A Journey Through The Simian Mountains

This Extensive Trek Explores In Depth One Of Africans Largest Mountain Ranges, Studded With At Least A Dozen Peaks Over The 4,000m Mark. These Include Ras Dejen The Highest Point In Ethiopia, And The 4th Highest Peak In Africa. The Area Was Designated A National Park In 1966, And The Entire Range A UNESCO World Heritage Site In 1978.

The Trek                 

Trek Through The Simien Mountains, Following An Extensive Network Of Trails. The Quality Of These Trails, Along With The Fantastic Scenery, Unique Flora, Diverse Wildlife And Rich Birdlife Make This A Rewarding And Challenging Trek. It Is A Paradise For Natural History Enthusiasts As Well As For Trekkers.

Itinerary Which Includes The Highest Peak Ras-Dejen

Day 1: Gondar-Chennek (3600), 3-4 Hrs,

We Drive Along A Good Gravel Road From Gondar To The Park Headquarters In Debark. The 100 Km Journey Will Take Around Three Hours. At The Headquarters We Will Arrange Our Permits To The Park And Pick Up Our Scout. After That We Will Drive Farther For About Another One Hour To The Place Called Aynameda Before We Start Our First Day Introductory Walk. From Here We Will Walk To One Of The Highest Mountains Called Inatye (4070 M) Through The Endless Giant Lobelia Plant Which Is One Of The Afro Alpine Plants. Having Finished Taking Pictures And Appreciating The Beauty Of The Surroundings We Descend To Chennek For About Two Hours Along A Steep Trail. From Chennek Camp There Are Spectacular Views In All Directions. Sit Down On A Bench At The Escarpment And Try To Spot Walia Ibex In Late Afternoon Or Early Morning. Sometimes Walia Ibex Visit The Edges Of The Camp Site.  

Day 2: Chenek-Ambiko (3240 M), 7-8 Hours

After An Early Morning Start We Climb Through A Valley North Of Buwahit Peak (4430 M), Which Overlooks Chennek Camp. After Crossing Buwahit Pass (4200 M), The Vast Valley Of The Mesheha River Opens Up And It Is Possible To View Ras Dejen (4543 M) From Here: The Highest Point In A Wall Of Cliffs And Peaks On The Other Side Of The Valley. But First We Will Have A Long And Steep Descend To The Village Of Chiro-Leba (3300 M). Alternatively, You Can Descend Along The Road, Which Is A Longer Route, But Easier On The Knees And With More Opportunities To See Local Farm Life. After Lunch In Chiro-Leba, We Descend Even More To Cross The Mesheha River (2800 M). The Path Goes Steeply Up Again Through An Arid Landscape Filled With Cactuses For A Little Over One Hour Before We Reach The Village Of Ambiko.

Day 3: Ambiko-Ras Dejen-Ambiko, 9-10 Hrs

Today’s Target Is Ras Dejen, The Highest Mountain In Ethiopia At 4543 M, The Fourth Highest Mountain On The African Continent. To Do It Successfully, We Get Up At 4.30 Am, Have Breakfast And Leave An Hour Before Sunrise. Bring Some Indispensable Objects As Gloves, A Warm Fleece And A Torch. Walking Sticks Are Advisable. To Get To The Top It Takes About 4-6 Hours. Most Of The First 3 Hours Of The Walk Is Along A Gravel Road (No Traffic, However!) Which Climbs Higher And Higher Through A Majestic Valley. At The Head Of The Valley, We Leave The Road To The Left, Climb Around A Mountain Head, Before Reaching A Semi-Circular Corrie, Surrounded By Three Major Buttresses With Steep Sides Of Exposed Rock. Don’t Be Fooled Right Now Which Is The Highest Point. Contrary To What Your Feeling Will Tell You, The Buttress On The Left Is Ras Dejen! The Hike Up This Mountain Is Not Difficult, Except May Be The Last Part, Which Includes Some Scrambling. You Will Have The Historical Lunch On The Top Of The Highest Pick In The Entire Country And Having Finished The Lunch And Concentrating The Majestic Views Around Back Dawn To The Camp Through The Same Way, But Easier And Takes Less In Time Just About 3-4 Hour. When You Arrive Back To The Camp You Will Get Warm Welcoming By The Crews In A Special Way, Just As A Mark Of Their Appreciation For Doing The Countries Highest Pick Successfully.

