Trekking to Ras Dashen, the highest point of Ethiopia. It is located in Simien Mountain National Park at an elevation of 4,553 meters above sea level.
Day 1: Gonder – Simien Mountains National Park.
In the morning, after breakfast, depart from Gondar for the Simien Mountains National Park, a Unesco world natural heritage. On the way, we will make a stop in Debark (2800M) to collect the guide, cook, scouts, and permit after paying the necessary fees to the park office. Here we will collect all the necessary items for the next trekking days. Then we will continue to enter the Park. Mount Simien rises from 3,000 to 4553 meters above sea level. To acclimatize to the high altitude of the area on your first day you will take a short 2-3 hour trek to Sankaber camp (3200M). Along with stunning views of the valley and mountain range. Seeing the endemic gelada baboon troops. Arrival in Sankaber.
Driving time 2:30 Hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
Trekking time: 2 -3 hours.
Total Altitude ascent and descent Difference of the trek ↑400m, ↓250m
Overnight: Sankaber campsite
Day 2: Trek Sankaber – Geech
In the morning, after breakfast, you will begin the trek with a gentle walk through Erica Heather, hanging over white lichens and mosses, reminiscent of an old man’s white beard. From Sankaber (3200 m) you will set out for Gich (3600 m). After 2-3 hours of walking you reach the seasonal waterfall of Jinbar or Nigus Aysmush Viewpoint, although there is little or no water in the dry season, it is a very impressive 500-meter deep waterfall. Usually, the rare and graceful bearded vulture is spotted soaring through the sky. We take a break at the river for a picnic lunch before starting to pass through the wonderful views of the Simien Mountain range and gradually climb up an undulating trail for 2-3 hours to reach Geech village, where we will camp for the night.
Trekking time is 5 to 6 hours.
Difficulty: medium
Total Altitude ascent and descent Difference of the trek (↑1.000m, ↓800m)
Overnight: Geech campsite
Day 3: Trek from Geech to Chennek
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will set off from Gich camp to reach Chenek. The trek will take 7 to 8 hours, passing through one of the most scenic and spectacular trails in the National Park. This trail will take you to the Imet Gogo viewpoint (3,926 m), where you will be rewarded with spectacular 360-degree views of plains, valleys, canyons and mountain ranges.
From Imet Gogo you continue to Chenek. Admiring the canyon, ridges, and valleys, and stop at the next viewpoint at Innateye (4,070 m) before continuing the trek to Chenek (3,600 m). Chenek is the best place to see the Walia indemic ibex and the rare Ethiopian wolf.
Difficulty: medium
Total ascent and descent elevation gain of the trek (↑900m, ↓900m)
Walking time 4-5 hours, 12 km
Overnight stay: camp Chennek
Day 4: Trek Chenneck – Ambiko
Early in the morning, we start the trek from Chennek to Buwhait Pass, where we may encounter the endemic Walia Ibex again. The trek involves an ascent of about 600 meters and a steep hike to reach Bwahit Rass (about 4,430 m). From here there is a splendid view of Mount Ras Dashen (4553 m), Ethiopia’s highest peak. We will descend to the Mesheha River and valley and then ascend back to Ambiko. This trek involves a total ascent of 945 m and a total descent of 1,400 m. The highest point of the day is 4,200 m and the lowest point is 2,800 m.
Trekking time 7-8 hours 22 Km
Difficulty: medium/difficult,
Total Altitude ascent and descent Difference of the trek: ↑945m, ↓1.400m
Overnight: Ambiko campsite
Day 5: Trek Ambiko – Ras Dashen – Ambiko
Today is the most beautiful day: we will be on Ethiopia’s highest peak, Mount Ras Dashen (4553 M), sometimes called the roof of Africa. We have breakfast before sunrise and begin the trek across the valley. When we reach the mountain, the climb becomes steeper and steeper. The climb to the top becomes difficult. Once you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with an incredible view of the whole area. Return to Ambiko campsite. The total ascent and descent of this trek is 1,300 meters.
Trekking time: 10 hrs., 22 km
Difficulty: difficult
Total Altitude ascent and descent Difference of the trek: ↑1.300m, ↓1300m)
Overnight: Ambiko campsite
Day 6: Trek Ambiko (3200 m) to Chennek (3600 m)
We’re heading back to the Chenek campground. It will be about 8 hrs. hiking. We descend into the Meshekha valley and cross the Meshekha River (2750m) before climbing again to Buwahit Pass (4430m). We pass through the village of Chiroloba. It is about 1 hour walk from the village to Chennek camp. This is our last night in the Simien Mountains.
Trekking time 7-8 hours 22 Km
Difficulty: medium/difficult,
Total Altitude ascent and descent Difference of the trek: ↑1400m, ↓945m
Overnight: Ambiko campsite
Day 7: Chennek- Gondar- Addis Abeba
Morning After a good breakfast and some rest, we start driving from Chenek to Gonder with a scenic view through Mount Siemien National Park, passing through the town of Debark before continuing to reach Gondar.
Driving time 5 hrs.
Overnight Gondar or fly back to Addis Ababa