7-Day Itinerary : Bale Mountains Trekking Tour

This 7 days Bale Mountains trekking tour is designed for small groups (maximum 8 travelers) with expert local guides, ensuring safe and immersive experiences in Ethiopia’s Bale Mountains National Park. Includes domestic flights from Addis Ababa, 4x4 transfers, 6 nights’ accommodation (hotels, eco-lodges, and tented camps), all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), park fees, and porters/mules for gear. Features moderate to challenging hikes (4-7 hours daily) focusing on Bale Mountains wildlife and landscapes. Emphasises eco-friendly travel supporting park conservation and local communities.

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa – Cultural Introduction and Trek Prep Arrive at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa and transfer to a 4-star hotel. Explore the National Museum, home to Lucy’s fossils, and Merkato market for a glimpse of Ethiopian highlands culture. Enjoy an evening injera dinner with a briefing on the Bale Mountains trekking adventure. Overnight in Addis Ababa at Hilton Addis or a similar hotel, with all meals included.

Day 2: Fly to Goba – Gateway to Bale Mountains Take a 1-hour morning flight to Goba, the entry point for Bale Mountains National Park. Visit Goba’s local market to see Oromo traders and their crafts. Drive 45 minutes to Dinsho, the park headquarters, for a short acclimatisation walk spotting mountain nyala and warthogs. Learn about park conservation efforts. Overnight in Dinsho at Bale Mountain Lodge, an eco-friendly retreat, with all meals included.

Day 3: Dinsho to Sodota – Forest Trek and Wildlife Begin trekking from Dinsho to Sodota (3,200m, 4-5 hours) through juniper forests and grassy meadows of the Bale Mountains. Spot endemic Ethiopian wolves and Menelik’s bushbuck with your guide. Pass Web Valley’s streams and learn about Oromo pastoral traditions. Overnight at Sodota campsite, with tented setups under starry skies and all meals included.

Day 4: Sodota to Sanetti Plateau – Alpine Wilderness Trek 5-6 hours to the Sanetti Plateau (4,000m), a surreal Bale Mountains landscape of Afro-alpine moorlands. Marvel at giant lobelia plants and search for Ethiopian wolves, the world’s rarest canid. Visit shimmering lakes and enjoy panoramic views. Overnight at a Sanetti campsite, with all meals provided in a cozy tented camp.

Day 5: Sanetti to Tullu Dimtu – Summit Challenge Embark on a 6-7 hour trek to Tullu Dimtu (4,377m), the highest peak in the Bale Mountains. Ascend through rocky trails for breathtaking vistas of the Ethiopian highlands. Spot rare birds like the wattled ibis and learn about the plateau’s unique ecology. Return to a nearby campsite for overnight, with all meals included.

Day 6: Sanetti to Harenna Forest – Coffee Groves and Biodiversity Descend 5-6 hours into the lush Harenna Forest, one of Africa’s largest cloud forests. Explore wild Harenna coffee groves, the birthplace of Ethiopian coffee origins, and meet local harvesters. Spot colobus monkeys and Bale Mountains birdlife like the Abyssinian catbird. Overnight at Harenna campsite or a basic eco-lodge, with all meals included.

Day 7: Harenna to Goba and Fly to Addis Ababa – Departure Morning drive back to Goba (1-2 hours). Optional visit to a local Oromo village for cultural insights. Fly back to Addis Ababa (1 hour), with time for Merkato shopping for coffee or crafts. Enjoy a farewell lunch celebrating your Bale Mountains trekking experience. Transfer to Bole Airport for departure, with breakfast included; tour ends in Addis Ababa.

This custom Bale Mountains hike promotes sustainable tourism, supporting conservation and local Oromo communities. Contact Sunlust Tours to book your Ethiopian wilderness tour for an unparalleled Bale Mountains adventure!