Trekking in Simien Park

4-5HRS DRIVING, 7KM 2/3 HOURS WALKING

 After your breakfast, You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Gonder around 7.30am for the 2 ½ hr drive to Debark.

· On the northern outskirts of Gondar, an abandoned synagogue at Woleka evokes the story of Beta Israel, a ‘lost tribe’ of Ethiopian Jews whose last 10,000-or-so adherents were airlifted to Israel during the 1980s.

At Debark you will sign in at the park headquarters, pick up your guide and scout and head up into the mountains (by 4x4). The road continues all the way to the first camp at Sankaber, but you’ll be dropped off on the way for a leisurely three hour acclimatization hike. The stunning views hit you as soon as you get out of the vehicle as you walk along the ridge. There will be time to stop for a picnic lunch and after a short but demanding climb (at this altitude) to Sankaber you’ll be met as every day on this trek with a tray of fresh coffee, tea and snacks. 

O/N. Sankaber Campsite

WALKING 7-8HRS / 15KM 

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll set off trekking along the ridge with stunning views over the foothills 800m below. For the first two hours the trail passes through low bush of Giant Heather, Sodom’s Apple, Abyssinian Rose, St John’s Wort and Globe Thistle. The highlight of the trek from Sankaber to Geech is Jinbar Falls, an incredible 500m sheer drop. From the viewpoint opposite, you can watch the Falcons, Augur Buzzard and Lammergeyer/Bearded Vulture soar on the thermals below. From the Jinbar falls, the trail passes drier,dustier land, broken by lunch at a somewhat less intimidating and more peaceful waterfall.  Klipspringer and Bush Buck may be seen in the steep rocky and wooded slopes, whilst troops of Gelada Baboons roam the dusty fields for roots. Just before you reach Geech camp site, there is a wonderful opportunity to visit one of the traditional village houses for home roasted coffee and Injera. Geech Camp itself is set on a grassy plateau with stunning sunset views. 

O/N.  Geech Camp Site

WALKING 5-6 HRS / 13KM

After breakfast you’ll trek for 2 hours along the grass plateau past countless bizarre outsized Giant Lobelia plants. The destination is Imet Gogo, an incredible rocky promontory that grants 360 degree views over the Simien Range. At an altitude of 3,926m you can see West back along the ridge towards Sankaber and Geech and South East across a deep gully towards the tomorrow’s ridge walk to Inatye and Cheneck Camp. The views here are arguably the best in the Simien Mountains and the drop is terrifying. From Imet Gogo, you’ll return to camp via the Saha Gorge for lunch. Afternoon at leisure before heading out for a short optional sunset trek to KedaDit (3760m). Overnight at Geech Camp again. 

WALKING 7 HOURS / 15KM 

Today is the longest and arguably most spectacular passing close to the ridge most of its length. After breakfast you will head back on the path towards Imet Gogo before detouring SE towards Inatye. The path drops into a forest of Giant Heath before following the ridge on open grassland. The climb to Inatye (4,070m) rewards with stunning views. Inatye roughly translates as “mamma mia” and the terrifying vertical drop here justly warrants the name! After a picnic lunch the path follows mostly downhill through open grassland and giant lobelia towards Chenek with a number of stunning viewpoints along the way. Chenek camp is superb for wildlife with both Gelada Baboons and Wallia Ibex common here.  Late in the afternoon, you will have a short walk around the camping area to spot  a troops of Gelada Baboon.  If you are Lucky enough, you have a chance to spot an endemic Walia Ibex, which is also endemic to the Park, itself.

AMAZING VIEW-App. 10 hours

Early in the morning, you will have a short walk around the camp site to see an endemic Gelada Baboon and Walia Ibex. Spot some bird species like Thick Billed Raven, Lammergyer and the like.  

A memorable but hard day's trekking of ascents and descents as we make our way from Chenek to Ambiko. We should see birds like the Crowned Scraper Thrush, Siskins, Falcons and Kestrel. Today is also our best chance of seeing the rare and endangered Walia Ibex, a species that can only be found in the Simien National Park. From Chenek we climb to a pass at 4,200m and from here the fit and energetic may like to continue on a further hour up to the summit of Bwuhit at 4,430m. Otherwise from the pass we have a big drop down to the Meshah River at 2850m, via the village of Chiro Leba. From the river we ascend 350m to our camp, where we spend 2 nights at Ambiko. 

EXCURSION- APP 11 HRS

We ascend Ras Dashen before returning to Ambiko. This day is the longest day of the trek. It may take up to twelve hours climbing 1350m to the summit. Ras Dashen has 3 peaks and we climb to the middle highest peak - the roof of Ethiopia. Our efforts are rewarded with views from the summit which are out of this world. Trek back to the campsite.

APP 10 HRS

Another challenging day, although not as difficult as the previous one! From Ambiko we trek to the superbly positioned camp at Sona. After plenty of ups and downs we might be able to stop for some local coffee in the small village of Arquaziye before continuing for another hour and half to our camping site at Sona.

APP 5.5 hrs

A much easier day! We descend into the lowlands. Our day begins with a 1,100m descent into the Ansiya valley, where we have a relaxed lunch break. We then move onto our camp, near the village of Mekarebya. This is an excellent day for seeing birds and there are very good views up to the Simien Mountains. We can look back with pride upon the areas we have recently trekked.

From our camp we drop 350m, to where we have another long idyllic lunch spot. The final 2 hours of the day involve a hot 400m of ascent, to our final campsite at Mulit. Here we are completely surrounded by fantastic views all around us.

Our final day's walking takes us to Adi Arkay from where we drive, via Debark to Gondar (approx 6 hours driving), for a much deserved wash and rest!  Time at your leisure.

Take a flight back to Addis Abeba.  Time for shopping and re-arrange your luggage for your internation flight.  Farewell dinner at one of the city’s cultural restaurant to enjoy live Ethiopian dance and to have your dinner.  Transfer to Airport at  to catch your international flight back.