As seen on
Trekking and wolf-spotting in the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia
Ethiopia - 3,500m
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Reviews
- Packing list
Grade:
Intermediate
Type:
Activity
Transfers
Duration:
9 Nights
4 - 12
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- View the rare Ethiopian wolf
- Cross the highest plateau in Africa
- Hike through ancient cloud forest
- Explore the incredible 'Stone Forest'
Add on Adventures
This itinerary has options for you to extend & customise your experience before &/or after your holiday. See Itinerary for details.
Discover the amazing wolves and wildlife of Ethiopia on this Bale mountain tour.
The Sanetti Plateau in the Bale Mountains is the Rooftop of Africa; averaging 4000m in altitude, it is the highest plateau on the continent.
On this incredible Ethiopia wildlife tour we will walk across it, viewing its beautiful and exotic wildlife including Mountain Nyala, Ethiopian Red Wolf, impala, warthogs and Colobus Monkeys; meeting the nomadic herders grazing their flocks on the plateau and learning about their culture.
Bale mountain trekking (with the option of some horse-riding), accompanied by our team of local guides, porters and horses, and often above the cloud line; we will traverse this region of immense landscapes and breath-taking natural beauty.
(Available as a small group tour or tailor-made holiday)
To learn more on the Bale Mountains, you can read our Journal post here.
Highlights include the beautiful Lake Gebreguracha, the otherworldly, mind-bending ‘stone forest’ and the opportunity to hike up Ethiopia’s second highest summit, Mt. Tuludimtu (4389m).
On our drive down to the ancient lichen-covered Harenna Forest, where waterfalls plummet between bamboo groves, we will visit villages where the local people live in thatched houses, and whose way of life has not changed for a millennium.
After the adventure of camping we treat ourselves with a 2 night stay at the exquisite Bale Mountain Eco Lodge; an exceptional wilderness retreat and the ideal base from which to explore.
This is travel in its purest form.
Adventure Optional Addons
Lalibela Add On
UNESCO Heritage site of Lalibela with intricate system of ancient passages & rock-hewn churches.
Addon Optional extras
Single Room Supplement
Single rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is only available for part of the trip.
Add on Adventures
This itinerary has options for you to extend & customise your experience before &/or after your holiday. See below for details.
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa
Transfer
Packed Lunch
3 star hotel
With group members arriving during the afternoon and evening, today is a 'free' day for you to arrive, be transferred to the start hotel, and to shake off any travel fatigue before the start of your adventure in earnest, tomorrow.
Your YellowWood guide will be on hand to welcome you in the evening with an adventure briefing, and advice on where to grab a bite to eat. If you would like us to help you organise any free time you have today, then do just ask.
Day 2: City Tour of Addis Ababa
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
Our adventure begins with a tour of the highlights of this liveliest of cities including the Ethnographic & Red Terror Museums, and the magnificent panoramic views of the city, from Entoto Mountain.
We offer an optional (but highly recommended) visit to Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis, run by the charity Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, our linked charity for this adventure, where you can learn more about the challenges faced by women living in remote Ethiopian villages.
In the evening we will watch traditional musicians and dancers performing different tribal dances in a culture house before dinner at a restaurant and a jazz club or two for any interested parties.
Day 3: Addis Ababa to Dinsho
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Making an early start we will drive south to the town of Dinsho (around 380kms), in the Bale zone of the Oromia region, and in the heart of the Bale Mountains.
We take our time, pausing as required to stretch our legs, take photos and eat, enjoying travelling through the incredible and striking southern Ethiopian countryside.
Our campsite is situated inside the Bale Mountains National Park, and affords beautiful views of the endemic Mountain Nyalas, huge warthogs and Redback and Bushback deer who all drop past to say hello, as well as an abundance of local birdlife for which the park is famous.
In nominating the mountain park as a World Heritage site, the UN noted that more mammal species would go extinct if the Bale Mountains habitat disappeared, than any equivalent parcel of land on the planet!
Day 4: Begin Bale Mountains Trek
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Camping
An introductory walk for around 4-5hours at a gentle pace, today we will trek from Dinsho, east, along to Sodota camp, through farmsteads and vast plains. The camp and tents will be constructed for us.
