07 Days Trip
The Simien Mountains are the only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site found in Ethiopia. The dramatic mountainousSimien Mountains landscapes and jagged peaks are home to many of the rare species that are endemic to Ethiopia. The Gelada baboon, known as the “bleeding heart” baboon due to the red patch of skin on its breast, is found in large numbers and a sighting is virtually guaranteed.
The endemic Ethiopian wolf is also present, though in much smaller numbers (it is more prominent in the southern Bale Mountains). Also endemic to Ethiopia, the walia ibex, a type of wild goat, can be seen frolicking over the rocky terrain. Visits to the Simien Mountains, whether for a casual day tour or week-long treks are certain to inspire awe in every soul that graces these lands.
The Simien Mountains National Park covers 400 km2 of highland area at an average elevation of 3300m above sea level. Ras Dashen at 4620m, the highest peak in Ethiopia, stands adjacent to the park. Within this spectacular splendor, five endemic mammals can be visited here; Walia Ibex, Ethiopian Wolf and Gelada Baboon as well as Klipspringer and Bushbuck. The temperature regularly falls below freezing at night. Daytime temperature normally range from 11°C to 18°C (53 to 640F
NORTH 07 DAYS WITH SIMIEN AND COOKING
Day itinerary as follows:
DAY 1- We will have a city tour of Addis Abeba with the visit of the national museum.We are going up Entoto mountain and enjoy the view of Addis. We will spend some time at Merkato – Africa’s biggest open market. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 2- We will fly to Lalibela early in the morning where we will be picked up and driven to the Mountain View Hotel. After lunch we will visit the first group of the 11 rock hewn churches – one of the UNESCO world heritages. There’s a possibility to take a cooking class. We will enjoy our dinner with a fantastic panoramic view at the Ben Abeba Restaurant. Overnight at Mountain View Hotel.
DAY 3- After breakfast we will climb up with our guide and donkeys to visit the cloister Ashete Mariam. It is located 3200 m above sea level. It takes 2 hours to climb up (8 km). After reaching the top of the hill we will enjoy the splendid view of Lalibela and the area. In the afternoon we will visit the second group of the churches including the most famous one. Dinner at Ben Abeba Restaurant, overnight at the Mountain View hotel.
DAY 4- We will take the flight to Gondar. We will be picked up and drive to Debark to receive our permission from the headquarters and collect our obligatory scout for the Simien Mountains National Park where we will spend the day hiking and enjoying the scenery. It is an exotic setting with a unique wildlife and breath-taking views on a beautiful landscape shaped by nature and traditional agriculture. Our trek will begin at Buytras (Simien Lodge) and will take about 3 to 4 hours of hiking to the Sankabar campsite. Most likely we will get to see the pretty Gelada baboons. The mountains reach up to 3600 meters above sea level. We will spend the night camping or at the lodge.
DAY 5- In the morning after breakfast we will spend some more time hiking before heading back to Gondar. We will relax for some time before we will visit the famous castle-site of emperor Fassilidas as well as the Debrebrihan Selassie church that is well known for the painting of its sealing. We will enjoy dinner at the Four Sister Restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Goha.
DAY 6- In the morning after breakfast we will head to the bath of emperor Fassilidas – another UNESCO world heritage site of the city. At the Four Sister Restaurant we will take cooking lessons and enjoy lunch. Afterwards we will drive to Bahir Dar. It is a 180 km drive that takes around three hours through very nice landscapes. In Bahir Dar we will relax for some time and enjoy dinner at the lake. Overnight at Hotel Jacaranda.
DAY 7- Early in the morning after breakfast we will relax during a boat trip on Lake Tana that will take us to the islands Zege and Ura Kidanemariam. Lake Tana consist of a variety of inhabited islands. Most of those islands hold very old churches and church treasuries that can be visited. The locals move around in papyrus boats on the lake that are loaded with wood and other daily needed goods for the market. If we are lucky we will be able to see hippos. Afterwards we will fly back to Addis Abeba at 1 pm where we (depending on time) can continue to visit a few more sights such as the Trinity Cathedral or do some souvenir shopping. At night we will have dinner at the Checheho – a traditional ethiopian restaurant with a traditional dance show and life music.