4-day short break tour

Ethio Cycling Holidays 4-day tour
Tour dates:

Friday 4 October 2019 – Monday 7 October 2019

Monday 18 November – Thursday 21 November 2019

Friday 31 January 2020 – Monday 3 February 2020

Tuesday 25 February – Friday 28 February 2020

Tour price: from £695 per person

Minimum of 6 required for this tour

Ethiopia is easy to reach from Europe, so this tour fits well as an extended weekend break or inside one working week. There is only a 2 or 3-hour time difference between Europe and Ethiopia. Expect dry, sunny weather for all these tours – this is a great time to be in Ethiopia.

Itinerary: 4 days in Ethiopia | 3 days cycling | Total distance 375km

Day 1

On arrival in Addis Ababa off your overnight flight, you get a taste of the bustle of life in Ethiopia’s capital as you take breakfast in a nearby hotel. Returning to the airport for your connecting flight to Mekelle, you arrive at your hotel at lunchtime. This gives you time to assemble and test out your bike in the afternoon before getting your tour briefing and evening dinner.

Overnight stay at Hatse Yohannes Hotel

Day 2

After taking breakfast in your hotel, you set out on the road leading north towards Eritrea. Following a tough 5km climb as you leave town you get to enjoy some stunning descents into Agula and Wukro. Between Wukro and Negash there is a 8km ascent taking you past the 7th century mosque at the top end of town. The gradients become easier in the second half of the ride but the road still undulates through Frewenyi and Idaga Hamus before you reach the final 10km descent into Adigrat. Tonight you will eat out at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant.

Ride distance: 118km

Overnight stay at Canaan International Hotel

Day 3

You rise early ahead of your longest ride and after breakfast in the hotel set off on the road going west to Adwa. This opening section comprises a challenging 12km climb (5-10% gradient) to the summit at just over 3000m followed by a breath-taking 20km descent into Bizet where you make your first stop. Over the next 20km, as the jagged Adwa Mountains come into view, the road undulates until you reach Enticho where you stop for lunch. There are more climbs ahead on the road to Adwa and on the final stretch into Axum. Before darkness falls, you will have a chance to see the magnificent Stelae Park and its underground burial chambers.

Ride distance: 130km

Overnight stay at Yared Zema International Hotel

Day 4

Your final ride takes you back to Adwa, where you turn south and climb out of the town on the road back to Mekelle. The middle part of the ride through Maykenitil is largely downhill on snaking roads and through mountain passes. After crossing the river at the foot of the valley you climb for 12km (10-15% gradient) towards Workamba cresting several false summits before a short descent into the town. From here you ride the final 20km into Abbi Adiy. After taking a shower and food, you transfer by vehicle to Mekelle airport for your flight back to Addis and overnight flight home.

Ride distance: 125km

What’s included:

  • 3 nights’ hotel accommodation
  • All breakfasts, lunches and dinners
  • All ground transport including the option to travel by vehicle for part of the route
  • All luggage and bike transfers for the rides
  • Full support on your ride from drivers and cycling guides
  • Maps and profiles of the rides supplied as gpx files and pocket-sized ride cards
  • Mechanical support including bike assembly and repairs
  • Tour guide and entrance fees in Axum
  • Airport transfers

Not included:

  • International and domestic flights
  • Visa for Ethiopia ($50)
  • Travel insurance

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“Had this been Europe, some of our climbs would have been the stuff of cycling legend. Here they were just part of another exhilarating day’s ride.” David S