Simien Mountain Trek
The Simien highlands of northern Ethiopia are one of the major mountain massifs in Africa. Many peaks exceed 4,000m - including Ras Dashen - Ethiopia's highest, and the 5th highest on the continent. On our trek in this isolated region we immerse ourselves in the spectacular scenery of rocky plateaux, spires, mesas and deep gorges. By contrast, friendly Amhara farmers inhabit villages connected by rough tracks and terraced fields. Mules carry our food, equipment and personal gear.
ACCLIMATISE IN LALIBELA
Leaving Addis Ababa we fly to Lalibela, one of the world's most remarkable archaeological sites. Buildings here are hewn from granite leaving rock-cut churches isolated from the surrounding strata, yet still part of it. On foot we explore several of these 800 year-old works of art before hiking in the surrounding mountains to a remote mountain church.
INTO THE SIMIEN MOUNTAINS
Flying to Gondar we explore Emperor Fasiladas' ancient castle complex before driving north to Debark on the edge of the Simien range to begin our 8-day mountain trek. Dramatic views unfold before us as we hike deep into the National Park to our first camp at Sankaber. Look for Gelada baboon and striking red-hot poker plants as we trek onto Geech Camp. Here, we'll have time to rest or possibly hike to a viewpoint at Imet Gogo (3926m) for spectacular views into a vast canyon and over to rock spires and mesas.
ASCENT OF RAS DASCHEN
Next we trek to Chenek and after a spectacular crossing of the Mesheha River valley we arrive at Ambikwa. Then at sunrise we start our attempt on Ethiopia's highest peak eventually entering a huge semi-circular basin of rocky peaks and buttresses - Ras Deshen (4543m). Descending to Maje, we trek to Debirichwa and on to Chenek where those who wish may make an attempt to summit Bwahit (4430m). We drive back to Gondar where we'll visit 17th century castles. It was once the centre of a unique and powerful kingdom unlike anything else found in Africa and then we finally fly back to Addis Ababa.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(HK-3578-P) |
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International connections from London |
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Accomodation |
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13 breakfasts |
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8 lunches |
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8 dinners |
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Price Excludes |
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Local Payment from 250 USD. |
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Suitability / Level |
Strenous |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Among the many highlights featured on this tour, we particularly mention:
ADDIS ABABA
Orientation tour with guide.
LALIBELA
Unique rock-cut churches with hike to mountain monasteries.
SIMIEN MOUNTAINS
8 days fully supported trekking in one of Africa’s most spectacular and little-visited mountain ranges.
GONDAR
Visit Fasilidas Castles & Debre Berhan Church.
DAY 1. SATURDAY. JOIN TOUR ADDIS ABABA
Addis is situated at an elevation of around 2438m and is only about a century old. It has some elegant modern buildings and is quite spacious with wide streets and green areas. It remains the capital of a predominantly rural area and the Mercato is one of the largest open markets in Africa.
This afternoon we will make an orientation tour of the city visiting the Ethnographical Museum and the church of the Holy Trinity, whose large dome and slender pinnacles make it a landmark in the city and take a drive up Entoto Hill to take in a panoramic view of Addis Ababa. In the evening it may be possible to visit a traditional Ethiopian restaurant and try Injera and Wat (a yeasty bread with spiced meat sauce), all washed down with a local brew, a honey based mead called Tej – handle with care!
DAY 2. FLY TO LALIBELA
Today we fly to one of the world’s most remarkable historic sites - Lalibela. Although churches carved in rock are found in other parts of the world, those found in Ethiopia are particularly interesting. Generally, they were excavated on all sides of a rectangle, leaving a large block of granite isolated in the centre. This rock was then shaped and formed both inside and out and the carvings show extremely skillful workmanship.
Lalibela, the ‘New Jerusalem’, is thought to have been constructed some 800 years ago by King Lalibela. Lalibela was his capital city, but today it is a small village virtually cut off from the outside world. The churches stand in two main groups on either side of a stream, known locally as ‘The River Jordan’. There are 11 rock-cut churches of which the most impressive and photographed is Bet Giorgis; it is carved in the form of a Greek cross and approached through a passage in the rock.
Between them, these rock-cut churches are one of the great wonders of the world. Please note: some churches have scaffolding around to preserve them for prosperity as they are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
DAY 3. VISIT ROCK CUT CHURCHES; AFTERNOON HIKE TO MOUNTAIN CHURCH ABOVE LALIBELA
Today we walk up into the hills around Lalibela to Ashtan Maryam Church, the oldest of Lalibela’s rock churches. This gives us our first taste of walking at altitude in Ethiopia and helps us acclimatise ready for the trek (approx 4-5 hours). We return to Lalibela for lunch and in the afternoon we visit the rock cut churches. Our tour involves a certain amount of scrambling through a labryrinth of tunnels.
DAY 4. FLY TO GONDAR
Today we take a short, but scenic flight to Gondar, located on the high plateau just north of Lake Tana. The town of Gondar was the imperial capital of Ethiopia for 200 years. Gondar’s most famous monuments are its exceptionally well preserved 17th century castles. The largest and best is that of King Fasilidas. It is a stone-built construction with round turrets and wooden balconies.
