This document provides an 11-day itinerary for a trek through the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia. The itinerary includes travel from London to Addis Ababa, exploring cities in Ethiopia, a 9-day trek through the mountains including camping and hiking to peaks over 4,000 meters, visiting local villages, and returning from Addis Ababa to London. Key activities include hiking trails with incredible views, seeing rare wildlife like gelada baboons and walia ibex, and interacting with the friendly local people in Ambaras Village.

1. Day 1: Leave London Heathrow for Day 6: Geech – Mietgogo –
ETHIOPIA Addis Ababa International Airport, Chenek (3600m)
approx ten hours’ flying time. Leaving camp, we set off on a steady
Trek through the climb across open moorland towards
Day 2: Addis Ababa Mietgogo, a rocky outcrop perched
Simien Mountains to the We arrive early morning in Addis high above the canyons. The cliffs
Ambaras Village Ababa. There will be time for a full drop away 1500m below us, but the
tour of the city in the day. Later we 360 degree views of the surrounding
Project. can relax and meet for dinner in the area are fabulous! Retracing our
_____________________________ hotel. steps, we head east and drop down
until we are just above the source of
10 days / 9 nights Day 3: Addis - Gonder the river. We then commence the
Depart: London – Addis Ababa We take an early morning flight to steady climb to Inatye crest
Return: Addis Ababa – London Gonder which leaves time to (4090m), following the path over the
_____________________________ explore the medieval castles and top and down around the mountain,
churches. We then return back to descending nearly 500m to our
INTRODUCTION the hotel to relax and make final campsite. We should be there in time
preparations for the start of the trek. to watch the usually-spectacular
The Simien Mountains form one sunset over the cliffs around Chenek.
of Africa’s largest mountain Day 4: Gonder – Buyit Rass – Camp Chenek 3600m.
ranges and are one of the most Sankaber (3200m Walk approx: 9 hours
spectacular. With many of the We drive (approx 3 hours) to the
peaks rising above 4000m, they bustling town of Debark, and enter Day 7: Chenek – Bwahit (4430m)
make an awesome sight and the Simien Mountain National Park. The cliffs around Chenek are the
contain Ethiopia’s highest Now on foot, we set off around the only known habitat for the walia
mountain – and the fourth highest cliff face high on the plateau and ibex in the world. The need to
in Africa – Ras Dashen, standing glimpse the spectacular backdrop of protect their environment was the
majestically at 4620m. main justification for making this
the Simien Mountains for the first
time. We are likely to encounter area a protected National Park. Keep
Our trek takes us through the your eyes peeled for them as we
gelada baboons, endemic to
Simien Mountain National Park, ascend through the valley from
Ethiopia, and the noisy wattled ibis.
an area abundant with flora and
Camp Sankaber (3200m). Chenek, to scale Ethiopia’s second
fauna, fertile cultivated terraces
Walk approx: 5 hours highest mountain, Bwahit on the
and vibrant hillside villages. Our
edge of the national park. We return
goal is the summit of Bwahit
Day 5: Sankaber – Geech (3600m) to Chenek to celebrate our
standing at 4430m, the second
A hearty breakfast sets us on our achievement. Camp Chenek, 3600m.
highest peak in Ethiopia.
way as we head towards Geech Walk approx: 6 hours
Returning to our camp we head to
abyss and the stunning Jin Bahir
the village of “Ambaras” where
Falls. Dropping down to the Day 8: Chenek – Ambaras Village
we will have the rare opportunity
viewpoint perched on a rocky spur A hearty breakfast of porridge sets
of mixing with the local villagers
opposite the falls, we enjoy a great us on our way to the village of
and helping put the finishing
view as the Jin Bahir river plunges Ambaras about 3 hours away.
stages to the Deutsche Bank
over the cliff into the 1000m drop Here we meet the local village
financed project.
below. Leaving the falls, we have a community and will be invited to a
sharp climb to rejoin the road before special coffee ceremony. The
This is a tough and challenging
veering off into the valley and afternoon can be spent visiting the
trek but the beauty of the
crossing the Jin Bahir River further new school and you can choose from
countryside, the diversity of the
wildlife and exotic plants, and the upstream. The final stage of the day a range of activities such as reading
friendliness of the local people will follows well-walked paths through to the children, teaching them some
be something you will take away cultivated terraces towards Geech English, playing football. Camp at
with you for a long time to come. village and our campsite nestled the village.