Day 4: Ambiko-Sona (3100m), 7-8 Hrs

From Ambiko The Path Leads Us Back Down To The Mesheha River (2800ms). Our Destination Tonight Is Sona, Which Is Situated At An Altitude Of 3100 Meters, And Located At The Northern Reach Of The Mesheha River. A Great Day To Take In Some More Incredible Views Of The Simien Mountains.

Day 5: Sona-Mekarebia (2200m), 6-7 Hrs

Walking To Mekarebia Passing Through Some Parts Of Sona Village With Gorgeous Slope Side Views In The Southern Direction Of The Path Along A Steep Downhill Walk For Three And Half Hours To A River Where We Can Have A Nice Swimming Which Is Neither Very Cold Nor Very Warm Called Insia. Having Finished Swimming, We Need To  Spend Some Hours So As To Share The Life Of Enjoyable Environment And If You Are Interested There Is Also Coffee Ceremony Prepared By The Local People Out Of Their Huts, Just Under The River Which Is Really Special, Beside To That We Can Wash Some Light Clothes That Became Dirt On The Trip. After Having A Pleasant Stay Under The River, Continue Walking To The Camp In The Late After-Noon For One And Half Hours Through Observing The Bushy Surroundings That Has Small Valleys And Attractive Depressions Accompanied By An Evening Shadow

And The Moderate Weather Which Is Totally Different From That Of The Highlands And Over Night At Established Camp.

Day 6: Mekarebia-Mulit (1800m), 6-7 Hrs

Heading To The Last Camp Mulit, What Is Special In This Day Is Crossing The Same River That We Had A Swim The Day Before For About 5-6 Times Which Is Really Interesting With Quite Lots Of Bird-Lives And Surrounded By A Tributary River Which Has A Big Natural Swimming Pool Called Derek-Wonz Where There Is Also A Possibility To Enjoy For A Few Hours Including Lunch Break. Then Keep On Going For One And Half Hours A Short Uphill Walk Before Reaching A Small Village Called Awasza And From This Point To The Camping Place The Path Leads To A Grassy Flat Land That Lies On The Left Bottom Side Of Awasza Mountain Having A Wide Plateau That Takes Less Than An Hour. Since It Is The Last Day Evening We Will Have A Special Ceremony With Our Crews As Farewell By Having Camping Fire That Accompanied By Shoulder Dancing (“ESKISTA”) Which Expresses Our Ethiopian Typical Culture.  

Day 7: Mulit-Gondar

On This Day There Will Be A Short Walk For About 2 Hours To The Small Town , Adiarkay, Which Is Located 80 Km Away From Debark To The Northern Direction Where The Jeep Is  Waiting To Pick Us. If We Find It Necessary We Can Have Tea And Coffee Before Starting The Long Journey. The Ultimate Drive Back To Gondar For About 6 Hrs Will Held Through Appreciating The Green, Up & Down Landscape Which Is Full Of Forests With Zigzag Roads That Makes The Frog Perspective View Attractive Including The Historical Limalimo Road 5km Away From Debark, Which Was Constructed By Italians During Their Invasion Of Ethiopia.  

Day 1: Gondar-Sankaber (3250 m), 3-4 hours

Early morning we drive along a good gravel road from Gondar to the park headquarters in Debark. The 100 km journey will take around three hours. At the headquarters we will arrange our permits to the park and pick up our scout. After that we will drive for another hour before we start our first day introductory walk. This first hike is an easy one along the northern edge of the escarpment with a nice view points over the foothills and plains of northern Ethiopia. You will encounter gelada baboon along this hike.

