Ethiopia Simien Mountain Trekking

Ethiopia Simien mountain trekking is one of the most beautiful treks in Africa. It often richly vegetated, green, volcanic Simien Mountains in northern Ethiopia is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. And for good reason. The mountain range consists of several plateaus characterized by deeply incised river valleys, wonderful canyons, waterfalls and mountain peaks to above 4000m. The Ras Dashen is with 4,533 meters even the fourth highest mountain in all of Africa.

Together with local guides and accompanied by pack animals and a cooking team, we trek into this mountain landscape, climb we the highest peaks, explore we the unique endemic fauna and flora and we come into contact with local people. We are introduced to the Gelada baboons, the world's only grass-eating monkeys, and Walia ibexes. Before starting our trek, we also visit the beautiful waterfalls of the Blue Nile and the impressive 17th century castles of Gondar.

CIA

Comfort 70%: You will sleep in tents during the trek and in comfortable hotels before and after the trek.

Intensity 80%:   You will take part in an active trip that requires a good level of fitness. This means you will exercise at least 2x a week and generally be active. Therefore, a brisk walk should not be a problem.

Adventure 90%: You trek around in an active outdoor program.

Ethiopia Simien Mountain Trekking

• Temporarily unavailable due to instability in the region
• min 8 - max 12 people (*)
•  €2595 per person

INDIVIDUAL/PRIVATE

• PERIOD on request
• NUMBER on request
• COST PRICE on request

(*) will proceed only when 8 people are registered.

INCLUDING

• Preparation program consisting of 2 guided day trips
• Preparation meeting with Ethiopian coffee ceremony
• Wildlinger supervisor
• Local English-speaking guide
• All other local guides, drivers, scouts
• Cook and assistant cook during the draw
• 4 hotel nights and 1 day room
• Based on full board, including 1 drink during meals
• Mineral water 0.5 l per person/day
• 8 nights in tents
• Meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch box, dinner)
• Coffee, tea and mineral water (1.5 l per person/day) during the trek
• Camping equipment (tents + camp beds) and cooking equipment, excluding sleeping bag
• On-site transportation
• Airport transport
• Minibus and 4×4 vehicles, including gasoline
• 2 domestic flights
• All permits for the National Park, including the use of pack animals
• All entrance fees and taxes
• All gratuities for the local team
• Ethiopian national dinner, including dancing (excluding drinks)

EXCLUSIVE

• International flights (but on request)
• Visa
• Travel Insurance
• Cancellation Insurance
• Beverage
• Tipping
• Personal expenses

Ethiopia Simien Mountain Trekking

Day 1 & 2: Brussels - Addis

We take a evening flight to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia located at an altitude of 2400m, where we visited the arrive next morning. After checking into the hotel, we leave town for our picnic lunch at the Menagesha National Forest. Here we will make on the basis of an initial walk acquaintance with the highlands from Ethiopia. This is the last remaining piece native forest located between 2300 m and 3000 m altitude on the slopes of Mount Wechecha.

Day 3: Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar - Tis Abay

In the morning, we take a domestic flight to Bahir Dar. Then we move into our hotel located at the Lake Tana. In Bahir Dar, we see avenues surrounded by palm trees, we find ourselves once again in the lowlands.

In the afternoon we drive to Tississat, literally 'water that smokes'. The waterfalls on the Blue Nile are the second most spectacular on the African continent. The Nile makes a fall here 45m and so soon after the rainy season, the flow is impressive. We make a beautiful walk (2 hours) to enjoy this natural beauty. The historic Portuguese bridge leading to the waterfall gives all this some more extra charm.

Day 4: Bahir Dar - Gondar

We drive further north to Gondar, a drive from 180 km (about a 3-hour drive) and enjoy the beautiful landscapes along the way. We also stop at a village of the Amhara. In the afternoon, we spend a city visit to Gondar with the 17th century castle complex 'the Royal Enclosure', the bath of Fasilides and the fresco-painted Debre Birhan Selassie church with the angel ceiling.

Day 5: Gondar - Debark - Sankaber

In the morning drive we go to Debark, the headquarters of the Simien Mountains National Park and the base for our trekking. Along the way, we stop at the Felasha village of Weleka. The Ethiopian Jews have left the village for some time, but residents keep the traditions of pottery and basket weaving vivid. The landscapes now become more dramatic; we are now really in the highlands. Having lunch in Debark we and fulfill the last formalities before our trek: from here the guides and scouts will accompany us to the national park.

In the afternoon we drive the park in to Sankaber at 3250 m altitude where we can enjoy a spectacular view on the Simien Mountains and from a possible first encounter with the endemic Gelada baboon (bleeding heart baboon). Also, observations of the bearded vulture and the dikbekraaf its virtually guaranteed.

