Simien mountain trekking is a 4 day Ethiopian trekking tour safari. This African safari tour in Ethiopia starts and ends in Gondar. The Simien mountain trekking is a scenic tour that takes you to see the lammergeyers.

About 4 Day Simien Mountain Trekking Safari

Simien mountain trekking is a 4 day Ethiopian trekking tour safari. This African safari tour in Ethiopia starts and ends in Gondar. The Simien mountain trekking is a scenic tour that takes you to see the lammergeyers.

This 4 day Simien mountain trekking is for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness.  and that want to get a good sense of what the Simien Mountains National Park is all about.

The starting and finishing point for the tour will be Gondar. The trek includes two half days of trekking and two full days. The elevation of the trek will rise and fall between 2000 – 4000 meters above sea level.

4 Day Simien Mountain Trekking Safari Highlights

The highlight of the Simien mountain trekking will be at Imet Gogo.  Here you’ll see some of the most spectacular views over the Ethiopian Lowlands. The least number for this Ethiopian safari to starts is two pax.

Expect to see a variety of wildlife including Gelada monkey and Walia Ibex. If you are a birder, there is a variety of bird life as well as amazing natural scenery.

• Great Unique wildlife that includes Gelada Monkeys and Walia Ibex
• Great Landscape with super views
• Amazing Experience

Detailed 4 Day Simien Mountain Trekking Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Gondar – Sankober

Meet and greet will be by our Ethiopia safari guide at 0600 hrs in Gondar. This will be followed by a briefing on this Simien mountain trekking. You’ll then leave by 0700 hrs latest in the direction of Sankober.

You will have several stoppings along the way for quick breaks. You will disembark at Debark to sort out all the relevant park fees and permits. Everyone will be dropped off near the town of Buyit Ras. From here you’ll have a 3 to 4-hour hike to Sankober.

You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views on the trek. This is as you pass close to the escarpment edge before nearing Sankober. At Sankober you’ll enjoy beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge.

It is here that one is likely see the endemic Gelada baboons. Overnight will be spent camping under the African sky in Sankober.

Day 2: Sankober – Jinbar River Waterfalls – Geech

Your Simien mountain trekking day starts early today. This is with an early breakfast before departure. You’ll leave Sankober and head off in a rather large valley. This goes through which the Wazla River runs.

The river is often dry most parts of the year.  You will scale the opposite side of the valley. Here you’re offered views of the Jinbar River waterfalls falling into the Geech Abyss.

The trek continues as you cross the Jinbar River. From here you will ascend into the village of Geech. The total trekking time is 4 to 5 hours.

Simien Mountains National Park

The Simien Mountains National Park is in Northern Ethiopia. It is an exotic setting with unique wildlife and breath-taking views. The park i on a landscape shaped by nature and traditional agriculture.

The natural beauties of this region have always filled visitors with awe. Whether you are a local or an outsider, you will be amazed at the place. Gentle highland ridges at altitudes above 3600 meters above sea level (m asl). They are covered with grasses, and isolated trees (Erica &bored). The bizarre Giant Lobelia (Lobelia rhynchopetalum) are found on the high plateau. The plateau ends abruptly at 1000- to 2000-m to form  deep escarpments.

The margins of this high plateau consist of precipitous cliffs and deep, canyon-style gorges. In some places, the escarpment forms small elevations that offer splendid natal lookout points.

Spectacular Views

There are spectacular views from the observation points at Gidir Got and lmet Gogo. This is in the center of Simien Mountains National Park. They offer unparalleled panoramas along the high plateau and down to the lowland areas.

Given the right meteorological conditions, there are views reaching up to a hundred kilometers. This is over the valleys and the terraces of the Tekeze lowland basin are no exception.

Geologically speaking, the entire highlands of the Simien mountains consist of dark Trapp basalt. here you will also find bright and soft turf. They alternate and constitute a massive complex that is more than 3000 m thick.

This complex was formed by volcanic eruptions in the Tertiary Oligocene-Miocene Age. That is some 20-30 million years ago. Ever since, it has been going through processes of uplifting and erosion.

Attractions on Siemens Mountains

The main attraction of the Simien Moumains National Park is its biosphere. The steep cliffs and the cool climate at the altitude of the Erica tree line (3600 to 4000 m ash). They have created conditions that are appropriate for the survival of an ibex species. Scientifically calledCapra ibex wee, they are endemic to the Simien Mountains.

