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12-Day Tour in Northern Ethiopia and Trek in the Simien Mountains
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12-Day Tour in Northern Ethiopia and Trek in the Simien Mountains
Next available dates
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10 Jun
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Bestseller
12-Day Tour in Northern Ethiopia and Trek in the Simien Mountains
Duration: 12 days
Instant confirmation
Free cancellation
Pickup included
From
INR 5,81,305
For KrisFlyer members only
Highlights
Northern Ethiopia boasts a wealth of both natural and historical treasures. You will see the spectacular "Smoking Water" of the Blue Nile Falls, take a boat trip to the famous island monasteries of Lake Tana and admire the medieval castles of Gondar, described as Ethiopia's "Camelot". You'll enjoy five and a half days of superb walking in the Simien Mountains National Park, where you can spot endemic wildlife including Gelada baboons and Ethiopian wolves (if you're lucky), as well as trekking to the summit of Ras Dashen (4543m), Ethiopia`s highest peak, with views that extend northwards to Eritrea.
Itinerary
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
5 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeDay 1 starts with a half-day city tour of Addis Ababa, including its museums, churches and the Mercato, reputedly the largest market in Africa.National Museum of Ethiopia
1 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedThe oldest museum in Ethiopia, its most famous exhibit is "Lucy", the 3.5 million year old skeleton whose discovery in 1974 demonstrated that bipedal hominids evolved much earlier than previously thought. The museum also holds many other palaeontological and archaeological artefacts, as well as ethnographic and modern art displays.Holy Trinity Cathedral
1 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedBuilt to commemorate Ethiopia's emancipation from the Italian occupation, the cathedral is an important focal point for the Ethiopian Orthodox church. As a place of worship, it is considered second only to the Church of Our Lady Zion in Axum (where the original Ark of the Covenant is believed to be held).Mercato Market
1 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeReputedly the largest market in Africa, the Mercato is the commercial hub of Addis Ababa. A close-knit grid of streets crammed with stalls, kiosks and shops, you can buy virtually anything here, but be prepared to negotiate!- AccommodationsOvernight at a hotel in Addis AbabaFood And DrinksLunch - Choice of traditional or western foodDinner - Choice of traditional or western food
Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar
9 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeThe journey to Bahir Dar will take most of the day, but it's a good chance to view the changing landscapes of the highlands and to see day-to-day life in rural Ethiopia.- AccommodationsOvernight at a hotel in Bahir DarFood And DrinksBreakfast - Breakfast at the hotel in Addis AbabaLunch - We will stop for lunch at a café or restaurant along the wayDinner - Dinner at the hotel in Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar
Lake Tana
4 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeIn the morning, you'll take a boat cruise on Lake Tana, stopping to explore some of the island churches and monasteries containing relics and frescos dating from the 16th century.Blue Nile Falls
2 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedIn the afternoon, you'll take a trip to the Blue Nile Falls at Tisisat, meaning "smoking water" in Amharic. The spectacular falls are 100m wide and plunge 45m, sending spray high in the air. A short walk and a trip across a 17th century bridge gives a great close-up view of the falls.- AccommodationsOvernight for a second night at the hotel in Bahir DarFood And DrinksBreakfast - Breakfast at the hotel in Bahir DarLunchDinner - Dinner at the hotel in Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar to Gondar
Gonder
5 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeFrom Bahir Dar, it's about a 3 hour drive to Gondar, after which you'll take a sightseeing tour of the city. Gondar is a historic settlement with an atmosphere of mystery and there are views from the city which extend across the surrounding farmland back to Lake Tana. Founded by Emperor Fasilidas around 1635, Gondar has become one of Ethiopia's largest and most impressive cities.Fasil Ghebbi
3 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedGondar is famed for its walled Royal Enclosure which contains several well-preserved and very medieval-looking castles, dating from as early as 1650. The castles are unusual for the Horn Of Africa, deriving their architectural style from the Moors and the Portuguese.Debre Berhan Selassie Church
