Day 1: Arrival to Addis Ababa
In the morning arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. You will be welcomed by your guide from Elegant Ethiopia Tours and transfer to your hotel. Then visit Addis Ababa or ‘the new flower’ in Amharic which is relatively new city, established by the Emperor Menelik II in 1887. Begin your exploration of Addis Ababa at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a monument to the country’s liberation from Italian occupation during World War II and final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Next drive deeper into Ethiopia’s rich cultural diversity at the Ethnographical Museum. Continue your excursion at the National Museum, seeing the authentic, Lucy’’ skeleton, a significant anthropological revelation. Finally visit Merkato the largest open-air market in Africa.
Day2: Addis Ababa --- Gondar – Debark --- Sankaber Camp (3,200m)
In the morning fly to Gondar. You will meet your Guide and drive at Gondar Emperor Tewodros Airport and transfer to Debark. At Debark you will sign in at the park headquarters, pick up your scout and cook. Then head up into the mountains. The road continues all the way to the first camp at Sankaber, but you’ll be dropped off on the way for a leisurely three hour acclimatization hike. The stunning views hit you as soon as you get out of the vehicle as you walk along the ridge. There will be time to stop for a picnic lunch and after a short but demanding climb (at this altitude) to Sankaber you’ll be met as every day on this trek with a tray of fresh coffee, tea and snacks.
Day 3: Sankaber (3,250m) - Geech (3,600m)
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll set off trekking along the ridge with stunning views over the foothills 800m below. For the first two hours the trail passes through low bush of Giant Heather, soda apple, Abyssinian rose, St John’s Wort and Globe thistle. The highlight of the trek from Sankaber to Geech is Genbar Falls, an incredible 500m sheer drop. From the viewpoint opposite, you can watch the falcons, augur buzzard and lammergeier bearded vulture soar on the thermals below. From the Genbar falls, the trail passes drier dustier land, broken by lunch at a somewhat less intimidating and more peaceful waterffall. Klipspringer and bush buck may be seen in the steep rocky and wooded slopes, whilst troops of Gelada Baboons roam the dusty fields for roots. Just before you reach Geech camp site, there is a wonderful opportunity to visit one of the traditional village houses for home roasted coffee and injurra. Geech Camp itself is set on a grassy plateau with stunning sunset views.
Day 4: Geech --- Imet Gogo(3,926m) --- Siha Gorge--- Kedadit--- Geech
After breakfast you’ll trek for 2 hours along the grass plateau past countless bizarre outsized Giant Lobelia plants. The destination is Imet Gogo, an incredible rocky promontory that grants 360 degree views over the Simien Range. At an altitude of 3,926m you can see West back along the ridge towards Sankaber and Geech and South East across a deep gully towards the tomorrow’s ridge walk to Inatye and Cheneck Camp. The views here are arguably the best in the Simien Mountains and the drop is terrifying. From Imet Gogo, you’ll return to camp via the Siha Gorge for lunch. Afternoon at leisure before heading out for a short optional sunset trek to KedaDit (3760m).Overnight at Geech Camp again. (13kms).
Day 5- Geech – Inatye (4,070m) --- Cheneck (3,600m)
Today is the longest and arguably most spectacular passing close to the ridge most of its length. After breakfast you will head back on the path towards Imet Gogo before detouring SE towards Inatye. The path drops into a forest of Giant Hazel before following the ridge on open grassland. The climb to Inatye (4,070m) rewards with stunning views. Inatye roughly translates as “mamma mia” and the terrifying vertical drop here justly warrants the name! After a picnic lunch the path follows mostly downhill through open grassland and gian lobelia towards Chenek with a number of stunning viewpoints along the way. Chenek camp is superb for wildlife with both Gelada Baboons and Wallia Ibex common here. (15kms).
Day 6: Cheneck (3,600m) --- Sona (3,500m)
After breakfast you will set out from camp for a steady 2 hour climb up to Buwait Pass (4,200m). From the pass there are stunning views over towards Ras Dashen. After a quick half hour descent it is a nice flat walk to Sonar, stopping at the market village of arkawyze for lunch. Sonar Camp is spectacularly situated with stunning sunset views. Overnight at Sonar Camp.
Day 7: Sonar (3,500m) ---Mekarbra (2,150m)
Setting out from Sonar you soon reach the Incya Valley which you descend for 2-3 hours down to the lowlands. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the Incya river where there is a lovely spot for a refreshing swim. After lunch there is a further 2 hour walk along the banks of the river to Mekarbra where you camp in the village.
Day 8: Merkarbra (2,150m) --- Mulet (2,150m)
The walk today passes along the dry river bed of the Incya River. The bird life is incredible, pin-tailed waders, village indigo, paradise monarchs and tropical bobu are all frequently spotted. Luch at Derkwenth pool, where you can rest and swim. From the pools there is a 2 hour climb to Awazza Village at the foot of the striking Awazza Table Mountain. There will be time for a refreshment stop in the village before a final hours trek up to the last camp at Mulet.
Day 9: Mulet --- Adiarkay ---Gonder
After breakfast, it is a 3 hour walk to Adi Arkaye, where you’ll be picked up and transferred back to Gonder and check in to your Accommodation.
Day 10: Gondar --- Addis Ababa --- Departure
In the morning city tour in Gondar. Gondar was the 17th and 18th century capital of Ethiopia, and is famed for its medieval castles and churches. The city's unique Royal Enclosure is a World Heritage site, home to dramatic Emperor-built castles unlike any other in Africa. The architecture shows the richness of Aksumite traditions as well as the prosperity of Ethiopia in those two centuries. Spend the morning visiting these medieval castles, and stop by the famous church of Debre Berhan Selassie. The church is one of the finest in Ethiopia, with walls and ceilings covered stunning in ancient murals. In the afternoon transfer to Gondar Airport and fly back to Addis Ababa. Tonight you will have a wonderful cultural evening at a local Restaurant. Witness a performance displaying some of the country’s many diverse cultural dances and costumes, and enjoy a traditional meal with a drinks. Then transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