There are severe restriction of their habitat over the last centuries. But several hundred animals have survived up to the present. Apart from the Walya ibex, many other animal species are found in the Park. They include the endemic Simien fox or Ethiopian wolf (Canis .071817,51-3 simony’s). Several birds of prey and the endemic Gelada baboon (Theropithecusgelada) are here. We have the Klippspringer (Oreotragus omotragus), and the bush buck (liagelphus scriptus).

The rareness of these species formed the backbone of the concept for conservation of the area. This has led to the establishment of the Simien Mountains National Park in 1969. It’s has a listing as a World Heritage Site in 1918.

The human population living in the area adds to the distinctiveness of this environment. Their traditional lifestyle and their survival in a rather harsh climate is interesting. This make for the most striking impressions a visitor will have. This is when trekking Simien Mountains in the Park and its surrounding rural area.

Day 3: Geech – Chenek

Start your Simien mountain trekking with an early breakfast. This will be followed by departure. This time you’ll head in the direction of the peak of Imet Gogo. It lies at 3926m above sea level.

You’ll be presented with some of the most spectacular views over the Ethiopian Lowlands. This without question is one of the highlights of this Ethiopian safari. Your Simien mountain trekking will continue onto Chenek.

You’ll pass the Korbete Metia on your way to Chenek. Korbete Metia is a solid rock wall. It opens up exposing beautiful views over the lowlands and the escarpment. Korbete Metia gives you the best chance of spotting lammergeyers. You will set camp at Chenek.

The trekking time today will take between 7 – 9 hours.

Day 4: Chenek – Gondar

You will begin the day on Simien Mountain trekking with breakfast. This will be followed by departure going eastwards. You will head through a valley and onto Bwahit Peak.

This overlooks the camp from where you just came. After the visit you’ll return to camp before you leave for Gondar. End the safari by drop off at a Gondar hotel.

———- End of 4 Day Simien Mountain Trekking Safari ———-

4 Day Simien Mountain Trekking Safari Costs:

What is included in the 4 Day Simien Mountain Trekking Safari cost?

• Transportation in and out
• Food and Mineral water
• Cook (a person in charge of preparing fresh food every day)
• Guide (English speaking)
• Park ranger which is compulsory
• Park entrance fees
• Camping equipment such as Tent, Mattress and Sleeping bags.
• Mule and muleteers for loading and unloading stuffs and luggage from one camp to another.

4 Day Simien Mountain Trekking Safari Price excludes:

• Accommodation and activities in Addis Ababa (quoted separately)
• beverages
• Camera and/or photo fees
• Tips for driver, guides, etc (at your discretion)
• Items of a personal nature

What to Carry on the 4 Day Simien Mountain Trekking Safari

• Light (walking in the night)
• Small backpack for the trek to the top of the volcano
• Closed, comfortable shoes (trekking shoes)
• Sun protection like sun cream, hat
• Jacket for the night on the mountain
• Sleeping bag, pillow or blanket (can also be provided by the agency for free

About Simien Mountain Trekking

Simien Mountains trekking is a world-class experience. On the Simien mountain trek expect some stunning views of awe-inspiring jagged peaks and sharp precipices. There will be chances to spot some endemic wildlife.

Among the wildlife to be seen on the Simien mountain trekking include the rare Ethiopian wolf and the elusive Walia Ibex.

Simien mountain trek is challenging enough for most hillwalkers. The Simien Mountain trekking can be enjoyed by people with different levels of experience and fitness.

Steep ascents  on your Simien Mountain trekking lead to lush plateaus populated with giant lobelias. These are freaky fleshy-leaved plants growing to 3m in height, evoking images of dinosaurs and ancient days.

Escarpment vistas are filled with sheer cliffs, plunging waterfalls, and rocky turrets spiking out from the forested valleys below. Ribbons of mist drift over the ground.

Vultures and ravens cruise the skies. It is a strangely beautiful yet primal world that will be availed to you on your Simien Mountain trekking tour.

Dropping off the escarpment on your Simien mountain trekking tour, the landscape undergoes a dramatic transformation. This is as it descends some 2000m into the lowlands whose valleys are still over 2000m in altitude.

There are vibrantly coloured red hot poker plants cover the mountain slopes, and desert-style cactus trees and groves of aloe vera line the trail.

You will also enjoy cultivated fields of yellow canola flowers and feathery green tef are peppered with tropical-style giant ficus and palm trees.

