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Tour d'Afrique Ltd. | Global Bicycle Expeditions, Races and Tours

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The 2013 Route

Sections

The Gorge

Khartoum to Addis Ababa

The Gorge
Andrew younghusband Leaders going past tef heap and local livestock Pitching your tent with an audience Ethiopian market4 Jon cowan hydrating Klaus jensen Ethiopian spice man1
Start: February 1, Khartoum, Sudan
Finish: February 18, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Price: $2,600
Distance: 1,604km
Riding Days: 15 days
Resting Days: 3 days
Heading south from Khartoum, the Tour first passes through the Gezira region which is the “bread basket” of the Sudan. After the town of Sennar you will ride on rough off-roads through the fascinating gauntlet that is remote Dinder National Park, known for its wildlife, where lions can be heard at night and possibly even seen during the day. The countryside gradually changes as you cycle towards Ethiopia and witness the transformation from the Arabic Muslim world of northern Africa to the more tribal and traditional nature of the Horn of Africa.

Once in Ethiopia, the ride of your life begins. Ethiopia contains some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world as well as one of its most unique and ancient cultures. This section will challenge your body more than any other due to the high altitude riding, not least during the first two days in country when the Tour takes the rough but slowly improving road up onto the plateau from Metema to the Gondar road junction. The second of these days features the most climbing – some 2500 meters - of any day on tour.

The Ethiopian Highlands offer several fascinating stops including Gondar city with its 17th century castles, and Bahir Dar where you can visit ancient monasteries on islands in Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls. While some riders may hesitate to sample such wonders of Ethiopian cuisine as injera (flat bread), shuro wat (chick pea stew), and kitfo (steak tartare), no-one can resist the espresso and juice bars found in all the larger towns.
 
From a cycling standpoint, the highlight of this section will be the Blue Nile Gorge, a 1600-meter precipitous descent and ascent on a newly paved road that will test the mettle of cyclists of any caliber. Once you have conquered the Blue Nile Gorge, the beautiful terrain of the central Ethiopian plateau will whiz by as you spin towards the capital city of Addis Ababa. The descent from the eucalyptus forested hills that surround Addis into the downtown core is an experience you will not soon forget.

Countries: Ethiopia and Sudan