Trekking and Hiking in the roof of Africa – 7 Days
Overview:
Ethiopia has some of the best trekking routes in Africa. The Simien Mountains National Park is the most popular trekking destination in the country. A combination of stunning viewpoints, luxury lodges, epic hiking trails and endemic wildlife make it one of the most exciting mountain ranges in the world. To the North, mile upon mile of green cultivated land, intersected by dramatic Gorges stretch out beneath you. Here on The high plateau the rare Ethiopian Wolf,Walya Ibex and Lammergeier call this Home Troops of Gelada Baboons abound and the giant Lobelia can grow up to 10min height. The awesome landscapes of the Simien Mountains are simply breath taking with amazing canyons and immense, bizarre rock formations. Surprisingly Verdant and in contrast to the surrounding arid plains, the Simien Mountains present a wonderful setting for wild trekking. Travelling the escarpment to gain Views of the spectacular Geech Abyss Spotting an array of wildlife including the gelada baboon & the Walia IbexThe views from the summit of RasDashen.
National Geographic magazine has called the Omo Valley “Africa’s last frontier.” Home to approximately 225,000 people, the valley is busting with diversity; there are nine main tribes and many smaller ones all speaking their own language, practicing unique customs and rituals that identify to them only. Life has evolved slowly here as tribes have clung to their life practices while the world around them has changed. Now their beauty and fanciful dress are attracting attention as they welcome you to their villages, interact at local markets and dance with you at nightly rituals.
Day 1: Commence Trek, drive to Sankabar.
On this day drive from Gondar to Debark, to start our 6 days trek in the Simien Mountains National Park. In the northern part of Ethiopia, the Simien Mountains consist of several major plateau divided by large river valleys. Our experienced guide is very familiar with the peaks and valleys and is able to introduce us to areas seldom visited by travelers and even by the locals themselves. After doing any last minute activates in Debark we will drive out on a rough road to Sankabar. From here we shall take a short acclimatization walk along the escarpment for our first views over the dramatic Simien mountain range. Overnight Camp.
Day 2: Trek to Geech (approx. 6-8 hrs)
At Sankabar we pack up our gear and meet our muleteers before commencing the trek to Geech. We travel along the Escarpment before dropping down to get views of the spectacular Geech Abyss. From here we ascend through terraced farmland to the village of Geech where glimpses of the whole Simien mountain Chain become possible.Overnight camp.
Day 3: Trek to Chenek via summit of Imet Gogo (3926m) (approx. 3-5 hrs)
From Geech we take an optional 2 hr hike up to the summit of Imetgogo. It is possible to see a vast expanse of lowlands and gain some perspective of this incredible mountain range. There are also options to take a circuit walk to Gidar Got and Saha. We take Things steadily to help the acclimatization process whilst enjoying one of the most dramatic trekking days imaginable. The most Common animal in this area is the gelada baboon, unique to Ethiopia and also known as the bleeding heart baboon, or lion monkey. Klipspringers and grey duikers may also be seen in this area but it is usually only a glimpse as they nimbly spring across the rock face. Another or Ethiopia’s endemic species, the Walia Ibex with its distinctively ridged horns can sometimes be seen on the rocky crags of the escarpments. We continue trekking the length of the escarpment to Chenek, which is bounded by a semicircular ring of cliffs. The walk today is about 7-9 hours of undulations, with some steep ups and downs on a very seldom used track. The Chenek campsite offers superb views and again there are many places to see the Walia Ibex. Geladas are seldom found far from cliffs. Like the Walia, they are well adapted to living on nearly vertical faces and at the first site of danger will plunge over the edge where danger cannot follow. The Simien Fox or Abyssinian wolf, though named after this area,is now rarely seen, though you may hear its high pitched call at night. These mountains are also noted for cliff-nesting birds of prey, in particular the large and powerful Lammergeyer. These Birds have a wing span of almost 3 meters and are frequently seen Performing aerial acrobatics above us. Overnight camp
Day 4: Ambiko
This morning we leave for Ambiko at the foot of Ras Dashen (or Ras Dejen). We go half way up Bwahit Peak (4430m), the second highest mountain on our route, for an incredible outlook of our campsite below. After about 1.5 hours of trekking uphill we will reach a viewpoint looking across the vast valley of the Mesheha River. From here we will also get our first sighting of Ras Dashen (4,533m), the highest point in a wall of cliffs and peaks on the skyline at the far side of the valley. We then take the path down and across the Meshwa River before steeply climbing to the village of Ambiko, where we will camp for the night. (Approx 8-9hrs) Overnight Camp.
Day 5: Summit Ras Dashen (4533m)
Today’s optional climb to the highest point in Ethiopia, the summit of Ras Dashen at 4533m, requires a dawn start. We climb slowly and steadily through giant lobelia forests for about 5-6 hours, before a steep scramble for 20 minutes to the summit. On the summit we will take a rest and absorb the spectacular Panorama that a waits. In clear weather it is possible to see as far as Eritrea. From the top we scramble downwards for about 3- 4 hours, back to our campsite at Ambiko. (Approx. 8-10 hrs) Overnight Camp.
Day 6: Drive back to Gondar
From Ambico pic up and drive back to Gondar. We can rest our legs and revel in our achievements on the return drive to Gondar, where a Shower will be a refreshing reward after our trek. Overnight hotel.
