Guassa Grass or Festuca Abyssinica is the Amharic name for this grass which occurs where drainage is good and the soil is deep. It grows on steep to moderately steep slopes up to an altitude of 3500m. Guassa grass has a close association with every member of the Guassa community, who regard it as their community's “lifeblood”.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa |
| DEPARTURE TIME | If availability permits, this tour can start on any day. |
| INCLUDED |
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| NOT INCLUDED | Excluded |
. It grows on steep to moderately steep slopes up to an altitude of 3500m. Guassa grass has a close association with every member of the Guassa community, who regard it as their community's “lifeblood”.
Arriving at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will meet representatives and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will have a city tour in Addis Ababa. The city tour includes Entoto Mountain where you can see the city on the top. Entoto was the first capital city of Ethiopia during the time of Emperor Minilik, the national museum, home of Lucy and other hominid skeletons dating back 3.2 million years, Merkato, the biggest open-air marketplace in Africa, and other most important places of the city based on your time and interest. You will spend your overnight stay at a hotel.
Today, you will have a short trek near the mountain top to view the stunning Guassa plateau and have a chance to see the endemic Ethiopian wolf. The Ethiopian wolf is the only true wolf species in Africa and is legally protected. With a total world population of less than 500 individuals surviving in relict mountain tops, it is one of the most endangered mammal species in the world. You will spend your overnight at Guassa Community Lodge.
After an early breakfast, you'll trek on foot or mule back for around five to six hours from Regreg to Atse-Wiha Camping ground, walking through an Afro-alpine meadow to “Lobelia Valley”, which is filled with thousands of these giant plants. It is a six-hour trek through a spectacular landscape of moorland where one can experience the highland flora and an impressive array of bird species and wildlife, including the endemic Gelada baboon and the Ethiopian wolf. You’ll spend an overnight camping at Atse Wiha. The trail then winds its way into the moorland where visitors will experience the enormous highland flora as well as an impressive array of animal life including the endemic gelada and Ethiopian wolf. Have a picnic lunch in the majestic surroundings, and keep an eye out for a rare and graceful bird of prey — the lammergeyer, or bearded vulture. This raptor considered the lord of the high plateau, can often be seen soaring in search of food. You’ll set up camp at Atse-Wiha.
This scenic trail to Cheguarit Meda (four to five hours) offers splendid views of the untouched juniper forest of Yegana, now rare in Ethiopia. These trails offer a variety of interesting attractions including endemic bird species and wildlife and scenic overlooks down to the lowlands. Before the final ascent towards the camp, you'll discover a cluster of stone houses in the traditional Menz village at Tebab. The Menz people are famous for their two-story stone huts with thatched roofs, and their woven wool rugs and traditional blankets are considered to be some of Ethiopia’s finest weaving work. Before returning to camp, you’ll sip coffee with villagers. The evening will be most memorable as everyone gathers around a campfire to attend a traditional Menz dance ceremony!
You'll enjoy a short trek to the main road, where there will be a vehicle waiting for you to drive back to Addis Ababa. In the afternoon, you'll arrive at Addis. Finally, you'll enjoy a cultural dinner with a live cultural dance performance in one of the best Ethiopian traditional restaurants. Then, you'll transfer to the airport for your departure.
