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.

	Day 1:	Arrival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Cultural evening in one of the best restaurants of Addis. Overnight in Addis Ababa
	Day 2:	Departure to Arba Minch (Forty Springs), which 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 (505 km asphalt). Overnight in Arba Minch
	Day 3:	Visit the Nech Sar National Park and ride through beautiful tracks, fantastic for bird watching and wildlife spotting. In the afternoon take a boat trip in Lake Chamo, one of the biggest in the region, and be amazed by one of the most impressive displays of big crocodiles and hippos in Africa (110 Km off- road). Overnight in Arba Minch
	Day 4:	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. An unusual attraction is the crocodile farm where visitors can see at close hand these animals at various stages of growth (150 km asphalt and off-road). Overnight in Arba Minch
	Day 5:	Departure to Turmi which will be our base to explore the area (283 km off-road). Overnight in Turmi
	Day 6:	Departure to Omorate where Omo Valley tribes like the Geleb and Karo will be seen. Geleb men sculpt and shave their hair into extravagant shapes, with special ochre ‘caps’ of hair usually containing several ostrich feather. If time allows visit the Turmi market (+/- 145 km off-road). Overnight in Turmi
	Day 7:	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 (+/- 210 km off-road). Overnight in Turmi
	Day 8:	Departure to Mago National Park where the Karo Tribe are one of the main points of interest. They’re experts at painting using clays and locally available vegetable pigments to trace fantastic patterns on each other’s faces, chests, arms and legs. Some difficult tracks for about 30 km (136 km off-road). Overnight in Mago national Park
	Day 9:	Visit the Mago National Park, famed for its wilderness filled with the larger wildlife species expected from the Africa Savannah. Get acquainted with the tribes close by, namely the Mursi tribe whose women split and stretch their lower lips to make room for the insertion of terracotta or wooden dishes as a sign of beauty. Departure to Jinka (+/- 130 km off-road). Overnight in Jinka
	Day 10:	Departure to Yabelo, stopping in Konso to visit one of the villages and the King’s Palace where mummification is still practiced. This is a very nice and fun road to ride (270 km off-road). Overnight in Yabelo
	Day 11:	Departure to Yirgalem. We will stay in what is, in our opinion, the best eco-lodge in the country, hided inside untouched forest (245 km asphalt). Overnight in Yirgalem
	Day 12:	Departure to Langano. Visit the Shala and Abyata Lakes National Parks. Abyata feeds thousands of water birds especially flamingos and white pelicans, while Shala provides their nesting areas (180 km asphalt and off-road). Overnight in Langano
	Day 13:	Departure to Addis Ababa. 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 (210 km asphalt road). Overnight in Addis Ababa
	Day 14:	Flight Home

	Route map Prices and Information

	Road to Arba Minch


	Lake Chamo Hippopotamus, photo by Joe Pichler


	Road to Turmi


	Lake Stephany


	Meeting the Hamer
	Hamer girls



	Langano

Tour: The Wild and Ethnic Route¹
Dates of the tour:	24 April - 7 May 2011
Duration of the tour:	14 days / 13 nights
Riding days:	12 days
Total distance:	Approx. 2,520 Km/ 2,041 miles
Skill level:	3/4
Lodging type:	Hotels and camping
Prices/rider (based on a minimum group of 4 riders):	Riders: Own bike: Passenger on bike or support car²: Single room surcharge³:	€ 3,499 € 1,925 € 1,925 € 218
What is included:	• Airport collection and drop-off • Motorbike (KTM 640 and 690 LC4 Enduro or 525XC Desert Racing - 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 • Restoration (dinner on the arrival day and lunch on the departure day; every other day breakfast, lunch and dinner). Beverages and snacks not included • Entry fees to parks and other sites • Local guides • 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 can 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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