Duration – 8 nights and 9 days
Transportation – Drive, Flight and Trekking
Accommodation – 1*, 2* and 3* hotels and best lodge available
and Camping
Tour Code: ATT-TR-0061
Tour Highlight
The Simien is perhaps the most beautiful mountain range in Africa. Vast and unique, the highland plateau is capped by a dramatic skyline of jagged volcanic plugs and split by deep gorges and ravines. The views across this landscape are breathtaking: the striking towers and formations having been described as ‘the chess pieces of the Gods’. Our trek takes us to both the highland and rural lowland areas, with an ascent of RasDashen, the highest peak in Ethiopia at 4623m, and the fourth highest in Africa.
A haven for many endemic species of wildlife and flora one can visit the Gelada Baboon,Walia Ibex and Ethiopian wolf while trekking through.The Simien National Park has been declared the only Natural World Heritage Site registered by UNESCO in Ethiopia.
Trip info
- Trekking Experience
- Health and physical fitness is mandatory
- Follow instruction and do not trek without your scout attendance
- Be respectful for cultures at all villages
- Follow instruction of your Escort and local guide for further briefing
- Be responsible traveler for the environment
- Be naturalist to all the fauna and flora found in the National park.
- Most of Ethiopian trekking areas are cold at Night; prepare a proper cold cloth and gear to cope with it.
Day 1: ADDIS ABABA:
Arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel by Pagumen tour and travel representative. Depending on your arrival time City tour of Addis Ababa will be arranged:
Being home for United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and African Union (AU) Addis Ababa is referred as the capital of Africa. Addis is also the center of the country’s Economy, social and political activity.
City tour of Addis Ababa includes National museum: home for the oldest and famous hominid fossil of ‘Lucy’, Ethnographic museum: treasured with cultural and historical artifacts from all over Ethiopia, Mount Entoto for the scenic view of Addis Ababa, Trinity cathedral church its unique architecture and iconic window paintings painted by the famous Ethiopian painter AfworkTekle and Merkato: the biggest open air market in East Africa.
Day 2: FLY TO GONDAR AND DRIVE TO DEBARK
Morning Fly to Gondar. Up on arrival you will have sightseeing of Gondar. Founded in 17th C by Emperor Fassiladas Gondar was once capital city of Ethiopia. During those times Gondar was center and source for art, music and literature of Ethiopia. Your visit in Gondar will include the Royal enclosure, King Fasil’s bath and the fascinating Debrebirhan Selassie church which is well known for its fascinating ceiling paintings.
Afternoon you will drive to Debark where the Simien Mountains National Park Headquarters is located. After finalizing the formalities drive to the first camp site ‘Sankaber’
You will be dropped 2 hours walking distance from the first camp site where you will start trekking through the dramatic landscapes and spectacular scenery of the national park. Spending the night at Sankaber camp site is advisable for acclimatize the Altitude.
Day 3: SANKABER-GEECH
After breakfast, you will trek from Sankaber to Geech enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Simen Mountain which will take from 6-7 hours. After crossing the valley you will have the views of Jinbar waterfall. While trekking to Geech you will see the most spectacular landscape of the Simen Mountains, troops of Gelada, lammergeyer, and different types of vegetation.
Day 4: GEECH-CHENEK
After having breakfast at Geech campsite, you will have another wonderful trek through the grass plateau of Chenek with vegetation of the Giant Lobelia plants. On this trek Kedadit Gorge, ImetGogo and Enatiyeare the most remarkable viewpoints you will enjoy most on this day. You will extremely appreciate the fabulous Simien Mountains landscape viewing 360 degrees. At this summit and view point you can see the canyon below, distant ridges, and view the seemingly never ending valleys.
Day 5: CHENEK-AMBIKO
After breakfast you will trek from Chenek to Ambiko via ‘Buahit’ the second peak of the park with an altitude of 4437masl. This route is the spectacular place to see the endemic Walya Ibex more closely. If you are lucky you may see the rare endemic Ethiopian wolf.
Day 6: AMBIKO –RAS DASHEN –AMBIKO
Early in the morning you will trek to RasDashen, the highest point in the country with an altitude of 4620masl and not difficult to climb then trek back to Ambiko. SMNP is considered as the roof of Africa for the reason of having many summits above 4000masl.
Day 7: AMBIKO – CHENEK
After early breakfast trek back from Ambiko to Chenek for your overnight.
Day 8: CHENEK DRIVE TO GONDAR
After breakfast drive back from Chenek to Gondar. On your arrival at Gondar the day will be at leisure. You can enjoy the day on your own pace.
Day 9: GONDAR –ADDID ABABA – DEPARTURE
Fly back to Addis and late in the afternoon have a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurant in Addis Ababa before departure.
