Historic Route Tour
Tour code: JHN-
016 Duration: 16 days &15 nights / by surface Destination: Semein Mountain trekkingCustom: Yes, This tour can be customized
HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Transfer from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of the main sightseeing of Addis, including the Ethnographical Museum and the church of the Holy Trinity, National museum, and take a drive up Entoto Hill to take in a panoramic view of Addis Ababa. Overnight Intercontinental hotel
Day 2: Fly to Lalibela
A one hour flight to Lalibela. Lalibela, the New Jerusalem, is thought to have been constructed some 800 years ago by King Lalibela. The churches stand in two main groups on either side of a stream, known locally as The River Jordan. There are 11 rock-cut churches of which the most impressive and photographed is Bete Giorgis; it is carved in the form of a Greek cross and approached through a passage in the rock. Between them, these rock-cut churches are one of the great wonders of the world and UNESCO world Heritage Site.
Day 3: Visit rock cut churches; afternoon hike to mountain church above Lalibela. We walk up into the hills around Lalibela to Ashtan Maryam Church, the oldest of Lalibela rock churches. We return to Lalibela for lunch and in the afternoon we visit the remaining group of churches.
Day 4: Fly to Gondar
Today we take a short, but scenic flight to Gondar, located on the high plateau just north of Lake Tana. The town of Gondar was the imperial capital of Ethiopia for 200 years. Gondar most famous monuments are its exceptionally well preserved 17th century castles. The largest and best is that of King Fasilidas. It is a stone-built construction with round turrets and wooden balconies. The king also built a remarkable bath a mile or outside of town known as the Pavilion of Delight. This whole complex of buildings is unique in Ethiopia and unlike anything found elsewhere in Africa. On arrival, as well as visiting the castle ruins, we also make a visit to the Debre Berhan Selassie Church famed for its ceiling frescoes of many faces. Overnight hotel
Day 5: Drive to Simien Mountains N.P. via Debark; PM trek to Sankaber
then drive to Debark, the village base for hiking in the Simien Mountains. You will be met by our local guides and organize equipment, supplies,etc. clients get lunch box to eat. Then drive to The park Entrance and trek to Sankaber(approximately 2-3 hours) The combination of these tracks and the spectacular scenery make for excellent walking. The range lies north of Gondar and many of the peaks rise above 4,000m with the highest being Mount Ras Dashen at 4,543m, the fifth highest in Africa. The mountains are crisscrossed with tracks made by the local people travelling from village to village or moving their animals to fresh pastures.
Day 6: Trek to Geech Camp
We trek to Geech camp via Sankaber (approx. 6-7 hours), with the possibility of seeing gelada baboons and red-hot poker plants en route. The gelada baboon is endemic to Ethiopia and has adapted to living on the nearly vertical cliff faces. We may also see the Jinbar river waterfalls today that plummet into Geech Abyss. The Abyss is a vast canyon cut into the main wall of the escarpment.
NB: campsite very simple. Water usually fetched from rivers en-route.
Overnights camp
Day 7: Hike to Imet Gogo from Geech Camp
a flexible day with a morning option to hike to the viewpoint of Imet Gogo located at the end of a challenging ridge (3926m). From the viewpoint there are spectacular views of the lowlands and across the Simien range with rock spires and mesas prominent (approx. 4 hours return). Keep a close look out for the elusive Simien fox. It misnamed is Endemic to Ethiopia. Return to Geech Camp for the night
Day 8: Trek to Chenek Camp
trek to Chenek camp via Inalye (4070m) and along an escarpment (approx. 6-7 hours). Cross Jinbar river en-route and provides
us with fantastic views. You may like to take the opportunity to freshen-up in the nearby stream south of camp. Overnight camp
Day 9: Trek to Ambikwa
trek to Ambikwa (approx. 9-10 hours) and plan to stop at a spectacular
viewpoint (4190m) north of Bwahit where, on clear days, we can see across the Mesheha river to Ras Dashen peak. We then descend steeply and pass through the village of Chiro Leba to follow a stream bed until we reach the large Mesheha River. We cross the river and follow a path across the east side of the valley to our camp (3200m) in a little meadow. Ambikwa village is tiny and has a small church. 2 nights camp
Day 10: Ascent of Ras Dashen; trek to Ambikwa
Starting at sunrise we follow the main valley up and climb steeply via Mizma huts to reach a edge. Eventually enter a huge semi-circular basin of rocky peaks and buttresses Ras Dashen.choice of 3 distinct peas, as yet unclear which is the highest. Hike back to camp at Ambikwa. Overnight camp
Day 11: Trek to Arkwasiye
Our trek today takes us up a valley that affords us spectacular views of the
Overnight in Bahir Darmountains around us. First we descend down to the river and then begin to gradually ascend the valley. We stop for lunch at a stream where locals come and carry out their centuries old lifestyles and day-to-day activities. After a relaxing lunch, we continue up the picturesque valley passing through many mountain hamlets. (Total trekking time approx. 6-7 hours). Spectacular views are found a short walk from the village up the ridge. Overnight camp
Day 12: To Chenek Camp
Today our last day of trekking takes us back to Chenek Camp (4-6 hours) but with an optional ascent of Bwahit (4430m) en route. The afternoon is free for relaxing and watching the antics of the gelada baboons. Overnight camp
Day 13: Drive to Gondar
We meet our vehicle that will transport us back to Gondar (approx. 4-5 hours drive). As we drive out of the Simien Mountains we will have time to take in a final look at some of the most spectacular views. This afternoon, is left free as you may wish to further explore Gondar.
Overnight hotel
Day 14:. Fly to Addis; tour ends on arrival
We fly back to the capital where the tour ends. Overnight Intercontinental Addis