Simien Mountains has jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and fear-inspiring precipitous cliffs. Some of these are as deep as 1,000 meters. The bizarre geology of the Simien Mountains could not be more worthy of the lavish description above.

The Simien Mountains was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. The massif is a high plateau which includes dozens of peaks above the 4,000-meter mark.

They are amongst them Ethiopia’s highest mountain and the fifth-highest in Africa, the 4,533-meter Ras Dashen.

Simien mountain trekking to the summit is challenging but not technical. Summit attempts generally launch from the local village of Ambiko (3170m) on the Meshehe River. And in true summit day fashion, hiking starts well before dawn.

The first few hours are cold and dark and wrapped in silence. Headlamps highlight a trail leading steadily upwards for 10km through farmland, giant lobelia forests and alpine meadows.

Finally, after six hours of continuous climbing, a short scramble up a rocky wall leads to the summit. The view is outstanding – a rich panorama of peaks and gullies, farmlands and forests stretching into the distant haze of Eritrea.

Standing on top of Ethiopia’s highest peak is…well, like standing on the roof of Africa.

Simien Mountain Trekking Destination

Simien Mountain National Park

The Simien Mountains trekking tour takes you to the Simien National Park. This Ethiopian National park is in Northern Ethiopia. This is an exotic setting with unique wildlife and breath-taking views on a landscape shaped by nature and traditional agriculture.

The natural beauties of this region have always filled visitors from Ethiopia and abroad with awe. Gentle highland ridges at altitudes above 3600 meters above sea level (m asl).

The highlands are covered with grasses, isolated bushes (Erica Arboria), and the bizarre Giant Lobelia (Lobelia rhynchopetalum). They are found on the high plateau that ends abruptly at 1000- to 2000-m deep escarpments.

The margins of this high plateau encompass precipitous cliffs and deep, canyon-style gorges. In some places, the escarpment forms small elevations that offer splendid natal lookout points.

The spectacular views from the observation points at Gidir Got and lmet Gogo in the heart of the Park offers unparalleled panoramas along the high plateau and down to the lowland areas.

Given the right meteorological conditions, views reaching up to 100 kilometers over the valleys and the terraces of the Tekeze lowland basin are no exception.

The entire highlands of the Simien mountains consist of dark Trapp basalt and bright, soft turf. They alternate and constitute a massive complex that’s more than 3000 m thick.

This complex was formed by volcanic eruptions in the Tertiary Oligocene-Miocene Age some 20-30 million years ago; ever since it has been going through processes of uplifting and erosion.

Where is Simien Mountains National Park?

The Simien Mountains (also spelled Semien mountains) are located in the Ethiopian Highlands. The highest point in the country is the mountain Ras Dashen at 4,550 m, found within the Simien National Park.

Simien Mountains National Park is located close to the town of Debark, where the park headquarters and main entry point can be found.

Debark is on the main road between the historic cities of Gondar and Axum, within a few hours’ drive of each. There are also buses that run between these two cities that stop at Debark.

What to See in Simien Mountain National Park

Simien Mountain National Park is like nowhere else on earth. The volcanic rock of the Ethiopian plateau has been eroded by the forces of nature over millions of years to create a maze of rocky peaks and ravines.

This unique environment is home to equally unique flora and fauna. These inhabitants and the scenery are the biggest draws for visitors. The best way to see the park is to go on an organized your Simien mountain trekking from Debark.

Simien Mountain National Park is home to a number of rare plants and animals, some of which are endemic to the region. They include:

• Walia ibex – This is an endangered species, related to the goat. They can only be found in the mountains of northern Ethiopia. They are known for their large horns.
• Gelada monkey — It is also known as the “bleeding heart monkey” for the bright pink patch of skin on its chest. These baboon-like monkeys are only found in the Ethiopian Highlands, where they can be found in large groups.Ethiopian wolf/Simien fox — They are endemic to Ethiopia, this creature is technically neither a wolf nor a fox (although it resembles both). It is closely related to dogs and wolves. Its red fur is beautiful; however, there are very few left in the wild. tThose on simien mountain trekking may get lucky and spot one while exploring the plateaus of the Simien Mountains.
• Giant lobelia (Lobelia rhynchopetalum) — This is a plant that only grows in Ethiopia. With their large leaves spiking out like a bizarre palm tree, they seem like a relic from prehistoric times.