Simien Mountains Trekking 11 Days
Visit the beauty of Ethiopia with Us!!!
Day 01: Arrival to Addis Ababa – Fly to Gondar
Up on your arrival you will go to terminal one for your local flight to Gondars. Up on arrival at Gondar airport, departure for Debark town (100kms from Gondar) where the head quarter of Simien Mountains National Park is found. Here we pay the entrance fees and a scout and a local guide you will accompany us. Then we continue driving to Sankaber (31kms) the first campsite of the National Park. On this drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, the extraordinary scenery, enjoying the endemic Gelada Baboons and the bone breaker giant bird Lammergeyer roaring around.
Overnight: Camping (Sankaber)
Day 02: Sankaber – Geech (5~6 hrs)
This day is the day that we arrange all the trekking staff including mules and muleteers for packing and transport of camping gears and all food stuffs for the trek. It is the day that we start trekking in the national park. We walk from Sankaber to Geech, which will take between 5~6 hours. After about one and half hours walk we see the Jinbar River Falls, we will cross the river later in the day. After crossing the river, we ascend about two hour to Geech, which is full of Giant Lobelia’s. The scenery is wonderful, and heard of the endemic gelada baboon can be seen on our way.
Overnight: Camping (Geech)
Day 03: Geech – Imet Gogo – Geech
This day also we will be walking to the best viewpoints in the national park. First we walk to Imet Gogo, the view here enables one to look 360 to all directions. This is one of the best view in the national park. After a short stay here continue walk to Seha, the other terrific viewpoint in the national park. We will have a picnic lunch and we continue to the last view point. After some stay we walk back to Geech campsite. The walk this day is not hard; it takes about 4~5 hours. It is the day that we will be walking in the best part of the national park. If we are lucky, we might have the chance to see mammals like the Semien Wolf, Walia Ibex and Klipspringers.
Overnight: Camping (Geech)
Day 04: Geech – Chenek (6 – 7 hours)
We trek to Chenek, we will be walking through the Giant Lobeila trees and under these trees, and African field rats are common. After picnic lunch we walk on edge of elate escarpments (4000m above see level), which is another breath-taking view in the national park; finally we descend to Chenek. Chenek is the best place to see the endemic Walia Ibex and more Gelada Baboon.
Overnight: Camping (Chenek)
Day 05: Chenek – Bwahit Ras – Ambiquo (8 hours)
Today is the longest trekking day so far; taking up to 10 hours from Chenek at 3650m, the path to Ambiquo campsite crosses over the Bwahit Ras. Leaving Chenek we are faced with a two hour ascent to the top of the pass at 4200m where we enjoy views that open up to the east over Meshesha Valley to the Dashen mountain range. Looking back we find ourselves under the cover of the impressive rock formations of Imet Gogo. From Bwahit Ras the path leads steeply down and across the Meshesha valley. Here we notice an increase in temperature as we descend down to the Meshesha river at 2800meters, before climbing slightly to reach Ambiquo campsite at an altitude of 3100meters.
Overnight: Camping (Chenek)
Day 06: Ambiqup – Ras Dashen Summit – Ambiquo (8 – 9 hours)
Today is a summit day involving a trek of 16km (10~11hours). So we leave from our campsite around 4:00am morning. The path winds its way over 8kms and ascend up 1400m to Ras Dashen. It begins by climbing steeply through barely fiends and fallow land before clearing the vegetation zone and reaching mountain steppe, at around 3700m. From there it flattens out, as it traverses ridges in the shadow of Ras Dashen. Just below Dashen pass at around 4250m, an impressive marine can be seen. A marine consists of material transported by a glacier and before being deposited. This marine was formed 20,000 to14,000 years ago in the last ice age, when the simien mountains tops had small ice caps. The final stretch to the summit involves an exciting climb and scramble up and over large boulders, to be mesmerized by the far ranging views which spans more than 10,000 sq.m. To the west the steep faces of peaks in the national park are visible, whist the Tekeze valley is possible to the north and the east. Returning from the Summit we retrace our steps the same path back to our camp at Ambiquo.
Overnight: Camping (Ambiquo)
Day 07: Arkwaziye Trek (8 hours)
From Ambiquo the path takes us back down to the Meshesha river (2800m). Our destination tonight is Arkwaziye, which is situated at an altitude of 3600m and located on the northern reach of Meshesha river. A great day to take in more incredible views of the Simien Mountain. This campsite is one of the most beautiful located campsite in the National Park.
Overnight: Camping (Arkwaziye)
Day 08: Arkwaziye – Lamo (10 hours)
We have to leave the higher plateau and village of Arkwaziye (11800ft/3600m), cross several substantial ridges and valleys, and then climb down the near vertical Devil’s staircase with a 3000ft/900m. Descent there ward for this effort is Lamo, one of the most beautiful location in the Semiens. Our overall height loss will be around 5200ft/1600m. Altitude at Lamo approx. 2000m.
Overnight: Camping (Lamo)
Day 09: Mekarebiya – Mulit
We set from our campsite for Mekarebiya. Look northeast across the valley to the circle of mountains around Amba Ton and you will see the view illustrated on Ethiopian airlines tickets. Today you should allow around 8 hours for a day of ridge and valley treks through some spectacularly beautiful scenery to Mulit, where we can camp at much the same altitude as Lamo. Alt undulating approx. 1900m (trek around 8hours).
Day 10: Mulit – Adi Arkay – Gondar (2~3 hours)
Walk down to the market town of Adi Arkay. From Hawaza located at
around 6500ft(2000m, with wonderful views to Amba Ton and the high escarpments
of the Simien Plateau, walk to Adi Arkay 1600m. After a celebrity drink in
café, say goodbye to your muleteers and camp staff, and meet the vehicles for
the five hours drive to Gondar agai we
stop at Debark to say goodbye to our park guide and scout, proceed to Gondar
for overnight.
Overnight: Goha hotel or similar
Day 11: Gondar city tour – Fly to Addis Ababa – Departure
In the morning, you will visit the royal enclosures of Fassil Ghebi
and all the castles of the Gondarian emperors as well as the famous Debre
Birehan Selassie church, which is completely covered in murals, with the
angels’ faces on the wooden ceiling that have become a trademark of Ethiopian
art and design. Then afternoon, you will fly back to Addis Ababa. According to
your interest, there are various sightseeing and shopping opportunities. In the
evening you will be invited to a memorable farewell dinner in one of Addis
Ababa’s traditional restaurants with cultural songs, dances and traditional food
and drinks. You will then be transferred
to airport foe your flight back to home.
Duration: Trekking 11 days /10 Nights
This tour is ideal for travelers who want to explore the Trekking experince in Ethiopia’s Amazing route in Well time. Which can be done perfectly with Our Team
- Many information is you will be Getting around Ethiopia Safely
- By car Vehicles /Transport
- Travel documents must be available (Passport and Visa requirements)
- Accommodation with Amazing Hotels
- Food with local and international varitey
- 11 Days of Fun and lovely Time
What to bring Clothing Light clothes are best for trekking
Bedding The communities provide freshly laundered and aired bedding for the lodges
Amenities All sites have a toilet (composting, urine separating toilet) and some have a shower (water warmed by sun only, but wonderful after a long walk).
