5/7/8/9 Days Simien Mountain Trekking itineraries
(SP-TR-5D)
Day 1
We will meet you in the morning at Gonder Airport or your hotel in Gonder. Drive to the first camp (Sankaber) via Debark (the small town) you will be rewarded with very impressive views of the low land areas to the north and west. You will most certainly encounter troops of the endemic gelada baboons. The gelada baboon, only found in Ethiopia, is often referred to as the bleeding heart baboon or the lion monkey because their coat is shaggy resembling a lion, whilst their chest has a marked red heart or patch. The gelada baboon can be found in good numbers is quite easy to approach. Sankaber camp is situated at an altitude of 3250 meters on an impressive viewpoint between the northern escarpment and the southern wazla. Before you arrive at the camp you have about 2-3hrs. walk. About 7-9 Kms.
Day 2
From Sankaber Camp the path to Geech Camp will stretch for approximately 13 kilometers.(5-6hrs). The initial stages of this path leads through extensive areas of highland grasslands and heather forests. This path offers some of the most impressive views of the escarpement of the Jinbar Wenz waterfall which plummets down the Geech Abyss. After descending down to the Jinbar Wenz River a short ascent remains to Geech village. In this area, cultivation is done in a two-year cycle. One side of the valley is planted whilst the other side lies fallow. You will notice extensive soil erosion in this area as a result of the combination of such factors as slope steepness, cultivation, overgrazing, erosive rainfall and limited land resources. Just above Geech village is the campsite which will serve as your base for two nights. The campsite has great views of the mountains and is characterized by giant Lobelia plants. These plants can grow up to 10 meters in height and may live for as long as twenty years, at which point they first flower before dying.
Day 3 - Geech Immetgogo (3926masl)-Chenek (3620masl)
The trek from Geech to Chenek covers approximately 17 kilometers (six to seven hours), following a path along the escarpment edge. Just before arriving into Chenek you will encounter the Enatye peaks and viewpoint at 4070 meters – this viewpoint is actually a gap in the precipitous cliff – which reveals impressive views of the steep mountain faces to the west and the lowlands areas to the left. The tightly clustered houses (tukuls) that form the village of ,Dihwara, tucked below a cliff, are also visible from this viewpoint.
Chenek campsite is spectacularly located in a beautiful valley at the foot of the Bwahit Peak. Strategically placed benches allow for the opportunity to take in the expansive views back toward Imet Gogo, especially beautiful in both the dawn and dusk light. A large troop of Gelada baboons are common here and Walia Ibex are also often seen on the rocky escarpment edges overnight here camping.
DAY 4 - Chenek (3600m) – Mount Buahit (4430m) – Chenek (3600m)
Walking 5 hours / 830m elevation gain and descent / 10km distance covered after an early breakfast, you will head SE out of Chennek to climb Buahit Peak at 4430m. The path follows a small stream for an hour or two up to Buahit Pass. At the pass the views open up to the North East towards Lori and Sona Villages. This is a fantastic place to spot the
Wallia Ibex. From here it is another hour or two’s scramble up a rocky slope to Buahit Peak. It is hard work at the altitude but the views from the top and the wildlife on the way are more than worth it, while back down to the Camp overnight Camping.
Day 5
Cheneck to Gonder. This day morning after breakfast, you walk along the valley of Argin Village to visit the culture and lifestyles management of mountains villagers about 3hours while back for Lunch to the Camp, then car awaits you there and picked up drive back to Gonder arrive in the afternoon.
Seven Days Trek Simien #CODE: (SP-TR-7D)
Day 1
Depart early in the morning from Gondar, driving to Sankaber, stopping in Debark to handle National Park fees, etc. You will start your trek around Buyit Ras for a 3-4 hour hike to Sankaber, which passes close to the escarpment edge. Nearing Sankaber, you will have beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge and where you will likely see the endemic Gelada baboons. In Sankaber, you will be met with your supplies. Overnight camping in Sankaber.
