Trek the Simien Mountains Itinerary

Ethiopia
Trek the Simien Mountains
Tre
The Simien Mountains form one of Africa’s largest and most spectacular
mountain ranges. With many of the peaks rising above 4000m, they make for
awe-inspiring and rewarding trekking.
Our trek takes us through the Simien Mountain National Park, an area abundant
with flora and fauna, fertile cultivated terraces and vibrant hillside villages. Our
ultimate goal is the summit of Ras Dashen (4620m), Ethiopia’s highest
mountain and the fourth-highest in Africa.
This is a tough and challenging trek but the beauty of the countryside, the
diversity of the wildlife and exotic plants, and the friendliness of the local
people will be something you will take away with you for a long time to come.
Detailed Itinerary
2015
Day 1: Depart London
13 – 22 Mar
9 – 18 Oct
Day 2: Addis Ababa – Gonder
Fundraising Option
Registration Fee
£299
PLUS Fundraising Target £3800
Self Payment Option
Registration Fee
£299
PLUS Trip Cost
£1700
PLUS Fuel Supplement capped at £200
We arrive in Ethiopia and, after completing formalities, take a short internal flight to
2016
Simien Mountain National Park. Now on foot, we set off around the cliff face high on
11 – 20 Mar
7 – 16 Oct
Gonder (2133m), gateway to the Simien Mountain National Park. After time to
freshen up and relax we meet for dinner and an evening briefing before preparing for
the start of our trek. Night hotel.
Day 3: Gonder – Buyit Rass – Sankaber
After an early breakfast, we drive to the bustling town of Debark, and enter the
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
Fundraising Option
Registration Fee
£299
PLUS Fundraising Target £3950
Self Payment Option
Registration Fee
£299
PLUS Trip Cost
£1750
PLUS Fuel Supplement capped at £225
noisy wattled ibis. Night camp (3200m).
Drive approx 3 hours; Trek approx 5 hours
Day 4: Sankaber – Geech
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
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Detailed Itinerary (cont)
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.
Night camp (3600m).
Trek approx 6 – 7 hours
Day 5: Geech – Imet Gogo – Chenek
Leaving camp, we set off on a steady climb across open moorland towards Imet
Gogo, a rocky outcrop perched high above the canyons. The cliffs drop away 1500m
below us, but the 360-degree views of the surrounding area are fabulous! Retracing
our steps, we head east and drop down until we are just above the source of the
river. We then commence the steady climb to Inatye crest (4090m), following the
Trekking Information Bikes
path over the top and down around the mountain, descending nearly 500m to our
campsite. We should be there in time to watch the usually-spectacular sunset over
Our treks are graded from 1 (Moderate)
the cliffs around Chenek. Night camp (3600m)
to 5 (Extreme). This trek is Grade 4.
Terrain is varied with trekking along
Trek approx 9 hours
well-trodden local paths, steep
Day 6: Chenek – Ambikwa (3400m)
escarpments, rocky trails and light
scrambling in places. Much of the
walking is rough underfoot.
The cliffs around Chenek are the only known habitat for the walia ibex in the world,
and the need to protect their environment was the main justification for making this
area a protected National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for them as we ascend
Although the terrain is in itself
through the valley from Chenek, skirting around the side of Mount Bwahit. We climb
demanding, the altitude adds a great
to around 4200m before leaving the confines of the Park and dropping down into the
deal to the challenge. Symptoms of
next valley, heading east towards Ambikwa. We drop over 1000m in elevation to the
being at altitude include tiredness,
valley bottom before crossing the river and climbing back uphill towards our
shortness of breath, headaches and
campsite. Night camp (3400m).
nausea. Altitude affects people
differently and being super-fit is no
Trek approx 8 hours
guarantee of being less likely to feel the
effects. Our route allows for excellent
Weather
acclimatisation to the altitude, allowing
us to trek higher than we sleep as we
The weather is generally dry and
gradually gain elevation.
warm, though it can be chilly early in
the morning. Altitude has a great effect
FITNESS WARNING: DESIGNED
TO BE CHALLENGING!
as you climb higher. It will also be cold
This trek is designed to be challenging
at night, sometimes below freezing. In
for those of good health and fitness,
the mountains the weather can change
and is achievable for most people
frequently and you should be prepared.
on temperatures and it will get cooler
provided they train well in advance. We
will supply you with a thorough training
guide when you have registered.
