Day 1: Flight to Gondar – Drive to Simien Mountains
Take an early flight to Gondar. A car will meet you at the airport and drive 100 kilometers north through the Ethiopian highlands to Debark, a small town of about 35,000 people near the entrance of Simien National Park.
After a short stop at the park headquarters to finish paperwork and pick up the cook and scouts, we drive on a bumpy road to Sankaber area, which is about 3,100 meters above sea level. From there, we take a short two to three hour walk to help adjust to the altitude.
Along the way, you will see a beautiful view of the mountain range and many local plants such as Erica arborea (Heather trees), Hypericum revolutum (St. John’s Wort), and Rosa abyssinica (Abyssinian wild rose). This area also has the largest number of Gelada Baboons.
Overnight at Sankaber, 3,250 meters above sea level.
Day 2: Trek from Sankaber to Geech
Start your hike from Sankaber along the ridge. You will see the foothills 800 meters below. As you go down into the valley, you will watch the Jinbar River filling the Geech Abyss.
After spending time near the waterfall, continue to Geech settlement, where you will camp for the night.
Overnight camping at Geech, 3,580 meters above sea level.
Day 3: Geech to Imet Gogo to Siha Gorge to Keda Dit to Geech
After breakfast at Geech campsite, take a slow walk across the grassy plateau filled with Giant Lobelia plants. After about two hours, you will reach Imet Gogo, which offers a full 360-degree view of the Simien Mountains from 3,926 meters high. From here, you can see distant peaks, the canyon below, and wide lowlands beyond.
On the way back to Geech, stop for lunch at Siha Gorge. When you return to camp, you can rest or take a short hike to Keda Dit for a sunset view before night falls.
Overnight at Geech campsite, 3,580 meters above sea level.
Day 4: Geech to Innatye to Chennek
After breakfast, start your seven-hour hike to one of the most beautiful mountain passes. Hike southeast from Geech to Innatye, crossing wide grasslands along the ridge and then descending into a large hazel forest. When you reach the top, you will see a steep drop that locals call “mama mia.” After lunch here, continue to Chennek, where you may see Gelada baboons and Walia ibex.
Overnight at Chennek campsite, 3,620 meters above sea level.
Day 5: Chennek to Gondar
After breakfast at the camp, hike two hours to Bwahit summit, the second highest peak in the Simien Mountains at 4,430 meters. From here, you may see rare animals like the Ethiopian wolf and Walia ibex.
After spending some time at the top, return to Chennek for lunch, then travel back to Gondar in the late afternoon to catch your flight back to Addis Ababa.
