Monday 2 January 2017

Menz- Guassa Trekking # Ethiopia



Menz- Guassa Trekking:

Guassa Community Conservation Area, located along one of the most significant historic routes in Ethiopia, offers spectacular Afromontane landscapes on the Guassa Plateau. Trek on foot or travel by mule to experience Ethiopia’s unique natural and culture heritage and traditional village life in the Ethiopian highlands. Discover breathtaking views filled with endemic birds and mammals such as the iconic Ethiopian wolf and the charismatic gelada. Guassa Community Conservation Area is found in Amhara National Regional State, North Shoa Administrative Zone and in Menz-Gera Midir Woreda(district), 260km northeast of Addis Ababa by road. The area is among the Ethiopian highlands’ most pristine and secluded natural wonders. Along the 90-minute drive (80km) from Tarmaber, the hustle and bustle of urban life fades into the slower pace of a traditional Menz village.
The area is managed through a common property resource system by the communities living adjacent to the Guassa Area. This indigenous management system has been traced back to the 17th century
and is one of the oldest conservation management systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. At present, Guassa communities live in nine kebeles (farmers’ associations) adjacent to Guassa Community Conservation Area. The area is managed by the Guassa Conservation Council which has kebele and woreda level components and consists of both community and local government representatives.
The stunning views and abundant wildlife make it a destination not to be missed!

Optional trekking: 3 days/2 nights

Day 1: Visitors arrive at the Guassa Community Lodge at Regreg around lunchtime to meet their guide and check in.
After a rest, visitors will take a short trek to the nearby mountaintop. This is an idyllic spot which offers genuinely stunning views over the Guassa plateau and the chance to spot the Ethiopian wolf. Along the trail, the guide will describe the natural surroundings as well as the history and local conservation efforts.
Visitors will end the day back at Regreg, where they will be briefed about the upcoming treks.

Day 2: After an early breakfast, visitors will trek on foot or mule back, for around five to six hours, from Regreg to Atse Wiha Camping Ground, walking through an Afro alpine meadow to “Lobelia Valley”, with thousands of these giant plants. The trail then winds its way into the moorland where visitors will experience the enormous highland flora as well as an impressive array of animal life including the endemic gelada and the Ethiopian wolf.
Visitors can then enjoy a picnic lunch in the majestic surroundings, keeping an eye out for a rare and the graceful bird of prey - the lammergeyer, or bearded vulture. This raptor, considered the lord of the high plateau, can often be seen soaring in searching of food. In the late afternoon, the mules are sent back to their base and the visitors will set up camp at Atse Wiha.

Day 3: The day begins with a short trek to the main road, from where visitors will be driven to the traditional Menz village at Tebab. The Menz people are famous for their two story stone huts with thatched roofs, and their woven wool rugs and traditional blankets are considered to be some of Ethiopia’s finest woven textiles. From there, visitors will then be taken back to Addis Ababa or can continue on to the historic north.



Optional trekking: 4  days/ 2 nights

Day 1: Vistors arrive at Guassa Community Lodge at Regreg around lunchtime to meet their guide and check in.
After a rest, vistors will take a short trek to the nearby mountaintop. This idyllic spot offers genuinely stunning views over the Guassa plateau and the chance to spot the Ethiopian wolf. Along the trail, the guide will describe the natural surroundings as well as the local history and conservation efforts.
Visitors end the day back at Regreg, where they are briefed about the upcoming treks.

Day 2: After an early breakfast, visitors trek on foot or mule back for around five to six hours from Regreg to Atse Wiha Camping Ground, walking through an Afroalpine meadow to “Lobelia Valley”, which is filled with thousands of these giant plants. The trail then winds its way into the moorland where visitors will experience the enormous highland flora as well as an impressive array of animal life including the endemic gelada and the Ethiopian wolf.
Visitors then enjoy a picnic lunch in the majestic surroundings, keeping an eye out for a rare and the graceful bird of prey - the lammergeyer, or bearded vulture. This raptor, considered the lord of the high plateau, can often be seen soaring in searching of food. In the late afternoon, the mules are sent back to their base and visitors set up camp at Atse Wiha.

Day 3: This scenic trail to Cheguarit Meda (four to five hours) offers splendid views of the untouched juniper forest of yegana, now rare in Ethiopia. The trails offer a variety of interesting attractions including endemic bird species and wildlife and scenic overlooks down to the lowlands.
Before the final ascent towards the camp, visitors will discover a cluster of stone houses in the traditional Menz village at Tebab. The Menz people are famous for their two storey stone huts with thatched roofs, and their woven wool rugs and traditional blankets are considered to be some of Ethiopia’s finest woven textiles. Before returning to camp, visitors will sip coffee with villagers. This final evening offers visitors a chance to gather around the campfire and watch a traditional Menz dance ceremony. A truly memorable experience!

