• Gurage Landscape with Enset

Short Community Hiking in Gurage Ethiopia

Discover the hidden green highlands west of Addis Ababa and enjoy easy hiking routes through the local Gurage villages while learning about their unique lifestyle, culture and food. A real adventure off the beaten track awaits you there, where the fields, forests and hills are green all year around. Besides the impressive nature, the Gurage people living in their small neat villages are one of the most hospitable of the whole country.

This is the ideal trip for those who want a nature escape from the busy capital Addis Ababa. It's a truly unique opportunity for someone passionate about hiking and who wants to discover new places for a really good value-for-money deal. You only need 3 days, but you can extend by several days if you have the time and willingness to do it. The hiking route as described below is not for beginners, but if you're not experienced hiker, we're able to find an alternative easier route. If you have more time available and are not that much interested in long trekking trips, you can add Wenchi or Lake Ziway along the way.

Tour code: CU37

Operator: SimienEcoTours

Gallery

Itinerary & In/Exclusions

Day 1

Drive to Gurage highlands and start hiking

Travel: 210 km

Hiking: 2-3 h; 8 km

We'll pick you up from your home or hotel in Addis Ababa. Driving from Addis Abeba to Gurage via Woliso and Wolkite will take you about 3-4 hours. Finally, through passing the town Gubrie and some smaller villages 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 spectacular valley. In our campsite fresh and delicious dishes will be served as soon as you arrive. First night in the tent.

Meals: -/L/D

Accommodation: Camping

Day 2

Full day hiking past green fields and local villages

Travel: -

Hiking: 6-7 h; 17 km

After breakfast we hike into a valley, while witnessing the traditional way of life of the Gurage ethnic group, both in the Christian and Muslim part of the locals. It's yet another spectacular journey for nature lovers. The evergreen hills, the beautiful rivers are the traditional godjo houses in every village are all waiting for us. Upon arrival in our next host community at a lower and warmer altitude, you'll have some time to relax and enjoy, before having dinner and the second night in the tent.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Camping

Day 3

Last half day trek to reach the road and drive back

Travel: 3-4 h; 200 km

Hiking: 3 h; 8 km

Today you will be crossing a deep valley with a river. The slopes are steep and covered with dense green forest. The path is a bit steep and recommended only for experienced hikes (but alternatives are available). And adventurers with some climbing abilities have the chance to reach a cave hidden in the forest. After crossing the river, on the other side, you need climbing a few 100m uphill where the vehicle is waiting. After a lunch in a local restaurant you will drive back to Addis Ababa.

Meals: B/L/-

Accommodation: -

Included

Our services include:
  • 2 nights camping in 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.

Excluded

Our services do not include:
  • international flights;
  • travel insurance;
  • visa for Ethiopia (currently US$ 82);
  • alcoholic beverages;
  • sleeping bag;
  • tipping;
  • photo and video fees;
  • all extras and personal expenses.