6/7/8 Days Bale Mountain itineraries
Six Days Bale Mountains Trekking CODE: (SP-BMT-6D)
Day 1
Addis Ababa – Bale Mountains National Park
Drive from Addis to the Bale Mountains National Park. Arrive at the park headquarters in the afternoon, in time for a leisurely afternoon hike, possibly spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik’s Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Blue-Winged Goose, the Spot-Breasted Lapwing, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and numerous other species. Overnight camping near park entrance.
Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 2
Trekking Bale Mountains National Park
Starting from Dinsho, trek to Adelay via the Geysay Valley and the Web River, viewing the Web waterfall along the way. During the hike, there will be wonderful chances to see the Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, and possibly Colobus Monkeys. Trekking will take 4-5 hours
Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 3
Trekking Bale Mountains National Park
Trek from Adelay to Sodota. Most of the hiking will be accross the Kotera Plains, from which there are good chances to see the rare and endemic Ethiopian Wolf. Also pass by the Habera Waterfall. Trekking will take 5-6 hours
Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
DAY 4
Trekking Bale Mountains National Park
Trek to Keyransa through the Wolla Valley. There will be opportunities to see birds endemic to Ethiopia, including spot raptors and verraux and lammergeyer eagles. Trekking will take 6-7 hours
Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 5
Trekking Bale Mountains National Park
Take a very scenic hike through the Rafu Valley. There will again be chances to see different species of raptors, falcons, and eagles. Trekking will take 4-5 hours
Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 6
Bale Mountains National Park – Addis Ababa
Take a short trek from Gebre Gurracha up to the Sennati Plateau to meet vehicles. Return to Addis Ababa. Enjoy dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure or additional hotel night booked upon request.
(B, L, D)
End of Tour
Seven Days Bale Mountains Trekking CODE: (SP-BMT-7D)
Day 1
Addis Ababa – Bale Mountains National Park
Drive from Addis to the Bale Mountains National Park. Arrive at the park headquarters in the afternoon, in time for a leisurely afternoon hike, possibly spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik’s Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Blue-Winged Goose, the Spot-Breasted Lapwing, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and numerous other species.
Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 2
Trekking Bale Mountains National Park
Starting from Dinsho, trek to Adelay via the Geysay Valley and the Web River, viewing the Web waterfall along the way. During the hike, there will be wonderful chances to see the Mountain Nyala, Menelik’s Bushbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, and possibly Colobus Monkeys. Trekking will take 4 – 5 hours.
Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 3
Trekking Bale Mountains National Park
Trek to Wasama through a beautiful landscape with stunning views. Pass through Mararo Valley where the Lammergeyer and Verraux Eagles keep nests. There will also be a chance a seeing the Ethiopian Wolf and other species of birds. Around 7 – 8 hours of trekking.
Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
DAY 4
Trekking Bale Mountains National Park
Start the day by hiking up Mt. Wasama (4200m) and then continue down into the Worgona Valley. Falcons, raptors, and possibly the Ethiopian Wolf will be visible. End the day at Lake Gebre Gurracha, meaning “black lake” in the Oromic language. Trekking will take 7-8 hours.
Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 5
Sanetti Plateau
Take a short trek from Gebre Gurracha up to the Sanetti Plateau to meet vehicles. Explore the Sanetti Plateau by car. This is the best place in Ethiopia to view the Ethiopian wolf.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 6
Harenna Forest
Drive to the Harenna Forest. This is in the southern end of the park and holds a unique variety of vegetation. The Harenna Escarpment towers 2000m above the edge of the forest and provides stunning views. Return to Goba for the night.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 7
Bale Mountains National Park – Addis Ababa
Drive back to Addis Ababa with stops on the way at Rift Valley Lakes. Enjoy dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure or additonal hotel nights booked upon request.
(B, L, D)
End of Tour
Nine Days Bale Mountains Trekking CODE: (SP-BMT-9D)
Attractions: History, Religion, Scenery & Wildlife
Duration: 9 Days & 8 Nights
Transportation: Surface drive, & trekking
Day 1
Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Meet and greet you Simien Park Ethiopia Tours representative at exit of luggage claim and transfer you to the hotel. Overnight stay in Radissun Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa.
