Choke Mountain Trekking 6 days

Day 1 Addis Ababa to Sinan /Mulu Eco Lodge/

After breakfast drive to Sinan Mulu Eco Lodge via Dejen which is the famous Teff growing region in the country. Teff is a staple food for Ethiopians. You will bike Dejen to Debre Markos. Further down, you will enjoy the fabulous Blue Nile Gorge. Similar to the Grand Canyon of USA. Travelling via the Blue Nile Gorge we pass through dramatic landscapes enjoying the spectacular scenery. Along the way, we visit the Debre Libanos Monastery founded by St. Abune Tekle-Haymanot in the 13th century. Debre Libanos became one of Ethiopia's most important religious centres and remains a popular pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians today. We also visit the Portuguese Bridge, said to have been built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Located below the monastery, the Ethiopian Rift Valley can be viewed from the bridge. After lunch at Dejen, we will drive to Sinan Mulu Eco Lodge for overnight.

You will drive approximately 380 km.

Transportation: Land cruiser 4WD

Accommodation: Mulu Eco Lodge

Day 2 Trekking to Kebero Meda

Trekking to Kebero Meda (about 10 km, quite flat). We will pack camping gears in the morning on the horses and donkeys and start walking after a good breakfast. After less than an hour walking up the mountain, we will soon reach a mountain plateau with grasslands, rivers and thousands of farm animals grazing freely. It is a comfortable easy flat walking through the farm fields. On the way are few small tea houses who offer soft drinks and are perfect for breaks. We will take some lunch from the lodge and enjoy it on a viewpoint.

Walking in a comfortable speed with enough breaks we will reach in the late afternoon a farmer family where we set up our tents in front of their houses.

This area is known for the good racehorses they breed, so if we are lucky we will have the chance to see how the farmer children train the young horses, racing without a saddle or other tools.

Those who still have energy can walk some minutes to the edge of the mountain chain and enjoy the African sunset and then walk back before it is dark. We will have dinner together with the family and see their houses equipped like farmer museums.

You will cover approximately 10km.

Transportation: Trekking /Mule or Horse Riding/

Accommodation: Camping

Day 3 Trekking to Molalit Cave

Trek to the Molalit Cave (about 8 km, 3600m above sea level, mainly flat, some hills).

In the morning we will have breakfast with the farmer family while our tents are being packed on the horses. We will start walking along the edge of a mountain chain with stunning views. The countryside changes to untouched nature not farmed by the locals. Lots of endemic plants like Giant Lobelia, Erica and Giant Haze and different endemic birds lead us through nature. We will cross thousands of small rivers that contribute to the Blue Nile in the lowlands. You will understand why the Choke Mountains are called “the water tower of east and north Africa.”

After having a lunch break on a mountain peak we will finish our day walk when we reach to the Molalit Cave. Molalit is a natural rocky mountain cave where still a family is living as the 4th generation. It is a beautiful spot for the Choke Mountains sunset and to watch the bone breaker prayer giant bird Lammergeier. We will have dinner with the cave family, the mother and father and their three boys. Overnight camping at the gate of the cave.

You will cover approximately 9 km.

Transportation: Trekking /Mule or Horse Riding/

Accommodation: Camping

Day 4 Trekking Dragon Mountain and Wofachana

Walk on the Dragon Mountain and Wofchana (4-5 km, hillier).

After breakfast with the cave family, we will hike up the cave mountain and walk down on the other side until we reach a mountain that is shaped like a flying dragon. We will walk up to the peak on the back of the dragon. Up there we will have lunch while watching down to the Lammergeier and vultures flying below us, rounding the mountain. In the afternoon we will go to a farmer village and stay overnight in the community campsite of Wofchana.

The strong farmer community prepared that campsite in cooperation with the farmers of Mulu Eco Lodge to host guests and give the opportunity to take part in their numerous celebrations. In the evening the community will prepare a big welcoming party, all the villagers of all ages coming together to celebrate with you. Overnight stay on the community-based campsite.

You will cover approximately 7 km.

Transportation: Trekking /Mule or Horse riding/

Accommodation: Camping

Day 5 Trek back to Mulu Eco Lodge

Trek back to Mulu Eco Lodge (about 11 km).

After breakfast celebrations with all the families, we will start walking up the mountain back to the mountain plateau for about one hour with stunning views while climbing up. Once up it is an easy flat walk for about 3-4h back to the Mulu Eco Lodge through the green highlands and sheep herds. In the evening there will be a welcome-back-home celebration with the Mulu farmers, big meals and foot massages! The horses will go back home to their stables while we are celebrating our trek at the campfire with the locals. We are sure you will enjoy your travel.

You will cover approximately 11 km.

Transportation: Trekking /Mule or Horse Riding/

Accommodation: Mulu Eco Lodge

Day 6 Back to Addis Ababa

The last day of your unforgettable visit to Ethiopia brings us back to Addis Ababa. A hotel room for day-use is available. We say goodbye to dear friends with a visit to a cultural restaurant, enjoying the great Ethiopian food together with traditional music and dance from all over this fascinating country. After dinner we take you to the airport for your flight back home.

You will drive approximately 380 km.

Transportation: Land cruiser 4WD

Accommodation: -