Training for the challenge is all part of
the preparation and requires
commitment! Without it, you will find the
trek less enjoyable – and we want you
to have the time of your life!
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Detailed Itinerary (cont)
Day 7: Ambikwa – Ras Dashen (4620m) – Ambikwa
A hearty breakfast sets us on our way to the summit of Ras Dashen, the highest
mountain in Ethiopia. A steep climb out of the valley takes us over the ridge and into
easier flatter terrain as we traverse the ridges around the mountain and pass under
spectacular rocky cliff faces. Another steep push finally brings us to the flatter side of
Ras Dashen, and round to the bottom of the rocky outcrop just below the summit. A
final scramble brings us to the top (4620m), where the awe-inspiring views stretching
in every direction will take your breath away, if the altitude hasn’t already! We return
to Ambikwa the way we came, with a rigorous descent in the last two hours back to
our campsite at Ambikwa. Night camp (3400m).
Trek approx 10 – 12 hours
Day 8: Ambikwa – Chenek
Retracing our steps, we climb back towards Chenek, dropping down into the valley to
camp, where we can indulge in a few freshly-delivered beers to celebrate our
achievement. Tired but elated, we enjoy our final night under canvas. Night camp
(3600m).
Trek approx 9 hours
Crew & Trip Support
Your trip will be led by experienced
Discover Adventure leaders. Our
leaders are selected for their
experience in harsh wilderness
What’s Included
environments, knowledge of travel in
remote areas, friendliness and
The tour cost includes all flights,
approachability, sense of humour and
transport and accommodation, internal
ability to safely and effectively deal with
air tax, Park entry fees, all meals except
any situation that arises. They are also
two as specified in the itinerary, and any
trained in expedition first-aid. You are in
sites visited as part of the itinerary.
very safe hands with a Discover
Experienced Discover Adventure leaders
and doctor (depending on final group
size) are also included, along with a local
support crew of local guides, mules and
muleteers, cooks and drivers.
Adventure leader. Depending on group
size, an expedition doctor or medic will
also accompany the group. The crew
will have radios and emergency satellite
phones, extensive medical kit and other
safety apparatus where necessary.
It does not include personal travel
insurance, airline fuel supplement if
charged by the airline (capped by
Discover Adventure), meals as specified,
tip for local crew, entry visa or
international airport tax. It also does not
include any optional sites you may wish
to visit on your free day.
Our local support crew is made up of
local guides, drivers, cooks and
muleteers. Mules will carry all the
luggage, food, water and camping
equipment. Local guides know the local
area well, and are a great source of
knowledge about local customs and
lifestyles. The Discover Adventure crew
We strongly recommend you carry a
work closely with the local crew to
credit card in case of personal
ensure your trip runs smoothly and
emergency.
safely.
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[email protected] www.discoveradventure.com
Detailed Itinerary (cont)
Day 9: Chenek – Gonder
We transfer by bus back to Gonder and our hotel. After checking in there will be an
opportunity for a bit of last minute shopping before meeting up in the evening for a
well-earned celebration meal. Night hotel.
(Dinner not included)
Drive 5 – 6 hours
Day 10: Gonder – Addis Ababa – London
We take the morning flight back to the capital in time for our international flight home.
NB: Depending on flight schedules we may sometimes arrive on Day 11.
(Lunch not included)
Discover Adventure reserves the right to change the route or itinerary for safety
reasons should local conditions dictate.
Copyright Discover Adventure 2004 / Updated 2014
Accommodation & Food
Passport & Vaccinations
Bikes
When trekking we camp in two-man
A ten-year passport is essential, valid
tents with large dining-tents and
for at least six months after entry into
fantastic views! Facilities are basic, as
Ethiopia. UK passport-holders require
you would expect in this remote region,
a visa; this can be obtained upon
but our local crew look after us well.
arrival at Addis Ababa.
The hotel in Gonder is clean and
comfortable; rooms are twin-share.
We insist that you have had a Tetanus
injection in the last ten years and
The food is good, plentiful and will give
highly recommend protection against
you plenty of energy! Two meals as
Polio, Hepatitis A and Typhoid. A
specified are not included. Please let us
Yellow Fever injection is also required
know any dietary requirements well in
and you may be asked to show your
advance.
vaccination certificate on entry.
01722 718444
[email protected] www.discoveradventure.com