As seen on
Journey through the Origins of Ethiopian Coffee
Ethiopia
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Reviews
- Packing list
Grade:
Entry Level
Type:
Cultural
Transfers
Duration:
9 Nights
4 - 12
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Visit beautiful wild coffee forests
- Experience Ethiopian coffee ceremony
- Learn about Ethiopian farming life, meeting local farmers
- Discover new coffee flavours through 'cupping'
Add on Adventures
This itinerary has options for you to extend & customise your experience before &/or after your holiday. See Itinerary for details.
Explore the history of coffee in this small group Ethiopian coffee tour
Explore the history of coffee in the place where it all started. Visit the vast coffee forests, learn about local farming and advance your tastes by trying new coffee flavours.
The Ethiopian Coffee Company has partnered with YellowWood Adventures to bring you an incredible 10-day adventure: Discover the wonderful culture of Ethiopia whilst following the amazing ‘crop to cup’ journey of Ethiopian coffee from the wild forests of Bonga to their Islington coffee shop ‘Ground Control’.
Coffee originates from Ethiopia. The word ‘coffee’ comes from the word ‘Kafa’; the green jungle region in the southwest of the country. Walking through beautiful jungle with Colobus Monkeys swinging overhead, we will experience the beauty of its diverse flora, fauna, wildlife and local people; visiting the coffee plantations and villagers who work there, learning everything about the processes that allow the beans to be exported to the international market.
(Available as a small group tour or tailor-made holiday)
The Kafa Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-protected site, is one of the few remaining wild coffee forests in the world. One day a shepherd here saw that his flock of goats acting strangely after eating the red berries, so he took some home to his wife – and lo, the wonders of coffee were discovered!
We will partake in the local coffee ceremony (coffee is Ethiopia’s national drink), experience ‘cupping’ where you can learn about its many varied flavours, and visit a local company’s production line in Addis Ababa. There is the option to ride horses in some of the places we visit, for those that are interested. Although the tour is centred primarily around coffee, we also have the opportunity to visit small scale honey and spice producers, and a tea plantation. For those less interested in coffee as a commodity, just being in this protected and truly magical region is an experience unto itself.
If you would like to read more on the origin of coffee, take a look at our Journal post here.
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
Flights
Transfer
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.
Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore independently - do contact us for advice on how best to spend your time.
Day 2: Addis Ababa City Tour
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
Having rested last night, your adventure begins in earnest this morning with a trip out to a local coffee company, in whose impressive facilities we will see the beans being washed and processed for export. The complex also has a beautiful in-house coffee shop where we will experiment with creating different kinds of drinks.
Following this we have an optional (and highly recommended) visit to the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis, run by our linked charity for this adventure; Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia.
In the evening we will watch traditional musicians and dancers performing different tribal dances in a culture house, and to sample ‘tej’, honey wine, before dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3: Fly to Jimma, travel to Bonga, walk to viewpoint
Flights
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
First thing this morning, we will hop on a short national flight (not included) down to the SW city of Jimma, meeting our local guide, Bereket, with his minibus transport. From here we will drive the 2 hours to Bonga in the ‘Kafa Biosphere Reserve’, taking in the truly spectacular views along the way. Our guesthouses are located just outside town, amidst beautifully maintained exotic gardens surrounded by acacia trees and jungle. We couldn’t hope for a better-positioned base from which to explore!
After settling into our rooms, we will enjoy a leg stretch by climbing to the high point above Bonga, where the King of Kafa previously had his palace. It offers us massive views of the lush area that is our playground for the next few days.
Day 4: Tatmara coffee plantation
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
The local team at Tatmara Coffee Plantation welcome us today, introducing us to our first experience of the famous Ethiopian coffee ceremony. We enjoy some excellent homemade Ethiopian pizza for lunch on site and an interesting and educational walking tour of the facilities and processes, before returning for a second night at our guesthouse in Bonga.
Day 5: Honey Production, Waterfall & Tea Plantation
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Today is about treating our senses - sights, sounds, smells and tastes! We begin the morning with a 2km round trip walk to see the beautiful Barta waterfall. Not to be missed is the very popular visit to a nearby Bee farm, where our host (who has studied bee keeping) has fluent English and is passionate about his insects! We see the hives, taste the honey and can buy it direct as souvenirs.
This afternoon we drive to Wush Wush Tea plantation, close to Bonga, to see the whole process from leaf picking to drying and creating the finished product.
Day 6: Mankira Wild Coffee Forest & Spice farm
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
A 40min drive takes us to the start of a beautiful 3hr walk (round trip) through lush and wild forest, to the ‘Mother Tree’ in Mankira Wild Coffee Forest - the oldest wild coffee tree in the region.
We return to Bonga for lunch and a fabulous visit to a family-run Spice Farm. Our hosts speak no English but their warm welcome needs no words, and Bereket will translate for us as needed so that we can understand their trade, and ask any questions we may have.
