Trekking in the Simien, Lalibela, and Tigray

List of Itineraries from Hiking and Trekking Tours

Hiking & Trekking Itineraries

Trekking in the Simien, Lalibela, and Tigray

Title: Trekking In Simien Mountain National Park

Transportation: Drive And Flight

Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights

Accommodation: Camping

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Day 1: Fly Gondar, drive to Chennek and Trek to Ambiko (3,600m): 8- 9 hours

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 Bwhait pass (4,200m). This is the second highest point in the park and offers magnificent views of Bwhait peak, Berochwuha, Silki and Lori village below.

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 aloe plant to the Mesha river where Euphorbia candelabrum, a giant succulent tree, grows. From the river it takes about 1.5 hours of ascent to reach the Ambiko campsite.

Overnight stay at Camp, Ambiko.

Day 2: Trek to the Ras Dejen Peak (4,553m) and continue to Mentaber (3,550m): 10 – 12 hours

At 4,553m, Mount Ras Dejen is Africa’s fourth highest and Ethiopia’s highest mountain. The trek to the summit is 10- 12 hours of challenging trekking (6-7 hour ascent, 4-5 hour descent) but enormously rewarding. The ascent and descent is 1,300m.

The day begins before sunrise to give you ample time for trekking. The first 2-3 hours follow a rocky trail. The trail then starts to ascend more steeply and continues for another hour. From here to the summit it will take about 2 hours trekking through Afroalpine meadows. The trail winds its way into the moorland where everlasting flowers and helichrysum become dominant. The trail to the summit is obvious and easy until you make that final scramble and find yourself on the roof of Africa. Eventually, you’ll descend 4-5 hours to the Mentaber campsite.

Overnight stay at Camp, Mentaber.

Day 3: Trek from Mentaber to Arekwazeye (3,600m): 7 hours

This trail is endowed with several famous mountain peaks, namely Kidus yared, Walia Kend, Silki and Berochwuha. This trail also exposes you to the beautiful mountain scenery. The trail begins walking across the hillside for about 3-4 hours as you ascend to the next pass at 3,580m. From there you descend about 2 hours on a trail that brings you to the village of Arekwazeye. The campsite is situated in a pleasant spot on the foothill of Mt. Beorch Whuha.

Overnight stay at Camp, Arekwazeye.

Day 4: Trek to Sona (3,020m), proceed to Mekarebya(1900m): 9-10 hours

Begin your day with an hour’s walk uphill towards Mt. Beorch Whuha peak (4,272m). This beautiful peak rewards you with a glimpse of the stunning views of the rocky peaks of Imeg Gogo. Leaving the summit behind, you’ll join the main trail for a flat or downhill stroll. You’ll pass through small villages, Sona primary school and have activities with the local people. Here, we may do community work; we may either furnish the homes of the eldery or do some renovation works at the very basic Sona Primary School. Then, until you reach the Sona campsite located on the riverside. Take a little break and proceed to Mekarebya with a downhill walk to the Ansiya River (one of the tributaries of the Tekeze River that drains towards Sudan, and joins the Atbarah River.) Located at 1,975m, the river is surrounded by big fig trees. The descent is approximately 1,000m and takes 3 – 4 hours. After you reach the river, you continue on flat ground for 2 – 3 hours. The trail offers splendid views of the riverine forest. The trail then winds its way into the lowland where visitors will experience the enormous, lowland flora that is now rare in Ethiopia. The dominant tree on this route is Cordia africana, known for providing excellent shade for growing coffee, but also for its beauty. In the western part of the country logs from this tree are used to make beehives and barrels for keeping tej (local honey wine). This route is also known for an abundance of birdlife such as the African paradise flycatcher, pin-tailed whydah, red and hemirpch hornbill. Leaving behind the scattered tree zone you’ll arrive in the small village of Mekarebya.
Overnight stay at Camp, Mekarebya.

