The Simien Mountains present the most dramatic mountain scenery in Africa. Great volcanic plugs, formed some 40 million years ago and eroded over the aeons into fantastic crags, pinnacles, and flat-topped mountains — "the chess pieces of the Gods" as one writer has described them — tower over precipitous gorges, river valleys, and plains stretching all the way to Eritrea. There are many peaks over 4000 meters.

This trek passes through landscapes covered by deep gorges, jagged plugs, and striking rock towers. Enroute, we climb some of Africa's highest peaks: Ras Dashen (4620m), Buyit Ras (3250m), and Bwahit (4430m). This park is a haven to many endemic species of wildlife and flora, including the Gelada Baboon, Walia Ibex, and many bird species. The park has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

You can book this tour on any date as an individual journey. This tour requires a minimum of four people.

Trip Highlights

• Be amazed by the stunning landscape of the "Roof of Africa". 
• Mingle with the endemic Gelada Baboon.
• Discover the fairytale castles of Gondar. 
• Visit the vibrant city of Addis Ababa. 
• Try varied Ethiopian food.
• Attend an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Accommodation

Grand Holidays Ethiopia Tours provides you with excellent camping equipment. Just bring a good sleeping bag. Please be aware that you are at high altitude and nights can be very cold! In Gondar you will stay in Hotel Goha.

Tour Guide

This tour will be led by our experienced, A-rated, friendly cultural tour and hiking guides who have led many tours in Ethiopia and who know the history, culture, nature, and wildlife well.

Our Drivers

Our drivers are well trained and well travelled in the area. They know all the terrain and valleys you will be traveling in. They always make sure you are comfortable and safe and have been rated excellent by many travelers who have been on the road with them for long periods of time.

Transportation

On this tour, you will travel in a modern 4x4 or minibus. All our vehicles have air conditioning and seat belts.

Note: On this trip, there will be a domestic flight to and from Addis Ababa to Gondar. The domestic flight has to be arranged separately.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your guide and driven about 10 minutes to your hotel. You will take a city tour in the afternoon to see the National Museum, which houses Lucy; Ethnographic Museum; and Mercato, the largest open air market in Africa.

Overnight: Jupiter Hotel (4*) 

Day 2: Addis Ababa, Sankaber (B, L, D)

Fly from Addis Ababa to Gondar and drive 136 km north to Sankaber (3,200 meters) via Debark, the headquarters of the Simien Mountains National Park. Around Sankaber, you will take a short walk to visit the incredible Simien Mountains and some of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia.

Overnight: Camping at Sankaber

Day 3: Sankaber, Geech (B, L, D)

Trekking time: 5–6 hours
Activities: Trek from Sankaber to Geech (3,550 meters) visiting Jinbar Falls with stops to visit other views of the Simien Mountains.

Overnight: Camping

Day 4: Geech, Imetgogo, Geech (B, L, D)

Trekking time: ~ 6 hours
Activities: An excursion to Imetgogo (3,986 meters) to have one of the best views of in the Simien Mountains National Park.

Overnight: Camping at Geech

Day 5: Geech, Chenek (B, L, D)

Trekking time: ~ 7 hours
Activities: Trek from Geech to Chenek (3,600 meters). Today you will have a chance to visit the other animal endemic to not only to Ethiopia but also to the Simien Mountains — the Walia Ibex.

Overnight: Camping at Chenek 

Day 6: Chenek, Ambiqo (B, L, D)

Trekking time: 6–8 hours
Activities: Trek from Chenek to Ambiqo climbing Buhit Mountain, the second-highest peak, next to Ras Dashen, in the Simien Mountains.

Overnight: Camping at Ambiko

Day 7: Ambiqo, Ras Dashen, Ambiqo  (B, L, D)

Trekking time: 7–9 hours
Activities: Trek from Ambiqo to climb Ras Dashen (4,620 meters), the highest peak in Ethiopia, and return to Ambiqo.

Overnight: Camping at Ambiko

Day 8: Ambiqo, Cheneck (B, L, D)

Trekking time: 6–8 hrs
Activities: Trek back to Cheneck. Enroute you may see the Simien Fox and/or the Ethiopian Wolf.

Overnight: Camping at Cheneck 

Day 9: Chenek, Gondar (B,L,D)

Driving time: 5 hours
Activities: Drive back to Gondar, and do a sightseeing tour of Gondar.

Overnight: Goha Hotel (3* Hotel) 

Day 10: Gondar, Addis Ababa (B, D)

After breakfast, transfer to Gondar airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. The rest of the day you will have a city tour of Addis Ababa, if not taken on the day of arrival.

In the evening, there will be a Grand Holidays Ethiopia Tours complimentary farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet. There will also be a cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country — the perfect end to your trip!

At the end of the farwell dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight back. End of tour.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Rates on request

Group size: 4–8

Included

• Roundtrip as per program
• Transport in modern 4x4 or minibus with AC
• All necessary transfers
• Two nights accommodation in good hotels (4-star hotel in Addis Ababa) in double rooms
• Seven nights camping 
• All meals as stated in the program
• All entrance fees and park fees
• English-speaking, qualified national tour and trekking guide
• Cook during hiking
• Local scout during hiking
• Farewell dinner (flight schedule permitting)
• Taxes

Not Included

• Visa fees
• Tips
• Meals not stated in the program
• All expenses of a personal nature (drinks, laundry, phone calls, etc.)
• Domestic flights

Tour Duration

The tour duration shown above begins and ends in Addis Ababa. Flights to and from Addis Ababa may increase the duration.

For more information, call: +0251-116-183163 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.