Tour code: TTT- T602 Duration: 14 Days /13 Nights/by Surface + Air Destination: North/ Trekking Addis/ADD -Semien Mountain -Addis/ADD

1. Travel In Style
Tour code: TTT- T602
Duration: 14 Days /13
Nights/by
Surface + Air
Destination: North/ Trekking
Addis/ADD -Semien Mountain
-Addis/ADD
DAY 01: Addis Ababa/ADD
Arrive in Addis Ababa, and have a city tour. a
city tour, first driving north up to Mount Entoto. In
1881 Emperor Menelik II made his permanent
camp there, after remains of an old town
(believed to have been the capital of 16th century
monarch Lebna Dengel) were discovered, which
Menelik took as a divine and auspicious sign. Addis
Ababa, situated at an altitude of between 2300 –
2500 meters, is the third highest capital in the
world and Entoto is a few hundred meters higher –
as you drive up the hill there is an appreciable
drop in temperature and the air is filled with the
scent of the Eucalyptus trees which line the road.
From the top, there are panoramic views of the
capital and surrounding countryside. Entoto is an
important watershed, to the north water flows to
the Blue Nile, to the south to the Awash River. A
visit is then paid the National Archaeological
Museum. Here visitors can see exhibits ranging
from the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy,
through the Axumite (200 BC –700 AD) and
Gondarene (1700 to 1850) periods to the monarchs
Tewodros and Menelik. This completes the city
tour and you return to the hotel, where you can
take dinner. O/n in Addis Ababa. Overnight Addis
Ababa in a selected hotel.

2. DAY02: Addis/ADD- Gondar
In the morning fly to Gondar, in the afternoon visit the castles and church.
Overnight Gondar in a selected hotel. we will visit The Castles, which are
still in good condition (some recently restored) and the bath of King
Fasilides at Timkat (Ethiopian epiphany) has a nearby river diverted to fill
an area the size of a small swimming pool. Worshippers plunge into the
cold water undertaking a Reenactment of the baptism of Christ in the river
Jordan. We drive 2 km to the north east of the Royal Enclosure to visit the
Debre Berhane Selassie church, the only church that was saved from
Mahdist invasion in the 1880s. According to legend, a swarm of bees routed
the invaders. The walls and ceiling of this church are completely covered
with murals - the angel’s faces on the ceiling have become a common motif
in Ethiopian design. Continue to the ancient castles of Queen Mentowab
and the church of Qusquam Mariam, situated on a hill just outside town or
visit the local market. We will have the opportunity to visit the former
Felasha (Ethiopian Jews) village at Wolleka. O/n in Gondar.
DAY03: Gonder – Buyit Rass –
We drive (approx 3 hours) to the bustling town
of Debark, and enter the Simien Mountain
Sankaber (3,200m)
National Park. Now on foot, we set off around
the cliff face high on the plateau and glimpse the
spectacular backdrop of the Simien Mountains for
the first time. We are likely to encounter gelada
baboons, endemic to Ethiopia, and the noisy
wattled ibis.
Camp Sankaber (3200m).
Walk approx 5 hrs
DAY04: Sankaber – Geech (3,600m)
A hearty breakfast sets us on our way as we
head towards Geech abyss and the stunning Jin
Bahir Falls. Dropping down to the viewpoint
perched on a rocky spur opposite the falls, we
enjoy a great view as the Jin Bahir river plunges
over the cliff into the 1000m drop below.
Leaving the falls, we have a sharp climb to
rejoin the road before veering off into the valley
and crossing the Jin Bahir River further
upstream. The final stage of the day follows
well-walked paths through cultivated terraces
towards Geech village and our campsite nestled
high above the village.
Camp Geech 3600m.

3. DAY05: Geech (3600m)
Today you set off for Geech,
which will take between 7-8 DAY06: Geech - Mietgogo – Chenek
hours. After about 2½ hours you
see the Jinbar waterfall, and you Leaving camp, we set off on a steady
will cross this river later in the climb across open moorland towards
day. After crossing the river, you Mietgogo, a rocky outcrop perched
ascend for about an hour to the high above the canyons. The cliffs drop
spacious campsite at Geech (3600 away 1500m below us, but the 360
meters), which is full of Giant degree views of the surrounding area
Lobelias. The scenery is are fabulous! Retracing our steps, we
wonderful; there is good spring head east and drop down until we are
water nearby and even a cold just above the source of the river. We
shower for the hardy! then commence the steady climb to
Lammergeier, or Bearded vultures Inatye crest (4090m), following the
are often seen here and if you are path over the top and down around the
lucky you may see those carrying mountain, descending nearly 500m to
bones to a great height and our campsite. We should be there in
dropping them to crack the bones time to watch the usually-spectacular
from which they extract the sunset over the cliffs around Chenek.
marrow. Walking time approx 8 Camp Chenek 3600m.
hrs. Geech (Camping). Walk approx: 9 hours From Geech to
Chenek.
DAY07: Chenek-Ambiko
A challenging day takes you eventually to Ambiko, at the foot of Ras
Dashen by crossing the Bwahit pass (4200 meters). You can divert
slightly to climb Mount Bwahit (4430 meters), a steep ascent in places
where again you may see Walya Ibex. You then leave the Park and
descend a path popular with the locals to the village of Chiro Leba,
before continuing on down to cross the River Mesheha, where there is
a chance for a refreshing dip, temperature permitting! An hour’s
ascent takes you up to the village of Ambiko (3200 meters) and its
delightful church where you will camp for the night. Here you may be
able to buy a beer or a soft drink from enterprising locals. Walking
time approx 8 hrs Ambiquo (Camping).