The terrain is at times uneven but we are walking along fairly well-trodden paths. Our belongings are transported by horses so we need only carry a day pack, and as well as your YellowWood guide, we are accompanied by our local walking guide and Bale Mountains expert, Ayuba.
This is the natural habitat of the endemic Ethiopian Red Wolf, and we will keep a sharp eye out for either solitary hunters or small packs with their young, here, in their hunting grounds.
Day 5: Sodotato Waaswma camp walk
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Today we climb right up onto the Sanetti plateau, through beautiful landscapes of silvery everlasting flowers, to camp near the base of the stunning Mt. Waaswma. From the plains, we gain some real height and are rewarded with fantastic views of the pyramid mountain as well as the sensation of being in a remote and magical place that very few people will have had the opportunity of seeing.
We take the trek gently as usual, walking for around 5 hours today, up at 3900m.
Day 6: Waaswma to Rafu camp
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Camping
We enjoy a slightly shorter day today (walking for around 4 hours) across the Rooftop of Africa, with views of Mt Waaswma, to Rafu camp situated in the incredible mind-bending natural ‘stone forest’ of the plateau.
Formed by the uneven erosion of an ancient lava flow, what is left is a field of towering rock pinnacles, some over 10m high.
Our camp will be set up, nestled in between the stones in this surreal and beautiful setting. For the more energetic there is the option to ascend a small peak from camp, affording incredible views of the Harenna Forest to the south, which we will soon be exploring.
Day 7: Rafu to Mount Tulu Dimtu
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
On the final day of our trek, we walk along the windswept plains with the advisable option of a short hike on a rough gravel road up to the summit of Mt. Tulu Dimtu (4377m), Ethiopia’s 2nd highest mountain. The 360° views from the top are undoubtedly one of the highlights of this adventure and well worth the effort involved!
After descending, we are met with private transport and driven through beautiful villages and barley fields into the mountain bamboo groves and lichen-covered Harenna Cloud Forest. Here we celebrate the day’s achievements with the first of a 2-night stay in the exceptional and memorable Bale Mountain Lodge, offering us a wonderful treat after our camping and trekking experiences.
Day 8: Explore Harenna Forest
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lodge
Knowing we can return this afternoon to the comfort and stunning surroundings of the mountain lodge, the goal this morning is to explore and enjoy the beauty of the Harenna Forest on foot; the hidden natural waterfalls cascading down into rock pools as well as the exotic looking Colobus monkeys.
Day 9: Harenna to Addis Ababa
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
Reluctantly leaving the tranquillity of the Harenna Cloud Forest (and Bale Mountain Lodge!) behind us, we have a long (around 9 hours) but scenic car journey back to Addis today, giving us the opportunity to absorb and commit to memory, more of the scenery of Africa.
Being back in the hustle and bustle of Addis will offer a strong contrast to the incredible and natural experience we have just had in Bale Mountains National Park, but we make the most of it, taking our dinner as a group in a vibrant restaurant in town, before our final night in Ethiopia.
Day 10: Travel home
Transfer
Breakfast
We transfer you to the airport for flights out of Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa.
Leaving the beauty of Ethiopia is going to feel all wrong but ‘normal life’ awaits you. It must be time to plan your next escape!
Adventure Optional Extras
Single Room Supplement
Single rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. Single tents are available during the camping sections of this adventure. We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is not available to book for part of the trip where it would have been possible.
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not included
- Flights & airport taxes
- Visas (approx £40)
- Insurance (compulsory)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips
Adventure Optional Addons
Lalibela Add On
UNESCO Heritage site of Lalibela with intricate system of ancient passages & rock-hewn churches.
Addon Optional extras
Single Room Supplement
Single rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is only available for part of the trip.
Contents
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice Responsible Tourism, using local hotels, owned and run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a a great trip.
We choose hotels based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra road travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, in modern buildings or in town centres. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available. An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which are exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
This is adventure travel and on occasion the advertised services at a hotel (eg wifi, or hot showers, or continuous power) may not be functional on our arrival. This tends to occur in the smaller, more remote hotels. Very rarely a hotel lets us down and we are required to find alternative suitable accommodation that might not be our first choice. This trip involves hotels, a wilderness lodge and camping.
