GUNUNG · Ethiopia

Wonchi

Wenchi (Wancii)

Danau kawah Wenchi di dalam kaldera gunung Wonchi, Oromia, Ethiopia. Photo: source

Information

Elevation: 3.450 m
Country: Ethiopia (ET)
Location / Range: Dataran Tinggi Ethiopia, Zona Shewa Barat Daya, Region Oromia
Mountain type: Gunung berapi tak-aktif berbentuk kaldera dengan danau kawah (crater lake)
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: 8.8000, 37.9000
Difficulty: Mudah hingga sedang — turunan ke danau kawah singkat namun cukup curam; jalur tepi danau yang lebih panjang butuh stamina sedang
Best Season: Musim kering Oktober–Maret; hindari musim hujan besar (Juni–September) saat jalur licin dan berkabut
Permits & Rules: Tidak perlu izin khusus, tetapi pemandu lokal wajib melalui Wanchi Eco-tourism Association; tersedia sewa kuda dan perahu untuk menyeberang ke pulau
Hazards: Ketinggian sedang (~3.000–3.450 m) dengan udara dingin dan kabut afroalpine; lereng kaldera curam dan bisa licin; perlu air minum dan pelindung matahari

Description

Wonchi (also spelled Wenchi or Wancii) is an extinct volcano in the Oromia Region of central Ethiopia, about 155 km west of Addis Ababa between the towns of Ambo (north) and Woliso/Weliso (south). Its highest point reaches roughly 3,450 m, while the caldera-rim summit known as Mount Wanchi is cited at about 3,386 m. The caldera cradles the clear Wenchi crater lake, ringed by Afroalpine moorland, relict natural forest, cultivated fields, waterfalls, and hot springs whose sulphurous pools are believed to have healing powers. A small island in the lake holds the Monastery of Wenchi Chirkos (Cherkos), traditionally founded in the 13th century by the Ethiopian saint Tekle Haymanot; visitors cross by small boats. The area is run as an eco-tourism village: the Wanchi Eco-tourism Association provides compulsory guides, horse rentals, and boat service. Typical activities are trekking or pony-riding down into the caldera to the lakeshore, boating to the island monastery, then hiking to the Dawala hot springs and waterfall on the far side. The surrounding population is predominantly Oromo, with enset (warqee) the main staple crop.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Bagoba–Abagalalcha Trail (tepi danau ke mata air panas Dawala)

Sedang

16.00 km ± 4–5 jam

A longer trail following the lakeshore before heading to the Dawala hot springs and waterfall; about 16 km over 4–5 hours, often combined with a boat crossing to the Cherkos island monastery. Suited to those wanting a deeper caldera exploration with a guide.

Source

Fincha Trail (turun ke danau kawah)

Mudah–sedang

4.00 km ± 45 menit turun, > 1 jam kembali

A short, popular descent down the caldera wall from the rim to the shore of Wenchi crater lake; about 4 km, roughly 45 minutes on foot (longer on the uphill return) or half that time by horse. A guide from the Wanchi Eco-tourism Association is compulsory.

Source

Climbing Experiences

A crater lake inside the caldera of the extinct Wonchi volcano (~3,450 m), 155 km west of Addis Ababa, featuring the island monastery of Cherkos, hot springs, waterfalls, and guided trekking and horse-riding run by a local eco-tourism association.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.