The Road to Lalibela – Ethiopia
The Route This is likely Off Beat Road’s most adventurous trip and we’re the only bicycle tour company in the world offering this tour to the hidden 8th wonder of the world, Lalibela and its rock hewn churches Our adventure begins in the bustling capital of Addis Ababa where we take you on a tour of Africa's 2nd largest market, a wild and cool cultural experience and take you for a dinner and night of Ethiopian music and traditional tribal dancing. You will not believe how a body can move until you have seen this.
From the capital, we will take you on a 700 kilometre journey, 8 day cycling journey of a lifetime through remote villages and through the stunning Ethiopian mountains, all the while interacting with some of the most isolated, hospitable people on the planet. Because you will be cycling through areas so devoid of tourism you are likely to take photos of children and people who have never met a foreigner before. This ride is visually stunning everyday. It is a bike riders dream. We ride into the Etheopian highland full of intense, rugged but verdant valleys and immense deep cutting, dry river beds. Lush, the rainy season makes this rugged land beautiful surprising most of our clients. When our riders first see this land they are stunned by its beauty as impressions of Ethiopia as a dry, desserty wasteland are soon forgotton. We pass through remote villages, markets, and weave through camel, goat, sheep and cattle herds and often camping at schools where we are treated to the pure joy and excitement of children who are not tainted by the modern world. We can visit the schools right off our bikes and always welcome. Off Beat Roads brings soccor balls, pens and much needed notebooks for the children and schools in the more remote areas One nite we camp in a school on a 10,500 foot plateau where we wake up to the rare cliff dwelling baboons grazing. From here we enjoy a 27 km exhilerating downhill into a stunning valley. One nite we camp within a remote army camp site and actually play frisbee with them. One nite camping in a school we can play soccor with the children backdropped by the rugged mountains over head. Some nites we enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony as this is where coffee originated. Other nites we can experience drinking Tej, a local honey wine, in a Tej bar and dancing to traditional music. You can even trying chewing Chat with the locals. Chat is a local plant that is a mild stimulant but you need a whole bush. You can experience the bush that George Bush banned. Everday is a stunning visual experience, never a dull or boring days ride on this journey. Truly cultural and truly wild and free.
Our trip finishes in the historic town of Lalibela which is blessed with magnificent rock-hewn churches (considered a 8 th wonder of the world). These churches are the reason why The Amazing Race decided to put Lalibela front-and-centre in one of their episodes. In Lalibela, you will have the opportunity to visit schools where you’ll interact with the school children as they learn. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget. We also will enjoy a short hike, through a few small villages and farmland, to the oldest of these churches that is carved on the top of the peak over looking Lalibela. We will carry a lunch and enjoy it on this roof top vista of the world below. We finish with a visit to Lalibela's market. This market is not to be missed, just has a vibe and aura too it you have to experience-it is weekly and takes most of the vendors days to walk to it with their goods. Pretty much sells everything but we recommend the honey. Lalibela means "honey eater' and this village is famous for its smoked honey.
Option/ Tour Extension: Option/ Tour Extension: DANAKIL DEPRESSION 7-8 days and can be done as an extension of Lalibela tour or fly into Lalibela and start with us from there. Off Beat roads is excited to offer the opportunity to be part of the first group to ever ride in the Danakil Depression in 2009. Truly one of the earths heartiest people. We will visit all the above whether by bike, jeep or camel and we will camp one night where these massive camel caravans meet. This is truly real adventure and a chance to be a bit of an explorer. The Road These roads when we first started this tour were either paved or very rough. They are almost now finished paving this whole route. Although still quite hilly, the tour is more accessible to average riders. We still recommend a decent level of fitness though. You will also enjoy a 26km stunning downhill coming down from the 10,500foot plateau. Altitude is no concern. Bikes This year we still recommend a mountain bike but a road bike could do most of this route except for the last part. By 2009 either a mountain bike, hybrid or road will do. Mountain bikes are easier for climbing though. Accommodation In Addis Ababa and Lalibela we will be staying in hotels. On route we will be camping under the stars. But this is no ordinary camping. Our sites ensure that your adventure does not end when you finish your ride for the day. Expect to be entertained by curious villagers around a campfire and then given a farewell fit for a king the next morning.
Rating This trip is best suited to experienced cyclists or those who are physically fit. There are some good, lung-busting climbs on this one. Trip Length: The biking section is 8 days but spend 3 nights in Lalibela and need at least one day off after long flight 2008 Dates October 16 – October 28th October 30th – November 11th Special dates can be arranged for groups of 6 or more Price $1600 Canadian Funds Price base on double hotel room occupancy What’s Included Guide, full van support, cook, all food,fruit and water during the cycling portion of trip, hotels in Lalibela and Addis Ababa Extra Costs Flight to and from Ethiopia, flight from Lalibela back to Addis Ababa (approximately $90 U.S.), food during hotel stay in Addis Ababa and Lalibela, alcohol, visa (can be purchased on arrival) Trip Option: If you would like to extend your Ethiopian adventure we can set up a hiking trip for you through Ethiopia’s beautiful Simein Mountains. The Simein’s are Ethiopia’s premier hiking destination.
If you would like to book your Ethiopian adventure or would like to obtain more information on this trip please contact Off Beat Roads.
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