The list below gives information on our first choice of accommodation for this adventure; where hotels and hostels are fully booked or unavailable, we will use an alternative of a similar standard, and equally well situated. We will provide you with an accurate list of accommodation, with contact information to leave with relatives, prior to departure on your adventure.
Addis Adaba (Day 1,2 & 9): Monarch Hotel (www.monarchaddis.com). Address: Cameroon Street near Edna Mall, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Phone: +251 116672480 (Wifi & Pool)
Camping (Day 3-6): We wild camp in the heart of the wilderness on this adventure, in 2 man tents. We have horses to carry all our camp equipment and our guides will assist with setting up, but please be aware that camping facilities are basic. There are no toilet facilities - you may need to find a suitable spot away from the group and waterways to dig a small hole in order to manage your toileting in a hygienic and environmentally responsible way. You will need to carry your own toilet paper, burning it after use. Washing is done in mountain streams or using camp water. However, believe us when we say that the views from your chosen ‘wild bathrooms’ will be totally incredible!
Bale Mountain Lodge (Day 7 & 8): Bale Mountain Lodge (http://balemountainlodge.com). Phone: +251 912790802. Wilderness lodge - this is something very special indeed as a once in a lifetime stay!
Facilities
With the exception of some of the higher class hotels in Addis Ababa, hotels generally do not have heating or air conditioning. As nights can be chilly, please bring appropriate sleepwear if needed (see packing list for further information).
In areas where malaria is a problem, hotel rooms come with mosquito nets.
Unless you have booked a single room (where they are available) and paid the single room supplement for those nights, you will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender).
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be an experienced member of the YellowWood Guiding team. They will be joined by local city guides in Addis and Ayuba, our local hiking guide in the Bale Mountains, will join the team for the duration of the trek.
This ensures you the perfect balance of information and support on your trip; your Ethiopian guides offer insight into local life and customs, as well as routes during hiking, whilst your YellowWood guide ensures the smooth running of your adventure.
Porters and camp staff all ensure that you are well supported and secure on this holiday during the camping part of your adventure.
Your Group
Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 3 or 4, up to a maximum of 12 clients. This number works really well with the ratio of guides, and ensures the optimum level of service to you during your adventure.
We get clients booking alone, as couples and in small groups of friends. If you have a group of friends or family who are interested in having their own customised trip, then please let us know and we can cost it for you.
Am I fit enough?
You are visiting the mountainous areas of Ethiopia and this is one of our more challenging itineraries involves hiking/trekking in the heat, at altitude and over some rough terrain. The camping is wild camping with only basic facilities. The hiking is at the natural pace of the group, with regular stops. As horses will be moving all your luggage and belongings, you will be carrying just a day pack and your water bottle. We highly recommend a filtration water bottle such as Aquapure Traveller.
To get the most of out of this adventure, you need to be a regular walker and in good physical condition so that you can enjoy consecutive days of hiking. You do not need to be experienced in trekking, however.
Horses will walk with the group so riding is an option if you are tired or feeling unwell.
Training
As with all active holidays, the fitter you are the more you can relax and enjoy the stunning route, and the better you can cope with challenges such as the outside elements. Clients are advised to get in as much regular walking/ short runs before the trip as is convenient.
NB: If you have bought new hiking boots for this adventure, training is the right time to wear them in, not on the trip itself.
Health
For general information on health issues in Ethiopia, please see the general information on Ethiopia, however, for this specific adventure, the following points are worth separate consideration.
Altitude
Our guides are fully First Aid trained and there to support you.
The highest altitude that you will be experiencing in the Bale Mountains is at around 4400m, which can be difficult for people coming from lower altitudes. The summit of Mount Tuludimtu is at 4377m but other areas are around 3500m.
While we do our best to create an itinerary that allows for some time for acclimatising, altitude affects everyone differently, and to varying degrees, and the whole of the Sanetti Plateau is high. If you experience any of the following symptoms during this adventure, make sure to inform your guide and they will support you in descending to a lower altitude as soon as possible.
