Ethiopian treks, tours and holidays:
Simien Mountains National Park is one of the national parks of Ethiopia. Located in the Semien (North) Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region, its territory covers the Simien Mountains and includes Ras Dashan, the highest peak in Ethiopia. It was one of the first sites to be made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (1978) boasting rare populations of wallia ibex, a wild goat found nowhere else in the world, gelada baboon, and Ethiopian Wolf, alongside a rich and diverse flora. Over 180 species of birds inhabit in the park, including the impressive bearded vulture, or Lammergeier, with its 3m wingspan.
The Simien Mountains National park in Ethiopia is one of the best trekking destinations in the world. You can plan your holidays vacation to the Simien mountains trek at all days of the year.
When is the best season to trek in the Simien mountains.
Mid of June to Mid September is rainy. But it is not impossible to make trekking over there. From mid September, end of the rainy season, to late October the Simien Mountains are still green and flowering. Mid of October to the whole November the flowers will fall, and become fully grown and the local farmers harvesting time will follow till end of December.
Route Options:
There are a number of suggested routes to make trekking in the Simien Mountains. The most common ones that almost all trekkers follow are the routes along the edges and escarpments of the Simien Mountains National Park from Debark to Sankaber to Gitch/Geech (sightseeing Imet Gogo) to Chenek campsite or from Debark to Sankaber to Chenek campsite.
Trekking with Safari Ethiopia Tours in the Simien Mountains
Safari Ethiopia arranges private treks to the Simien Mountains either from Debark or from Addis Ababa and including other parts of Ethiopia. We usually recommend a 5 day trek in the Simien Mountains which gives an extra day at Gitch Camp to explore Imet Gogo for lifelong noticeable views, and an extra day at Chenek to head up Mount Bwahit (4443m ) ,the 2nd highest peak in the area for a sense of achievement before driving back to Gondar. However; once you are in Chenek and want to have trekking for longer you have a number of alternatives to pick including a multi-week trail all the way to, off the beaten track, in the direction to Lalibella which is a dramatic walk through hardly ever visited parts of Ethiopian territory till you reach the main road to the rock hewn churches of Lalibela.
Depending on your time then we have a recommendation for you to have an extended Simien trek that adds on 3 days of trekking from Chenek to the lowlands in the direction to Adi Arkay via Arquazye-Lamo-Mulit. Leaving all the other options for you, at last but not at least is that many trekkers are tempted by the allure of Ras Dejen/Ras Dashen (4620m), Ethiopia’s highest peak. This trail can be made in 3 days from Chenek campsite ( Chenek to Ambiquo first day; Ambiquo to Ras Dashen back Ambiquo 2nd day and finally Ambiquo to Chenek last day)
Tour code: SETS 043
Programs: Trekking to the Simien Mountains and explore the medieval castles in Gondar on the way.
Duration: 8 days /7nights
Transport: Flight: Addis Ababa to Gondar and fly back to Addis from Gondar last day.
Surface: Gondar to Debark and Chenek to Gondar at the end of your trekking in Simien mountains.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Monuments, Churches, Ethnological, and Archaeological Museums in Addis Ababa
- The Medieval Castles of Gondar
- Wildlife and spectacular scenery in the Simien Mountains:
Trip outline mainly to ‘the Roof of Africa’, Trek the Simien Mountains
Day 1. Arrive Addis Ababa
Day 2. Fly Gondar
Day 3. Simien Mountains: Drive to Debark .Then trip/trek formalities and arrangements. Drive a little further in the direction to Sankaber and get dropped to your first day trekking to Sankaber
Day 4. Simien Mountains:Trek to Geech
Day 5. Simien Mountains: Day-hike to the viewpoint at Imetgogo
Day 6.Simien Mountains: Walk along the ridges to Chenek
Day 7. Simien Mountains: Day-hike to Bwahit and back to Chenek
Day 8. Drive back to Gondar for your flight to Addis or extend your trip to the ancient town and the archaeological site, Aksum or to the rock hewn churches of Lalibela as your time allows.
For details and further inquiry for customize treks in the Simien mounains and extensions to the other parts of Ethiopia, please get in touch at safarisethiopia@gmail.com or info@safariethiopiatours.com