Day 2
From Sankaber, depart into a valley, through which the Wazla (or Koba) River runs. (This river is often dry). Coming out of the valley you will have views of the Jinbar River waterfalls falling into the Geech Abyss. Continuing along, you will cross the Jinbar River and ascend into the village of Geech. Total trekking time: 4-5 hours
Day 3
After an early breakfast, depart from Geech to the peak of Imet Gogo at 3926m. Here you’ll have spectacular views over the lowlands – one of the highlights of the trip. As you continue to Chenek, you will pass Korbete Metia, a solid rock wall which opens up exposing beautiful views over the lowlands and the escarpment. This is also a good place for spotting lammergeiers. Overnight camping in Chenek. Total trekking time: 7 – 9 hours
Day 4
From Chenek, continue east up a valley to Mt. Bwahit, overlooking the camp from where you just came. After crossing the Bwahit Pass, you come to a viewpoint offering wonderful views of the Mesheha River Valley as well your first glimpse of Ras Dashen. From here, the path descends, passes through the village of Chiro Leba, and finally leads to the Mesheha River. Across the river, you climb back up the valley to the village of Ambikwa. Overnight camping in Ambikwa. Total trekking time: 6-8 hours
Day 5
Starting early, you will continue up the valley to the village of Mizma, after which you will have a steep ascent to a ridge crest overlooking a large valley. The path then follows along the side of the valley, straight at Ras Dashen. You will eventually reach a point where you will see three distinct buttresses. The buttress on the left is the summit of Ras Dashen. A pile of rocks at the top of the buttress marks the summit. After your successful arrival at the highest point in Ethiopia, you return to Ambikwa for overnight. Total trekking time: 8-10 hours
Day 6
Today you return back to Chenek for overnight camping. Total trekking time: 6-8 hours
Day 7
Today you will be transported out of the park, returning to Gondar.
Eight Days Trek Simien #CODE: (SP-TR-8D)
Day 1
From Gonder Airport -Sankaber (3250 m), same Day Trek to Geech Camp (3,600 MAS) aproximatly 6hrs trek.
On your flight morning transfer from Gonder airport and then we drive directly along a good asphalt road from Gondar to Debark and gravel road to the park. The 100 km journey will take around two hours. At the headquarters we will arrange our permits to the park and pick up our scout. After that we will drive for another hour Drive to Sankaber before we start our first day introductory walk. This first hike is an easy one along the northern edge of the escarpment with a nice view points over the foothills and plains of northern Ethiopia. You will encounter gelada baboon along this hike, Sankaber – Gich (3600 m), 5-6 hours
We follow the northern escarpment eastward, before we descend a little into the Kaba Valley. After that we climb up before we reach Gich Abyss over a narrow ridge to a cliff where we have a spectacular view of the abyss towards the Simien foothills. We also find a large waterfall here, where the Jinbar River plunges 500 m into the abyss. We proceed for about two hours and have lunch at the Jinbar River. After lunch we walk through fields of barley before we arrive at Geech Camp. Here we can enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony in one of the huts and learn more about local farm life. From Gich village it is a short walk to Gich camp which is a good area to look for lammergeyer and thick billed raven.
Over night Camping.
Day 2 - Gich - Chennek (3600m), 7-8 hours
From Gich camp we initially start off through one of the best view of Imet Gogo(3,629 MAS) same fields of Giant Lobelia as yesterday, but soon we descend into the Jinbahir River Valley. In this way we get a very different perspective of Imet-Gogo and the volcanic landscape, where it looks like big chunks of mountains have been blown away. The trail follows the edge of the escarpment, which is completely vertical here for several hundred meters. We climb to a summit of 4070 m where we will have lunch. After lunch we descend to Chennek for about two hours along a steep trail. From Chennek camp there are spectacular views in all directions. Sit down on a bench at the escarpment and try to spot Walia Ibex in late afternoon or early morning. Sometimes Walia Ibex visit the edges of the camp site.
over night Camping.