- Headache
- Fatigue or weakness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Excessive shortness of breath
- Persistent rapid pulse
- Peripheral oedema (swelling of feet, hands or face)
Malaria
There is no malaria in Addis Ababa and in many places in the northern highlands (with the exception of Bahir Dar), as the malaria-carrying mosquitoes do not travel to higher altitudes, generally above 1800-2000m. For this reason it is also not present in the Bale National Park.
However, Malaria is present in lower-lying areas. We travel through these areas by car, en route from Addis to Bale Mountains National Park and back. The only guaranteed way not to contract malaria is to not get bitten by a malaria-carrying mosquito.
Suggested ways to avoid contracting malaria include:
- Sleeping under mosquito nets (provided in hotels where malaria is present)
- Using insect repellent and wearing long trousers and long-sleeved shirts
- Taking a prescription anti-malarial drug (atovaquone/proguanil aka Malarone, doxycycline and mefloquine are recommended; chloroquine is NOT an effective anti-malarial in Ethiopia)
Travel
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Addis Ababa on the start day of the trip. We understand that arriving into an unfamiliar airport can be very daunting, so we aim to give you as much information here as possible to help you prepare.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights. We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book for your adventure.
Travel by road in Ethiopia
In order to benefit from the natural and undisturbed beauty of the Bale Mountains, we need to be prepared to travel some distance, by road, to reach our destinations on this adventure. There are 2 days (Day 3 and Day 9) where you will be in private transport (minibus) travelling long distances to or from Addis, in order to reach the Bale Mountains National park. The roads are not always in great condition and the journey may be hot and dusty at times. However this is very much part of the adventure, and a wonderful opportunity to absorb the ambiance of South Central Ethiopia, so we ask you to embrace the travel days, as without it, we would not be able to access the remote areas we then enjoy.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. As the situation in our destination countries can change, please do ensure you check regularly before your adventure. We also receive notifications direct from the FCO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Arrival
Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa) has reassuringly tight security measures and for this reason they do not allow any non passengers into the airport.
Fortunately, the Monarch Hotel has a small booth inside the airport so all you need to do is head to the booth and tell them you are a hotel guest, with YellowWood, and they will organise your shuttle transfer straight to the hotel (transfer of 20mins). Before you head to the Monarch desk however, you have a couple of jobs to do!
- Purchase your Visa on arrival, if you haven’t already got an e-visa: the visa desk is clearly signposted.
- Exchange Currency: The easiest option is probably to use the ATM in the arrivals lounge, however there is also a bank to change money near immigration and baggage claim (see information on Currency Exchange within the Country page on Ethiopia). For convenience, we would recommend changing currency at the airport rather than doing this in Addis Ababa.
Toilets can be found in the arrivals lounge.
Hotel Arrival
On arrival at the Monarch hotel, you should head to reception. You will be greeted by your guide at the hotel, and will be welcome to settle into your room.
You will be heading to a local restaurant for lunch and a trip briefing, once everyone has arrived.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend sorting your insurance when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered, particularly in the light of effects that the pandemic has had on travel.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hr emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
Your insurance needs to cover you for hiking /trekking with the following fairly standard inclusions:
- Medical Expenses
- Coronavirus linked expenses (these may be country specific, so please ensure you know what the requirements are relating to the country you are visiting)
- Repatriation
- Helicopter rescue & Air ambulance
We would also recommend that you have cover for the following optional items:
- Cancellation
- Loss or damage to property
General information on Ethiopia
For information on Ethiopia, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specificinformation.
Reviews
Lizzie Pook, London
We had an absolutely incredible trip with YellowWood Adventures in Ethiopia’s Bale Mountains. It was seamlessly-organised, the guiding was excellent, and you really felt like you were exploring a part of the world that very few people get to see. Would highly recommend.
