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We combine this special trek with a journey across a land dotted with rock-hewn churches, medieval castles and ancient obelisks. Thhe tour reflects a culture dating back over 3000 years. After visiting The Monasteries over Lake Tana, the Blue Nile Falls and the medieval castles at Gondar, we continue into the Simien Mountains for a robust trek.
The Simien Mountains of Ethiopia offer superb wilderness trekking with stunning scenery, dramatic cliffs and escarpments. You can see and the chance to spot endemic wildlife such as a troop of Gelada Baboon, Walia Ibex and Simien fox and Ethiopia’s many endemic birds and plant life unique to the mountains and the immense beauty of the mountains. Finally we visit the obelisk city of Axum and the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, often referred to as the "Eighth wonder of the World". Axum is said to house the Ark of the Covenant.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa, city tour of Addis Ababa
On arrival in Addis Ababa our representatives will meet you at Bole International Airport and transfers to Classic hotel or guest house. An breifing of the program and itineraries will be given. The rest of the day visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where we will see the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy”, whose skeletal remains when discovered in 1974. You will also visit the Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, Holy Trinity Cathedrals and Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis.
Day 2: Drive from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar stopping off at Debre Libanos. Overnight at Debre Markos. Drive to Bahir Dar through the beautiful scenery at after 103 kms drive, visit the 13th C monastery of Debre Libanos and the 17th C Portuguese Bridge. Debre Libanos is an important monastic center for Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. See Portugese Bridge with breathtaking views of Blue Nile Gorge. See Waterfalls.
Day 3: In Bahir Dar
After breakfast, we take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit ancient monasteries and churches. See the Blue Nile Falls. Overnight Tana Hotel
Day 4: Drive Gondar Tour of Gondar
We experience typically in an Ethiopian African landscape as we drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar- 180 kms over wide grazing land, hilly mountains with numerous farmlands. The rest of the day visit attractions in Gondar. The attractions that we visit in Gondar includes: Castles of Gondar- are included in the World Heritage List, the royal Fasiledes Bath and the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie with its unique murals. Overnight Goha Hotel
Day 5: Gondar to Geech Camp Site
Morning 3 hours drive through countryside to Debark town (100 Kms from Gondar), where the head quarter of Semien Mountains National Park is found. Then we continue driving to Sankaber (31 Kms) the first campsite of the National Park. It is this day that we start to walk in the national park. We begin the trek along all the trekking staff: including mules and Muleteers for packing and transport of camping gears and all foodstuffs. 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. Overnight Camping at Geech Campsite (3600m).
Day 6: Geech – Imetegogo – Geech
This day we will be waking to the best viewpoints in the National park. First we walk to Imetegogo, the view here enables one to look 3600 to all directions this 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. Camping at Geech Campsite - (3600m).
Day 7: Cheneck
We trek to Chenek, we will be walking through the Giant lobelia trees and under these trees African field Rats are common. After picnic lunch we walk on the edge of Enatye 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 Waliya Ibex and more Gelada Baboon. It takes 6 - 7 hours walk. Overnight Camping at Chenek (3600m).
Day 8: Ambiquo
We walk to Ambiquo climbing Buhit (14530ft/4430m) Mountain the 2nd highest peak next to Ras Dashen in Semien Mountain ranges, giving excellent views over the whole area. After, refreshment at the summit, you descend towards Chero Laba crossing the Mesheha River, we will reach to Ambiquo and resting for the night here, before the big day on Ras Dashen. The walk of this day takes 7- 8 hours. Overnight Camping at Ambiquo - (10496ft/3200m).
Day 9: Ras Dashen then Maje
Very early morning start walking toward mount Ras Dashen.You get up in the pre dawn chill for what will be the most challenging day of the Trek. To reach the summit can take up to 6 hrs. You will head up the valley from campsite to the small village of Mizma, from where you will climb steeply up wards, eventually reaching an impressive amphitheatre made up of three major buttresses of expanded rock, one of which is your goal, Ras Dashen. It is then an easy scramble to the summit, Ras Dashen, which is the fourth highest peak in Africa (14901ft/4543m). After taking in the impressive views descend to Maje for an overnight. The whole round trek takes from 8-10 hours. Overnight Camping at Maje - (10496ft/3200m).
Day 10: Arquazeye
Walk from Ambiquo to Arquazeye through the magnificent landscape. From Ambiko the path leads us back down to the Mesheha River (2800ms). Our destination tonight is Arkwasiye, which is situated at an altitude of 3600 metres, and located at the northern reached of the Mesheha Wenz River. It is another great day to take in some more incredible views of the Simien Mountains: Munt Wali Kend and Mount Silky in a distance view. The whole round trek takes from 6-7 hours. Overnight camping in Arquazeye, 3600 metres.
Day 11: Mekarebia
Trek from Arquazeye to Mekarebia. We descend for about 2 hours and we cross a river. On this river we stay for about an hours in swiming and washing some clothes and walk to Mekarebia. Overnight Camping
Day 12: Mulit
Trek from Mekarabia to Mulit .On the way to Mullit this day once again we stop for swimming at the river. Afternoon we will ascend for 2 hours before we reach Mullit. Overnight Camping
Day 13: Aderkay meet vehicles and drive to Axum
Trek from Mulit to Aderkay meet vehicles and to drive Axum. We have a two hours walk to Adi Arkai. Here we will be picked up by vehicle and drive to Axum Overnight Remehay Hotel
Day 14: Visit of historical and archaeological sites in Axum
The ancient city of Axum is found close to Ethiopia's northern border. We will visit the obelisks and church and museum.
Day 15: Fly Lalibela.
Day 16: In Lalibela For a full days intensive viewing of the rock churches.
Day 17: Fly to Addis Ababa and in the evening Departure
After breakfast fly from Lalibela to Addis Ababa. Evening dinner party and bon voyage!
This is an inclusive trip. Hotel all entrance fees, meals and guides taxes are included. You can also just hire our landcruiser if you wish.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
This tour is subject to price changes. Please check for latest prices.The airfare is only the internal airfare.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Ethiopia
Hiking & Trekking
Walking Tours
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