1 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedGondar has dozens of churches but the most important is Debre Berhan Selassie (Trinity Church of the Mountain of Light), which has an impressive hilltop location. The priest there will explain the story of the many paintings and carvings inside the church.- AccommodationsOvernight at a hotel in GondarFood And DrinksBreakfast - Breakfast at the hotel in Bahir DarLunchDinner - Dinner at the hotel in Gondar
Gondar to Sankaber, via Debark
Debark
2 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeIn the morning, you will take the scenic 2 to 3-hour drive from Gondar to Debark, where you’ll stop for lunch. Debark is a small market town at an altitude of 2700m, close to the boundary of the Simien Mountains National Park.Simien Mountains National Park
10 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedBefore entering the park, you’ll have to be registered at the park headquarters just outside town. Here you’ll be joined by a park guide and armed scout – one of the park regulations. You’ll then complete the drive into the National Park, passing through the foothills of the Simien Mountains. The trek starts gently with a 2-3 hour walk in the afternoon. There are superb views across the foothills of the range and you may also be lucky enough to spot your first lammergeiers and gelada baboons of the trip.Sankaber Simien Mountains National Park
7 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedYour walk will end at Sankaber, where you’ll camp for the night.- AccommodationsCamping overnight at Sankaber. All campsites have basic facilities including long-drop toilets.Food And DrinksBreakfast - Breakfast at the hotel in GondarLunch - Lunch in DebarkDinner - Dinner at Sankaber camp. Food on trek is prepared by a trained cook who will join you for the duration of your trek.
Trek to Geech
Simien Mountains National Park
24 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedYour first full day of trekking. You’ll meet the muleteers and the trek equipment will be loaded onto their mules. Starting out, you’ll descend in to the Michwahtis Valley and begin the climb up the other side, making a short diversion to see the impressive sight of the Jinbar River plummeting into the Geech Abyss. There is a good trail and after a couple of kilometres, you’ll cross the Jinbar River and then ascend to reach Geech Village (3600m), a cluster of traditional thatched-roofed huts. There may be time to stop off at one of the village houses to enjoy the traditional Ethiopian serving of coffee, known as the 'Coffee Ceremony'. The camping place is just above the village. In the evening, the viewpoint at Kadadit (hole in the rock), 20 minutes away to the north, is an excellent place from which to watch the sunset. Walk distance approx 11km, 900m ascent, 550m descent, 7-8 hours walking.- AccommodationsCamping at Geech campsiteFood And DrinksBreakfast - Breakfasts typically consist of bread and jam, porridge, omelette or pancakes, with tea and excellent Ethiopian coffee.Lunch - Lunch on the trek usually consists of sandwiches (cheese, egg or ham) and fresh fruitDinner - Dinner usually consists of soup followed by pasta, rice or potatoes with vegetables or meat, and a tasty sauce.
Along the escarpment to Chenek
Simien Mountains National Park
24 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedToday, our route will take you along the edge of the escarpment. At all times, the cliff edge is close on the left-hand side and there are ever-changing views and glimpses of the valley below, often through narrow clefts between spurs. The high point of the walk is at Inatye (4070m) and you’ll continue across tussocky moorland to the camping place at Chenek, which is bounded by a semicircular ring of cliffs. The Chenek campsite offers superb views across to the opposite escarpment. Walk distance approx 13km, 750m ascent, 700m descent, 6-7 hours walking.- AccommodationsCamping overnight at ChenekFood And DrinksBreakfastLunchDinner
To Ambiquo at the foot of Ras Dashen
Simien Mountains National Park
5 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedTo reach the village of Ambiquo at the foot of Ras Dashen, you must initially climb up above the camp towards Amba Bwahit (4477m), the second highest mountain in the range. After 1½ hours, you’ll reach a rocky ridge and a viewpoint which looks across the vast valley of the Meshawa River. You may be lucky enough to spot the Walia Ibex here. You’ll also get your first sighting of Ras Dashen, the highest point in a wall of cliffs and peaks on the skyline at the far side of the valley. You then take a well-trodden path down into the farmland of the valley. After passing through the village of Chiro Leba and crossing the Meshawa River, you’ll ascend steeply to the village of Ambiquo (3200m) where you’ll camp for the night. With over 1000 metres of descent, followed by another 500 metres of ascent to Ambiquo, today will be a long day. Walk distance approx 16km, 1100m ascent, 1600m descent, 8 hours walking- AccommodationsCamping overnight at AmbiquoFood And DrinksBreakfastLunchDinner