Day 4: Visitors will enjoy a short trek to the main road, where they are met by their vehicle and return to Addis Ababa or continue on to the historic north.




SUNNY Ethiopia Tours 

Authentic service. Authentic Experience.
P.O.Box 29977, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 629 40 39 Fax: +251 11 6 29 40 59
   Mob: +251 930 01 43 76 /+251 911 94 38 12
Skype: sunnyethiopia1
 Office location: Gerji Mebrat Hail, MAG International BLDG, 2nd Floor, office # 211

Ethiopia Biking Tours

The Best Biking Tour 
to 
The Grand Historic Route



It is the highlight the most interesting and memorable biking tours to and around, Bahirdar, Tsis Abay, Gonder,  Debark,  Semien Mountain and the surrounding attraction. Traveling by biking bicycle is a fun healthy and with unforgettable memories, it is a means of travel Get where you want, when you want, all on your own steam.
Travel in Ethiopia is very fascinating; however, traveling by biking bicycle has plenty of additional rewards, it is about every town and village is your destination, enjoying the scenery and life in every spot, Colorful markets in every village town and cities feel the colorful events and meet interesting people.

By bike rather than by car has again benefits just like no car rental fees, no worries about high costs of fuel, no parking fees ,no fears of your car being stolen, damaged or Leave when and where you want, stop at any spot like small lakes narrow roads , restaurant ,restroom, café ,church, mosque, market ,landscape ,people and many other spots when you please. You will enrich with memories for a lifetime.
 
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to hotel.
Flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and arrival at Bole international airport, warm welcome by our staff and transfer to Jupiter International Hotel /similar*
Day 2: Drive Addis Ababa- Bahirdar.
Morning drive to Bahirdar on the way visiting monastery Debre Libanos, Portuguese bridge and  Blue Nile Gorge. On the way visit the Oromo, Amhara people way of life and their villages from your car. Overnight Homeland hotel/Similar.
Day 3: Tis Isat ( Blue Line Falls biking ) (1,800m)
Morning biking 70 km round trip to visit Tississat named after the Water Falls of the Blue Nile (the life blood of the Sudanese and Egyptians)  still you can bike from 40- 50 km and the other driving by car. Overnight Homeland hotel. To bike Tis Isat and back to Bahirdar it takes almost 5/6 hours. This means you will be back around  15:00.

Day 4: Biking from Bahirdar to Gonder. (2,000m)

This is the main asphalt road to Gonder and it will be easy biking. Half way after Addis Zemen the road is tough and challenging. Overnight Goha hotel 180 Km but only bike 40-50 Kms.
Day 5: Biking from Gonder to Debark crossing Ambaghiorgis. Overnight Sona hotel 100 Km and only bike 50 Kms.
 
Day 6: Debark/Sankaber Camp site (3,200m)
Biking about 35 km to the Semien Mountain, Sankaber camp site and again after lunch they will bike until Aynameda ( part of the semien mountain) and back to Sankaber overnight camping. all are off the tracks Overnight camping.


Day 7: Sankaber/Chenek/Bhuait (3,600m- 4,200m)
Biking until Chenek 27 km, Semien Mountain and the best place for mountain scenery. Chenek at 3,600m, the best place for scenery viewing. It is also a good place to see many baboons together, Walia  Ibex  and klipsprings and another drive to Bhuait 15 km see the Ras Dashen Mountain  which is the highest place in Ethiopia 4620 meter. Back to Chenek all are off the tracks Overnight camping.


Day 8: Chenek/Gonder
 Morning walk around the camp site which is the best place for scenery viewing. Then Biking from Chenek to Debark 65 km all are off the tracks. Have final camping lunch in the Semien Mountain and drive to Gonder overnight Goha hotel.

Day 9: Fly Gonder/Lalibela
Morning flight to Lalibela, the world heritage city.   After 45 minutes flight, you will arrive at Shimshaha ( Lalibela Airport),transfer to hotel and start to visit the 1st group churches which are included Bieta Medhanialem (Chapel of Holy Savior) which is the biggest and Bieta Mariam (Chapel of Mary): three aisled with mural paintings and a covered pillar containing inscriptions about the end of the world according to the gadl (act )of  saintly king.  Further visit of Bieta Denagel (Chapel of the Virgins), Bieta Meskel (Chapel of the cross) and finally, the “double – church” of Debre Sina and Bieta Golghotha (women are not allowed in the latter since it’s where the remains of King Lalibela are and also because it contains the tabernacle of the Holy Trinity).
PM Visit of the second group of rock-hewn churches that are namely: Bieta Gabriel and Raphael, Bieta Merquorios, Bieta Emmanuel with unprecedented Axumite style and the Bieta Abaa Libanos (said to have been built by King Lalibela’s consort Meskal Kebra and visit the Bieta Ghiorghis which is the cruciform chapel of St. George. Overnight Top twelve hotel/Similar.

