Hiking · Cultural · Private
Crater Lakes & the Holy Mountain
Bishoftu's volcanic crater lakes in the morning, then a walk to the sacred lake on the summit of Mount Zuqualla.
The Journey
A single day, designed around the hours that matter
An hour south-east of Addis, a string of crater lakes surrounds the town of Bishoftu. After a slow morning on their shores, we drive to the foot of Mount Zuqualla and walk up to its crater lake and monastery, at around 3,000 metres. In early October we can time it to the Irreecha festival at Lake Hora.
Places
- Bishoftu
- Mount Zuqualla
Tailor-made journey
Priced to your plans
Quoted individually once we know your dates, lodges and group size.
- Duration
- 1 Day
- Best season
- Oct – May
- Group size
- 2 – 8 guests
- Style
- Hiking · Cultural · Private
Final pricing depends on season, room category and group size. No deposit is taken until the itinerary is right.
Day by Day
The itinerary, as it usually runs
A working draft rather than a fixed schedule — we move days around for weather, festivals and how you are feeling.
Morning
The crater lakes of Bishoftu
South-east to Bishoftu and its lakes — Hora, where the Oromo gather for Irreecha each October, and the deeper Babogaya — with birdlife along the shores.
Midday
Lunch by the water
A slow lunch at a lakeside restaurant before the afternoon climb.
Afternoon
Mount Zuqualla
The walk up to the holy crater lake and the monastery traditionally founded by the Egyptian saint Abbo, with wide views from the rim. Back in Addis by evening.
What Is Included
- A private vehicle and guide for the day
- A local guide for the Zuqualla walk
- Monastery entry and a lakeside lunch
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Addis Ababa
Not Included
- Travel insurance (required)
- Donations and gratuities
Enquire
Make Crater Lakes & the Holy Mountain yours
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability, quote precisely, and suggest the two or three changes we would make if it were our own trip.
Runs Oct – May · 2 – 8 guests · priced to your plans
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Speak With a Designer
Questions before you enquire?
Altitude, road time, how hard the walking really is, whether the children will cope. Ask us anything — a designer will answer honestly.
Or call us directly on +1909-450-7246