_____________________________ high above the village. Walk approx: 3 hours
Camp Geech 3600m.
ITINERARY Walk approx: 6 - 7 hours

2. Day 9: Ambaras - Gonder
After saying our final farewells we Passport, Visa and Vaccinations TREKKING INFORMATION
pack up and are transferred by A valid ten-year passport with at This is a challenging trek! You will
waiting transport the 6 hour journey least one year to run is essential. A need a good standard of equipment
back to Debark and on to Gonder. visa is required for entry into and clothing to enjoy this trek.
We are reunited with the luxury of a Ethiopia; it currently costs $37 for a This trek is tough mainly because of
hot shower and a comfortable bed. single entry and is available at the the altitude at which we are trekking.
There is the opportunity for a bit of airport in Addis Ababa on arrival. It is impossible to predict who will
last minute shopping before meeting be affected by altitude and how it
for a well deserved celebration meal. We insist that you have had a tetanus will affect them. Early symptoms
Night hotel. injection in the last ten years and include headaches, nausea,
highly recommend protection suppression of appetite and general
Day 10: Gonder - Addis Ababa against polio, hepatitis A and lethargy. Where someone is
We make the short 45 minute typhoid. A yellow fever vaccination suffering from more serious
transfer to the airport at Gonder for is also recommended and you may symptoms it may be necessary to
the flight back to the capital Addis be asked to produce proof of your walk them back down the mountain.
Ababa where we will take the night vaccination on entry. Malaria is not
flight back to London. found in Addis Ababa or at the Terrain is varied with trekking along
elevations we trek at in the well trodden local paths, steep
Day 11: Flight arrival in London. mountains, so we do not recommend escarpments, rocky trails and light
We will arrive early morning into protection against malaria unless you scrambling in places. Most of the
Heathrow. are planning to extend your stay in walking is rough underfoot.
Ethiopia. However you should
This itinerary is based on flight always contact your GP or travel Vehicles take the group to the start
schedules with Ethiopian Airlines clinic for the latest information as of the trek and pick us up at the end.
and may be subject to change if world health situations do frequently Mules will carry all the luggage,
flight schedules change. change. food, water and camping equipment.
_____________________________ You will need a good daypack for
Weather items required during the day.
GENERAL INFORMATION October – December is the best time
Tour Cost to visit the Simien Mountains: it is This is an adventurous trek in a
The tour cost includes all flights and drier but slightly cooler. June – remote area. Discover Adventure
accommodation, private transport to September is rainy season; when it reserve the right to change the route
and from the National Park, park ends the flowers are spectacular. At in cases such as adverse weather
entry fees, local porters, guides and other times the weather is equatorial conditions, wildlife movements,
cook, and all meals except two and very pleasant, but nights can be park restrictions and the ability of
dinners and one lunch. chilly at the higher campsites. In the the group.
mountains the weather can change _____________________________
It does not include entry visa ($37), frequently and you should be Please phone with any questions.
insurance, meals as above, and prepared. Altitude has a great effect
international departure tax of $20. A on temperatures and it will get Discover Adventure Ltd
maximum of £100 – £150 is cooler as you climb higher. It will Throope Down House
recommended for personal expenses. also be cold at night, sometimes Blandford Road
below freezing. Coombe Bissett
Flights Salisbury
Group flights leave from London Min/max temperatures and average SP5 4LN
Heathrow and are booked by number of rainy days per month in
Discover Adventure Ltd ATOL Addis Ababa: ATOL 5636
5636. Oct – Dec: 5 – 24°C; 3
Jan – Feb: 6 – 24°C; 5 Tel: 01722 718444
Food and Accommodation March: 9 – 25°C; 9 Fax: 01722 718445
Breakfasts are included when in _____________________________ info@discoveradventure.com
hotels, and all meals whilst camping. www.discoveravdenture.com
Two dinners and one lunch are not Copyright: DA 2004
included when you are in towns. The
food is good and there is plenty of it.