Siemen Mountains Trekking Route – 9 days

Northern Ethiopia is Known as the Historical Circuit, there are over two millennia’s worth of ancient treasures scattered about, from giant obelisks and hidden tombs at Aksum to a collection of castles in and around Gonder, to unique churches in Lalibela, Tigray, Lake Tana, and many other places. Not to be outdone by human mastery, Mother Nature really let her creative juices flow here. The Danakil Depression, an esteemed destination among adventure travelers, features a permanent lava lake and a bright-yellow sulphuric plain, while the Simien Mountains wrinkle the land with canyons and peaks with a beauty you’ll struggle to find anywhere else in Africa.

Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa at Bole International Airport and meet us for a transfer to the hotel. Overnight hotel.

Day 2: Meet the driver at Gonder airport and continue driving to the extraordinary and majestic Semien Mountain National Park. On this drive, you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region. After a steep ascent onto the escarpment, a straightforward drive takes you to the first campsite called Sankaber. O/n Camping at Sankaber camp site.

135 km to the first campsite, 1-hour flight to Gonder, and 3 hours driving to the national park. Moderate to physical type hiking. 30 minutes – 2 hrs. Walking shoes are needed.

Day 3: Trek to Geech; Following the edge of the escarpment, which narrows to form a ridge at Sankaber, we now have awesome views on both sides. Descend into the Koba River valley and up the other steep side to Michotis with its view of the large waterfall where the Jin Bahir River cascades into the Geech Abyss. Continue for another half hour before descending to the river in the Abyss and ascending steeply on the other side through Geech Village to Geech camp for an overnight A.M. Overnight Camping at Geech.5-7 hours Moderate to physical type hiking. 5-7hrs. walking shoes are needed

Day 4: We trek 6-7 h to Chenek through giant Lobelia trees, where a lot of wildlife can be seen. After a picnic lunch walk on the edge of the Enatye escarpment (4000m), which offers another breathtaking view. Finally, we descend to Chenek, the best place to see the endemic Walia Ibex and more Gelada Baboons. Overnight camping at Chenek (3600m). Moderate to physical type hiking 6-7hrs. Walking shoes are needed.

Day 5: We walk 7-8 h to Ambiquo climbing the Buhit (4430m) peak, the 2nd highest next to Ras Dashen. After refreshment at the summit, we descend towards Chero Laba and cross the Mesheha River. We spend the night in Ambiquo, before the big day on Ras Dashen. Camping at Ambiquo (3200m). Moderate to physical type hiking 7-8hrs. Walking shoes are needed.

Day 6: Pre-dawn start towards mount Ras Dashen (4543m), the most challenging day of the trek. We head up the valley to the small village of Mizma, from where we climb steeply upwards, eventually reaching an impressive amphitheater made up of three major buttresses of expanded rock. One of them is our goal, Ras Dashen. It is then an easy scramble to the summit of Ras Dashen, which is Africa’s fourth-highest peak. After taking in the impressive view descend back to Ambiquo for camping. The whole round trek takes about 8-10 hours. Walking shoes are needed.

 Day 7: You walk back to Chenek passing through the side of Boat Mountain. Overnight camping at Chenek campsite. (3600m) This day takes about 6-7 hours’ walk. Walking shoes are needed

Day 8: After breakfast drive back to Gonder. After lunch visit the Complex palace of Gonder, King Fasilida’s bath, The Debre Birhan Selassie church, which is famous for its age-old mural paintings, and the Fellasha ( Ethiopian Jews) village. Overnight hotel 160 km, 4 hours.

Day 9: Fly back to Addis Ababa. You have a half-day city tour. The evening after the dinner program in one of the traditional restaurant transfers to the airport for departure. End of the tour. Simple day. Sandal Shoes and Shorts are good.