12days Trekking In Simien Mountain and Around Lalibela

12days Trekking In Simien Mountain and Around Lalibela

Ethiopia span most of the Horn of Africa consisting of highlands that offer spectacular off- the -beaten-path natural scenery. This tour covers one of the most impressive of such areas, the Simien Mountains. A world heritage site formed by ancient Lava flows , the Simien Mountains contain thousands of endemic species , a unique ecosystem, and Ethiopia’s highest mount, Ras-Dashen (4550m).

Before venturing in to the mountains you will first explore Addis Abeba and Gonder, Ethiopia’s current capital and historic capital respectively. Then you will trek in the Simien Mountains up to the summit of Ras-Dashen for over a week before Descending in to Amhara villages in the surrounding lowlands.

After over a week of both national and human encounters you will return to Gonder then Addis Abeba. This tour is best suited for thrill seekers looking to understand the culture and lifestyle of Ethiopia alongside an extraordinary physically demanding trek.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Abeba & city tour

Stop At: Entoto Hill, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Welcome to Ethiopia ! After arriving in Addis Abeba and completing entry formalities a driver will be waiting you to transfer hotel accommodation. After settling in you will have time on your first day to wind down ,rest and explore a bit of Ethiopia’s Capital city. Go on a city tour and in the evening we will regroup and go out for a dinner.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner: Bottle of water and soft drink
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hotel in Addis Abeba

Day 2: Flight from Addis Abeba to Gonder and Historic Tour

Stop At: Fasil Ghebbi, Gonder Ethiopia
Wake up and head to the airport for your Domestic flight to Gonder, Ethiopia’s Capital until 1855. Once you arrive you will discover a city full of historically significant architecture with diverse influences, including places, Churches and baths . You will especially want to see Gonder’s main highlight, king Fasilidas Ghebbi.

A UNESCO cultural world heritage site Fasil Ghebbi is an intricate castle complex dating back to the 17th century and the former residence of the Emperor. We will also make our way to the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, where you will get to see it’s iconic ceiling decorated with painted angels.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel In Gonder

Day 3: Gonder - Debark- Sankaber

Stop At: Fasil Ghebbi, Gonder Ethiopia
Board a private vehicle and travel 100km north across the Ethiopian highlands to Debark a small city of about 30000 thousands inhabitants at the boarder of the famous Simien national park, after a quick logistical stop at the headquarters office to gather cooks and scouts , we will then drive out on a rough road to an imposing mountain plateau over 3000m high. From here your trek across the Simien Mountains begins! After 2-3 hours of walking get your first glance of the impressive, dramatic landscape. Then as night approaches, enjoy dinner prepared by our cook and spend the first night outdoors in the tenth of the sankaber camp .
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at sankaber camp

Day 4: Sankaber - Gich

Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Next morning at sankaber meet your mules and drivers in charge of transporting your extra gear before commencing the trek to Gich . Then pick up your pace and traverse an escarpment before dropping down for stunning views of the butifull Jinbar waterfall. From here ascend through terraced farmland until you arrive at the village of Gich ( 3,600m) . As the sun set head up to the kedadiit mountain and wach as the twilight sky change colors until night fall before heading back to camp.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at sankaber

Day 5: Gich - Chenek

Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Start your day with a two hour climb to the summit of lmet Gogo (3,926m) one of the most butifull vantage points over lookup dozens of rugged peaks. Then trek up and down along another whole escarpment, walking through fields of giant lobelias and other fascinating highland foliage. Finally ascend the peak of inatye (4070m) ) and reach camp chenek. In the afternoon ( 3.650m) where you can recover for the Night.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Ambiko

Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
As the trek intensifies , you will continue over 700m through the Bwahit pass (4.200m) Ethiopia's third highest mountain, for more amazing highl- altitudes views next descend to the village of chiro Leba and the mesesha wenz river for a refreshment swim . After another hour uphill you will arrive at your base camp for the Night at Ambiko (3.250m)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Ambiko

Day 7: Summit Day : Climbing Ras Dashen

Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Get up early before sunrise and leave camp by 4:00am for the Longest and most strenuous part of the trek. Your ascent starts slow and gentle but gradually becomes more difficult as the altitude increases. For the last 50meters of the stretch you will get to manually rock climb vertically up the mountain side afterward you will finally reach the summit of Ras Dashen (4.550 m) Reward yourself with a stunning view of the entire Simien mountain range and watch as vultures,eagles, and other birds soar across the vast skies. Then descend back to our camp at Ambiko
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Ambiko

Day 8: Ambiko - Sona

Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Take a break with today’s trek which will be more enjoyable and cover a good amount of distance with out drastic altitude changes. You will spend the morning traversing the expanse of flatland passing by some small villages and locals working in the fields along the way.we will reach our camp at sona by the afternoon ( 3500m)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 9: Sona - mekarebya

Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Today we will go over the edge of the plateau and descend steeply more than 1000m to the Ansiya wenz. Very few trekkers head down in to the lowlands, so this experience will give you the chance to explore another unique little known region. Here you can bathe in the river while enjoying the pleasant temperat climate of the lowlands. Your day draws to a close at the village of mekarebya, where you can observe the water well built with the help of a local partner interact with locals and where you can observe the water well built with the help of a local partner interact with locals and rest.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Sona camp

Day 10: Mekarebya-Mulit

Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Continue descending to the Ansiya river and take a short detour to a small valley we’re you will uncover a scenic river side pool inviting you for a dip. Then ascend again 400 meters to Hawaza a Quaint village where we will stop for a coffee and tea break. From here complete your day with a casual stroll to our last camp site at mulit 2000m . Congratulate your self on finishing the trek, celebrate by a cozy fireplace, and wach the stars before heading to bed .
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at mekarebya mulit camp

Day 11: Mulit-Adi Arkay

Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
After our last 2 hours of easy walking you will reach the neighborhood of Adi Arkay adjacent to the main road. A bus will then drive you through Debark passing by spectacular landscapes and rock formations. By the afternoon you will arrive back at Gonder.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel in Gonder

Day 12: Flight from Gonder to Addis Abeba, market trip and Departure

Stop At: Addis Mercato, Kenya St Addis Ketema, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Transfer to the Gonder airport in the morning and fly back to Addis Abeba. If there is enough time before your departure spend your last moments in the city to visit a market or shopping areas and buy souvenirs. Finally enjoy a fair well Ethiopian Dinner complete with cultural music and a dance performance. Then it’s time to board your flight back and come back home with memories that’s will last a life time.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Addis Abeba