Day 2: Sankaber-Gich (3600 m), 5-6 hours

We follow the northern escarpment eastward, before we descend a little into the Kaba Valley. After that we climb up before we reach Gich Abyss over a narrow ridge to a cliff where we have a spectacular view of the abyss towards the Simien foothills. We also find a large waterfall here, where the Jinbar River plunges 500 m into the abyss. We proceed for about two hours and have lunch at the Jinbar River. After lunch we walk through fields of barley before we arrive at the idyllic village of Gich. Here we can enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony in one of the huts and learn more about local farm life. From Gich village it is a short walk to Gich camp which is a good area to look for lammergeyer and thick billed raven.

Day 3: Gich (3600 m), 5-6 hours

This day we will walk to three of the most spectacular view points in the Simien Mountains. From Gich camp we stroll through endless fields of Giant Lobelia before we reach the towering cliffs of Imet-Gogo (3926 m). Here we will spend some time to absorb the superb views over the mountain valleys below and strange shaped domes in the distance, which we will see from up close at the end of the trip. After that we will continue to Seha, another view point amidst deep gorges, before returning to Gich camp where we will have lunch. After a relaxing afternoon, we will take a short hike up to Kedadit to enjoy sunset. We return to Gich camp, where we sleep for the second night for the sake of acclimatization and gorgeous surrounding views.

Day: 4 Gich-Chennek (3600m), 7-8 hrs

From Gich camp we initially start off through the same fields of Giant Lobelia as yesterday, but soon we descend into the Jinbahir River Valley. In this way we get a very different perspective of Imet-Gogo and the volcanic landscape, where it looks like big chunks of mountains have been blown away. The trail follows the edge of the escarpment, which is completely vertical here for several hundred meters. We climb to a summit of 4070 m where we will have lunch. After lunch we descend to Chennek for about two hours along a steep trail. From Chennek camp there are spectacular views in all directions. Sit down on a bench at the escarpment and try to spot Walia Ibex in late afternoon or early morning. Sometimes Walia Ibex visit the edges of the camp site.  

Day 5: Chenek-Ambiko (3240 m), 7-8 hours

After an early morning start we climb through a valley north of Buwahit Peak (4430 m), which overlooks Chennek camp. After crossing Buwahit Pass (4200 m), the vast valley of the Mesheha River opens up and it is possible to view Ras Dejen (4543 m) from here: the highest point in a wall of cliffs and peaks on the other side of the valley. But first we will have a long and steep descend to the village of Chiro-Leba (3300 m). Alternatively, you can descend along the road, which is a longer route, but easier on the knees and with more opportunities to see local farm life. After lunch in Chiro-Leba, we descend even more to cross the Mesheha River (2800 m). The path goes steeply up again through an arid landscape filled with cactuses for a little over one hour before we reach the village of Ambiko.

Day 6: Ambiko-Ras Dejen and back to Ambiko 9-10 hrs

Today’s target is Ras Dejen, the highest mountain in Ethiopia at 4543 m, the fourth highest mountain on the African continent. To do it successfully, we get up at 4.30 am, have breakfast and leave an hour before sunrise. Bring some indispensable objects as gloves, a warm fleece and a torch. Walking sticks are advisable. To get to the top it takes about 4-6 hours. Most of the first 3 hours of the walk is along a gravel road (no traffic, however!) which climbs higher and higher through a majestic valley. At the head of the valley, we leave the road to the left, climb around a mountain head, before reaching a semi-circular corrie, surrounded by three major buttresses with steep sides of exposed rock. Don’t be

fooled right now which is the highest point. Contrary to what your feeling will tell you, the buttress on the left is Ras Dejen! The hike up this mountain is not difficult, except may be the last part, which includes some scrambling. You will have the historical lunch on the top of the highest pick in the entire country and having finished the lunch and concentrating the majestic views around back dawn to the camp through the same way, but easier and takes less in time just about 3-4 hour. When you arrive back to the camp you will get warm welcoming by the crews in a special way, just as a mark of their appreciation for doing the countries highest pick successfully.

Day 7: Ambiko-Chennek, 7-8 hours

This is the last day of the trek which the path will leads you back through the same way that you will have on the 5th day, however the walk will be more ascending by the vice

versa. But it is an easy walk by doing zigzag and still interesting looking views from different perspective, then there will be a car waiting at Chennek and drive you back to Gondar for about 5 hrs.