Day 7: Visit Lemkaffa coffee plantation
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
We will continue our tour by visiting another beautiful coffee plantation; a convenient excuse to keep exploring some of the most stunning scenery in the entire country.
We start early for a bumpy 2-3hr drive in 4x4s this morning; this region is like something out of the film 'Medicine Man'…and really it would be criminal to miss it! We will get to see Colobus Monkeys and all manner of tropical birds and wildlife, as well as enjoying a tour of the plantation and a delicious lunch before returning to the now familiar Kafa guesthouse.
Day 8: Explore Jimma
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
This morning we drive (2hrs) from Bonga to Jimma, a major nerve centre for coffee in the Oromia region. We will visit the colourful palace and museum of Abba Jifar (which houses the previous contents of the palace), King of the Gibe Kingdom of Jimma. The largest and most powerful of the five kingdoms of Gibe, it was established around 1830, when silver Maria Theressa Dollars and bars of salt were the main circulation of currency (the palace itself cost 400kgs of gold and 65000 Maria Theresa Dollars!).
Jimma is a very lively town so we can explore the markets and later on enjoy the hotel restaurant for dinner and a comfortable stay in the best hotel in town with modern facilities.
Day 9: Fly from Jimma to further explore Addis Ababa
Flights
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
This morning we take a short national flight back to the capital (not included). After freshening up in our rooms we will take a short guided tour of the city with private minibus transport, stopping off at the Red Terror and Ethnographic Museum to get a feel for Addis as a vibrant capital city, and learning more about the history of Ethiopia before our last group dinner in one of the best restaurants in town.
Day 10: Travel Home
Transfer
Breakfast
For those of you who have decided not to extend their adventure with the additional visit to Lalibela, this morning we transfer you to the airport for flights out of 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. We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is only available for part of the trip.
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
- International Flights & airport taxes
- National Flight - Return from Addis Ababa to Jimma (approx cost £210)
- Insurance (compulsory)
- Visas (around £40)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips (around $100)
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 hotels 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 travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, and in modern buildings and or in towns. 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 is 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!) 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 hotel and guesthouse accommodation. The list below gives information on our first choice of accommodation for this adventure. Where hotels and refuges 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 Ababa (Day 1,2 & 9): Monarch Hotel (www.monarchaddis.com) Address: Cameroon Street near Edna Mall, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Phone: +251 116672480. Wifi & Pool (though may not have water!)
Bonga (Day 3-7): Kafa Development Association Guesthouse, Bonga, Ethiopia, Tel: +251 0924660703 www.kafa-biosphere.com/accommodation). Rustic and fairly basic, though clean, and en-suite. Based in stunning grounds
Jimma (Day 8): Hotel Dololo, Jimma, Ethiopia. Tel: +251 471119000 or +251 983876767. Fully functional modern hotel with ensuite rooms & wifi
Facilities
With the exception of the hotel in Addis Ababa, hotels generally do not have heat or air conditioning. As nights can be chilly, please bring appropriate sleepwear if needed.
Rooms are provided with mosquito nets in Bonga.
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).
Electricity: Ethiopia runs on 220V and uses 2 round-prong plugs (such as those in Europe), so please bring suitable adapters. Away from lodges, and hotels, there is no electricity so you should be prepared with extra batteries or charging capability.
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.
Malaria
There is no malaria in Addis Ababa as the malaria-carrying mosquitoes do not travel to higher altitudes, generally above 1800-2000m. However, malaria is present in lower-lying areas, including the Bonga area, so proper precautions should be taken. 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 Kafa Guesthouse 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)
Climate
Known as the Roof of Africa, much of Ethiopia sits in the highlands, between 1800-2400m (5900-7900 feet). This keeps the climate temperate with warm sunny days and cooler nights. In the south the weather is warmer, but the nights may still be cool.
There are two main rainy seasons; the shorter rainy season, known as ‘belg’, which happens in the highlands generally between February and April, and the longer rainy season, known as krempt, from June – September. In the south, the rains generally fall April - June with some chance of rain later in the year, October/November.
Addis Ababa has a moderate climate throughout the year, ranging from 20-28°C (68-83°F), and cooler during the rainy season, from 10-20°C (50-69°F).
The coffee regions that we will visit during this adventure, are affected by monsoon but we are visiting outside of those months. We can expect cool, mild, or pleasantly warm weather with low chance of rainfall. However, we advise you to retain flexibility by dressing in layers.
Despite generally moderate temperatures, it’s important to remember that Ethiopia sits close to the Equator, making the sun very strong. It is therefore recommended to use high-factor sunscreen and wear a hat.
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be a minimum of 2 experienced, approachable and knowledgeable guides, one from the UK YellowWood team, and also Anthony from the Ethiopian Coffee Company. On some days, you may be joined by additional local experts to help give us expert information and guidance.
This ensures you the perfect balance of information and support on your trip, with your Ethiopian guides offering insight into local life and customs, as well as routes during hiking, whilst your Yellow Wood guide ensures the smooth running of your adventure.
