7-Day Semien Mountain National Park Trekking Latest itinerary

>> In the morning at about 06:30AM, we drop you to Bole International Airport for domestic flight to Gondar. The vehicle picks us up from Airport in Gondar and takes us 100 km north on the Ethiopian highland to Debark, a small town of about 35,000 inhabitants at the border to the famous Simien National Park.
After a quick stop for the formalities at the headquarter offices of the national park and for collecting cook and scouts we drive out on a rough road to the Sankaber area at about 3,100 m sea level from where we take a short walk of 2-3 hours to assist the acclimatization process.
We get a first impressive view over the dramatic mountain range and see some typical plants of that area such as big Heather Trees (erica arborea), St. John swort (hypericum revulutum) or the Abissinian Wild Rose (rosa abissinica). This is also the area, which the largest number of Gelada Baboons, (theorepticus gelada) can be find. First night in the tents at the Sankaber camp at 3,250m sea level.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Simien Mountains NP

>> After breakfast, we leave the camp at around 8:30 and we traverse along the Northern escarpment before dropping down to get impressive views, for example of the beautiful Jinbar Waterfall. In the large gorge of the waterfall, there are many huge circling birds, especially vultures such as the Griffon (Gyps fulvus), Lappet-faced or Nubian Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) and Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) and other smaller birds as buzzards and ibises. We hoping, we will also encounter the endemic Abissinian Catbird (Parophasma galinieri). Among the mammals, Klipspringers (oreothragus oreothragus) and Meneliks Bushbucks (Tragelaphus scriptus) can be observe between Sankaber and Geech.
After a short distance on the rough road, crossing the Jinbar River where we have the lunch break, we ascend through terraced farmland to our camp at 3,600m. In the evening we have the possibility to walk to the mountain Kedadit (3,760m) and to assist to an unforgettable sunset

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Simien Mountains NP

>> After breakfast, we walk for about 2 hours to the summit of Imet Gogo (3,926m), which is one of the most spectacular viewpoints with 360 degrees and from where we can see Ras Dashen, the highest peak of the country.
After a photo break, we trek along the whole escarpment, cross a small valley and climb the peak Inatye (4,070m) where we will take our lunch stop and have a rest. From there we will have a nice view more than 1,000m down to the green fields of the mountain villages Dihwara, Tiya, Amiwalka and Truwata. During the whole day, we walk through vast fields of Giant Lobelia and sometimes Heather Trees or Red Hot Poker.
After the break, we descend and reach our camp Chennek in the afternoon (3,620m). Chennek, sometimes we called wildlife corridor, is the best place to see the Gelada Baboons (theorepticus gelada), the Walia Ibex and the Ethiopian Wolf. These animals' best observe around Chennek camp. On campsite, we have the possibility to wash ourselves at the river or pipe water.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Simien Mountains NP

>> Your day begins at sunrise to give you enough time to explore the surrounding cliffs for good sightings of the Ethiopian endemic Walia ibex. Then begin the tough 3-hour ascent to the top of the Buhait pass (4,200m). This is the second highest point in the park and offers magnificent views of Buhait peak, Berochwuha, Silki and the Lori village below.
This route is one of the most popular routes leading to the summit of Ras Dejen. After 3 hours of hiking downhill from the pass, you will be at Chiro Leba, a small rural village where you can mingle with local people and discover their ways of life. Another hour's descent from the village takes you through mountain slopes and rocky hillsides covered by the endemic aloea plant to the Menesha River where Euphorbium candelabrum, a giant succulent tree, grows. From the river, it takes about 1.5 hours of ascent to reach the Ambiko campsite. We then branch away from the river to ascend to the camp at Ambiko.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Simien Mountains NP

>> Our climb of more than 1000 m to the peak of Ras Dashen begins with breakfast before dawn. We leave Ambiko by following the valley, passing the village of Misma (3500m) before reaching the crest of a ridge that gives excellent views of the sun rising over a larger valley below. We continue to follow the path eastwards in the direction of Ras Dashen's rocky west face. With the sun's rays beginning to reach over the peaks ahead of us, we follow a wide ridge to reach a curie surrounded by three imposing summits. Following a gulley to the left, we climb up to the highest of them, Ras Dashen, to enjoy views into the distance in all directions, with the rocky features of the range's east face highlighted by the morning sun. After allowing plenty of time to rest and appreciate this unique place, we return to Ambiko by the same route. We spend the afternoon recuperating over a large lunch and a well-earned rest.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Simien Mountains NP

>> We return to Chiro-Leba by re-tracing the path that we followed with the sun at our backs as we walk westwards. This trek provides an excellent opportunity to contrast the peak of Buwahit - ahead of us to the south-west for most of the walk - and the western escarpment of the National Park, with the Ras Dejen range that we walked towards on Day 4 then drive back to Gondar.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: Goha Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

>> In the morning, you will visit Gondar, you will have a domestic flight takes you back to Addis Ababa. Based on our arrival time and interest, you will have some artifact shopping.
Finally in the evening traditional farewell dinner in cultural restaurant with live traditional music and live stage dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for your departure to your next destination.

• Time: 8-10hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)