Trekking in Simien Mountain National Park with Lalibela

Upon arrival in Addis, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. Then after breakfast, start your trip by driving to the National Museum of Ethiopia for visiting the long-age history of Ethiopia and the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University’s main campus is the enthralling Ethnological Museum. Even if you’re not normally a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of your time – it’s easily one of the finest museums in Africa. Before lunch, drive to Holy Trinity Cathedral Church which has a unique architectural style. Immediately after a relaxed lunch, drive up to the Entoto Mountains, the best location to observe the panoramic view of the capital. It is also a historical place where Menelik II resided and built his palace. It is notable as the location of a number of celebrated churches, including Saint Raguel and Saint Mary (Maryam Church). The return drive will be via Piazza en-route, visit St. George Church and Menelik II Square towards the largest open-air market, Merkato.

Overnight Stay at Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel or similar, Addis Ababa.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Bole Airport for your domestic flight to Gondar. Depart Gondar, and drive to Sankaber via Debark where the park’s entrance fee is paid, and obligatory staff are met. You will be dropped of at Buyit Ras for a 3-4 hours hike to Sankaber by which you will pass close to the escarpment edge. Nearing Sankaber, you will have beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge, where you will likely see the endemic Gelada baboons.

Overnight Camping in Sankaber.

The trek starts with a gentle stroll through the Erica heather that hangs on white lichen and mosses, resembling an old man’s white beard. Along the route keep an eye open to spot the elusive and elegant klipspringer. After 2-3 hours, you will reach the viewpoint where you encounter the seasonal and impressive Jinbar waterfall. From there, you climb fairly steeply for an hour to reach the Jinbar valley and head down to the Jinbar River at 3,190m. Have a picnic lunch in these majestic surroundings. On the way, keep an eye open for the rare and graceful lammergeyer, soaring in search of food. After a brief rest at the river, ascend gradually on an undulating trail for 2-3 hours to the village of Gich – dotted by the traditional round thatched huts and home to the Muslim community. After the village, the trail then winds its way into the moorland where visitors will experience the highland flora of giant lobelia as you arrive at Gich camp.

Overnight camping in Gich.

One of the most scenic and spectacular trails in the park, this route takes you to a viewpoint that rewards you with views of the remarkable shape of the landscape and canyon which are the result of geological upheaval between 60 – 70 million years ago. The first part of the hike is a gentle uphill walk of around 2 hours from Gich to the Imetgogo viewpoint (3,926m). With some good luck, you may spot the iconic Ethiopian wolf. While sitting amongst the rocks at Imeg Gogo, you can see Ras Dejen in the distance. Another hour’s walk through the Afroalpine meadow takes you to the Lobelia Valley, which is home to thousands of these giant plants. The trail then brings you to the second viewpoint: Saha (3,785m) with stunning views of the dramatic gorge and rock towers. This is ideal spot for lunch. After lunch and before the final ascent towards the camp, another 1 hour trek brings you to the final viewpoint of the day called Kedadit (3,760m). After that, a 45-minute downhill stroll brings you to the Gich campsite.

Overnight camping in Gich.

The trek begins by ascending gradually for about 2 hours through the Afroalpine meadows. Next, you descend to where you’ll have impressive views of the gorge below Imet Gogo. The trail then winds its way to the lowest point and begins ascending to the peak Inateye (which means beloved mother in Amharic). You ascend fairly steeply at first for an hour and then more gradually for another hour to the highest point of the day at Inateye (4,070m). This area is an outstanding place to view birds, particularly raptors. Many interesting species can be seen here, among which are the tawny eagle, lammergeyer and augur buzzard. Here you have a rewarding view of the Imet Gogo summit, Bwhait pass and the surrounding escarpment and mountains. After a brief rest and lunch in this majestic spot, begin your 2-3 hour descent to the camp. About 10-20 minutes before reaching camp, stop at Kurbetemetaya to get the final and excellent view of the day’s trek and look for the first sighting of the cliff specialist walia ibex. Also keep your eyes peeled for geladas. Animals at this campsite have become accustomed to humans – please keep a distance and do not feed any of the animals.

Overnight stay at Camp Chennek.

Climb the second highest peak in the Simien mountains, Buwahit (4430m), rewarding you with one of the endemic wild animals in Ethiopia, particularly in the Simien mountains, called Walia Ibex (a goat family), in addition to the scenic views of the surroundings. You have the chance to see the highest mountain peak in Ethiopia, Ras-Dejen (4543m), before heading back down to Chennek camp where the night is spent.

Overnight stay at Camp Chennek.

After lunch, you will visit Gondar, the first capital city with the reign of Fasilides. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more of European than African origin. In the afternoon, you visit Fasiladas’ Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one! You continue on to the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs, and paintings. Debre Berhan Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632.

Overnight stay at Goha Hotel or similar, Gondar. You can also upgrade to the Gondar Hills Resort for a small supplement.

The flight departs at 10:00 and takes about 30 minutes to arrive at Lalibela, the small town in the Lasta mountains which is world-famous for its unique rock churches chiselled into the red, soft tuff rock. The city is named after King Lalibela, who built numerous religious buildings here. The Rock-Hewn Ethiopian orthodox Christian churches of Lalibela are one of the eighth wonders of the world. It’s a collection of churches, some connected by fascinating internal channels, with hermit holes where people lived and died. The connecting walls are full of religious symbols. The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century. Some are beautifully painted inside. You will visit the 1st and 2nd groups of the rock-hewn churches today.

Overnight stay at Maribela Hotel or Similar, Lalibela.

Today, you leave Lalibela and have a drive to Yemrehanna for another ancient rock-hewn church known as Yemrehanna Kristos. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Visit Yemrehanna Kristos, which is one of Ethiopia’s best-preserved late-Aksumite buildings. Few people reward themselves with a visit – and a reward it is. The church is different because it’s built rather than excavated. Seeing the stepped exterior facade, created from alternating wood and stone layers, you’ll understand why so many of Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches look like they do. And knowing that Yemrehanna Kristos may predate Lalibela’s churches by up to 80 years, you have before you a virtual blueprint of greatness. In the afternoon, drive back to Lalibela for lunch and you will proceed to visit the remaining groups of the Lalibela churches. Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis – constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia, Saint George.

Overnight stay at Maribela Hotel or Similar, Lalibela.

After breakfast early in the morning, you will start driving to Asheton Maryam, a 13th C. rock-hewn monastery found about 8 km from Lalibela, lying on an altitude of almost 4,000m. It is carved out of a cleft into a cliff face. The monastery is still in active use, with a priest living there full time to welcome worshippers and visitors. There are many sacred items found at Asheton Maryam, including crosses and a Bible illustrated with colourful, intricate drawings, presented by the priest for visitors to see. You will have a short walk to arrive at the monastery or can make the journey by mule, if preferred. Late in the afternoon, you will go back to Lalibela and spend the night at the Hotel.

Overnight stay at Maribela Hotel or Similar, Lalibela.

The flight departs Lalibela in the midday and arrives in the afternoon in Addis Ababa. Depending on your interest and time availability, visit the local gift and traditional cloth shops. Finally, the tour ends with a transfer to Bole international airport for your onward flight(s).