Day 2
Addis Ababa City Tour
You will have an early breakfast and your first visit in Addis Ababa will be the National Museum. (houses numerous antiquarian relics and archaeological artifacts including 3.5 million year old skeleton of Lucy). Then you will continue to visit Mount Entoto (3,200 above sea level, the Church of St Mary (1885), & museum and Emperor Menelik II Palace. Lunch at Lucy Restaurant.
After lunch you will visit Trinity Cathedral. It was constructed by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1947 (ornamented with carvings and mosaic and other artistic works such as paintings of saints and the apostles on the stained glass) and visit Merkato, the largest open market in Africa. In the evening, you will have dinner at the hotel and you will rest.
In the evening, we will host you at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis where you can see the folk dances of the Ethiopian people and taste Ethiopian variety of meals. Overnight stay in Radissun Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa.
Day 3
Drive to Dinsho, Bale Mountains National Park Head Quarter
In the morning after breakfast, you will drive to Dinsho, via Shashmene (410 Km from Addis). En route, you will make a stop on Awash River and Lake Ziway (best known for its birdlife) to visit aquatic birds. You will have lunch at Shashmene (250 Km from Addis). You will proceed driving and arrive in Dinsho late afternoon. Upon arrival, you will check into a guest house and do all the requirements for trekking at the Bale Mountains National Park HQ. Later, you will prepare the necessary logistics for your trekking. After a brief break, you will have time to make a short hike along the northern part of the park. In the evening, you will have dinner and stay the night at the guest house. Overnight stay in Dinsho guest house.
DAY 4
Trek Dinsho to Fincha Habera or Sodota
You will have an early breakfast and start trekking in the Bale Mountains National Park (the largest area of Afro-Alpine habitat in the whole of the continent, giving visitors opportunities for unsurpassed mountain walking, horse trekking, scenic driving, fishing and view many endemic mammals: the Mountain Nyala, Menelik Bush Buck, Warthog & Ethiopian Wolf; birds: the thick-billed Raven, Wattled Ibis, Blue-winged Goose, and Rouget’s Rail). You will trek from Dinsho to Sodota (appx. 20 Km from Dinsho). In the evening, you will spend the night at Fincha Habera or Sodota Camp site. Overnight stay night camping at Fincha Habera or Sodota.
Day 5
Trek Fincha Habera or Sodota to Keyrensa
Early in the morning after an easy breakfast, you will do trekking to Keyrensa (or even to Morobawa). You will have packed lunch in the bush. In the evening, you will spend the night at the camp site. Overnight stay night camping at Keyrensa.
Day 6
Trek Keyrensa to Rafu
After breakfast, you will continue trekking full day to Rafu. You will have packed lunch in the bush. In the evening, you will spend the night at camp site. Overnight stay night camping at Rafu.
Day 7
Trek Rafu to Garba Guracha
In the morning after breakfast, you will trek to Garba Guracha to climb Mount Batu (4203 meter above sea level, with a new terrain of Afro- Alpine meadows, incredible endemic plants: Giant lobelia and other plants of high land altitudes). In the evening, you will have dinner and stay camping at Garba Guracha. Overnight stay night camping at Garba Guracha.
Day 8
Trek Garba Guracha to Sanetti Plateau & drive to Goba
In the morning after breakfast, you will trek to Sanetti Plateau (an altitude of 4000 meter, covered by Afro-alpine Moor land with beautiful wild alpine scenery). Then, your vehicle will be waiting for you and you will drive to Goba. Upon arrival in Goba, you will check into a hotel, take a hot shower of the last five days. In the evening, you will rest, have dinner and stay the night in the hotel. Overnight stay in Wabe Shebelle Hotel, Goba.
Day 9
Drive back to Addis Ababa via Bekoji – Assela & departure
After breakfast, you will be driving to Addis Ababa. You will stop for lunch at Assela. You will arrive in Addis Ababa late afternoon where you will do some shopping for souvenirs. Finally you will be taken to a farewell dinner depending on your scheduled flight; you will be transferred out to Bole International Airport for return flight back home.