Ethiopian Explorer - Trekking the Simien Mountains

An improved trekking adventure holiday walking in the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is a very different destination for a trekking holiday in Africa. Known as 'The Roof of Africa', Ethiopia is a land of surprises, with a wealth of superb trekking and a rich cultural heritage to explore. Ethiopia includes some of the finest mountain scenery in Africa, notably in the Simien Mountains which have been designated a World Heritage Site. This highland area in the northern part of Ethiopia includes many summits over 4000 metres (13,100 feet), the highest being Ras Deshen, the fourth highest mountain in Africa. Geographically, the Simien Mountains comprise several major plateaux, which are underlain by basalt lavas thousands of metres thick. It is the erosion of these lavas that has created the dramatic escarpments and freestanding pinnacles which are characteristic of the Simien Mountains range and which are comparable in terms of spectacle to the Grand Canyon.We access this northern region by way of a short internal flight from Addis Ababa to the ancient capital of Gondar. This latter is a wonderful, historically important, city with an unusual collection of 17th century castles and churches. Six days of trekking takes us through a land of natural wonders and of rare wildlife, including the Simien Mountains red fox, the strikingly-maned Gelada baboon and the majestic lammergeier or bearded vulture. Trekking through several villages, notable for their carefully tended farmland and friendly people, our walking reaches its climax at the summit of Ras Deshen (4620m), where the views extend northwards to Eritrea. A 2-day visit to explore Lalibela, with its collection of amazing churches, carved out of solid rock, is a great way to end this exceptional walking adventure holiday to the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia. Providing a variety of completely new experiences, Ethiopia is an adventure travel destination for the trekking connoisseur to explore.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Addis Ababa (2200m / 7218ft). Airport transfer is provided with preferred group flights. KE group package services begin with lunch. Afternoon city tour. Hotel.

Day 2: Return to the airport for the internal flight to Gondar (2300m / 7546ft), formerly the capital of Ethiopia. Transfer to our Hotel. Afternoon sightseeing.

Day 3: Drive to the market town of Debark (2700m / 8858ft), where we register before entering the Simien Mountain National Park. Drive to Senkaber. Camp.

Day 4: Trek via Michwahtis Valley to Geech. En route we make a short diversion to see impressive sight of the Jinbar River plummeting into the Geech Abyss. Camp (3600m / 11,812ft).

Day 5: Leave our camp set up at Geech and make a day hike to one of the finest viewpoints in the area, the promontory and small peak known as Imetgogo (3925m/12,878ft).

Day 6: Following the edge of the escarpment we trek via the high point at Inatye (4070m/ 13,354ft) to Chenek. Camp.

Day 7: Trek up towards Amba Bhawit (4477m / 14,689ft) and descend to the Meshawa Valley. We cross the river and climb steeply up to village of Ambiquo (3200m / 10,500ft). Camp.

Day 8: A dawn start for those that choose to climb to the summit of Ras Deshen (4620m). Return to campsite at Ambiquo.

Day 9: We return to our camp at Chenek on a different trail, skirting around the ridge of Amba Bhawit. Altitude at camp is 4000 metres (13,000 feet).

Day 10: Drive approximately 4 hours to Gondar. Afternoon free for further sightseeing or relaxing. Hotel

Day 11: We take a morning flight to Lalibela. After lunch we have a sightseeing tour including the rock temples known as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. Hotel

Day 12: A second day for sightseeing in the city once known as 'New Jerusalem'. Hotel.

Day 13: Fly to Addis Ababa. Free day. Day-rooms and hotel facilities are available. KE group package services end with the evening meal. Airport transfer provided for clients on preferred group flights.