The king also built a remarkable bath a mile or so outside of town known as the ‘Pavilion of Delight’. This whole complex of buildings is unique in Ethiopia and unlike anything found elsewhere in Africa. On arrival, as well as visiting the castle ruins, we’ll also make a visit to the Debre Berhan Selassie Church famed for its ceiling frescoes of many faces.
DAY 5. DRIVE TO SIMIEN MOUNTAINS N.P. VIA DEBARK; PM TREK TO SANKABER
Today, we drive to Debark, the village base for hiking in the Simien Mountains.The range lies north of Gondar and many of the peaks rise above 4,000m with the highest being Mount Ras Dashen at 4,543m, the fifth highest in Africa. The mountains are crisscrossed with tracks made by the local people travelling from village to village or moving their animals to fresh pastures. The combination of these tracks and the spectacular scenery make for excellent walking.
We start our trek with a 2-3 hour walk to our first camp Sankaber. During the trek we may spend each night in a different place. The circuits walked will vary depending on local conditions and on the group’s ability. Details of the standard circuit we might take are given below – the itinerary for days 6 to 12 is given as an example only.
DAY 6. TREK TO GEECH CAMP
We trek to Geech camp via Sankaber (approx. 6-7 hours), with the possibility of seeing gelada baboons and red-hot poker plants en route. The gelada baboon is endemic to Ethiopia and has adapted to living on the nearly vertical cliff faces. We may also see the Jinbar river waterfalls today that plummet into Geech Abyss. The Abyss is a vast canyon cut into the main wall of the escarpment.
DAY 7. HIKE TO IMET GOGO FROM GEECH CAMP
A flexible day with a morning option to hike to the viewpoint of Imet Gogo located at the end of a challenging ridge (3926m). From the viewpoint there are spectacular views of the lowlands and across the Simien range with rock spires and mesas prominent (approx. 4 hours return). Keep a close look out for the elusive simien fox. It misnamed as it is not really a fox but a member of the dog family restricted to Ethiopia.
DAY 8. TREK TO CHENEK CAMP
We aim to trek to Chenek camp today on good piste via Inalye (4070m) and along an escarpment (approx. 6-7 hours). This exciting walk traverses the Jinbar river and provides us with fantastic views. You may like to take the opportunity to freshen-up in the nearby stream south of camp.
DAY 9. TREK TO AMBIKWA
Today we trek to Ambikwa (approx. 9-10 hours) and plan to stop at a spectacular viewpoint (4190m) north of Bwahit where, on clear days, we can see across the Mesheha river to Ras Dashen peak. We then descend steeply and pass through the village of Chiro Leba to follow a stream bed until we reach the large Mesheha River. We’ll cross the river and follow a path across the east side of the valley to our camp (3200m) in a little meadow. Ambikwa village is tiny and has a small church.
DAY 10. ASCENT OF RAS DASCHEN; TREK TO AMBIKWA
Starting at sunrise we follow the main valley up and climb steeply via Mizma huts to reach a ridge crest and open grassy slopes (3700m) on our invigorating ascent of Ethiopia’s highest mountain. Next we traverse around ridges and climb more steeply to a broad col at 4250m.
Keep an eye open for giant lobelia, by far the most spectacular plant of this region with flower stalks up to 8m high! Eventually we enter a huge semi-circular basin of rocky peaks and buttresses – Ras Dashen. The last section involves an easy rock scramble to a fine viewpoint at 4543m. We’ll spend the rest of the day hiking back to our camp (total walking today approx. 11-12 hours).
DAY 11. TREK TO ARKWASIYE
Our trek today takes us up a valley that affords us spectacular views of the mountains around us. First we descend down to the river and then begin to gradually ascend the valley. We stop for lunch at a stream where locals come and carry out their centuries old lifestyles and day-to-day activities.
After a relaxing lunch, we continue up the picturesque valley passing through many mountain hamlets. The majority of the local population in the Simien Mountains are Amhara farmers where life is hard for these proud and independent people. Donkeys are used for carrying burdens while oxen are used for ploughing, sometimes on amazingly steep slopes (total trekking time approx. 6-7 hours). Spectacular views are found a short walk from the village up the ridge.
DAY 12. TO CHENEK CAMP
Today our last day of trekking takes us back to Chenek Camp (4-6 hours) but with an optional ascent of Bwahit (4430m) en route. The afternoon is free for relaxing and watching the antics of the gelada baboons.
DAY 13. DRIVE TO GONDAR
We meet our vehicle that will transport us back to Gondar (approx. 4-5 hours drive). As we drive out of the Simien Mountains we’ll have time to take in a final look at some of the most spectacular views. This afternoon, is left free as you may wish to further explore Gondar.
DAY 14. FRIDAY. FLY TO ADDIS; TOUR ENDS ON ARRIVAL
We fly back to the capital where the tour ends. |
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Accommodation
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6 nights hotel,
8 nights camping |
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Holidays
Extras |
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Included