Day 3: - Chenek - Ambiko (3240 m), 8-9hours
After an early morning start we climb through a valley north of Buwahit Peak (4430 m), which overlooks Chennek camp. After crossing Buwahit Pass (4200 m), the vast valley of the Mesheha River opens up and it is possible to view Ras Dashen (4543 m) from here: the highest point in a wall of cliffs and peaks on the other side of the valley. But first we will have a long and steep descend to the village of Chiro-Leba (3300 m). Alternatively, you can descend along the road, which is a longer route, but easier on the knees and with more opportunities to see local farm life. After lunch in Chiro-Leba, we descend even more to cross the Mesheha River (2800 m). The path goes steeply up again through an arid landscape filled with cactuses for a little over one hour before we reach the village of Ambiko.
Over night Camping.
Day 4: - Ambiko - Mentaber (3550m), 10-11 hours
Today’s target is Ras Dejen(4,543 MAS) the highest mountain in Ethiopia , the fourth highest mountain on the African continent. To do it successfully, we get up at 4.30 am, have breakfast and leave an hour before sunrise. Bring some indispensable objects as gloves, a warm fleece and a torch. Walking sticks are advisable. To get to the top it takes about 4-6 hours. Most of the first 3 hours of the walk is along a gravel road (no traffic, however) which climbs higher and higher through a majestic valley. At the head of the valley, we leave the road to the left, climb around a mountain head, before reaching a semi-circular corrie, surrounded by three major buttresses with steep sides of exposed rock. Don’t be fooled right now which is the highest point. Contrary to what your feeling will tell you, the buttress on the left is Ras Dashen! The hike up this mountain is not difficult, except may be the last part, which includes some scrambling. Where most tour groups return to Ambiko after reaching the top, we continue over the top and descend through a broad valley with countless Giant Lobelia, before reaching another spectacular view point where we will rest a little while. From this spot it is another 3-4 hours before we reach Mentaber camp. If you happen to visit Mentaber on a Saturday, you can visit a local market which is conveniently located at the shoulder of two mountains. Be prepared that people will be very surprised when you show up here! Mentaber camp is next to the local church.
Over night Camping.
Day 5: - Mentaber - Sona (3400m), 7-8 hours
From Mentaber we walk for a couple of hours through narrow and steep valleys. People here do not see many tourists, but they are very welcoming and many will want to shake hands with you, especially children. Before reaching the broad valley of New Arkwazye, there is a steep climb through one of the villages, during which you might feel the long walk of the day before. After you have crossed this broad valley, the towering cliffs of Imet-Gogo appear once more. From here it is an easy walk to Sona, where it is situated near by school, just on the opposite side of Imet Gogo and has magnificent widow views.
Over night Camping
Day 6: - Sona - Mekarebia (2200m), 6-7 hours
This morning starts with a big downhill walk for 3-4 hours into the valley at the foot of Imet-Gogo. Walking sticks are advisable here, since there are many loose rocks. The more we descend, the warmer it gets, so we will find many flowers here. At the end of the descent, we reach the River Insia which forms natural pools here in a series of rocks. The water is very refreshing and this is an excellent spot to take a bath and wash some clothes. It is also possible to enjoy a coffee ceremony here, which is prepared by the local people. After lunch it is a leisure walk through fields of sorghum and palm trees and with towering rock formations all along to Mekarebia camp site.
Over night Camping.
Day 8: - Mulit-Adiarkay - Gondar,
On this last day we will have a short and easy walk to Adiarkay about 2hrs. The Car a waits us in this towen and transfer drive to which is the road to Gonder about 180 km north of Limalimo Roads on the scenic foot of Simien Mountains .
Or here an options possible drive to Axum about five hours on the Scenic Tekeze river Gorges.
The drive will be about 5-6 Hours in Total then same day transfer to airport in the late afternoon flight to Addis, if you might have time an optional stay over night in Gonder.
End of the Trek.
– Professional Tour and Trekking Guide.
– All fees associated with the Simien Mountains, including NP entry fees.
– Scout for Simien Mountains.
– Meals Full board base on Simien Mountains.
– Professional Cook with it’s all food and camping Gear.
– Mineral bottled water.
– Tent and spongy Mattress.
Package exclusions:
– Lunch, dinner and all alcoholic beverages In towns.
– Camera and/or photo fees for professionals.
– Tips for guides, drivers, and other service providers as desired.
– Items of a personal nature.