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Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • You'll be collected from the airport.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Arrive Addis Ababa

Arrive Addis Ababa

Arrive Addis Ababa early morning, and transfer to the Saro Maria Hotel for dinner, bed & breakfast. Please contact us about the option to upgrade to an upmarket hotel, such as the Sheraton.

If arriving this afternoon, we will arrange a short tour of Addis (included), taking in Ethiopia’s National Museum, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the central market.

Main Destination:
Addis Ababa (City)
Accommodation:
Saro Maria Hotel
  • Mid-range hotel located in Addis (City)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 2

Fly to Gondar

Fly to Gondar

Morning flight from Addis Ababa to Gondar, where you will be met on arrival by your guide and transferred to the Goha Hotel for one night. This afternoon, embark on a guided tour of Gondar.

Starting with the palaces, residences and baths of Fasilides, your tour will then continue to the church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity), which sits at the summit of a hill, surrounded by fortified walls, its interior decorated with beautiful frescoes.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel, the Goha.

Main Destination:
Gondar (City)
Accommodation:
Goha Hotel
  • Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Drive to Debark, Trek to Sankaber

Drive to Debark, Trek to Sankaber

After breakfast at your hotel, depart Gondar for the market town of Debark (drive time: 3-4 hours), gateway to the Simien Mountains. You'll make a short stop here for lunch and to meet with the muleteers who will be accompanying you during your trek; then you set off on foot into the mountians.

Leaving town, you follow an undulating path up and down spurs, across the Lamma Wenz (river), and through welcoming villages. You then round Aman Amba while keeping close to the edge of the escarpment – from where you can look down onto Adarmaz Camp in the valley below – before reaching your camp for the first night, Sankaber, at an altitude of 3,230m.

Your trekking team and porters will set up camp on arrival and prepare supper. During this trekking itinerary, you will be expected to help with packing up your tent in the mornings, but you will not be required to help with any other camp chores.

Total trekking today: approx. 4 hours.

Main Destination:
Simien Mountains National Park
Best Time To Visit September to December (Beautiful scenery)
High Season October to April (Lodges are busy)
Best Weather October to April

Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP

Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Simien Mountains NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Sankaber to Gich

Sankaber to Gich

Today will see you trek from Sankaber to Gich Camp (3,630m). Start by descending to the escarpment near the head of the Wazla Wenz, from where there is a dramatic view of the Jinbar Wenz waterfall cascading down into the Geech Abyss. From here, it is a steep trek up to Gich Village, where you camp for the night.

It’s likely that you will begin to feel the effects of altitude today, so keep to a steady pace and drink lots of water to ensure you stay hydrated.

Overall altitude gain 400m. Trek time 7/8 hours.

Main Destination:
Simien Mountains National Park
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Simien Mountains NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Gich via Imet Gogo to Chenek

Gich via Imet Gogo to Chenek

Today will see you take the periphery route – with its majestic and awe-inspiring views from the escarpment – via Imet Gogo to Chenek. The day starts with an easy trek across the gently rising plateau to the famous viewpoint at Imet Gogo (3,926m). Here you may be lucky to see the rare Walia Ibex on the crags far below, so do approach Imet Gogo quietly. From Imet Gogo, continue south-east via Inatye to Chenek along mostly level terrain.

Today’s walk is a gentle hike with relatively little altitude gain. Trek time 7/8 hours.

Main Destination:
Simien Mountains National Park
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Simien Mountains NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Chenek to Ambiko

Chenek to Ambiko

Today’s walk will see you explore a region of the Simiens noted for its wildlife – with Walia Ibex and Gelada baboon both present in the area, along with several endemic birds. This is a sensitive area, and so vehicle support will be reserved for emergencies.

There will also be the option today of trekking to the summit of the Simiens’ second highest peak, Bwahit (4,430m), before descending steeply towards the village of Chiro Liba, where we usually lunch. From Chiro Liba, you continue the descent to the Mesheha River Valley (2,850m) and up the other side to Ambiko camp at 3,100m. Note that the Bwahit climb is optional, and so if you prefer to reserve your energy for tomorrow’s summit attempt, you can instead trek direct to Ambiko via Chiro Liba, taking today at a more leisurely pace.

