Trekking in the Simien Mountains – 7 days
Trekking in the Simien Mountains – 7 days
Tour Summary
- Catch a flight from Addis to Drive to Michibiny to kick off your adventure with a hike to Sankaber.
- One way hike to Geech, passing through some stunning viewpoints.
- Summit Imet Gogo and
- Reach to top of the world as you summit Ethiopia’s tallest peak, Ras Dashen.
Itinerary
Day 1. Simien National Park
A connecting flight from Addis Ababa gets you in to Gondar, where your local guide will be waiting for you. You’ll then head towards Michibiny, situated near the entrance of the Simien Mountains National Park. The drive from Gondar to Michibiny is around 2.5 hours. You’ll stop briefly while your guides arrange all the necessary provisions and arrangements for your adventure. Flight Addis Ababa to Gondar. Drive (2.5 hrs) Gondar to Michibiny. Your journey into the mountains begins with a 3 hour hike to Sankaber, your first camp. The hike is gentle and allows you to acclimatize as you’re introduced the sensational views of the Simiens.
Accommodation: Camping at Sankaber.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2. Simien Mountains Park
Today’s hike takes you from Sankaber to Geech. En route, you’ll likely meet some of the Simien Mountains’ famed wildlife, including Gelada Baboons, Klipsringer and Walia Ibex.
A highlight of today’s trek is Genbar Falls, a waterfall over a sobering 500m sheer drop, which you’ll see from the opposite side of the ridge. After a break for lunch, you’ll carry on towards Geech, a remote traditional village with thatched roofs. Geech camp is a great spot to watch the sun go down over the range and you’ll often see troops of Gelada baboons climbing down the precipitous slopes to their sleeping quarters in caves in cliffs below.
Accommodation: Camping at Geech
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3. Simien Mountains Park
Today is a 7-8 hour trek from Geech to Chennek via the incredible Imet Gogo and Inataye. Imet Gogo, standing at nearly 4000m, affords unbelievable panoramic views of the entire Simien range. If that isn’t enough, Iantaye stands at a sobering 4070m.If you can pull yourself away from the views, the remaining trek to Chennek is pleasant.
Accommodation: Camping at Chennek
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4. Simien Mountains Park
Mount Buahit is Ethiopia’s third highest peak, standing at an impressive 4430 metre. Your route to Mount Buahit follows footpaths off the road alongside a stream that trickles down the hill. This is quite a steep walk, but you can take regular breaks at great view points en route. This is your best chance to see Walia Ibex.
At the summit, you’re rewarded with phenomenal views across the entire Simiens range. Head back down the trail from Buahit which drops down out of the park and into farmland. Pass through the new settlement of Tiru Leba and stop here for a (well deserved) soft drink or beer. The trail continues down to a small stream at the bottom (which can become unsurpassable in the height of the rainy season), before heading up the rail on the eastern side of the village of Ambiko where a simple campsite awaits. (psst, the local committee sell beers for around $2 a pop, well worth a little splurge…)
Accommodation: Camping at Chennek.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5. Simien Mountains Park
Today is undoubtedly a highlight of the tour as you summit Ethiopia’s tallest mountain: Ras Dashen. Start early and take it slow (10-11 hours of hiking today), admiring the views along the way. By late morning, you’ll arrive at the moorland top where the dirt road disappears and gives way to remote villages as your trail turns north east and snakes up the final peak. In true explorer fashion, reaching the summit requires a couple of hand holds and maneuvers (nothing too challenging) as you scramble to the top. Now relax and enjoy the unbelievable view from 4533 meters up.
When you can finally tear yourself away from the view, head north east and make for the village of Menteber, where a camp awaits.
Accommodation: Camping at Ambiko
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6. Simien Mountains Park
Today marks your last day in the Simien Mountains. A 7-8 hour trek takes you from Ambiko to Chennek, where you’ll spend your final night in the fantastic Simien Mountains.
Accommodation: Camping at Chennek
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7. Addis Ababa
In the morning, your driver will take you from Chennek to Gondar (3.5 hours). Catch a flight from Gondar to Addis Ababa to continue your journey or travel home. Enquire about this module if you’d like to include it as part of a longer itinerary.
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What’s Included?
USD 1638 – Prices are per person based on 2 people travelling together. Prices guideline only, actual prices will depend on final itinerary, accommodation choices, and time of year.
Includes
- Airport transfers and road transport by private minibus.
- Full board, including mineral water.
