Historic North Circuit and Community Trekking – 12 days
Historic North Circuit and Community Trekking – 12 days
Tour Summary
Fusing history, culture, landscapes and wildlife along a perfectly paced circuit, this trip is a synthesis of the very best experiences on offer in Ethiopia’s northern highlands. Explorations of the ancient cities Axum, Gondar, Bahir Dar and Lalibela are broken up by hikes in the Simien Mountains National Park and community trekking in the rural plateaus of Tigray.
Itinerary
Day 1: Addis Ababa
Upon arrival at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, your driver will meet you outside the airport terminal. Head into the city for your first taste of fresh Ethiopian coffee. Explore some of the sites around the capital, including National Museum and the sprawling Mercato market before catching a domestic flight to Bahir Dar. The flight time will depend on your international arrival details. At Bahir Dar airport, your driver will meet you outside the airport terminal and transfer you to your hotel. Spend the evening at leisure in Bahir Dar.
Accommodation: Blue Nile Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 2: Bahir Dar to Gondar
After breakfast, take a boat trip out on to Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. The lake is famous for its historic monasteries found on the lake’s many islands. Visit the churches of Azwa Mariam, Ura Kidane Mihret, Beti Mariam and Naga Sellasie. The lake attracts huge amounts of birdlife, including enormous flocks of Great White Pelicans.
In the afternoon, transfer to Gondar and stay at Goha Hotel, a wonderful property with beautiful views.
Accommodation: Goha Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 3: Simien Mountains National Park
After breakfast at the lodge, drive to Gondar (30-40 minutes). Gondar was the capital of Gondar in times gone by, and the castles that once housed the country’s rules still stand today.
After a quick visit of the castle compound and (time permitting) the stunning Debhre Birhan Selassie Church, continue your journey to the Simien Mountains National Park.
You’ll soon arrive at the park HQ and the entrance town of Debark. Here, you’ll collect your entry permit, scout and guide. You’ll then be dropped at Geech Abyss where you’ll begin you Simien trek.
Today you’ll walk from Geech Abyss to Geech campsite (6-7 hours). Panoramic views characterise the trail, and you’ll meet troops of curious Gelada Monkeys. Witness the staggering Jinbar falls that plunger over 500 meters in the river below.
Have lunch around Jinbar River before continuing your trek through barley fields and along the plateau edges. You’ll soon arrive at Geech campsite that offers tremendous views over the mountains. Your cooking team will do you proud as you gather around the campfire for dinner before retreating to the warmth of the tents.
Note: the trekking routes can be amended depending on your fitness/preferred activity levels.
Accommodation: Camping at Geech
Accommodation Upgrade Options: Possible to replace camping in the Simiens with lodge stays, enquire for details.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Simien Mountains National Park
Wake up to the views of the Simien Mountains and the smell of fresh Ethiopian coffee.
Today’s trek takes us from Geech to Chennek, a 7-8 hour trek through endless fields of Giant Lobelia and towering cliffs. A highlight of the trail is the viewpoint at Imet Gogo (3926m). From this vantage point, the landscape extends miles into the horizon and you have 360 degree views of the Simien range.
Climb to a peak altitude of 4070 metres where you’ll stop for lunch. Continue the trek to Chennek campsite. Chennek marks the end of the classic Simien trail, and is the best place to spot Walia Ibex.
Note: the trekking routes can be amended depending on your fitness/preferred activity levels.
Accommodation: Camping at Chennek
Accommodation Upgrade Options: Possible to replace camping in the Simiens with lodge stays, enquire for details.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Axum
Today is a full day drive across fantastic landscapes from the Simien Mountains to Axum. You’ll drive through the switchback and across the Tekeze River along the Tigrayan plateau towards Axum. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way.
Upon arrival in Axum, spend the afternoon exploring the sites of Axum, including the Stelae field (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) that tower meters above and look fantastic in the afternoon sun. Visit Tsion Mariam Church, claimed to hold the original Ark of the Covenant.
Spend the evening at leisure in Axum. You’ll stay overnight at the best available property in Axum, Sabean Hotel.
Accommodation: Sabean Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 6: Community Trekking in Tigray
Today marks the start of your community trekking experience in rural Tigray. After breakfast, we drive from Sabean Hotel to the trailhead. En route, visit the ancient pre-Axumite ruins at Yeha and the lovely Mariam Kiat church. From the trail head, we kick off the trek with a gentle 1.5 hour walk Erar Community Guesthouse.
Erar Community Guesthouse, one of the first established in the region. Erar Community Guesthouse is built on an isolated section of the western escarpment has some of the most wonderful views of the community trekking experience.
Relax around the guesthouse while dinner is made and get to know the locals over dinner before retreating to the simple and cosy rooms of the guesthouse.
Accommodation: Erar Community Guesthouse
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Community Trekking in Tigray
As we continue our route through the sandstone cliffs of Tigray, we trek from Seheta in the valleys to Gohgot. Gohgot sits higher up in the cliffs, above the villages around Seheta but below the plateaus. The trek takes about 4 hours, and en route you can visit the local church of Gohgot Eyesus.
Gohgot Community Guesthouse as great views into the valleys and low lying villages below. It’s a picturesque place and a great place to spend the afternoon relaxing.
The starlight in this part of the country is stunning, so don’t forget to look up to spot the various celestial bodies shimmering brightly in the absence of any light pollution. Beers and other cold drinks are available, and you can spend the evening enjoying the beautiful view.