Services to be provided

♦ Transportation in and out

♦ Food and Mineral water

♦ Cook (a person in charge of preparing fresh food every day)

♦ Guide (English speaking)

♦ Park ranger which is compulsory

♦ Park entrance fees

♦ Camping equipment such as Tent, Mattress and Sleeping bags, but it is highly recommended if you can bring your own sleeping bag for some reasons.

♦ Mule and muleteers for loading and unloading stuffs and luggage from one camp to another

Day 1: A Journey through the Simian Mountains

Gondar-Sankaber (3250 m), 3-4 hours

Early morning we drive from Gondar to the park headquarters in Debark. The 100 km journey will take around two hours. At the headquarters we will arrange our permits to the park and pick up our scout. After that we will drive for another hour before we start our first day introductory walk. This first hike is an easy one along the northern edge of the escarpment with a nice view points over the foothills and plains of northern Ethiopia. You will encounter gelada baboon along this hike.

Day 2: Sankaber-Gich (3600 m), 5-6 hours

We follow the northern escarpment eastward, before we descend a little into the Kaba Valley. After that we climb up before we reach Gich Abyss over a narrow ridge to a cliff where we have a spectacular view of the abyss towards the Simien foothills. We also find a large waterfall here, where the Jinbar River plunges 500 m into the abyss. We proceed for about two hours and have lunch at the Jinbar River. After lunch we walk through fields of barley before we arrive at the idyllic village of Gich. Here we can enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony in one of the huts and learn more about local farm life. From Gich village it is a short walk to Gich camp which is a good area to look for lammergeyer and thick billed raven.

Day 3: Gich (3600 m), 5-6 hours

This day we will walk to three of the most spectacular view points in the Simien Mountains. From Gich camp we stroll through endless fields of Giant Lobelia before we reach the towering cliffs of Imet-Gogo (3926 m). Here we will spend some time to absorb the superb views over the mountain valleys below and strange shaped domes in the distance, which we will see from up close at the end of the trip. After that we will continue to Seha, another view point amidst deep gorges, before returning to Gich camp where we will have lunch. After a relaxing afternoon, we will take a short hike up to Kedadit to enjoy sunset. We return to Gich camp, where we sleep for the second night for the sake of acclimatization and gorgeous surrounding views.

Day 4: Gich-Chennek (3600m), 7-8 hrs

From Gich camp we initially start off through the same fields of Giant Lobelia as yesterday, but soon we descend into the Jinbahir River Valley. In this way we get a very different perspective of Imet-Gogo and the volcanic landscape, where it looks like big chunks of mountains have been blown away. The trail follows the edge of the escarpment, which is completely vertical here for several hundred meters. We climb to a summit of 4070 m where we will have lunch. After lunch we descend to Chennek for about two hours along a steep trail. From Chennek camp there are spectacular views in all directions. Sit down on a bench at the escarpment and try to spot Walia Ibex in late afternoon or early morning. Sometimes Walia Ibex visit the edges of the camp site.  

Day 5: Chenek-Buwahit, 5-6 hrs

Climb the second highest peak in the Simien mountains Buwahit (4430m) rewarding with one of the endemic wild animals in Ethiopia particularly in the Simien mountains called Walia Ibex (a goat family), in addition to the scenic views of surroundings including the chance to see the highest mountain peak in Ethiopia Ras-Dejen (4543m) and back down to chenek camp where the car waiting us to pick and drive back to Debark for about 2 hrs.

Day 6: Debark-Axum

In This Day You Will Have A Long Drive To Axum With Public Bus (Transportation) Through A Gravel Road Which Is Under Construction At Present. The Bus Normally Starts From Gondar And Mostly No Chance To Get A Sit From Debark, So It Needs To Be Arranged One Day Earlier From Gondar By Some Else Who Can Reserve You The Sit And Take You The Bus Ticket To Debark. The Bus Ends Up In Shire, But You Can Take A Mini-Van To Axum On The Same Day.

Day 7: Axum

In This Day Explore The Oldest City In Ethiopia And Land Of The Queen Of Sheba’s Ancient Kingdom, Axum. Visit The Small But Interesting Museum, The Impressive Stelae Fields And Also The Grounds Of The 16th-Century Cathedral Of St. Mary Of Zion, Home Of The Original Ark Of The Covenant.

