The Simien Mountains Trek

Depart London.
**

The group flight arrives in the morning. Please note that if you are being
picked up at the airport (either on the group transfer or private transfer)
you will have to exit the terminal to find our representative with the Exodus
board. You may see people with signs inside the terminal but they are
generally people with special permission such as the UN, Government or hotels
with desks inside the terminal. In the afternoon we go on a sightseeing tour
that takes us to the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Trinity where
Haile Selassies' remains now lie.
*Ghion Hotel or similar*

We have a spectacular flight to Gondar. From the air we see the extraordinary
nature of the Ethiopian plateau, cut again and again by immensely deep
gorges. Gondar was once the capital of Ethiopia and in the afternoon we visit
the castles, which were built in the 17th and 18th centuries by several
generations of Ethiopia's kings. Nearby is the Debre Birhan Selassie church
with its sensational angelic ceiling, and the bathhouse of Fasil at which
thousands of Ethiopians celebrate Timkat festival every January. Our hotel is
up on a cliff top with wonderful views overlooking the town. Depending on
time we will also visit the centre of The Kindu Trust, a local charity which
Exodus supports.
(On the Timkat Festival departure in January we spend a full extra day in
Gondar to experience the festival. We join the Ethiopian crowds at
Fasilides’ Baths whose water has been blessed by priests. Young men dive
into the water to symbolise the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.
The festival has been described as one of the greatest shows on Earth.)
*Goha Hotel or similar*

We travel by road the 105 kilometres to the small town of Debark, the nearest
town to the Simien National Park. There is a little time to explore the area
while the guides prepare the equipment and mules for the trek.
From Debark the landscape suddenly opens onto a picturesque valley dotted
with mud huts, horses and livestock. We start our walk at Buyit Ras, entrance
to the park, and head towards Sankaber where we have our first night’s
camp. There are spectacular views across the range from here. 3 hours
walking, 9kms.
*Sankaber Camp or similar*

Walking near small settlements and villages we have fine views across the
lowlands and the Simien plateau as we continue our trek heading towards Geech
(3,600m). En route we see a stunning waterfall; cascading through a hole in
the rock, it falls 500 metres to the bottom of the gorge and is particularly
impressive after the rainy season (by Christmas the waterfall may not be
visible). The last 2 hours of the day involve a steep climb up to our
campsite, where we stay for two nights. 7 hours walking, 12 kms.
*Geech Camp or similar*

A spectacular day - in the morning we walk to Imetgogo (3,926m). Situated at
the end of a long ridge, which disappears on either side to the lowlands
below, there are outstanding views of the gorge and mountain range and it is
easy to understand why the striking formations have been described as 'the
chess pieces of the Gods'. We should get our first glimpse of Ras Dashen from
here and we can see clearly our route for the coming days. If we haven't
already encountered them, there is a good chance of seeing the indigenous
Gelada, also known as the 'bleeding heart' baboon or Lion monkey. The Gelada
is in fact neither baboon nor monkey but the last remaining species of a
branch of high altitude, grass eating primates that have all but vanished. We
return to the same camp and enjoy an afternoon at rest. 4 hours walking,
10kms, ascent 325m, descent 325m.
*Geech Camp or similar*

Another wonderful walk - heading in the same direction as yesterday we soon
branch off to reach the edge of the escarpment which we follow to the top,
Inatye (4070m). The dramatic views continue all the way down to our camp at
Chennek. 7 hours walking, 13kms, ascent 650m, descent 570m.
*Chenneck camp or similar*

A memorable but hard day's trekking of ascents and descents as we make our
way from Chennek to Ambiko. We should see birds like the Ground Scraper
Thrush, Siskins, Falcons and Kestrel. Today is also our best chance of seeing
the rare and endangered Walia Ibex, a species that can only be found in the
Simien National Park. From Chennek we climb to a pass at 4,200m and from here
the fit and energetic may like to continue on a further hour up to the summit
of Bwuhit at 4,430m. Otherwise from the pass we have a big drop down to the
Meshah River at 2850m, via the village of Chiro Leba, where we may be able to
visit the school and small clinic (if open). From the river we ascend 350m to
our camp, where we spend 2 nights at Ambiko. 10 hours walking, 17km, ascent
1105m, descent 1570m.
*Ambiko Camp or similar*

We ascend Ras Dashen before returning to Ambiko. This day is the longest day
of the trek. It may take up to twelve hours climbing 1350m to the summit. Ras
Dashen has 3 peaks and we climb to the middle highest peak - the roof of
Ethiopia. Our efforts are rewarded with incredible views from the summit. 12
hours walking, 21km, ascent 1345m, descent 1345m.
*Ambiko Camp or similar*

Another challenging day, although not as difficult as the previous one! From
Ambiko we trek to the superbly positioned camp at Sona. After plenty of ups
and downs we might be able to stop for some local coffee in the small village
of Arquaziye before continuing for another hour and half to our camping site
at Sona. 10 hours walking, 21kms, ascent 965m, descent 1055.
*Sona Camp or similar*

A much easier day! We descend into the lowlands. Our day begins with a 1,100m
descent into the Ansiya valley, where we have a relaxed lunch break. We then
move onto our camp, near the village of Mekarebya. This is an excellent day
for seeing birds and there are very good views up to the Simien Mountains. We
can look back with pride upon the areas we have recently trekked. 5 hours
walking time, 10kms, ascent 65m, descent 1120m.
*Mekarebya Camp or similar*

From our camp we drop 350m, to where we have another long idyllic lunch spot.
The final 2 hours of the day involve a hot 400m of ascent, to our final
campsite at Mulit. Here we are completely surrounded by fantastic views all
around us. 5 hours walking, 17kms, ascent 515m, descent 425m.
*Mulit Camp or similar*

Our final day's walking takes us to Adi Arkay from where we drive, via Debark
to Gondar (approx 6 hours driving), for a much deserved wash and rest! 2.5
hours walking, 7kms, ascent 50m, descent 440m.
*Goha Hotel or similar*

Depending on flight times there may be time to relax and explore Gondar
before we fly back to Addis. On our return to Addis day rooms will be
provided for clients on the late flight, departing after midnight on day 14
(day 15 ex London). The trip ends in the evening in Addis
(please note the January Timkat Festival departure is one day longer as we
spend 2 nights in Gondar before the trek).
**

Arrive Londdon
**