- Full camping equipment including tents, mattresses and sleeping bags for camping and trekking. Recommended to bring own sleeping bag.
- Fees for entrances, local guides, compulsory scouts/ security personnel for activities mentioned in the itinerary.
- All government taxes for the services included in the tour price.
What’s Excluded?
- Additional food and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Souvenirs
Fly to Addis Ababa, where you will be met at the airport. After a transfer to your hotel, enjoy a little down time by the pool, before taking your first steps into the city. The Italian-built Piazza sits next to famous markets and bustling streets. Nearby are the Grand Anwar Mosque and the Ragual Church. The Mosque and church are within a stone’s throw of each other, highlighting the peace between different religions in Ethiopia. Get lost in Mercato, the largest open air market in Africa. Its labyrinthine alleys are perfect for people watching or enjoying a coffee. Coffee ceremonies here are famous and a source of pride, be sure to try to experience this at least once on your trip!
From Addis, you’ll take a one hour flight north to Bahir Dar. Here, your guide will accompany you on a boat trip on Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. Visit some of the peaceful monasteries nestled on the islands and peninsulas around the lake and wander through coffee plantations, enjoy some of the local brew and meet local farmers. 
Spend the morning visiting the remaining rock-hewn churches in Lalibela. Catch a midday flight to Gondar, the old capital of the country. Your first stop will be Debre Berhan Selassie Church, whose heavy and unassuming stone facade hides the colourful frescoes inside.
A car will pick you up from your hotel in Gondar take you to Debark, the headquarters of the Simien Mountains National Park. Here you’ll meet with your trek leader and scout. You’ll take a 4×4 some of the way to your first camp at Sankaber, but you will walk the final stretch (approximately 3 hours) in order to acclimatize to the altitude. 
The first full day of hiking starts with breakfast, and then a trail along the ridge. This gives you a vantage point and incredible views over the foothills some 800m below. The mountains are known worldwide for their biodiversity: Ethiopia’s placement on the equator makes this mountain range a particularly temperate one. Your guides will point out flora and fauna of note, but regular sightings on this trail are of Gelada Baboons, Kilpspringer and Ibex. From these heights, you’ll be able to watch birds of prey soar on the thermals below.
Most of today’s path hugs the edge of the ridge. You’ll drop down through a forest of Giant Hazel before rising back to open grassland and continuing on your ascent up to Inyate. The views from the top are monumental. After recovering from the climb and the view, you’ll descend towards Chenek camp. This camp is well known for its visitors: Wallia Ibex and Gelada Baboons.
Today you’ll reach the highest point of the trek so far. The day will start with a gentle trek up the Buhait pass before the trail steepens. The climb will test but reward you, with the jagged and steep terrain giving way to striking views once you reach the summit. As with the other areas, wildlife is plentiful here and people have spotted the elusive Ethiopian Wolf as well as Ibex, monkeys and an array of bird life.
After breakfast, drive down the switchbacks (4-6 hours) to Axum, Ethiopia’s most religious city which is home to an impressive display of Obelisks. The city is purported to have been the home of the Queen of Sheba. Rumor has it that the lost Arc of the Covenant is in the Church of St Mary of Zion. A short walk through the cobbled streets brings you to the stelae fields. Some of the 4th century AD granite structures rise to over 23 meters.
Head to Gheralta Lodge, the perfect way to end your adventure around northern Ethiopia. 
City tour Harar. Evening visit Hyena Man. 
Today is undoubtedly a highlight of the tour as you summit Ethiopia’s tallest mountain: Ras Dashen. Start early and take it slow, admiring the views along the way. By late morning, you’ll arrive at the moorland top where the dirt road disappears and gives way to remote villages as your trail turns north east and snakes up the final peak. In true explorer fashion, reaching the summit requires a couple of hand holds and maneuvers (nothing too challenging) as you scramble to the top. Now relax and enjoy the unbelievable view from 4533 meters up… 
Rise with the sun over some warming porridge before starting your ascent up Kiddus Yared, the second highest peak in the Simien range. Afterwards, the trail follows the ridge westward – for those who haven’t had quite enough mountain-conquering, you can trek up Abba Yared at 4409 metres before joining the livestock paths that head towards your campsite at Arkwassie. From here, it’s pretty much all downhill as you press on to our campsite. 
This is the easiest walk of the trip and is a real treat, with attractive villages and farmland peppering the trail and the omnipresent peaks of the Simein range in background. Enjoy another swim and have a coffee in one of the villages before arriving at the picturesque village of Mullit.