Your Group
Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 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?
Your itinerary involves walking in the heat, over some uneven terrain but at a leisurely pace, and for only 2-3 hours/day. The gradients are not particularly steep, however, to get the most of out of this adventure, you need to be a regular walker and in good physical health. You do not need to be experienced in trekking.
All walking is at the natural pace of the group, with regular stops. You will be carrying just a day pack and bottle of water.
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 before the trip as convenient.
NB: If you have bought new hiking boots for this adventure, this is the right time to wear them in, not on the trip itself.
Travel & Arrival
Your YellowWood adventure starts at the airport in Addis Ababa. We understand that arriving into an unfamiliar airport can be very daunting, so we aim to give you as much information her 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.
Travel by road in Ethiopia
In order to fully follow the journey of the coffee bean from the wild forests and plantations, to the exporting companies in Addis, we need to be prepared to travel some distance, by air and by road, to reach our destinations on this adventure. Ethiopian 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 Southern Ethiopia, so we ask you to embrace the travel, as without it, we would not be able to access the remote areas we then enjoy and learn about during the adventure.
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
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, where we stay on our first and last nights, 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 (see later section for detail)
- Exchange Currency: The easiest 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 later section on Currency Exchange). For convenience, we would recommend changing currency at the airport rather than in Addis.
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.
Domestic Flights
All domestic flights are operated by Ethiopian Airlines, unless prior arrangement has been made for special charter flights. Please note that Ethiopian Airlines offer a 50% discount on national flights if you have travelled with them for your international flight. We will provide you with further information on your Flight Information Sheet.
This trip involves Internal flights as follows (not included):
- Addis Ababa to Jimma (Day 3)
- Jimma to Addis Ababa (Day 9)
Domestic flight baggage allowance is as follows:
- Checked baggage must not exceed 20kg, whether in one bag or combined for 2 bags; Excess weight will be charged at the rate of 40ETB/kg.
- Carry-on baggage must not exceed 7kg, excluding personal handbags or purses, laptop, reading material or other special carry-on items.
- Special arrangements can be made for photographic equipment. Liquids may be taken in carry-on luggage and are not required to be in a zippered plastic bag.
For Domestic arrivals, again, we are not permitted inside the terminal so our driver will be outside in the parking lot.
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
Jill Raggett
YellowWood Adventures allowed me not just to visit Ethiopia as a visitor but to start to develop a deeper understanding of the landscape, people & culture, and the special part coffee plays in all these. A great opportunity to experience a different part of the planet which we all share.
Origin of Coffee Journey, 2019
Lelie Leigh
The YellowWood coffee tour to the SW of Ethiopia is a journey of real adventure for lovers of the drink as well as pioneering travellers who wish to discover all about the origins of coffee and experience the beauty of East Africa, it's people, culture and wildlife.
Origin of Coffee Journey, 2019
David Baker
This was a fascinating and often surprising visit to a part of the world that few people explore, seeing a very different way of life.
Origin of Coffee Journey, 2019
Helen T
Following my trip to Ethiopia Geralta mountains i cannot recommend Yellowood highly enough. The itinerary was well planned, varied and insightful, packed in to 10 days an extraordinary number of visits and sights, balanced with long, sociable dinners and hikes through mountains and valleys . The accomodation was of the highest standard, with care and consideration given to sustainability and local economy. As a single traveller i felt safe, comfortable and well supported..getting lost in Addis Abiba on the first day between the temple and hotel was entirely my own fault!
I am planning to join Yellowwood for the Lebanon and Oman trips in early 2023
Jan 2022
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 / credit card (limited access to ATMs)
- Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Flannel & Towel (ideally quick drying travel towel)
- Insect repellent
- Mild antibiotics to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- 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
Items for Walking / Sightseeing
- Day sack for walking/sightseeing
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
- Waterproof walking boots with 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
- General socks/ underwear for city sections and for trekking
- Suitable clothes/pjs for sleeping in at night
- Light clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops. NB technical fabrics dry quickly in hot or wet weather.
- Waterproof jacket (GoreTex or similar quality)
- Walking trousers & shorts. Soft shell fabric is ideal
- Sandals or trainers
- Waterproof stuff sacks for small items
- Warm hat & gloves
- Buff or neck gaiter for cold weather / sun protection. Light scarf useful for church visits
- Warm jacket & fleece - even in the summer temperatures can be sub zero at night. Down or synthetic insulated jacket & light fleece recommended.
Optional
- 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
- Eag plugs (in case of snorers)
- Head torch & batteries or charger
- Universal sink plug (eg lifeventure, solotrek or muzitao brands)
- Eucalyptus oil - we have it on good authority that this can deter fleas which are common in Ethiopia
- Walking poles
- Umbrella
- Spare ziplock bags for dirty clothes, waterproofing phones, rubbish & general organising
- Swimming Costume (small pool at Monarch Hotel may have water in!)
- Lightweight waterproof trousers
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.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
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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