Day 8: Axum-Gerehalta/Hawzen/

It Is Not Recommendable To Use Public Transportation For The Tigrian Rock Hewn Churches Since The Churches Or Places To See Are Far From The Main Road, So You Need To Use Private Transportation In This Part.

On This Day The Visit From Axum Can Be Extended To Take In The 800 BC Pre-Axumite
Temple At Yeha, 55 Km East Of Axum, And A Little Further, The 7th Century
Monastery At DebreDamo Where The Only Access Is By Rope. After That Keep Driving To GerehaltaThrough Scenic Landscapes

Day 9: After breakfast, leave the highland Tigray region dominated by Christian culture and drive down to Herhale, the northern outskirt of the Danakil depression inhabited by the pastoralist Afar people here, the trekking arrangement with the local authority is organized. Then, continue to Ahmed Ela. Dinner and accommodation in Open Air.

Day 10: After breakfast excursion to Dallol, the lowest point in the Danakil depression (126 meter below the sea level) which boasts one of the most surreal natural landscapes in the world. The sulfurous hot springs that gush in spectrum of color and pave the area with orange colored cone-shaped layers of deposit. Check out the site from which hundreds of Afar painstakingly extract salt bars from the ground and carve to portable size to be shipped by camel caravans to Mekele, the distribution center to the hinterland of the country. Back to Ahmed Ela.Under Tente.

Day 11: After breakfast, drive south along Ert Ale range on rough track to the village of kusrewad, located at the base of Erta Ale Volcanic Mountain where the camel truck is to be organized with accompaniment of the pastoralist local Afar. The party will depart at the sunset because of the scorching heat and the total lack of shade. The trek may take anything between 3 to 4 hours one way. The Erta Ale crater rises 613m above sea level, its caldera measures 1 km2 at the top and is the only permanent lava lake in the world1 at night, the sight of the bizarre bursting lava is absolutely impressive. Night in open air. Early in the morning walk down to the base camp.

Day 12: Having breakfast at the camp, drive along a dusty rough track the village of Afdera near a salty lake in the same name, this emerald colored salt lake lies at 103m below sea level and

covers a total area of about 100km2. It is a major site for salt extraction in Ethiopia the principal supply of the country comes from. Dinner and accommodation under tent.

Day 13: drive from Afdera to Weldeya, it is a long day drive to this place

Day 14: drive to Lalibela, if you have time you will see some part of the rock hewn churchs. Night Hotel

Day 15,the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lalibela – the Jerusalem of Ethiopia, and Africa’s own ‘Petra’. In a fitting finale to your Ethiopian adventure, explore the monolithic red-hued churches incredibly carved into the rock. Your guide will lead you through the network of crevices and tunnels linking each of the churches. The churches are still in use today: step inside and you will see a robed priest going about his timeless business.

Day 16 Lalibela-Addis

Start Addis Ababa. Afternoon sightseeing tour that includes the Church of the Holy Trinity and the Ethnographical Museum where the old cultural and religious relics are exhibited.

Day 17, Addis – Arbaminch

Early morning we will be driving to Arbaminch via Shashemene where the land of Rasta people. On this day afternoon, visit to a village of the Dorze people who are well known with their craft of weaving as well as their 12-meter high huts made up of bamboo and false banana leaves. 24 km away from Arba Minch is a hilly mountain about 2700 m above sea level. You will have nice scenery from the top of the Dorze and you will have a 360 degree view of Arba Minch including both lakes of Chamo and Abaya. We drive further down. Overnight at hotel in Arba Minch.

Day 18, Arba Minch

This Day in the morning drive from Arba Minch to NechSar National park to have a game view of various kinds of wild animals such as zebras, Swain’s hartebeests, Greater kudu, gazelle, Secretary bird, etc. From the top of the Arba Minch National Parks plain you will have a closer view of both lakes. (Lake Chamo and Lake Abaya) Afternoon after lunch break we drive about 8 km to Lake Chamo to make a boat trip in order to visit giant crocodiles on the shore of the lake, moreover hippos in large numbers are accessible on the same lake, and you may have a closer look at them. Overnight: Arba Minch.

