Motorcycle Tours in Ethiopia: Africa Riding Adventures calendar bike tours, The Willd and Ethnic route

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The Wild and Ethnic Route

Welcome to southern Ethiopia! If you want a taste of Ethiopia's numerous ethnicities and wildlife, this is the right tour for you. Arba Minch is the place to enjoy wildlife - in the Nech Sar National Park and Chamo Lake, including one of the most spectacular displays of big crocodiles and hippos in Africa. During the next stops in Jinka, Turmi and Konso, you will meet some of the most fascinating tribes in the country and become acquainted with their customs and traditions. Ride up close and personal with some of the wildlife and enjoy some great off-road tracks.

Discounts are available for this tour! See Prices and Information.

	Day 1:	Arrival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The tour will start with a cultural evening in one of the best restaurants of Addis. The perfect environment to meet your fellow motorcycle riders and enjoy delicious Ethiopian cuisine seasoned with very energetic Ethiopian dancing. Overnight in Addis Ababa


	Day 2 - 5:	The first 4 riding days will take us all the way to Turmi. Our main stop during this phase of the trip will be Arba Minch. Arba Mich (Forty Springs), takes its name, from the bubbling streams springing up and is right in the Rift Valley making it the perfect base to explore the region. We will Visit the villages of Dorze and Chencha going through stunning landscape; admire the beautiful cloth made in this area and the bamboo hats that lasts over 80 years. A boat trip in Lake Chamo, one of the biggest in the region is a must! You will be amazed by one of the most impressive displays of big crocodiles and hippos in Africa. Visit one of the Konso walled villages and the King's Palace where mummification is still practised. Overnights: double occupancy accommodation

	Day 6 - 9:	Turmi will be our base to explore the area. Unless otherwise requested and agreed by the group participating in the tour, all our overnights in the region will be camping. Visit Lake Stephany which presents an awesome spectacle of blistering saline lake bed bounded in the distance by jagged mountains. Enjoy riding at full speed close to the wild animals. Visit the village of Dimeka. The market is not to be missed, with large numbers of Hamer people coming to buy, sell and exchange news. In Omorate where Omo Valley tribes like the Geleb will be seen. Geleb men sculpt and shave their hair into extravagant shapes, with special ochre ‘caps’ of hair usually containing several ostrich feather. Ride through Mago National Park famed for its wilderness filled with the larger wildlife species expected from the Africa Savannah and see the Karo tribe. Men are experts at painting using clays and locally available vegetable pigments to trace fantastic patterns on each other’s faces, chests, arms and legs. In the last riding day before departing to Addis we will overnight in Yirgalem in what is, in our opinion, the best eco-lodge in the country, hided inside untouched forest. The last riding day will see you back in Addis. Overnights: camping and double occupancy accommodation

	Day 10:	Departure to Addis. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants of Addis. There are many good Restaurants, Bars, Discos, Jazz Live Music and Cultural Dance venues to offer if you want to extend your stay. Overnight in Addis
	Day 11:	Flight Home

	More photos: Calendar Tour 2009

	Prices and Information

	Road to Arba Minch
	Lake Chamo Hippopotamus, photo by Joe Pichler
	Lake Stephany
	Meeting the Hamer
	Hamer girls

Tour: The Wild and Ethnic Route¹
Dates of the tour:	3 - 13 December 2011
Duration of the tour:	11 days / 10 nights
Riding days:	9 days
Total distance:	Approx. 2,499 Km/ 1,349 miles
Skill level:	3
Lodging type:	Hotels and camping
Maximum nr. of riders:	6
Prices/rider (based on a minimum group of 4 riders):	Riders: Own bike: Passengers in support car²: Single room surcharge³:	€ 3,099 € 2,299 € 1,799 € 350
What is included:	• Airport collection and drop-off • Motorbike (KTM 640 and 690 LC4 Enduro - no fuel), bike insurance against third parties and theft • Support car for luggage and passengers • Expert multi-lingual tour leader and mechanical support • Double occupancy accommodation (note: single occupancy incurs an extra-charge) • Camping fees, camping equipment, preparation of campsite, cook • Restoration (dinner on the arrival day and lunch on the departure day; every other day breakfast, lunch and dinner). Beverages and snacks not included (except water in the car throughout the trip) • Entry fees to parks, monuments and other sites (except in Addis) • Local guides and local fees/taxes for all riding days • Satellite phone for use in case of emergency, GPS and medical kit • Luggage storage • CD with photos of the trip
What is not included:	• Bike fuel • Beverages and snacks • Personal items • Passport and visa fees • Laundry • Telephone calls • Room service • Travel insurance • Personal and Accident insurance and medical expenses • Emergency evacuation/Hospitalization • Flight tickets • Protective riding gear: helmet, riding suit, gloves, kidney belt and boots are mandatory; back protector and/or armour, earplugs and sunglasses strongly advised. • Tips, souvenirs, photo and video fees and spending money

	¹	• Activities described for each day may be changed depending on non-scheduled events such as the bull jumping ceremony from the Hammer and the Bana.
		• Returning clients and clients who book 3 months in advance have a 10% discount when booking directly with Africa Riding Adventures (offer is not cumulative).
		• At request Africa Riding Adventures will refund the full amount of deposit paid if there isn't a minimum number of 4 riders attending the tour. Pls read our terms and conditions for the full text of our policy.
		• Africa Riding Adventures reserves the right to cancel this calendar tour if no bookings are made 45 days before the tour commencement.
	²	Prices for passengers on support car may change if an additional car is needed to transport all passengers.
	³	The single room surcharge will apply to the last rider booking for the tour when double occupancy is not possible.

If you've booked this trip with us bellow is some general information on Ethiopia and on your motorcycle trip. There also some some forms you will need to sign before the start of the trip. Save time by bringing them signed when you arrive.

Client information form | Declaration of responsibility | Tips for safe riding | General Information on your trip

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