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View in the Simien Mountains
(photo by Awaze client, Ron Bugaj
(photo by Awaze client, Ron Bugaj
Ethiopia's Historic Route and Simien Mountain Trek;
15 Days / 14 Nights
15 Days / 14 Nights
Angels on the ceiling of Debre Birhan Selassie.
"False" door carved into Axum stele.
Simien Mountains Park scout.
Doorway to Yemrehanna Kristos.
Lalibela rock-hewn church.
Calabashes for sale at the Axum market.
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Tour Itinerary TH14
Arrival Bole International Airport
Awaze Tours will meet all clients arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, you may begin your tour the following day. Day 01 Addis Ababa
Visit the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Tour the Mercato, one of Africa's largest outdoor markets, and Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Overnight Hotel - (B, L, D) Day 02 Addis Ababa - Bahar Dar
Fly to Bahar Dar on Ethiopian Airlines. Visit the marketplace in Bahar Dar. Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient island monasteries. Overnight Lodge (B, L, D) Day 03 Bahar Dar - Gondar
Drive through the countryside to Gondar. Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African Empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) Day 04 Gondar - Simien Mountains National Park
Morning departure to Debark (100 kms from Gondar), where the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park is located. Meet the Scout, Mountain Guide, and others on the trekking team. Continue driving to Sankabar (31 kms from Debark) and the first camp site of the National Park. On this drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, possibly spotting wildlife such as the endemic Gelada Baboons and the “bone breaker” bird Lammergeyer. Camp at Sankabar (3200m.) Overnight Camping (B, L, D) Day 05 Trekking Simien Mountains National Park
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. Camp at Geech (3600m.) Overnight Camping (B, L, D) Day 06 Trekking Simien Mountains National Park
Trek Geech - Imet Gogo- Geech. Trek to some of the best view points in the National Park. Imet Gogo boasts spectacular views in every direction. Possible wildlife sightings on this 4 -5 hour trek include the Simien Wolf, the Walia Ibex, and Klipspringers. Overnight Camping (B, L, D) Day 07 Trekking Simien Mountains National Park
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 (B, L, D) Day 08 Trekking Simien Mountains National Park
Trek to Ambiquo campsite (3,200m) approximately 9 hours via Mt. Buhit (4,430m); cross the Mesheha River before reaching Ambiquo. Overnight Camping (B, L, D) Day 09 Trekking Simien Mountains National Park
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 camp for overnight. Overnight Camping (B, L, D) Day 10 Trekking Simien Mountains National Park
Trek Ambiquo - Chenek; return to Chenek, bypassing Mt. Buhit on the return. Overnight Camping (B, L, D) Day 11 Simien Mountains National Park - Gondar
Meet with vehicles and return to Gondar. Relax and recover from trek. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) Day 12 Gondar - Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines 700 kilometers north of Addis Ababa. Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) Day 13 Lalibela
For the morning we have two choices: Take a morning hike with mules to Mount Asheton, with its 13th century rock-hewn monastery and great views of the town; - OR - Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Following either option above continue with tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) Day 14 Lalibela - Axum
Fly to Axum. Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum. Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) Day 15 Axum - Addis Ababa
Fly to Addis Ababa. Visit the National Museum, home of the 3 million year old skeleton “Lucy.” Optional souvenir shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure if needed. (B, L, D) End of Tour
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.) |
For Information and Pricing:
Simien Mountains National Park.
Exhibits at the National Museum in Addis Ababa.
Painted church archway.
Lalibela's weekly market.
Gondar's Royal Enclosure.
Many Ethiopian farmers still use traditional farming methods.
Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
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