addis Ababa through the newly built express way (approx. 3 hours).

Meals: B/L/-

Accommodation: -

• all accommodations in double rooms with private toilet/shower in hotels or lodges (mid-range), exception during the trekking: nights in simple huts or tents for 2 persons;
• all transfers and travels in Ethiopia with private car (minivan or 4x4);
• full board (1 drink per meal included, alcoholic drinks excluded);
• all entrance fees and permissions at tourist attractions, churches, museums and national parks;
• for the trekking: entrance and camping fees, guide, scouts and rangers, mules and mulemen or porters, cook, cooking and camping equipment (it's recommended to bring your own sleeping bag);
• all persons for safety and security (when prescribed);
• all tips for meals;
• all (mandatory) local guides in the single destinations;
• all taxes and administrative fees;
• 24/7 emergency assistance;
• experienced SimienEcoTours Mountain Guide (fluently English & Amharic speaking), other language guide on request with surcharge.

• international flights;
• travel insurance;
• visa for Ethiopia (currently US$ 82);
• alcoholic beverages;
• sleeping bag;
• tipping;
• photo and video fees;
• all extras and personal expenses.