11 - Days Historical and Trek of Simien Mountains

Day 1

ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION OF THE WHOLE TRIP

Relaxing in Addis, If the arrival in the early morning  

this day we will organise a short city tour and Ethiopian traditional food and traditional coffee testing.

Day 2 

When you arrive in Lalibela, you will be welcomed and picked up by our team and proceed to the hotel and check-in. After the short break, you will go to the Seven olives restaurant to have delicious Ethiopian lunch and coffee. In the afternoon visit UNESCO world heritage of Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela O/N in Lalibela.

Day 3 

In the morning after the early breakfast, we will proceed to visit one of the ancient built churches of Lalibela called Yemerhankirstos. The Yemerhankristos church is situated on 2660m above the sea level. And it is absolutely the best example of Axumite building.

It pre-dates Lalibela's Churches by up to 80 years. There are some exceptional carves and decorations. Behind the church, there are mummified bodies of 10, thousands which are believed to be pilgrimages and others too. If the time permits for the afternoon hike up to Asheten Mariam church and we will enjoy the scenic view. O/N Lalibela.

Day 4

AFTER THE EARLY BREAKFAST PROCEED TO BAHIR DAR, BY SURFACE VISIT BLUE NILE FALLS

Day 5

IN THE MORNING DISCOVER THE SOURCE of BLUE NILE AND IT'S MONASTERY CHURCHES THEN AFTERNOON PROCEED TO GONDAR

Day 6

CITY TOUR IN GONDAR 

After relaxing in the hotel you will have a city in Gondar and discover the ancient Capital of Ethiopia and historical castles of Fasildes and others.

In the evening get more orientation about the trek. O/N Gondar 

This extensive trek explores in depth one of Africans largest mountain ranges, studded with at least a dozen peaks over the 4,000m mark. These include Ras Dejen the highest point in Ethiopia, and the 4th highest peak in Africa. The area was designated a national park in 1966, and the entire range a UNESCO world heritage site in 1978.

 THE TREK

Trek through the Simien Mountains, following an extensive network of trails. The quality of these trails, along with the fantastic scenery, unique flora, diverse wildlife, and rich bird life make this a rewarding and challenging trek. It is a paradise for natural history enthusiasts as well as for trekkers.

Day 7

GONDAR TO SANKABER (3250 m), 3-4 hours

Today's focus is

on the natural trek of Simien mountains. drive along a good paved road from Gondar to the park headquarters in Debark. The 100 km journey will take around two hours. At the headquarters, we will arrange our permits to the park and pick up our scout. After that, we will drive for another hour before we start our first-day introductory walk. This first hike is an easy one along the northern edge of the escarpment with a nice viewpoint over the foothills and plains of northern Ethiopia. You will encounter gelada baboon along this hike and Overnight at Sankaber.

Day 8

SANKABER TO GICH (3600 m), 5-6 hrs

We follow the northern escarpment eastward before we descend a little into the Valley. After that, we climb up before we reach Gich Abyss and continue over a narrow ridge to a cliff where we have a spectacular view of the abyss towards the Simien foothills. We also find a large waterfall here, where the Jinbar River plunges 500 m into the abyss. We proceed for about two hours and have lunch at the Jinbar River. After lunch, we walk through fields of barley before we arrive at the idyllic village of Gich. Here we can enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony in one of the huts and learn more about local farm life. From Gich village it is a short walk to Gich camp which is a good area to look for lammergeyer and thick-billed raven. After a relaxing afternoon, we will take a short hike up to Kedadit to enjoy sunset plus the gorgeous shaded landscapes down to the cliff side towards to the eastern direction and return to the camp for dinner.

Day 9

GICH TO CHENEK (3600 m), 6-8 hrs

From Gich camp on the way to Chenek you will stroll through endless fields of Giant Lobelia before you reach the towering cliffs of Imet-Gogo (3926 m). Here we will spend some time to absorb the superb views of the mountain valleys below and strangely shaped domes in the distance, which we will see from up close at the end of the trip. After that, we descend into the Jinbahir River Valley. In this way, we get a very different perspective of Imet-Gogo and the volcanic landscape, where it looks like big chunks of mountains have been blown away. The trail follows the edge of the escarpment, which is completely vertical here for several hundred meters. We climb to a summit of 4070 m where we will have lunch. After lunch, we descend to Chennek for about two hours along a steep trail. From Chennek camp there are spectacular views in all directions. Sit down on a bench at the escarpment and try to spot Walia Ibex in the late afternoon or early morning. Sometimes Walia Ibex visit the edges of the campsite.

Day 10

CHENEK TO RAS BUWAHIT 4-6 HOURS

Climb the second highest peak in the Simien mountains Ras Buwahit (4430m) rewarding with one of the endemic wild animals in Ethiopia particularly in the Simien mountains called Walia Ibex (a antelope family) in addition to the scenic views of surroundings including the Chance to see the highest mountain peak in Ethiopia Ras-Dejen (4543m) and back down to Chenek campsite where the car waiting for us to pick and drive back to Gondar O/N in Gondar.

Day 11

FLIGHT TO ADDIS ABABA CITY TOUR IN AFTERNOON

We will leave Gondar after breakfast to enable us to have the afternoon to relax in Addis Ababa. Back to the capital of Ethiopia the city you may want to enjoy a bit of shopping.

We will come together in the evening for a final dinner dance and music at a famous traditional restaurant and farewell. Afterwards, we will accompany you to the airport for your International departure. 

• Cost: for 10 nights 11 days from $2684

• The tour  cost includes 
• Transportation 
•  Food and packed  Mineral  drinking water
•  Experienced cook a person in charge of preparing fresh food every day
•  Guide English speaking and familiar to the national park
•  Park ranger which is compulsory
•  Park entrance fees
•  Camping equipment such as Tent, Mattress and Sleeping bags or huts at the national park.
•  Mule and muleteers for loading and unloading stuff and luggage from one camp to another throughout the tour.