Day 6: Trekking Sankaber - Geech (5 to 6 hours of hiking)

In the morning, the luggage, as well as the camp and cooking equipment are loaded onto pack animals to be transported to our 2nd camping spot in Geech. After our breakfast, carefully prepared by our chef, we start our trek to Geech at 3600 m altitude, a pull of 5 to 6 hours. We behold the spectacular 500m high Jinbar waterfall, as well as observations of cliff jumpers and Gelada baboons are possible. Plants such as the Haginica Abysinica, an endemic species, the Erica Arborea, the Abyssinian rose, the flare, the giant lobelia etc. color the landscape here. In the vicinity of the village of Geech edit local farmers their land to meet daily food needs.

Day 7: Trekking Geech - Imet gogo - Chenek (8 to 9 hours of hiking)

Today we start with a short climb to the top of the Imet Gogo (3926m altitude) to enjoy a wide 360° view of the national park and the Simien mountains. Along the way, with some luck, the jackal be observed. Vegetation at this altitude is dominated by the giant lobelia. We continue our trek to Chenek, located at 3620 m altitude. When we have our camp spot approaching, we can the Walia ibex, an endemic ibex, observe.
It is usually located near the cliffs.

Day 8: Trekking Chenek - Ambiko (8 to 9 hours of hiking)

Today we are making a early start with as end goal Ambiko, the base camp for the ascent of the Ras Dashen, the highest mountain in Ethiopia. To do this, we first ascend to the Bwahit pass (4430m), after which we embarked on a steep descent to the Mesesha valley (2750m). Finally climb we back up a little bit to Ambiko, where we will eventually spend the night (3200m).

Day 9: Ambiko - Ras Dashen - Menta Ber (11 hours of hiking)

Today is without a doubt the absolute highlight of our draw. The climb Of Ethiopia's highest mountain Rash Dashen (4533 m). It is technically not a difficult climb, but the hike is quite spicy. After our ascent, we descend to the village of Menta Ber, where we will spend the night.

Day 10: Menta Ber - Arkwaziye (12 hours of hiking)

Enjoying the sunrise, we prepare today for a 2nd summit climb , this one from Kidus Yared (4453m) the second highest peak of the Simien. After the summit, the trail follows the ridge toward the west. Those who still have the necessary energy in their legs can also climb the Abba Yared (4409m) before the goat or donkey trail already descending to follow towards the campsite in Arkwaziye.

Day 11: Arkwaziye - Mekarebiya (7 to 8 hours of hiking)

After breakfast we hike over the ridge after which we descend into the lower guassa grasslands. The path leads us to a beautiful spot, Sona, after which we continued to follow the rivers in the valley. The landscape is overwhelming, especially after the rainy season with the flowers like the yellow-red flare (also known as fakellellie) in full bloom. For those who wish to refreshing or even washing, offers the river some relief. Here we are at an altitude of about 2000 m. In our pitch in Mekerabiya the temperature is a bit warmer than the past few days.

Day 12: Mekarebiya - Mullit (5 to 6 hours of hiking)

Along the river we make our way toward the mountain slopes. This is one of the easiest hikes of our trek. We see villages with tilled agricultural land flanked by mountain peaks in the background. There is again the opportunity to swimming and what coffee to drink with the villagers.

Day 13: Mullit - Adiarkay - Gondar ( 2 hours hiking)

A short walk from 2 hours takes us to the town Adiarkay where the wagons await us for the transfer to Gondar. At the hotel you can enjoying a hot shower and some rest after the physical exertions of the past few days.

Day 14: Gondar - Addis

Today we take a domestic flight to Addis Ababa. In the evening, we take farewell of this beautiful country with a cultural event in a Ethiopian traditional restaurant: you enjoy the unique Ethiopian cuisine and the dances of the various peoples. Of course, you may always even stretch your legs before taking the international flight back to Belgium.

Day 15: Addis - Belgium

We come in the morning back to in Brussels. End of a beautiful Ethiopia Simien mountain trek.

Ethiopia Simien Mountain Trekking

Hotels and tents

In Addis, Gondar and Bahar Dar we stay in comfortable hotels. During the draw We ourselves spend the night in tents equipped with camp beds. Both hotel rooms and trekking tents are based on two people. Single Rooms are possible, provided that paying a additional surcharge.

Ethiopia Simien Mountain Trekking

Guides

Safety is our number one priority. Therefore, we choose to work with local drivers and guides Who will carry us around safely.

Insurance

Finally, we ask each participant to provide a travel insurance to be taken out for the entire period of the trip. An example is short-term travel insurance with Allianz or KBF. Call and email your insurer in advance, explain what you will be doing and make sure you have a good understanding of what all is covered and what the exceptions are! If required, we will advise you on how to properly obtain the necessary insurance.