Camp at Ambiko at low altitude of 3,100m. Trek time approx 9/10 hours.

Main Destination:
Simien Mountains National Park
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Simien Mountains NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Ras Deshen Summit and back to Ambiko

Ras Deshen Summit and back to Ambiko

Today will see you ascend to the summit of Ras Deshen, the tallest peak in the Simiens. Waking early, you begin by trekking to the head of the Mesheha Valley and the village of Mizma, where you will get your first view of your imposing goal. To reach it you will contour round a number of steep gullies, ascending all the time, until you find yourself on a rocky plateau, which is dominated by the three peaks.

Scrambling up, you will notice that there are 2 distinct hog-back rock summits, the first being the highest. Once in sight, it is a relatively easy scramble to the top of one of Africa’s highest mountains. This is it! Ras Deshen, at 15,157ft/4,543m, is Africa’s fifth highest mountain and the highest in Ethiopia. After refreshments and rest at the top, you will retrace your steps to Ambiko camp.

A tough day, with an overall altitude gain of 1,343m from Ambiko to the summit of Ras Deshen. Trek time approx 11/12 hours – maybe even longer depending on weather conditions.

Main Destination:
Simien Mountains National Park
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Simien Mountains NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8

Ambiko to Chenek

Ambiko to Chenek

Depart Ambiko this morning and retrace your steps back to Chenek for your last night under canvas. During today's trek, you will be following the same route taken during your ascent. Tomorrow, you return to Gondar.

Total trekking time: approx. 6 hours.

Main Destination:
Simien Mountains National Park
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Simien Mountains NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9

Chenek to Gondar

Chenek to Gondar

After you have packed up camp this morning and had breakfast, you will be met by your driver for the return journey back to Gondar (4-5 hour drive).

On arrival in Gondar, transfer to the Goha Hotel for dinner and overnight. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Main Destination:
Gondar (City)
Accommodation:
Goha Hotel
  • Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 10

Fly to Lalibela

Fly to Lalibela

Morning flight to Lalibela. On arrival at Lalibela airport you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in the centre of town, Tukul Village. After check-in, embark on a tour of the ancient site, visiting the first group of rock churches.

Lalibela is the one place in Ethiopia that no visitor should miss. Situated at an altitude of 2,600m, among wild, craggy mountains, there is a stark grandeur to Lalibela. Formerly called Roha, before adopting the name of the 11th-Century King Lalibela of the Zagwe Dynasty, the town has a long and storied history, which you’ll learn more of during your tour.

Dinner and overnight at Tukul Village.

Main Destination:
Lalibela (Town)
Accommodation:
Tukul Village
  • Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 11

Lalibela

Lalibela

Start the day with a visit to Asheton Mariam Monastery, a 2-3 hour walk from the main Lalibela complex. Noted for its stunning location, Asheton Mariam has been carved into the cliff face and stands out as one of the highest monasteries in Ethiopia. Return to Lalibela in time for lunch.

The rest of the day will be spent exploring the second group of rock churches, including the famous Bet Giyorgis.

Overnight in Lalibela.

Main Destination:
Lalibela (Town)
Accommodation:
Tukul Village
  • Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 12

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to the Saro Maria Hotel. The rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Dinner tonight is at the Hilltop, an Ethiopian-Italian restaurant with splendid views over the city below—the perfect way to mark your last night in Ethiopia!

Main Destination:
Addis Ababa (City)
Accommodation:
Saro Maria Hotel
  • Mid-range hotel located in Addis (City)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 13

Departure

Departure

Check out after breakfast and transfer to Addis Ababa International Airport for your international fight home.

Main Destination:
Addis Ababa (City)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You'll be dropped off at the airport.
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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Gane & Marshall, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Gane & Marshall.