Day 5: Trek from Mekarebya to Mulit (2,050m): 5 – 6 hours

Begin the day’s walk by descending 1 hour to the river and continue on an undulating trail along the riverbed for 2 hours. From the lowest point of the day at 1,620m, begin a steep ascent for 2 hours on a rocky trail to Hawaza (table mountain in Amharic). Along this route is an impressive array of rock towers. From Hawaza continue on a flat path for 1- 2 hours to reach the very vibrant village of Mulit.

Overnight stay at Camp, Mulit.

Day 6: Trek from Mulit to Adi Arkay (1,665m): 2 hours, Then to Gondr

The shortest trek on the entire trip, takes you for 2 hours of a gentle stroll downhill to Adiarkay. The scenery and the valley of the lowland villages are attractive. Here, you will meet the vehicle and proceed driving to Gondar, via Debark to Gondar (approx 6 hours driving).

Overnight stay at Goha Hotel or similar, Gondar.

Day 7: Fly to Lalibela and Exploring Rock Hewn churches

The Rock-Hewn Ethiopian orthodox Christian churches of Lalibela, are one of the eighth wonders of the world. It’s a collection of churches, some connected by fascinating internal channels, with hermit holes where people lived and died. The connecting walls are full of religious symbols. The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century. Some are beautifully painted inside. Visit the first and the third group of churches, they include seven rock churches. After lunch visit the second group of four rock churches. After dinner, you will visit cultural houses and be entertained with Ethiopian traditional music and you can taste Ethiopian honey vine.

SIGHTSEEING

- Bet Medhane Alem(House of the world savior)-The largest monolithic church on the earth

Bet Giyorgis(House of St. george)-Known for its unique architecture.

Nine More rock hewn churches

Overnight at Panoramic View Hotel or Similar, Lalibela.

Day 8: Excursion to Genete Mariam and Community work

The morning a few miles drive will take you to a nearby church called Genete Mariam. This church is one of the most interesting outlying churches, a large monolith carved into a pink-tinged outcrop near the source of the Tekeze River. Supported by pillars, the church is very different from any of the excavation in Lalibela that it is not hidden within a trench, but carved openly on a rocky hilltop – though the cover of scaffolding rather detracts from the impact of seeing from afar according to tradition Genata Mariam was excavated during the reign of Yekuno Amlak, the king who ‘restored’ the Solomonic line in the early 13th century.

Genete Mariam is an ideal small village for doing some community work. We can Join one of community service projects, school renovation. Furnishing the homes of the elderly is also an ideal community work in the area. In the village, you will have the chance to see how injera(ethipian pnc cake ) is baked, local beer is brewed, and typical family coffee celebration.

SIGHTSEEING

Genete Maryam Church

Community work

Overnight at Panoramic View Hotel or Similar, Lalibela.

Day 9: Lalibela-Hudad-Mekina Medhane Alem

Early morning, start walking from Lalibela town to make use of the cooler morning hours during the 2,5 to 3,5 hour walk up to the plateau where the Hudad Lodge is situated. Once you reach Hudad you are going to be rewarded with splendid views of the landscape. After a relaxed lunch, proceed to Mekina Medhane Alem, which is a built up cave church; the decorated interior displays geometric patterns and many old paintings. The church was built in the 6th century. Although an example of Axumite wood and stone construction, the church exhibits a unique modification: polished wall sections of leveled-off rubble between layers of dressed blocks of reddish tuff. You can admire the portrayals of saints as well as the sun and the moon symbols above the main entrance.

SIGHTSEEING

Trek

Overnight at community Lodge, Mekina.

Day 10: Mekina Medhane Alem-Lalibela-Addis Ababa

Morning, drive back to Lalibela and transfer to Lalibela Airport to take the Midday flight to Addis Ababa. Based on your interests and international departure times, we can arrange you a quick tour and shopping session in the capital. The tour ends with a drop off at Bole International Airport for your flight.

Hiking & Trekking Itineraries

Trekking in the Simien, Lalibela, and Tigray

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