Historic Route & Simien Mountain Trek – 15 Days

Arrival : Bole International Airport

Will meet all clients arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, you may begin your tour the following day.

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Itinerary

Addis Ababa

Visit Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Tour the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Make a short drive to Entoto Hills for a view of the city and visit Maryam Church. En-route, stop at Sheromeda traditional cloth market. Visit the Mercato or the Sholla Market, two of Addis Ababa’s main markets.

Overnight Hotel – (B, L, D)

Addis Ababa - Bahar Dar

Fly to Bahar Dar on Ethiopian Airlines. Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula. We will visit two of the following monasteries: Ura Kidane Mehiret, Azwa Maryam, Mehal Zege Giorgis, and Bete Maryam. End the day with a sunset visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile River.

Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Bahar Dar - Gondar

Drive through the countryside to Gondar. After lunch, tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African Empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels. Tour the baths of King Fasilides which still serves as a baptismal pool during Timkat (Epiphany celebrated every January in the Ethiopian Orthodox liturgical calendar.)

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Gondar - Simien Mountains National Park

Morning departure to Debark (100 kms from Gondar), where the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park is located. Meet the Scout, Mountain Guide, and others on the trekking team. Continue driving to Sankabar (31 kms from Debark) and the first camp site of the National Park. On this drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, possibly spotting wildlife such as the endemic Gelada Baboons and the “bone breaker” bird Lammergeyer. Camp at Sankabar (3200m.)

Overnight Camping (B, L, D)

Trekking Simien Mountains National Park

Trek Sankaber – Geech (3,600m elevation) which will take between 5-7 hours. After one and half hours, see the Jinnbar River and falls which you will cross later in the day. After crossing the river, ascend for about 2 hours to Geech. The scenery is wonderful and a herd of Gelada Baboons can be seen on the journey. Camp at Geech (3600m.)

Overnight Camping (B, L, D)

Trekking Simien Mountains National Park

Trek Geech – Imet Gogo- Kedadit – Seha - Geech. Trek to some of the best view points in the National Park. Imet Gogo boasts spectacular views in every direction. Possible wildlife sightings on this 4 -5 hour trek include the Simien Wolf, the Walia Ibex, and Klipspringers.

Overnight Camping (B, L, D)

Trekking Simien Mountains National Park

Trek Geech – Chenek (3,620m elevation); trek along the 4,000 meter breathtaking Enatye escarpment before descending to Chenek. Walia Ibex and Gelada Baboons are routinely spotted.

Overnight Camping (B, L, D)

Trekking Simien Mountains National Park

Trek to Ambiquo campsite (3,200m) approximately 9 hours via Mt. Buhit (4,430m); cross the Mesheha River before reaching Ambiquo.

Overnight Camping (B, L, D)

Trekking Simien Mountains National Park

Trek Ambiquo – Ras Dashen – Ambiquo; early morning departure to the summit of Ras Dashen, at 4,543 meters, Africa’s fourth highest peak. Trek up the Valley from your campsite to the small village of Mizma. From here, a steep climb brings you to an impressive amphitheater made up of three major buttresses of expanded rock. It is then an easy scramble to the summit. To reach the Summit can take up to 6 hrs. Return to Ambiquo camp for overnight.

Overnight Camping (B, L, D)

Trekking Simien Mountains National Park

Trek Ambiquo – Chenek; return to Chenek, bypassing Mt. Buhit on the return.

Overnight Camping (B, L, D)

Simien Mountains National Park - Gondar

Meet with vehicles and return to Gondar. Relax and recover from trek.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Gondar - Lalibela

Fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines 700 kilometers north of Addis Ababa. Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. In the late afternoon, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and learn the process for baking injera (a staple food for much of Ethiopia.)

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Lalibela

Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Continue with tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Lalibela - Axum

Fly to Axum on Ethiopian Airlines. Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum. See St. Mary Tsion Church, which houses the Ark of the Covenant according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (no one is allowed to see the Ark.) Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Axum - Addis Ababa

Fly to Addis Ababa. Visit the National Museum, home of the 3 million year old skeleton “Lucy.” Optional souvenir shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure if needed.
(B, L, D)