12 Days Trekking Simien Mountains

The itinerary is intended for those who don't have time for Ras Dashen, to take advantage of the second peak of the park. This trip doesn't mean that everyone can do it, but as mentioned above, it needs a good level of physical fitness to accomplish or to get in to the Bwahit Ras 4440m asl (second peak of the park). Agent of Yama Ethiopia Tours welcomes you on your arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. After refreshment, city tour of Addis Ababa. Overnight at hotel of your choice.

After breakfast transfer to airport to fly to Gondar, established by king Fasiladas in 1636. The town was capital of Ethiopia in the 17th century. Upon arrival at Gondar Airport, departure for Debark town (100 Kms from Gondar), where the head quarter of Semien Mountains National Park is found. Here we pay the entrance fees and a scout and a local guide will accompany us. Then we continue driving to Sankabar (31 Kms) the first campsite of the National Park. On this drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, the extraordinary scenery, enjoying the endemic Gelada Baboons and the bone breaker giant bird Lammergeyer roaring around. O/n Camping at Sankabar – (3200 m).

This day we arrange all the trekking staff including mules and Muleteers for packing and transport of camping gears and all foodstuffs for the trek. It is this day that we start trekking in the national park. We walk from Sankaber to Geech, which will take between 5 – 6 hours. After about 1.5 hours walk we see the Jinnbar River and falls; we will cross the river later in the day. After crossing the river, we ascend for about two hours to Geech, which is full of Giant Lobelias. The scenery is wonderful, and herds of the endemic Gelada Baboon can be seen on our way. O/n Camping at Geech Campsite (3600m).

This day we will be walking to the best viewpoints in the National Park. First we walk to Imetgogo; the view here enables one to look 360° in all directions – one of the best views in the national park. After a short stay here continue walk to Seha, the other terrific viewpoint in the National Park. We will have our picnic lunch and continue to the last viewpoint, Quedadit. After some time we walk back to Geech camp site. The walk this day is not hard; it takes about 4 – 5 hours. If we are lucky we might see mammals like the Simien wolf, Walia Ibex and Klipspringers. O/n Camping at Geech Campsite – (3600m).

We trek to Chenek, walking through the Giant lobelia trees — African field Rats are common under these trees. After picnic lunch we walk on the edge of Elate escarpments (4000m above sea level), another breathtaking view in the national park; finally we descend to Chenek. Chenek is the best place to see the endemic Walia Ibex and more Gelada Baboon. It takes 6-7 hours walk. O/n Camping at Chenek – (3600m).

Today is the longest trekking day so far, taking up to about 10 hours. From Chenek at 3650 metres, the path to Ambiquo campsite crosses over the Bwahit Ras. Leaving Chenek we are faced with a two-hour ascent to the top of the pass at 4200 metres, where we enjoy views that open up to the east over Mesheha Valley to the Dashen mountain range. Looking back we find ourselves under the cover of the impressive rock formations of Imet Gogo. From Bwahit Ras the path leads steeply down and across the Mesheha Valley. We descend to the Mesheha River at 2800 metres, before climbing slightly to reach Ambiquo campsite at an altitude of 3100 metres. Overnight camping at Ambiquo.

Today is a summit day involving a trek of 16 kilometres (ten to eleven hours)! We leave our campsite around 4:00AM. The path ascends 1400 metres to Ras Dashen, beginning by climbing steeply through barley fields and fallow land before reaching mountain steppe at around 3700 metres. From there it flattens out, traversing ridges in the shadow of Ras Dashen. Just below Dashen Pass at around 4250 metres, an impressive moraine can be seen — formed 20,000 to 14,000 years ago in the last Ice Age. The final stretch involves an exciting climb over large boulders to the summit. From the top of Ras Dashen at 4543 metres, views span more than 10,000 square kilometres. Returning from the summit we retrace our steps back to our camp at Ambiquo. Overnight camping at Ambiquo.

From Ambiquo the path takes us back down to the Mesheha River (2800 metres). Our destination tonight is Arkwaziye, situated at an altitude of 3600 metres and located on the northern reach of the Mesheha (Went) River. A great day to take in more incredible views of the Simien Mountains — this campsite is one of the most beautifully located campsites in the national park. Overnight Arkwaziye campsite.

We leave the higher plateau and village of Arkwaziye (11800ft / 3600m), cross several substantial ridges and valleys, and then climb down the near vertical Devil's Staircase with a 3000ft / 900m descent. The reward for this effort is Lamo, one of the most beautiful locations in the Simiens. Our overall height loss will be around 5200ft / 1600m. Altitude at Lamo approx 2000m. Trek time 10 hours. Overnight at Lamo campsite.

We set from our campsite for Mekarebia. Look north-east across the valley to the circle of mountains around AmbaTon and you will see the view illustrated on Ethiopian Airlines tickets. Today you should allow around eight hours for a day of ridge and valley treks through spectacularly beautiful scenery to Mulit, where we camp at much the same altitude as Lamo. Trekking time about 8 hours. Altitude undulating approx 1900m. Overnight at Mulit campsite. Walk down to the market town of Adi Arkay.

From Hawaza located at around 6500ft / 2000m, with wonderful views to Amba Ton and the high escarpments of the Simiens Plateau, walk to Adi Arkay 1600m. Trekking time approx 2/3 hours. Altitude dropping to Adi Arkay 1600m from 1900m. After a celebratory drink in a café, say goodbye to your muleteers and camp staff, and meet the vehicles for the five-hour drive to Gondar — stopping at Debark to say goodbye to our park guide and scout. Proceed to Gondar for welcome showers, dinner and overnight at the Goha Hotel.

After breakfast, morning transfer to Gondar airport and fly back to Addis Ababa. Afternoon at leisure. Evening farewell dinner. Transfer to Bole International Airport and fly back home.