Day 19: Arba Minch-Jinka

We proceed to Jinka via Konso and Woyto. Visiting semi-nomadic tribes: Konso and Tsemay.Konso is one of the world’s heritage site recorded by UNESCO due to its wonderful stone terracing to protect soil washing by erosion. The Konso tribal people are the most hardworking people in the region. Woyto is a territory of Tsemay people; we will stop over there to rest but not for visiting as we will do on the way back. Overnight hotel in Jinka.

Day 20: Jinka –Mago National Park-JinkaIn the morning, we will be heading into Mago National Park, home to the Mursi tribe. Settled in the lowland plains of the Park, we will visit a local village of the Mursis. Returning back to Jinka for lunch, and late in the afternoon we will visit the Ari village, the Arisare  known for their pottery and  are very good black smith,then back to Jinka for overnight.

Day 21: Jinka-Keyafer- Demeka-Turmi

Starting off from Jinka in the morning, we will be heading to Turmi via Key Afer. If today is thursday, we will be able to join in the local weekly Bena market, same a very colorful market that attracts neighboring tribes in the region – the Aris from Jinka, the Tsemais from Weito and the Hamers from Dimeka area. Attending to this market will allow us to compare the dressing patterns, ornamentation techniques etc. of   the various tribes in the area.  Mid-afternoon, we will be proceeding to Turmi via Demeka, arriving late afternoon and spending overnight in Turmi.

Day 22: Turmi-Arba Minch

Driving to Konso via Arebore, we will have a stopover at Arebore to visit the tribal people whoare semi-nomadic pastoralists. They are known for their different dressing style. On this same Day, we visit a geological formation near a Konso village which really looks like a set of beautiful skyscrapers and is named New York but whose real local name is Gesergio. Additionaly we will have a chance to visit one of the villages which is called Generation Stone and see a standing carved wood sculpture (Waga) on the tomb side. Late in the afternoon proceed to Arba Minch. Overnight at Arba Minch Hotel.

Day 23 : Arbaminch-Addis Ababa

Departing from Arbaminch early morning, you will be heading back to Addis Ababa via Hosaina and Butajira. In addition to the beautiful landscape, Late afternoon, you will arrive Addis Ababa  and the tour ends,

Services to be provided

♦ Hotel rooms

♦ Two accommodation services on arrival and after the trek (if you have more time in gondar please let me know to book the rest days accommodation)

♦ Transportation in and out

♦ Food and Mineral water

♦ Cook (a person in charge of preparing fresh food every day)

♦ Guide (English speaking)

♦ Park ranger which is compulsory

♦ Park entrance fees

♦ Camping equipment such as Tent, Mattress and Sleeping bags (highly advisable to bring your own sleeping bags)

♦ Mule and muleteers for loading and unloading stuffs and luggage from one camp to another

Day 1 Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar

A short flight takes you to the shores of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, where life revolves around the lake and you will find the local fishermen at work in traditional papyrus reed boats. An afternoon hike takes you to the beautiful Tis Isat Falls, also known as the Blue Nile Falls.

Day 2 Bahir Dar – Lake Tana – Gondar

A full day of exploration (and contemplation) as you cruise from south to north on Lake Tana. Visit a selection of the remote island monasteries such as Ura Kidane Mehret with its beautiful frescoes, and Narga Selassie in its stunning island setting where time has stood still. Once on the northern lake shores, visit the Church of Debre Sina and drive through wheat fields to the old mountain capital of Gondar.

Day 3: Gondar

Gondar has a rich history with its beautiful and strategic mountain setting, the
17th-century capital was once the crossroads of several major caravan routes,
and was also occupied by the Italians during World War II. The Art Deco
buildings surrounding the Royal Enclosure with its medieval castles and churches are a reminder of this heritage. This afternoon, explore Gondar’s castles and
the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie with its iconic ceiling of painted angels

Day 4: Gondar-Sankaber (3250 m), 3-4 hours

Early morning we drive along a good gravel road from Gondar to the park headquarters in Debark, the 100 km journey will take around three hours. At the headquarters we will arrange our permits to the park and pick up our scout. After that we will drive for another hour before we will start our first day introductory walk. This first hike is an easy one along the northern edge of the escarpment with a nice view points over the foothills and plains of northern Ethiopia. You will encounter gelada baboon along this hike.  