Ras Dashen
Ras Dashen
11 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedToday's ascent to the highest point in Ethiopia, the summit of Ras Dashen, requires a dawn start. You’ll climb slowly and steadily through giant lobelia forests, passing the tiny, perched village of Mizma and gaining an area of open pasture where there are herds of cattle and goats with their attendant herdsmen. The triple-summited bulk of Ras Deshen looms above and it is far from obvious which of these is the highest. Finally, after 7 to 8 hours of ascent, you’ll reach steeper, rocky ground and make the short and easy scramble to the cairned summit. You’ll then take a rest on top to enjoy the views which, in clear weather, extend to Eritrea. A 3 hour descent takes you back to the campsite in Ambiquo. Walk distance approx 23km, 1600m ascent, 1600m descent, 10-11 hours walkingSimien Mountains National Park
11 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedToday's ascent to the highest point in Ethiopia, the summit of Ras Dashen, requires a dawn start. You’ll climb slowly and steadily through giant lobelia forests, passing the tiny, perched village of Mizma and gaining an area of open pasture where there are herds of cattle and goats with their attendant herdsmen. The triple-summited bulk of Ras Deshen looms above and it is far from obvious which of these is the highest. Finally, after 7 to 8 hours of ascent, you’ll reach steeper, rocky ground and make the short and easy scramble to the cairned summit. You’ll then take a rest on top to enjoy the views which, in clear weather, extend to Eritrea. A 3 hour descent takes you back to the campsite in Ambiquo. Walk distance approx 23km, 1600m ascent, 1600m descent, 10-11 hours walking- AccommodationsCamping for a second night at AmbiquoFood And DrinksBreakfastLunchDinner
Return to Chenek
Simien Mountains National Park
11 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedToday you’ll return to Chenek, back through the village of Chiro Leba. The camp site at Chenek is at the end of the Gondar-Sanakaber road and here you’ll say goodbye to the muleteers and most of the trek crew. This is another tough day with a considerable amount of ascent and descent (over 1500m). You will overnight at the campsite at Chenek, where you have one last chance to see lammergeier, gelada baboon and walia ibex. Walk distance approx 16.5km, 1600m ascent, 1000m descent, 8 hours walking- AccommodationsCamping overnight at ChenekFood And DrinksBreakfastLunchDinner
Drive to Bahir Dar
Simien Mountains National Park
3 minsAdmission Ticket IncludedFrom Chenek it is a scenic drive out of the Simien Mountains back to Bahir Dar, via Gondar.Bahir Dar
6 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeFrom Chenek it is a scenic drive out of the Simien Mountains back to Bahir Dar, via Gondar.- AccommodationsOvernight at a hotel in Bahir DarFood And DrinksBreakfast - Breakfast at campLunch - You'll stop for lunch somewhere along the route back to Bahir DarDinner - Dinner at the hotel in Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar to Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
6 hoursAdmission Ticket FreeThe final day completes the journey back to Addis Ababa.Yod Abyssinia Traditional Restaurant
2 hoursAdmission Ticket IncludedThe tour ends with dinner at a cultural restaurant in Addis Ababa, where you can sample local dishes and watch energetic traditional dances from across the country.- Food And DrinksBreakfast - Breakfast at the hotel in Bahir DarLunch - You'll stop for lunch at a café or restaurant along the wayDinner - Dinner at a cultural restaurant where you can sample local dishes and watch energetic traditional dances
What's included
INCLUDED
Full trek crew including cooks, scouts, muleteers and mules (for baggage transport)
Baggage transport (by mule) for the duration of the trek
Private transportation
Lunch (12)
Camping equipment: tents and mattresses are provided but please bring your own sleeping bag
Dinner (12)
Breakfast (11)
NOT INCLUDED
Sleeping bag: tents and mattresses are provided but please bring your own sleeping bag
Gratuities
Alcoholic drinks (water and soft drinks with meals are included)
Customer reviews
Additional information
Must Know
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Good To Know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Location
Address
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Provider
Venture Ethiopia
From
INR 5,81,305
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