4. The actual ascent of Ras Dashen is entirely optional, but it is the highest pint in Ethiopia and as you’re
here …well…? A pre-dawn start is required as it is a lengthy day. A good path takes you up the valley
through cultivated fields and villages, leading after two hours to an excellent viewpoint on a ridge
DAY08: Ambiko
above the cultivated hillsides. From here tracks cut across and around the grassy hillsides dotted again
with giant lobelia, ascending finally, after another two hours, to a second ridge, topped with the
remains of an ancient fortification. Gently sloping ground stretches ahead, but due to the altitude it is
still hard work as you walk around the east side of Ras Dashen. The final ascent to the summit involves
a short section of easy, but rather hair-raising with some exposure. You will almost certainly be put to
shame by the local shepherd boys bounding up and down the rocks with relative ease. From the
summit the views stretch out in all directions with not a single road or town in sight!! Ponder a while
on this unique panorama. A hearty lunch is usually served once you have descended the steep section.
Having refreshed yourself you can enjoy the three to four hour walk back to camp at Ambiko and await
the greeting from your trekking staff on your return. Mules can go to within 30 minutes of the summit,
so you will have support if needed. Walking time for Ras Dashen approx 9hrs. For those not choosing to
ascend to the “Roof of Ethiopia”, then a rest day at camp is in order. Camp at Ambiko
DAY09: Ambiko - Arkwasiye
Today you follow the tough
ridge route from Metelal and
top several 4,000m peaks en
route. Or, take the easier
contour line route with the
luggage mules to Arkwasiye.
This is one of the most
important days trekking
exhausting but very memorable
because of the wonderful
scenery, not only the peaks but
also Metelal Pass
DAY10: Arkwasiye - Lamo (2,000m)
Today you trek for about 10hrs as you have to leave the 3,800m.Tonight you will have
higher plateau and village of Arkwasiye, cross several dinner and camp at Altitude at
substantial ridges and valleys, then climb down the near Arkwasiye (approx 3,600m) You
vertical Devil's staircase with a 900m descent. The reward will be trekking for
for this effort is Lamo, one of the most beautiful locations in approximately 8 hrs.
the Simiens. Overnight dinner and camp in Lamo (approx
2,00m). Your overall altitude loss will be around 1,600m.
DAY11: Lamo - Awaza (2,000m)
Lamo is also known as Mekarebya. If you look northeast
across the valley to the circle of mountains around Amba Ton
you will see the view illustrated on Ethiopian Airlines tickets.
Today you have a day of ridge and valley treks through some
spectacularly beautiful scenery to Awaza, where you camp at
much the same altitude as Lamo. Altitude undulating approx
2,000m. Today you will trek for about 8hrs.

5. DAY12: Awaza - Axum
This morning you will walk from Awaza located at around
2,000m to the market town of Adi Arkay 1,700m with
wonderful views to Amba Ton and the high Escarpments of the
Simiens Plateau. The trekking time is approximately 3hrs. From
Hawaza to Arkaya. Meet the vehicle and drive to Axum.
Overnight Axum in a selected hotel.
DAY13: Axum
Slight, graceful and silent, Aksum is like an aristocrat who
has come down in the world. Pillage, vandalism, arson have
driven her to conceal her remaining treasures in different
crannies of an old cupboard. Only the main steal park reigns
over the middle of the town, testifying to the extent of
Aksum’s suffering. Except for one obelisk tilted like the leaning
tower of Pisa, none of these monoliths with their carved
symbols remained upright through the ages. Even the famous
obelisk just reinstalled in Aksum after forced exile in Italy since
1937 was lying broken in five pieces when Mussolini’s troops
found it But as for most of the uncarved steal, they are still
sticking straight up towards the sky. Overnight in Axum.
DAY14: Fly back to Addis Ababa and departure.