Day 5:  Sankaber-Gich/ (3600 m), 5-6 hours

We follow the northern escarpment eastward, before we descend a little into the Kaba Valley. After that we climb up before we reach Gich Abyss and continue over a narrow ridge to a cliff where we have a spectacular view of the abyss towards the Simien foothills. We also find a large waterfall here, where the Jinbar River plunges 500 m into the abyss. We proceed for about two hours and have lunch at the Jinbar River. After lunch we walk through fields of barley before we arrive at the idyllic village of Gich. Here we can enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony in one of the huts and learn more about local farm life. From Gich village it is a short walk to Gich camp which is a good area to look for lammergeyer and thick billed raven. After a relaxing afternoon, we will take a short hike up to Kedadit to enjoy sunset plus the gorgeous shaded landscapes down to the cliff side towards to the eastern direction and return to the camp for dinner.

Day 6: Imet Gogo-Ambarace, 5-6 hrs

From Gich camp we stroll through endless fields of Giant Lobelia before we reach the towering cliffs of Imet-Gogo (3926 m). Here we will spend some time to absorb the superb views over the mountain valleys below and strange shaped domes in the distance. After that we descend into the Jinbahir River Valley. In this way we get a very different perspective of Imet-Gogo and the volcanic landscape, where it looks like big chunks of mountains have been blown away. The trail follows the edge of the escarpment, which is completely vertical here for several hundred meters. Keep walking through the feild of Erica Arboria plant and grassy paths to Aynameda, where the jeep is waiting to us and drive back Gondar night hotel

Day7 Gondar –Lalibella,

Fly to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lalibela – the Jerusalem of Ethiopia, and Africa’s own ‘Petra’. In a fitting finale to your Ethiopian adventure, explore the monolithic red-hued churches incredibly carved into the rock. Your guide will lead you through the network of crevices and tunnels linking each of the churches. The churches are still in use today.

Day 8 Lalibela

Today your guide takes you to the eastern group of rock hewn churches: smaller in size, these are no less impressive, with intricate carvings and many dark tunnels to explore! Travel further afield to the Nakutelab rock-hewn church, built into the side of a hill in a natural cave. The afternoon culminates in a visit to a private home to participate in an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

 Day  9 Lalibella  – Axum  

A flight further north takes you to the oldest city in Ethiopia and land of the Queen of Sheba’s ancient kingdom, Axum. This afternoon explore the city. Visit the small but interesting museum, the impressive Stelae Fields and also the grounds of the 16th-century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion, home of the original Ark of the Covenant (B,L,D). night hotel

Day 10

Drive to Hamedlla through Berhalle on your way you will see on of the rock hewn church in tigray call Wuqro night Hamedlle

Day 11

Dallol  where the salty lake and acidic salt found . in the these day you will see the camel caravan as well in the afternoon drive to wasam night either camping or by the village.

Day 12

Drive to Afdera to see the salty lake  mined salt  then drive to Dodom to get the permission for Ertale . in the afternoon we will walk to the volcan it may take us about 3-4 hrs. night there .

Day  13

drive to Mekelle  and walk  around to see the open market in mekelle  night  Hotel

Day 14

Fly to Addis Abeba the city tour in Addis. night  Hotel

Day 15 

Drive from Addis Abeba  to Densho(bale) where you c an find 5 different kind of  wild  Animals found.

Day 16

Either drive  or trek  from Densho(bale) to Sodota for spotting the Ethiopian wolf. Even we can drive farther to Senate plato which is the highest pick in the bale mountains ( 4377masl.) night camping.

Day 17

Drive back to Densho where the national park head quarter found and leave the guide there the keep driving to Shashemene where  the Jamaican people lives. Night hotel.

