Addis Ababa Cycle Tours » Venture Ethiopia - Tours and Travel

Addis Ababa Cycle Tours

  • A unique way to explore the road less travelled
  • Get a taste of everyday life in the city and surrounding countryside
  • Choose a tour suited to your interests and experience

Taking a cycle tour is a great way to explore the city, visit the historical sites and see everyday Ethiopian life.  It's also a good way of getting out to the surrounding hills for great views and a taste of traditional rural life close to the city.  Chose from one of four tours, depending on your interests and experience.

Chose from one of four tours, depending on your interests and experience:

Offbeat Urban Ride (3-4 hours): This route heads out north east of the city through the growth corridor and follows the new light rail network out towards the suburbs and edge of the city. The tour provides an opportunity to get a sense of the immense urban spread of Addis Ababa on a ride through areas usually off the tourist track. This route is popular amongst local weekend cycling groups heading out of the city and is relatively flat with a few short climbs on the return leg.

Offbeat Urban with Off-road Sections (3-4 hours): This route heads out north east of the city through the growth corridor and follows the new light rail network out towards the suburbs and edge of the city.  However, the return leg incorporates a couple of elevated off road sections, one of which is through a field that offers wonderful views of the city spread out below. There is a steep decent for the adrenalin seekers, while the more cautious might prefer to slowly ease their way back down to the road for the return ride.

Inner City Ride (6-7 hours): This inner city tour provides an opportunity to visit or view most of Addis Ababa's iconic historical and architectural attractions. The tour heads up to Sidist Kilo with stops at important monuments, museums and churches before riding on through the Italian Piassa area to view an assortment of historical buildings in Italian and Indian architectural styles. Leaving Piassa, the tour heads down Churchill Avenue, passing notable public buildings and stopping at the Derg Monument before continuing on past the National Theatre, Lion of Judah Statue and the charming old Ethio-Djibouti Railroad Station. Then it’s on to Meskel Square for a short stop at the Red Terror museum, followed by the former imperial buildings at Kasanchez, before heading back.  

Mountain Biking (3-4 hours): This off-road mountain bike challenge offers a special reward for those willing to test themselves at altitude.  The ride starts close to the British Embassy with a steep climb up a narrow lane on to an even steeper winding cobbled pathway that leads through the Lideta Maryam church.  Following a brief rest, the journey upwards continues along a rugged channel, with dramatic views of the city below, into a wooded area.  Here you will find a tranquil world of wheat and teff fields, grazing cattle, shepherds, farmers, ancient cultivation methods and traditional villages dotted around rolling hills; the noise and bustle of Addis appears far away.  On the return leg, the tour stops at a sixteen hundred year old rock hewn church, well off the beaten track, before continuing down a steep rocky trail, onto a downhill bitumen road for the ride back.

The following are provided for all tours:-

  • High quality mountain bikes (various sizes available)
  • Safety helmet
  • Hi-vis safety vest
  • Experienced and enthusiastic leaders at the front and back of each group
  • Back-up support
  • First Aid kit
  • Puncture and other repairs

 

How big are the cycling groups?

Like most of our tours, cycle rides are limited to a maximum of 10 people.

 

How fit do I need to be?

A reasonable level of fitness is expected, depending on the level of ride chosen.  If you have any concerns or queries, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Upcoming group tour dates:

If you are interested in this tour, we can arrange dates to suit you so please contact us.

 

Prices:

Offbeat Urban Ride: from 2993 ETB (55 USD / 52 EUR / 46 GBP) per person

Offbeat Urban with Off-road Sections: from 3352 ETB (62 USD / 59 EUR / 52 GBP) per person

Inner City Ride: from 5867 ETB (109 USD / 103 EUR / 91 GBP) per person

Mountain Biking: from 3772 ETB (70 USD / 66 EUR / 59 GBP) per person

Please see the further details tab for information about services included.

A deposit is required upon booking.  For more details, please see our FAQ page, or read our full terms and conditions.

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