7 Days Trekking on Simien Mountains National Parks

List of Itineraries from Hiking and Trekking Tours

Hiking & Trekking Itineraries

7 Days Trekking on Simien Mountains National Parks

Title: Trekking In Simien Mountain National Park

Transportation: Drive And Flight

Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights

Accommodation: Camping

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Day 1: Arrival And Domestic Flight To Gondar And Proceed Driving To Sankaber

Upon arrival in Addis, you will be directly connected to your domestic flight to Gondar. Depart Gondar, and drive to Sankaber via Debark where the park’s entrance fee is paid, and obligatory staff are met. You will be dropped off at Buyit Ras for a 3-4 hours hike to Sankaber by which you will pass close to the escarpment edge. Nearing Sankaber, you will have beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge and where you will likely see the endemic Gelada baboons.

THINGS TO DO

Wildlife

Bird Watching

Hiking

Overnight Camping in Sankaber.

Day 2: Trek from Sankaber (3,250m) to Gich (3,600m): 5 – 6 hours

The trek starts with a gentle stroll through the Erica heather that hangs on white lichen and mosses, resembling an old man’s white beard. Along the route keep an eye open to spot the elusive and elegant klipspringer. After 2-3 hours, you will reach the viewpoint where you encounter the seasonal and impressive Jinibar waterfall. From there, you climb fairly steeply for an hour to reach the Jinbar valley and head down to the Jinbar River at 3,190m. Have a picnic lunch in these majestic surroundings. On the way, keep an eye open for the rare and graceful lammergeyer, soaring in search of food. After a brief rest at the river ascend gradually on an undulating trail for 2-3 hours to the village of Gich – dotted by the traditional round thatched huts and home to the Muslim community. After the village, the trail then winds its way into the moorland where visitors will experience the highland flora of giant lobelia as you arrive at Gich camp.

THINGS TO DO

Waterfall

Bird Watching

Hiking

Overnight camping in Gich.

Day 3: Imeg Gogo and the two peaks circuit: 4 – 5 hours

One of the most scenic and spectacular trails in the park, this route takes you to a viewpoint that rewards you with views of the remarkable shape of the landscape and canyon which are the result of geological upheaval between 60 – 70 million years ago. The first part of the hike is a gentle uphill walk of around 2 hours from Gich to the imetgogo viewpoint (3,926m). With some good luck, you may spot the iconic Ethiopian wolf. While sitting amongst the rocks at Imeg Gogo, you can see Ras Dejen in the distance.

Another hour’s walk through the Afroalpine meadow takes you to the Lobelia Valley, which is home to thousands of these giant plants. The trail then brings you to the second viewpoint: Saha (3,785m) with stunning views of the dramatic gorge and rock towers. This is ideal spot for lunch. After lunch and before the final ascent towards the camp, another 1 hour trek brings you to the final viewpoint of the day called kedadit(3,760m). After that, a 45-minute downhill stroll brings to the Gich campsite.

THINGS TO DO

Mount Imet Gogo

Common Wild mammals

Hiking

Overnight camping in Gic.

Day 4: Trek from Gich to Chennek (3,600m): 7- 8 hours

The trek begins by ascending gradually for about 2 hours through the Afroalpine meadows. Next, you descend to where you’ll have impressive views of the gorge below Imet Gogo. The trail then winds its way to the lowest point and begins ascending to the peak Inateye (which means beloved mother in Amharic). You ascend fairly steeply at first for an hour and then more gradually for another hour to the highest point of the day at Inateye (4,070m). This area is an outstanding place to view birds, particularly raptors. Many interesting species can be seen here, among which are the tawny eagle, lammergeyer and augur buzzard. Here you have a rewarding view of the Imet Gogo summit, Bwhait pass and the surrounding escarpment and mountains. After a brief rest and lunch in this majestic spot, begin your 2-3 hour descent to the camp. About 10-20 minutes before reaching camp stop at Kurbetemetaya to get the final and excellent view of the day’s trek and look for the first sighting of the cliff specialist walia ibex. Also keep your eyes peeled for geladas. Animals at this campsite have become accustomed to humans – please keep a distance and do not feed any of the animals. Late afternoon, drive back to Debark for overnight.

THINGS TO DO

The endemic Walia Ibex

Common and endemic Bird Species

Overnight stay at Camp, Chennek.

Day 5: Chennek-Buwahit

Climb the second highest peak in the Simien mountains Buwahit (4430m) rewarding with one of the endemic wild animals in Ethiopia particularly in the Simien mountains called Walia Ibex (a goat family), in addition to the scenic views of surroundings including the chance to see the highest mountain peak in Ethiopia Ras-Dejen (4543m) and back down to chenek camp where the night is spent.

THINGS TO DO

Wildlife and scenery

Overnight stay at Camp, Chennek.

Day 6: Drive Back To Gondar

After lunch, we will visit Gondar, the first capital city with the reign of Fasilides. In Gonder, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more of European than African origin. In the afternoon, we visit Fasiladas’ Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one! We continue going to the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs, and paintings. Debre Berhan Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632.

THINGS TO DO

Royal Enclosure of Gondar

Debre Birhan Selassie Church

Overnight stay at Goha Hotel or similar, Gondar.

Day 7: Return Flight To Addis Ababa.

Based on your arrival time and interest, we will arrange a guided shopping trip in Addis Ababa. Then the tour ends with a drop off at Bole International Airport.

Hiking & Trekking Itineraries

7 Days Trekking on Simien Mountains National Parks

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