11 DAYS TOUR TO SEMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa and transfer to the
Hotel, city tour. After
refreshment, city tour of Addis Ababa. Overnight HOTEL
Day 2: Fly to Gondar then drive Sankaber.
Overnight camp in Sankaber
After breakfast transfer to airport to fly to Gondar, established by king
Fasiladas in 1636. The town was capital of Ethiopia17thc. Upon arrival at
Gondar Airport, departure for Debark town (100 Kms from Gondar), where the head
quarter of Semien Mountains National Park is found. Here we pay the entrance
fees and a scout and a local guide will accompany us. Then we continue driving
to Sankaber (31 Kms) the first campsite of the National Park. On this drive you
will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland
region, the extraordinary scenery, enjoying the endemic Gelada Baboons and the
bone breaker giant bird Lammergeyer roaring around. Over night Camping at Sankaber. – (3200 m ASL)
Day 3: Sankaber to Geech Camp Site 5 – 6hrs
This day is the day that we arrange all the trekking staff including mules and
Muleteers for packing and transport of camping gears and all foodstuffs for the
trek. It is this day that we start trekking in the national park. We walk from
Sankaber to Geech, which will take between 5 – 6 hours. After about 1 and half
hours walk we see the Jinnbar River and falls, we will cross the river later in
the day. After crossing the river, we ascend for about two hour to Geech, which
is full of Giant Lobelias. The scenery is wonderful, and heard of the endemic
Gelada Baboon can be seen on our way. Overnight Camping at Geech
Campsite ( 3600m ASL )
Day 4: Geech – Imetegogo – Geech:
This day we will be waking to the best viewpoints in the National park. First
we walk to Imetgogo, the view here enables one to look 360 to all directions
this is one of the best view in the national park. After a short stay here
continue walk to Seha, the other terrific viewpoint in the National park. We
will have our picnic lunch and we continue to the last viewpoint, Quedadit.
After some stay we walk back to Geech camp site. The walk this day is not hard;
it takes about 4 – 5 hours. It is the day that we will be walking in the best
part of the national park. If we are lucky we might have the chance to see
mammals like the Simien wolf, Walia Ibex and Klipspringers. Overnight Camping at Geech Campsite ( 3600
ASL).
Day 5: Chenek. Overnight Camping:
We trek to Chenek, we will be walking through the Giant lobelia trees and under
these trees, and African field Rats are common. After picnic lunch we walk on
the edge of Elate escarpments (4000m. above sea level), which is another
breathtaking view in the national park; finally we descend to Chenek. Chenek is
the best place to see the endemic Walia Ibex and more Gelada Baboon. It takes
6-7 hours walk. Overnight camping at Chenek.
Day 6: Chenek- Bwahit Ras- Ambiquo 8 hrs Trek
Today is the longest trekking day so far, taking up to about 10 hours. From
Chenek at 3650 metres, the path to Ambiquo campsite crosses over the Bwahit
Ras. Leaving Chenek we are faced with a two-hour ascent to the top of the pass
at 4200 metres, where we enjoy views that open up to the east over Mesheha
Valley to the Dashen mountain range. Looking back we find ourselves under the
cover of the impressive rock formations of Imet Gogo. From Bwahit Ras the path
leads steeply down and across the Mesheha Valley. Here we notice an increase in
temperature as we descend down to the Mesheha River at 2800 metres, before
climbing slightly to reach Ambiquo campsite at an altitude of 3100 metres. Overnight camping at Ambiquo.
Day 7: Ambiquo- Ras Dashen Summit – Ambiquo the
longest day 8-9hrs trek to ascent
Today is a summit day involving a trek of 16 kilometers (ten to eleven hours)!
So we leave from our campsite around 4: ooAM morning the path winds its way
over eight kilometers and ascends up 1400 metres to Ras Dashen. It begins by
climbing steeply through barley fields and fallow land before clearing the
vegetation zone and reaching mountain steppe, at around 3700 metres. From there
it flattens out, as it traverses ridges in the shadow of Ras Dashen. Just below
Dashen Pass at around 4250 metres, an impressive moraine can be seen. A moraine
consists of material transported by a glacier and before being deposited. This
moraine was formed 20,000 to 14,000 years ago in the last Ice Age, when the
Simien Mountain tops had small ice caps. The final stretch to the summit
involves an exciting climb and scramble up and over large boulders, before
reaching the summit. From the top of Ras Dashen at an altitude of 4543 metres,
we are sure to be mesmerized by the far ranging views which spans more than
10,000 square kilometers. To the west the steep faces of peaks in the national
park are visible, whilst the Tekeze Valley is visible to the north and the
east. Returning from the summit we retrace our steps along the same path back
to our camp at Ambiquo. Overnight camping at Ambiquo.
Day 8: Arkwaziye Trek for 7-8 hrs
From Ambiquo the path takes us back down to the Mesheha River (2800 metres).
Our destination tonight is Arkwaziye, which is situated at an altitude of 3600
metres and located on the northern reach of the Mesheha (Went) River. A great
day to take in more incredible views of the Simien Mountains this campsite is
one of the most beautiful located campsites in the national park. Overnight Arkwaziye campsite
Day 9: Trek Chenek for 5 hrs
A final trekking day in the sensational Simien Mountains. From Arkwaziye we
return back to Chenek camp to overnight. We complete a loop by following the
path until we reach its junction with the earlier main path at Bwahit Pass.
Here we descend down to Chenek or take a detour and enjoy a summit circuit of
Bwahit (4430m). The trekkers who summit Bwahit will be rewarded with spectacular
views. The area surrounding Chenek is one of the best to see the Wallia ibex,
one of Ethiopia’s endemic species. It is actually a mountain goat that lives on
the steep slopes and grassy ledges of the escarpment. It is one of the most
endangered mammals in the world. Overnight Camping at Chenek.
Day 10: Drive to Gondar
This morning we drive along the dirt road that runs from Chenek to Sankaber,
leave Simien Mountains National Park continue back to Debark (two to three
hours). We stop at Debark local café to say goodbye to our companion and
finalize all trekking formalities before continuing 100 kilometers back to
Gondar, check into our hotel and enjoy a welcomed shower. The afternoon is at
leisure to simply relax in the beautiful gardens of the hotel and absorb the
view or head down into town for some optional sightseeing. Overnight
HOTEL
Day 11: Fly to Addis
Morning transfer to Gondar airport and fly Addis afternoon at Leisure evening departure.