Five Days Trek Simien CODE: (SP-TR-5D)
Five Days Trek Simien CODE: (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.