Day 18

Drive to Arbaminch via Shashemene where the land of Rasta people. On this day afternoon, visit to a village of the Dorze people who are well known with their craft of weaving as well as their 12-meter high huts made up of bamboo and false banana leaves. 24 km away from Arba Minch is a hilly mountain about 2700 m above sea level. You will have nice scenery from the top of the Dorze and you will have a 360 degree view of Arba Minch including both lakes of Chamo and Abaya. We drive further down. Overnight at hotel in Arba Minch.

19 Arba Minch

This Day in the morning drive from Arba Minch to Nech Sar National park to have a game view of various kinds of wild animals such as zebras, Swain’s hartebeests, Greater kudu, gazelle, Secretary bird, etc. From the top of the Arba Minch National Parks plain you will have a closer view of both lakes. (Lake Chamo and Lake Abaya) Afternoon after lunch break we drive about 8 km to Lake Chamo to make a boat trip in order to visit giant crocodiles on the shore of the lake, moreover hippos in large numbers are accessible on the same lake, and you may have a closer look at them. Overnight: Arba Minch.

Day 20: Arba Minch-Jinka

We proceed to Jinka via Konso and Woyto. Visiting semi-nomadic tribes: Konso and Tsemay. Konso is one of the world’s heritage site recorded by UNESCO due to its wonderful stone terracing to protect soil washing by erosion. The Konso tribal people are the most hardworking people in the region. Woyto is a territory of Tsemay people; we will stop over there to rest but not for visiting as we will do on the way back. Overnight hotel in Jinka.

Day 21 Jinka –Mago National Park-Jinka

In the morning, we will be heading into Mago National Park, home to the Mursi tribe. Settled in the lowland plains of the Park, we will visit a local village of the Mursis. Returning back to Jinka for lunch, and late in the afternoon we will visit the Ari village, the Aris are  known for their pottery and  are very good black smith,then back to Jinka for overnight.

Day 22:

Jinka-Keyafer- Demeka-Turmi

Starting off from Jinka in the morning, we will be heading to Turmi via Key Afer. If today is thursday, we will be able to join in the local weekly Bena market, same a very colorful market that attracts neighboring tribes in the region – the Aris from Jinka, the Tsemais from Weito and the Hamers from Dimeka area. Attending to this market will allow us to compare the dressing patterns, ornamentation techniques etc. of   the various tribes in the area.  Mid-afternoon, we will be proceeding to Turmi via Demeka, arriving late afternoon and spending overnight in Turmi.

Day 23:

Turmi-Karo-Turmi

Morning drive to the village of the Karo people. The Karo people are the most fascinating tribe due to clay painting on their faces and body. They live on the top plain and in the vicinity of the Omo river. Overnight back to Turmi.

Day 24:

Turmi-Arba Minch

Driving to Konso via Arebore, we will have a stopover at Arebore to visit the tribal people who are semi-nomadic pastoralists. They are known for their different dressing style. On this same Day, we visit a geological formation near a Konso village which really looks like a set of beautiful skyscrapers and is named New York but whose real local name is Gesergio. Additionaly we will have a chance to visit one of the villages which is called Generation Stone and see a standing carved wood sculpture (Waga) on the tomb side. Late in the afternoon proceed to Arba Minch. Overnight at Arba Minch Hotel.

Day 25:

Arbaminch-Addis Ababa

Departing from Arbaminch early morning, you will be heading back to Addis Ababa via Hosaina and Butajira. In addition to the beautiful landscape, you will be able to visit Adadi Mariam Church a 12 century church made by King Lalibela as well. Late afternoon, you will arrive Addis Ababa

The tour ends at Addis Abeba

Services to provide

♦ Transport for the whole tour

♦ Food and mineral water for the whole trip

♦ Cook with its complete gear

♦ Guide (English speaking)

♦ Park ranger (compulsory)

♦ Park entrance fees

♦ All camping equipment (Tent, sleeping Mattress and sleeping bags, but it is highly recommended if you bring your own sleeping bags)

♦ Mule and muleteers for loading and unloading luggage and stuffs from one

camp to another

♦ Accommodation ( hotel rooms, meal and soft drinks)