Overview
This 10-day tour explores Historic Route, Gondar, Simien Mountains, Sankaber, Gich and Chenek. It is designed for travelers interested in historical, cultural, adventure, hiking experiences, combining important attractions with well-paced sightseeing and local discovery. The itinerary includes cultural experience, wildlife watching, trekking and coffee ceremony. Wildlife sightings may include Gelada Baboons and Walia Ibex.
Tour Highlights
- Visit Historic Route, an important stop for local culture, scenery, history, and photography
- Visit Gondar, Ethiopia’s former imperial capital, famous for castles, churches, and royal history
- Explore Simien Mountains National Park, trek dramatic escarpments, deep valleys, and highland habitats with endemic wildlife
- Visit Sankaber, begin the Simien trekking route with escarpment views and frequent Gelada baboon sightings
- Visit Gich, trek through highland scenery toward one of the classic Simien camping areas
- Visit Chenek, one of the best Simien areas for Walia ibex, Gelada baboons, and mountain views
- Visit Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital through museums, markets, religious sites, and lively city culture
- Visit Entoto Hills, enjoy panoramic views over Addis Ababa and learn about the city’s early royal history
- Visit National Museum of Ethiopia, Lucy and important archaeological collections that trace Ethiopia’s ancient human history
- Visit Ethnological Museum, Ethiopia’s cultural diversity inside the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie
- Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of Addis Ababa’s most important cathedrals with historic tombs and religious art
- Visit Merkato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets, known for spices, textiles, coffee, and daily city life
- Look for wildlife in national parks, forests, crater lakes, and open savanna landscapes
- Experience Ethiopia’s traditional coffee ceremony and learn about its social importance
- Take part in multi-day trekking through highland scenery, escarpments, and remote trails
Day 1: Arrival – Sightseeing Addis (The new Flower)
You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. Refresh and begin your sightseeing of Addis with a drive up to mount Entoto for a panoramic view of Addis. Descend down and drive to National museum where you will have a chance to spot the oldest hominids of ‘Lucy’ fossil. Visit and proceed to the Holy Trinity built during the WWII. Then proceed to Ethnographic museum, which use to be the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. To wrap up you drive to merkato, the biggest market in East Africa. Overnight in Addis.
Day 2: Addis Ababa – Simien Mountains National Park
Fly to Gondar on. Meet with vehicles and drive to Sankaber the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Meet with guides and prepare for trek. Overnight camping.
Day 3: Sankaber – Geech (3,600m elevation) Trekking
Trek Sankaber – Geech (3,600m elevation) which will take between 5-7 hours. After one and half hours, see the Jinnbar River and falls which you will cross later in the day. After crossing the river, ascend for about 2 hours to Geech. The scenery is wonderful and a herd of Gelada Baboons can be seen on the journey. Overnight camping.
Day 4: Geech – Chenek (3,620m elevation) Trekking
Trek Geech – Chenek (3,620m elevation); trek along the 4,000 meter breathtaking Enatye escarpment before descending to Chenek. Walia Ibex and Gelada Baboons are routinely spotted. Overnight camping.
Day 5: Trekking Simien Mountains National Park
Day trekking from Chenek (3,200m.); Overnight camping.
Day 6: Simien Mountains National Park – Gondar
Continue with morning sightseeing in the Simien Mountains. After lunch, depart for Gondar in time for late afternoon arrival. Overnight at hotel/lodge.
Day 7: Trekking to Mt. Buhit
Trek to Ambiquo campsite (3,200m) approximately 9 hours via Mt. Buhit (4,430m); cross the Mesheha River before reaching Ambiquo. Overnight camping.
Day 8: Trekking from Ambiquo – Ras Dejen (Dashen) 4,543 meters, Africa’s fourth highest peak
Trek Ambiquo – Ras Dashen – Ambiquo; early morning departure to the summit of Ras Dashen, at 4,543 meters, Africa’s fourth highest peak. Trek up the Valley from your campsite to the small village of Mizma. From here, a steep climb brings you to an impressive amphitheater made up of three major buttresses of expanded rock. It is then an easy scramble to the summit. To reach the Summit can take up to 6 hrs. Return to Ambiquo. Overnight camping.
Day 9: Trekking Simien Mountains National Park
Trek Ambiquo – Chenek; return to Chenek, bypassing Mt. Buhit on the return.; Overnight camping.
Day 10: Gondar – Addis – Departure
After breakfast, drive to In the evening attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.
