Length 04 days
Nature
Bale Mountains
Bale Mountains
Dawn on the Sanetti Plateau above 4,000 m, watching for the Ethiopian wolf, then the long descent into the Harenna forest.
Nature journeys
Simien Mountains Trek
Walk the edge of the Simien escarpment among grazing gelada, then watch for walia ibex below Ethiopia’s highest peak.
This tour is paused for now
Paused while Amhara is under official travel warnings.
You can travel now on
Overview
The journey in brief
- Duration
- 5 days, 4 nights · 4-day version on request
- Where
- Northern · Simien Mountains
- Travel style
- Private tour
- Best season
- October to May
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Price
- USD 1,295 per person
At Geech the ground ends at a cliff edge high above the lowlands, and gelada, the grass-eating monkeys found only in Ethiopia’s highlands, graze within a few steps of the path. The Simien Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, are also the only home of the walia ibex, a wild goat often seen on the crags near Chenek.
This is a real trek: days of up to 15 km at altitude, mules for the bags, and an armed park scout, as the park requires. Nights are cold. This route is paused for now; we will reopen it when it is safe.
Highlights
- Bands of gelada grazing beside the escarpment path near Sankaber
- The Jinbar waterfall, seen from across the valley on the way to Geech
- Imet Gogo, a 3,926 m spur with drops on three sides
- Walia ibex on the crags at Chenek, found nowhere else on earth
- Ras Dashen, Ethiopia’s highest peak at 4,553 m, on the skyline
What is included
- Round-trip flights Addis Ababa–Gondar at the Ethiopian Airlines discounted fare
- Airport transfers
- 1 night in Debark, twin share, and 3 nights camping, two to a tent
- Tents, sleeping mats and camp kitchen
- Meals as listed in the itinerary, cooked at camp
- English-speaking trekking guide
- Armed park scout, as the park requires
- Mules and muleteers for luggage
- Simien Mountains National Park fees
- Vehicle and driver between Gondar and the park
- Bottled water
What is not included
- International flights
- Ethiopian visa
- Domestic fare difference if you do not fly Ethiopian Airlines internationally (about USD 150 per round trip)
- Sleeping bag (bring your own, or ask us about hiring one)
- Single tent or room (optional extra)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips for guide, scout, cook and muleteers
- Travel insurance that covers trekking above 3,500 m
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 1Debark Gondar, Then Up to Debark
Your guide meets you at Bole International Airport for the morning flight to Gondar, then it is about 2 hours by road to Debark. At the park office you meet your scout, cook and muleteers, and check boots and layers. Dinner is early.
Activities
- Morning flight to Gondar
- Drive to Debark
- Park registration and team briefing
Day 2Geech The Escarpment Path to Geech
A short drive takes you to Sankaber, at about 3,250 m, where the walk begins along the cliff edge. Gelada graze and groom in large bands beside the path. In the afternoon you look across to the Jinbar waterfall before climbing to camp at Geech, about 3,600 m.
Activities
- Drive to Sankaber
- Escarpment walk with gelada
- Jinbar waterfall viewpoint
- Camp at Geech
Day 3Geech Sunrise on Imet Gogo
You walk out to Imet Gogo, a 3,926 m spur with views on three sides over pinnacles and valleys. Lammergeiers ride the updrafts below you. The afternoon is free at camp, which helps with the altitude before the longest day.
Activities
- Walk to Imet Gogo
- Afternoon rest at camp
Day 4Chenek Across the Highlands to Chenek
The longest day, about 7 hours on foot, crosses grassland, giant lobelias and stands of heather to Chenek, at about 3,620 m. Walia ibex often feed on the crags near camp in the late afternoon.
Activities
- Full-day trek Geech to Chenek
- Walia ibex in the evening
Day 5Chenek Ibex at Chenek, Ras Dashen on the Skyline
At first light you walk up toward Bwahit, the ridge above camp, with Ras Dashen, Ethiopia’s highest peak at 4,553 m, on the skyline. Then you drive back to Gondar for the afternoon flight to Addis Ababa.
Activities
- Early walk toward Bwahit
- Drive to Gondar
- Afternoon flight to Addis Ababa
Itineraries can change with weather, road and flight conditions. We will tell you promptly if they do.
Gallery
A look at the trip
Photo: Unsplash
Good to know
Before you book
- Guide languages
- English, Amharic
- Minimum age
- 12 years and over
- Group size
- 1 to 12 travellers
- Meeting point
- Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa. Your guide meets you in arrivals with a name sign.
- Accessibility
- Full days of walking on rough trails between 3,250 m and 3,926 m, with simple camps. You need good fitness; not suitable for wheelchairs.
What to bring
- Broken-in hiking boots
- A warm sleeping bag
- A down jacket and hat for nights near freezing
- Rain jacket
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Headlamp
Dress code: Practical trekking layers; nothing special is needed in the park.
Cancellation policy
This tour follows the Strict policy. Days are whole calendar days before departure.
| When you cancel | What you get back |
|---|---|
| 30 or more days before departure | 50% refund |
| Fewer than 30 days before departure | No refund |
A non-refundable USD 150 per traveller (domestic flights) is deducted before these percentages are applied.
Questions
About this tour
When will this reopen?
When official warnings for Amhara are lifted. Tap Notify Me and we will email you.
What can I do instead now?
Our Bale Mountains trip, 4 days, has high moorland and the Ethiopian wolf in a region that is open.
What is the 4-day version?
It drops the rest day at Geech and walks to Imet Gogo on the way to Chenek, which makes Day 3 long and hard.
Why is there an armed scout?
The park requires a scout with every trekking group. He knows the trails and the wildlife.
Do I need to be very fit?
Yes, reasonably. Days run 10 to 15 km at altitude, but the pace is steady and the mules carry the bags.
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