Day 10: Flight to Addis and night departure
Flight to Addis Ababa, afternoon free to relax and some city tour to Addis Ababa including a drive to Mount Entoto for panoramic view, national museum, Merkato, the biggest open market in Africa,   attend farewell dinner in the famous Ethiopian traditional restaurant with live music and delicious meal which is free of charge that will be covered by our company, transfer to Bole International airport for flight and it will be the end of the tour.


Price on Request
SUNNY Ethiopia Tours 

Authentic service. Authentic Experience.
P.O.Box 29977, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 629 40 39 Fax: +251 11 6 29 40 59
   Mob: +251 930 01 43 76 /+251 911 94 38 12
Skype: sunnyethiopia1
 Office location: Gerji Mebrat Hail, MAG International BLDG, 2nd Floor, office # 211

Danakil Depression and Ert'ale Active Volcano

Danakil Depression
 and 
Ert'ale active Volcano


Description:  Danakil Depression and Ert’ale,
The Danakil Desert is located between the Ethiopian plateau and the Red Sea. The salt plain near Dallol is the lowest part at 116 metres below sea level. In prehistoric times, the territory was in the form of a gulf. According to geologists, this is a sea bed that emerged for a brief moment in the history of the planet; the Afar depression will in fact form a future ocean with the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

This geological anomaly means that the entire area is very unstable. There are numerous active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes, together with secondary manifestations such as the stupendous colors of the salt surfaces, caused by the geysers with their various different chlorides. This inhospitable territory is home to nomadic sheep-herding Afar people.

Day 1, Flight to Mekele and drive to Hamed Ella

Morning flight to Mekele and on arrival drive to Homedale via Berehale, which is about totally160km from Mekele. Initially we will drive 100km from Mekele to Berhale, then here in Berhale we will have a lunch stop ( using lunch box) and the place where we will pick up police scouts, road guides and permits for the Afar region. Then we will drive around 60km from Berehale to Hamedella. Along the way we will see the camel caravans, whom carrying salt from the salt lake to Mekele for sale.  Overnight camping in Hamedella.


Day 2,  Dallol /Danakil Depression

Drive to Dallol, which at 116m below sea level is the lowest point on the African continent.  Admire the stunning landscape, the ground many shades of red, yellow and orange from the hot water, acids and minerals spurting up from the ground. where lakes of acid form colorful sulfur formation in the hottest and deepest part of Danakil depression and you will also witness the cutting of salt bricks and salt being loading on to camels for the long caravans (approximately 1500-2000 camels weekly). Further drive to Abala overnight camping.


Day 3, Ert’ale active Volcano

In the next morning continue driving to the so called ‘Dodum’ which is the base camp for Ear’tale. So far, the road has two parts, the first and the largest part of the road is covered by sand and very flat land but the rest of the road is covered by rock which is very rough road. Then there will be a lunch stop in Kusrawit, the place where supplementary scouts and camels for the luggage are arranged here by the chef of the village. Afterward continue driving to ‘Dodum’, The Erta Ale volcano has been in a constant state of eruption for over 40 years. As the sun goes down you will start the 3-hour hike up to the crater rim of the Erta Ale volcano.  The hike may be done by camel or on foot.  At the top you will descend into the caldera and proceed to the crater’s edge.  Here you will see the permanent lava lake inside the volcano (the only permanent lava lake in the world).  You will camp overnight on the rim of the volcano caldera. Camping.


Day 4, Drive to Mekele

Early in the morning visit Ear’tale the second time look at the volcano’s lake of lava before descending from the volcano. Then walk down to get our vehicles at Dodom and then drive back to Mekel for the flight back to Addis and end of the trip.












 SUNNY Ethiopia Tours 


Authentic service. Authentic Experience.
P.O.Box 29977, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 629 40 39 Fax: +251 11 6 29 40 59
   Mob: +251 930 01 43 76 /+251 911 94 38 12
Skype: sunnyethiopia1
 Office location: Gerji Mebrat Hail, MAG International BLDG, 2nd Floor, office # 211