Spirituality, Ecotourism and physical well-being! An Active Weekend into Wonchi Mountains!

An extinct volcano, Mount Wonchi located 155km from Addis in western Shewa. Mount Wonchi lies between the towns of Ambo and Woliso, rises to 3,386m above sea level, passing though the Afroalpine moorland of its upper slopes, and patches of natural forest, we get to the top of the mountain to discover a crater with two islands, hot mineral springs, waterfalls, beautiful valleys and farmland. In one of the islands there is an ancient Wonchi Kirkos monastery said to have been discovered by Atse Teklehaimanot in the 13th century.

The majority of the +100k inhabitants practice Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. From the vast number of tabots, the holly water of Giorgis at the hot springs, and devoted followers that come to visit Wonchi on festival days, as well as the ancient manuscripts found at Wonchi monastery, the area with its natural beauty, does have a feel of a spiritual heaven. Recently it has become an ecotourism destination where guided treks, boating, camping, vacation home scouting have been encouraged by the community association to boast tourism for income generation.

A local boatman will take you across the lake by boat to the small Wonchi Kirkos Monastery Island from where you can observe the beauty of the lake and the Kirkos church with his ancient Gonder bell. If you get permission from the Wonchi Holy Synod you can also get a special viewing of some of the old manuscripts that have been stored though hundreds of years.

The trail to the hot spring valley takes one and a half hours, and one can observe and see the crystal clear water lying in the deep Crater Lake, mineral spring water, beautiful aquatic and terrestrial birds and mammals to watch, Kigebi village, indigenous forest and alpine vegetation, as well as Tilika valley.The Dawala hot springs and waterfall, uniquely shaped deep natural basin and circular slopes, which are covered with alpine vegetation and trees are a must trek, which is a wonderful route for horse riding.

So whether you are doing a more historic Loop starting in one of the oldest cities in Ethiopia to visit the museum, Addis Alem Mariam church and Emperor Menelik palace, going for a bit of a swim in Ambo hot spring, heading into Wonchi Mountains, and turning back to Addis past the town of Welliso to Addis, or simple doing a day excursion ino Wonchi crater lake, Wonchi Mountains is a great active weekend getaway from Addis.

By Dutchess @Deldeyoch

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