Accommodation: Gohgot Community Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Community Trekking in Tigray
Today marks your final day of community trekking in Tigray.
After breakfast and fresh coffee over the wonderful views, begin the trail to Shimbrety. This is a really exciting trail, and as you get closer to Shimbrety you’ll find a rock-tunnel that has been carved through the ridge to give villages on the western side access to the lovely rock church of Maryam Buzuhan.
Spend your final night atop the limestone cliffs of Tigray, blanketed by starlight and well-fed by your lovely local stuff. Grab some cold beers (other refreshments available) and enjoy the view one last time.
Accommodation: Shimbrety Community Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Churches of Tigray and Gheralta Lodge
After breakfast at the guesthouse, walk for 3 hours to the trail head Idega Arbi. There is market day here on Friday which is great to visit if your dates coincide. Transfer to Gheralta Lodge, charming lodge with cabin-esque rooms dotted along the plateau ridge offering tremendous views of the Gheralta Mountains and low-lying farmland.
After lunch at the lodge, explore some of the rock-churches in the region. The rock churches of Tigray astounding not just for their history, rock carvings and paintings, but also for their representation of the religious commitment of the local people. Built high into the cliff face, some of these churches are only accessibly through climbing the vertical cliff, and yet they’re still used by local Ethiopians of all ages. The views from inside the churches is extraordinary.
The view as the sunsets behind the mountains and the sky illuminates in dark reds, yellows and oranges is the perfect respite after your community trek.
Accommodation: Gheralta Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 10: Lalibela
After breakfast at the lodge, transfer to Lalibela. This is a full day drive that passes through a number of villages and beautiful landscapes. There’ll be plenty of stops along the way for photo opportunities and breaks.
Evening at leisure in Lalibela.
Accommodation: Tukul Village Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 11: Lalibela
Spend the day exploring the fascinating town of Lalibela, home to the world-renowned rock-hewn churches. A UNESCO World Heritage site, these churches date back to the 13th Century and earlier, and have often been called the ‘eighth wonder of the world’.
The churches are found in three clusters. Two main clusters are separated by the Jordon River, and the stunning Biete Giyorgis (Church of St George) stands alone to the west. The local guides are often priests who run daily services in the churches.
After exploring the churches, spend your final night in Ethiopia at leisure. We recommend a night at the incredible Ben Abeba restaurant – dinner with a view!
Accommodation: Tukul Village Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 12: Addis Ababa
As your adventure in Ethiopia draws to a close, catch a flight back to Addis Ababa. Services can be available in Addis depending on your international flight departure time.
Request An Offer
Price and Inclusions :
$2350 – 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
- All ground transport via private minibus or 4WD.
- All accommodation as indicated in the itinerary.
- Meal plan Breakfasts and Dinners. All meals included on Simien & Tigray community trek.
- Fees for entrances, local guides and compulsory scouts for activities mentioned in the itinerary, unless listed as excluded.
- All government taxes for the services included in the tour price.
Excludes:
- Any meals not mentioned as included.
- Domestic and International flights and visa fees.
- Other personal expenses, souvenirs, tips and gratuities, etc.
- Any activities not mentioned as included.
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. 
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… 
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. 
Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, your driver will meet you just outside the airport terminal and transfer you to the luxury Sheraton Hotel. Freshen up in the hotel before taking your first steps in the bustling capital city, Addis Ababa (meaning ‘New Flower’). The city lies in the central highlands at 2700m above sea level and is Africa’s diplomatic capital. Founded in 1887 by Emporer Menelik II, it is now the home of over 3 million people, along with a portfolio is fascinating museums, historic sites, churches, and sprawling markets. The Mercato market is the largest open-air market anywhere in Africa, and the surrounding Entoto hills offer dramatic views over the entire city. 
Catch a morning flight from Addis to Robe. Arriving at the Webb Camp in the afternoon we will do a small walk up the Webb River.
Today is all about the Wolves. In the cooler high plateaus, the Wolves patrol their territory in the early morning whilst the sun starts to warm up the environment. We’ll be out with the vehicle and on foot looking for them as they start their day’s activities. The birdlife in these high plateaus is phenomenal as the biomass of rodents is second to none up here.
The Gaysay Grassland has some of Ethiopia’s highest concentrations of mammals.
We will start the walking trail across to the Sanetti Plateau and ultimately, to reach the escarpment to access Bale Mountain Lodge in the South of the Park. Horses will carry the bulk of the camping gear as we set off across the high country, leaving only day bags with camera’s clothing layers and water to be carried by guests.
Walking across a small section of the Sanetti Plateau across the Plateau, we meet with the vehicle/s that will take us down the escarpment and into Bale Mountain Lodge. 
After breakfast in the lodge, we begin our excursion into the incredible Danakil Depression. A geological depression caused by the continental drift of three tectonic plates, the Danakil Depression is one of Earth’s most unusual environments. Renowned as the ‘hottest place on the planet’ and home to salt lakes, lava lakes, volcanoes, and colorful acidic springs – it’s a wonderful, alien environment.
Rise early (5AM) and return to crater rim for one last look into the fiery caldera before beginning the 3 hour descent back to Dodom. Upon arrival at Dodom, enjoy breakfast before piling back into the Land cruisers. 
Your final day in Ethiopia may be the most extraordinary of all as we head to the incredible Dallol volcano, visit Lake Karum and swim in Lake Afrera and its nearby hot springs. 