ACHOLI RED DIRT TRAIL
4 days / 3 nights
This 4-day biking journey takes you through the heart and soul of Northern Uganda, giving you more time to sink into the life,
stories,history, and spirit of the land.
The Red Dirt Road
On this day after breakfast, you'll set off from Gulu early in the morning heading north towards Lukodi pedaling past traditional circular Acholi homesteads and past the towering Borassus palms that define this ancient, rugged landscape. About 20km in, arrive at the Lukodi Massacre Memory Centre where you'll walk the War Trail with community guides who will share the community’s history of resilience before we have a lunch break. After Lunch, finish the ride to Patalira and check into our homestay accommodation. You'll spend the evening having dinner around the Wang-Oo, listening to the stories and later a well deserved rest.
Life In The Gaang
Today is all about staying put and learning the daily flow of a traditional Gaang (homestead). After breakfast, After breakfast, you will enjoy a guided walk through traditional Acholi homesteads and learn about local customs and daily life. You'll then Join in harvesting vegetables like “boo” , an Acholi delicacy before indulging in a hands-on culinary experience .After a well deserved lunch, You’ll spend the afternoon with local potters, learning how to mold raw clay into functional pieces of art, and try your hand at the intricate patterns of basket weaving. Later in the evening, enjoy a meal around a Wang-Oo before retiring for an overnight sleep to prepare for the next day’s adventure.
The Ascent Of Ajulu
After Breakfast, you’ll ride to Patiko where We’ll start the day with a visit to the historic rock structures of Fort Patiko, learning about its role in the slave trade and Sir Samuel Baker's time here. After the visit, lunch will be waiting for you and In the afternoon, you’ll head for the massive granite shoulders of Ajulu Hill. you’ll hike to the summit, This gentle climb rewards you with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, dotted with Patiko villages, fields, and rolling greenery. For a bit of adrenaline, you’ll gear up for a 20-minute rappel down the rock face before we set up our camp right on top of the hill. It’s a powerful place to watch the sun dip below the horizon, followed by a final night of stories and songs around a wang oo.
The Final Strech
Waking up on the summit, you'll see the sunrise stretch across the entire Patiko plain. After a hilltop breakfast, you’ll engage in one final activity, A calabash painting experience. you will decorate dried gourds and turn them into beautiful art, adding your own stories, symbols, and memories to create something unique by hand. At midmorning, we'll make our descent and ride back to Patalira where an Acholi Lunch will be waiting for you. After Lunch, we begin the final 30km ride back to Gulu following The red dirt roads. We’ll aim to be back in the city by early evening, giving you plenty of time to wash off the dust. You’re leaving with tired legs, but you’re carrying a true piece of the Acholi spirit back with you.
PAYMENT TERMS
- A deposit of 70% is due at the time of booking. The balance of 30% is due two weeks prior to departure.
- Cancellation Policy- Days before the Trip
31- 21 days : 25% cancellation fee charge
20- 14 days: 50% cancellation fee charge
14 – 4 days: 75% .cancellation fee charge
- Please pay in US$ to:
Account Name: Loremi Tours
Bank Name: Absa Bank
Account Number: 6007363166
Swift Code: BARCUGKX
INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE
- Transport
- English speaking community
guides - Meals
- All Acholi Experiences,
accommodation & activities
mentioned in the itinerary - Local Souvenirs
EXCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE
- Airfare to and from Uganda
- Visa’s
- Travel Insurance
- All beverages except tea, coffee or
juice taken at breakfast where
breakfast is included. - Tips, gratuities and items of a
personal nature - Any activity, meal or accommodation
NOT mentioned in the itinerary.
WHAT TO BRING?
- There is no power supply in the village so please charge you cameras and phones to the brim before departure.
- Comfortable walking and hiking shoes.
- Sunglasses, hats and sunscreens.
- Spending money for additional activities, there are no banks where we are going.
- Beddings and toiletries for personal use during the trip.
- Additionally, carry a torch or a solar-powered light for nighttime, as there is no power supply in the area.
- Camping tents and sleeping bags. (Optional)
BASIC TERMS
This is a conscious tourism experience that will have your perspectives challenged and broadened as you experience a
new culture and hopefully gain fresh insights. Here are a few things you should know;
- We do our absolute best to keep to the Programme and timings but sometimes the weather/animals/roads/slow
rhythm of village life gets the better of us! - Respect of the community and local culture is paramount. We recommend modest clothes that covers the knees for
the ladies to avoid discomfort for the locals and some very long uncomfortable stares. - Taking of photos with consent from parties involved is also to be observed. We do not recommend taking photos of
children during the experience - The Ajulu Hill trail can be rough and the rock is pretty sun exposed during dry seasons, we recommend wearing long
sleeve shirts and pants - In the rural area , only pit latrines (hole in the ground) are available. P.S -Including squats in your exercise routine will
get you started for sure