Wolves of the Bale Mountains, 2019
Chris Baxter, UK
A wonderful trip to the Southern Bale mountains - local guide and his team great - very knowledgable and his skills ensured that we had several sightings of the rare and magnificent endemic Ethiopian wolf. After a strenuous 5 days trek and camping the trip ended with 2 days at the wonderful Bale mountain eco-lodge - hot showers and a warm welcome. Definitely a great trip and a return to Ethiopia definitely on my 'to-do list'
Wolves of the Bale Mountains, 2019
Gurbinder Kundi, Dubai
…And so I found myself on the Rooftop of Africa in the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia at 4,200 meters – the highest plateau on the continent. I travelled to Ethiopia from Dubai and had no idea what to expect, but I have been truly gobsmacked by the beauty of this country and I want to thank YellowWood Adventures for arranging the whole tour: From the food to the guides to the transport to just giving me an amazing experience I will never forget. I highly recommend everyone to come to this country. Thanks YellowWood
CHB
I have been on 2 trips with YellowWood - to Kyrgyzstan and then to the Bale mountains in Ethiopia.
Both were really interesting and great trips - well organised and great guides - both from the UK and locally. Very much applaud their working with local partners and planting trees to help offset carbon issues.
Fully recommend them and indeed planning another trip with them to Bhutan.
Renato G
If you feel adventurous look no further, YellowWood Adventures can undoubtedly offer this! Travelled around off the beaten track destinations. It was a fantastic trip.
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- US$ or £GB to exchange for local currency
- Passport & Insurance Documents
- Debit card (limited access to ATMs)
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Quality Insect repellent
- Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- Flannel & Towel (ideally quick drying travel towel)
- Washbag & usual contents - small travel bottles please! Biodegradable multi purpose soap can be used for washing clothes & self.
- Toilet kit: toilet roll, wet wipes & ziplock bags for carrying paper out. Biodegradable wet wipe brands: Cannymum, Close Pop & Travel Buddy
- Fully charged power pack
Items for Camping & Hiking
- Winter Sleeping bag (comfort rating -10º)
- Sleeping mat: ideally lightweight inflatable insulated mat offers most comfort & warmth over multiple nights
- 20-30L rucksack with waist (& ideally chest) strap
- Rucksack or duffel bag for main luggage (no hard suitcases) so it can be strapped to horses for transportation during camp/hike.
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
- Waterproof walking boots (for ankle support) - already broken in!
- Torch with spare batteries
- Waterproof stuff sacks & liners to keep kit dry. Esp. important for sleeping bags & spare clothes
- Sunglasses & high factor sun cream
- Sun hat or baseball cap
Clothing
- Socks & underwear for city sections & for trekking
- Suitable clothes/pjs for sleeping in (consider need to nip out of tent for wee in the night!). Thermal base layers are ideal when camping & also useful if you get cold weather.
- Light clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops. NB technical fabrics dry quickly in hot or wet weather when hiking.
- Waterproof Jacket (GoreTex or similar quality)
- Waterproof trousers for trekking / camping.
- Walking trousers for trekking / camping. Soft shell fabric is ideal.
- Warm jacket & fleece - even in the summer temperatures can be sub zero at night. Down or synthetic insulated jacket & light fleece recommended.
- Shorts for warmer days
- Flips, sandals or trainers for around camp
- Lightweight waterproof trousers
- Waterproof stuff sacks for small items
- Warm hat & gloves
- Buff or neck gaiter for cold weather / sun protection. Light scarf useful for church visits
Optional
- Inflatable pillow, or pillowcase you can stuff with spare clothes - adds comfort to camping
- Silk or thermal sleeping bag liner if you feel the cold
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Phone & charging cables / plug
- 2 prong adaptor - Type C or E
- Purification tablets as alternative to Aquapure Traveller Water Purification Bottle
- Money belt
- Ear plugs (in case sharing with a snorer!)
- Head torch & batteries / charger
- Universal sink plug (eg lifeventure, solotrek or muzitao brands)
- Telescopic walking poles: great for alleviating knee pain / preventing ITB issues etc. They can be as cheap as £15 & your guide can help you learn how to use them.
- Swimming Costume (small pool at Monarch Hotel may have water in!)
- Eucalyptus oil - we have it on good authority that this can deter fleas which are common in Ethiopia
- Spare ziplock bags for dirty clothes, waterproofing phones, rubbish & general organising
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
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Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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