Ethiopia Simien Mountains and Beyond
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Overview
Highlights
- Trek the spectacular Simien Mountain escarpments
- Spot unique wildlife such as the Walia Ibex and Gelada Baboon
- Soak up the views from the summit of Ras Dashen (4533m)
- Discover the medieval castles in the Royal Enclosure in Gondar
- Marvel at the monolithic rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
- Cruise to the island monastery Ura Kidane Mehret on Lake Tana and Blue Nile Falls
- Explore the capital, Addis Ababa
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Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners
- 1 night in 3 star hotel in Addis and 6 nights in best available hotels elsewhere on a twinshare basis
- 7 nights fully supported camping on a twinshare tent basis
- group camping equipment including tent, mattress and pillow (sleeping bag not included)
- local guides for each section
- western escort to assist local guides
- cook, camp assistants, mules and muleteers on trek
- boat trip on Lake Tana
- site entrance and national park fees
- private road transport
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Itinerary
On arrival in Addis Ababa please make your own way to the group hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is free to explore the city's many wide tree-lined streets. Throughout the city there are shops that sell typical artisan wares, materials ...
After breakfast, there will be an arrival briefing with your guide (around 8.00am - 8.30am). Then we have a full-day city tour, which departs at 9:00am from the hotel. We take time to explore the city and lunch out is included. We will visit the National Museum (home...
This morning we take a flight to Lalibela, located at an altitude of 2,600m above sea level. (Please note: flight at own expense - schedule is subject to change and availability). The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century and are car...
Today we drive to Bahir Dar (approx. 6-7 hours). Along the way we will be making a couple of stops to stretch your legs, including around Nifas Mewcha and at Awra Amba village. Today the Awra Amba community, and its members, is lauded as a model to alleviate poverty and promote gender equality. Overnight hotel.
meals : B,L,D
Today we take a boat trip on Lake Tana - Ethiopia's largest lake, covering 3673 square kms and the source of the famous Blue Nile River. Many of the small islands scattered across this lake shelter monastic churches, some founded as early as the 14th Century. The wa...
Another early start for the 185 km drive (approx 3.5 - 4 hours) to Gondar, the capital of Ethiopia in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Gondar is still one of Ethiopia's most impressive cities, with its walled Royal Palace Enclosure (listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage m...
This morning we drive from Gondar to Debark (approx 2.5 hrs, 100 kms), where the Simien Mountains National Park headquarters are located. We will meet our trek leader this morning. After picking up the rest of our trekking crew, our national park scouts, food supplie...
This morning our crew will pack up camp and arrange the mules and muleteers who will accompany us on the rest of our trip. Our trek today takes us to Geech. We traverse along the escarpment before dropping down to get views of the spectacular Geech Abyss into which th...
From Geech we take a circuit walk with an optional ascent to the summit of Imet Gogo (3926m). This walk is a relatively easy one, geared to help the acclimatisation process while allowing us to enjoy some truly dramatic views. From Imet Gogo, the vast expanse of lowla...
Today we continue our trek through open grasslands and giant Lobelias, along the edge of the escarpment to Chenek. This is an interesting day's walk with a few steep ups and downs. We stop for lunch at Inatiye (4070m) where again we have some magnificent views of the ...
This morning we leave for Ambiko at the foot of Ras Dashen (or Ras Dejen). After a steady but steep ascent to Bwahit Pass (4200m), beneath Bwahit Peak (4430m) - the second highest mountain on our route, we rest and take in the incredible outlook of our campsite across...
Today's optional climb to the highest point in Ethiopia, the summit of Ras Dashen at 4533m, requires a pre-dawn start (3:00am). We climb slowly and steadily through farmland and giant lobelia forests for about 6-7 hours, before a steep scramble for 20 minutes to the s...
Today traverses farming country in the High Simiens as we trek through the upper catchments of the Meshehe River (boots off). It is a rewarding day of trekking with the opportunity to meet local people in the fields, on the trails and in the villages. There are some u...
After a final camp breakfast we ascend gently up to the village of Arkwasiye where we complete our trek. We will be transferred to Gondar (approx 190km, 3.5 - 4 hrs) with lunch on the way. We arrive in Gondar late in the late afternoon, where a shower offers reward for our recent efforts. Overnight hotel.
meals : B,L,D
This morning we board our flight from Gondar to Addis Ababa where the trip concludes on arrival. (Please note: flight at own expense - schedule is subject to change and availability). Extra nights in Gondar or Addis Ababa can be arranged at additional cost. Please ask your consultant at time of booking.
meals : B
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with World Expeditions.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
World Expeditions Reviews & Ratings
If you after a trip that has a lot of diversity, then this is the trip for you
In the Simien Mountains we watched the Geladas playing, eating grass and jumping into the Giant Lobelias in anger to protect their harem from other males trying to c...
I had wanted to visit the Simien mountains for a long time and would highly recommend this trip
There is a good balance between cultural activities (in Addis Ababa, Axum and Lalibella) and trekking. Do not under-estimate the trekking. It proved far more tiring ...
Ethiopia is truly unique, and I use that word sparingly - a multi-layered mix of achingly beautiful landscapes and ancient churches hewn from the rock, reminiscent of Biblical times
The culture, dance, music is different from anything you’ll experience in Africa, and yet it is Africa, with its vast skies and baboons and Ibex and Abyssinian wolf....
This was a challenging and rewarding trek
This was a challenging and rewarding trek. The grandeur and beauty of the landscape is almost overwhelming at times. We were lucky to sight not only numerous Gelada ...
This was a challenging and rewarding trek
The grandeur and beauty of the landscape is almost overwhelming at times. We were lucky to sight not only numerous Gelada baboons but also a family of Walia Ibex and...
Other World Expeditions Reviews
I had to leave the tour early because of illness
My tour guide, Tien, was wonderful. There was a tour participant from Australia who was a physician, and he acted like the tour medical director, demanding I leave...
An amazing experience that was made truly possible by booking through World Expeditions
. The team in Nepal went above and beyond to ensure our every requirement was met within their control.. The sherpas, guides, cook, and porters were exemplary, very ...
My wife and I had a wonderful trek in the Annapurna region
We are both 80 but fit and the route was designed to be less exacting than on our last visit to the same area. This allowed ample time to look at the flowering Rhodo...
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Taking the Paths Less Travelled Since 1975
Since its inception in 1975, World Expeditions has earned an outstanding reputation as an innovator and world leader in quality, small group adventure holidays. Responsible travel at our core, we always believed that it is not only where but also how you travel that truly creates an experience of a lifetime. Over the past decades World Expeditions has been operating authentic and innovative adventure holidays with a genuine focus on the paths less travelled. We are the pioneers in designing groundbreaking itineraries and many say our trips start where others end. As a leader in responsible travel, we offer big adventures with a small environmental footprint. While safety is core to how we operate, we’re also focused on the fun factor and suitably challenging you to reach that great sensation of personal achievement while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded travellers.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International flights
- Arrival and departure transfers in Addis Ababa on Days 1 & 15. NOTE - The Addis Ababa group hotel (Jupiter Hotel) offers a free airport to hotel shuttle service upon arrival or departure. This shuttle must be pre-booked prior to your arrival or departure – please refer to your reservations consultant for more details.
- Internal flights - Addis Ababa to Lalibela, Gondar to Addis Ababa.
- Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks (drinking water provided during trek only)
- Kit bag and sleeping bag
- Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
- Tips
- Visa
- Travel Insurance
Accommodation
- 15 day trip
- 8 day trek
- 7 nights hotel
- 7 nights camping
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