14 days Historic Ethiopia Tour and Simien Mountains Trek Best trekking in Ethiopia with visiting the historic attractions in Northern route Duration: 13 Nights/ 14 Days Transportation: Surface and flight Accommodation: hotels and camping |
Itinerary |
Day 1: Arrival in the city of Addis Ababa and City Tour program
Þ On arrival in Addis Ababa meet and greet, are assisted for a transfer to your hotel. Then preparation for a sightseeing of Addis Ababa that includes; the National Museum, famous for hosting the Humanoid fossil “LUCY”, Trinity cathedral and Mercato, the largest open air market in Africa and if the time allows drive some 11 kms to Entoto to visit Menilik II palace and Entoto museum. hotel |
Day 2: Morning flight Addis Ababa to Gondar – Proceed to Sankaber to start the Simien mountains trekking
Þ Our representative meets and picks you from Gondar airport and drives to Debark pay the necessary entrance fees, take scouts and security staffs and continue to Sankaber (3250 m) for overnight. camping |
Day 3: Trek Simien from Sankaber to Gich (3600 m)
Þ The first serious day of trekking starts from the beautiful situated campsite of Sankaber. Today’s trek covers a distance of approximately 10 km and takes us around 6 hours straight walking. Right from the beginning the trek follows the spectacular escarpment. We will encounter gelada baboons, foraging in big groups, at the fields. A stunning viewpoint at the Jinbar Falls is reached after clambering a few rocks. This waterfall plunges several hundred meter down the escarpment in the abyss. At the end of the day we pass through the welcoming village of Gich where the local people prepare a well deserved coffee for us. Our camp for the night is not far from the village. Þ (Gich is a good place to add an extra day, several day walks are available, including to the spectacular Imet Gogo). camping |
Day 4: Trek Simien from Gich to Chenek (3620 m)
Þ This is probably the most spectacular stage of the whole trekking, offering stunning views all the way. Today we walk for almost 8 hours to cover 12 km, including a short detour to Imet Gogo (3925 m). This summit offers the most exciting views. The majestically lammergeyer might soar the skies in front of us and the endemic thick billed raven will be present. On our way to Chennek we pass some other major peaks (Inataye reaching 4070 meter) and a deep valley. Chennek is abundant with the giant lobelia and the best place to spot the endemic and endangered walia ibex. Seldom have they walked into the camp. camping |
Day 5: Trek Simien mountains from Chennek to Ambiko (3200 m)
Þ Today is for sure the most challenging day. First we hike up the Bwahit Pass (4200 m) and later we will reach the bottom of the valley of the Mesheha River (2800 m) before we reach Ambiko. The 14 km we cover today will take at least 7 hours walking. Weather permitting we will be rewarded with at least the first glimpse of Ras Dashen (4533 m). Around Bwahit is an excellent area to find the Ethiopian wolf. Our chef will prepare another great meal with very limited means and like the other evenings we lit a campfire to keep us warm. But we will sleep early as we start tomorrow well before sunrise. camping |
Day 6: Simien Mountains Trekking in Ambiko
Þ The roof of Ethiopia is the goal for the day. Ras Dashen (4533 m) is roughly a mere 5 hours/ 8 km away, its all the way up to the top. The view from to top might not be as stunning as at other places in Simien (Imet Gogo) but you made it! Yes! Walking back to Ambiko takes about 3-5 hours. |
Day 7: Trek back Ambiko to Chenek
Þ With the reward you bagged the summit we are heading back into known area. There are several ways to do it. The easiest way is to walk about 4 hours to the village of Chiro Leba where a 4WD vehicle can pick you and drive you out to Debark. But you came to enjoy the Simien Mountains, right? Then this day we continue to Chennek and pitch our tents again in between the giant lobelias. Camping |
Day 8: Meet your vehicle and drive back Chenek to end hiking in Ethiopia – to the city of Gondar
Þ Drive from Chenek to Gonder as soon as you get ready to leave, it takes about five hours driving via Debark till Gondar. This is the end of the hiking program in the Simien Mountains; tomorrow you will continue your journey through fascinating Ethiopia. hotel |
Day 9: Tour in Gondar then drive to Bahirdar for overnight
AM is dedicated for sightseeing of Gonder; Þ The 16th century Royal enclosure famous for its 17th C castles, which is known as the “African Camelot”, Fasil bath where Timkat (Epiphany) festival colorfully celebrated and one of the old churches Debre Birhan Selassie. Þ Late afternoon you will drive over land to Bahirdar by minivan, which is some 180kms.On arrival in Bahirdar check in to the hotel for overnight. |
Day 10: Full day Tour in Bahir dar
Þ AM, Excursion to visit the Blue Nile Falls that takes you out of the city on a gravel road through the farmlands and small villages of the Amhara People. Þ Meet local people on their everyday activities especially in the mill house where mostly women gather to get their grains grinded. Retrace the same way back to your hotel for late lunch. Þ PM, you will have a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the Monasteries on the islands of Lake Tana. We visit the monastery churches of Ura Kidane Mihret that is the most famous monastery and has an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries. Ura Kidane Mihret, is well known for its wall paintings and small museum. Ura Kidane Mihret, are decorated from floor to ceiling with incredibly vivid images from Christian traditions.hotel |
Day 11: Fly from Bahirdar for a tour to Lalibela
Þ On arrival, our representative will meet you at Lalibela airport and a transferred to your hotel and preparation for excursion trip. Þ Drive some 30 kms from Lalibela to visit the two amazing rock hewn churches found on top of the mountain (Yemrehane Kirstose and Asheton Mariam). Þ Then back to Lalibela for overnight. Þ Evening you will attend traditional coffee ceremony with Ethiopian hospitality.hotel |
Day 12: Tour to Lalibela rock hewn churches – UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Þ Today you will have a time to visit the 11 monolithic rock hewn churches of Lalibela; rated as the eighth wonder of the world by many authors. hotel |
Day 13: Fly Lalibela to Tour the City of Ancient civilization, Axum
On arrival in Axum our representative will meet you, have a breakfast and preparation for city tour. Þ The archeological sites and the famous stele park (one obelisk that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) Þ St’ Mary of Tsion (Zion) Church the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Þ The Queen of Sheba is Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. Only Men has allowed entering the old church. hotel |
Day 14: Fly Axum to Addis Ababa to end the historic Ethiopia – Departure
Þ A.M transferred to Axum airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa and on arrival in Addis, you will have a lunch somewhere at the top view to enjoy the stunning view of the city. you will also be invited to taste Ethiopian coffee at one of the coffee shop (Tommoca) Þ The rest of the day dedicated for visiting the Ethnographic Museums and or free for shopping at Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa. Þ Moreover, in the evening you will be our guest for a farewell dinner in one of Ethiopian traditional restaurants with folkloric dance. In the Evening, get transferred to the airport for your Departure flight back to your home. |
….End of the grand historic tour arrangement …. |
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