Penguin Travel

Jesus, portrayed as a black man and churches “rising up” down in the hard rock. These oddities, which boldly challenge our idea of the known, are among the always working baits that have won Ethiopia the glory of being a delicacy for travellers. But despite an ancient and quite curious history, this African country is also in possession of wonderful nature. We suggest that you lace up tight your tourist boots, fit your backpack on your back and discover together with us the unsuspected world of the Simien Mountains! On a continent where the words savanna, jungle and desert are put as an all saying label, the nature hasn’t saved even snow capped peaks! Yes, the Simien Mountains is one of the few places in Africa where it snows. But the mountain self has also done its best for that – it has stuck its peaks high into the otherwise hot African sky. Ras Dashen is whole 4620 m high! And it’s going to be yours, as well as other four-thousand footers, only after a few days of excursion through deep gorges, majestic peaks, exotic animals and nice small high-mountain villages. The trek through the Simien Mountains is with no doubt among the most picturesque routes, which every tourist could dream about! And when you come down “to the earth” we have also prepared a relaxing portion of culture for you – the palaces of Gondar. And for dessert – more beautiful nature, this time with the stunning transformation of the calm Lake Tana into the apocalyptic roar of the waterfalls, where the Blue Nile starts.
 

Tour Highlights:

Simien National Park – the mountain is not only the highest one in Ethiopia, but also one of the highest mountains in Africa – with its 4620 m Ras Dashen is the fourth highest mountain peak on the continent. But the geological beauties are just a part of the charm of this mountain. Its flora and fauna are no less interesting. There grows the peculiar plant Giant Lobelia, and the slopes are home to rare species of animals – the endemic wild goat Walia Ibex, the Gelada Baboons, the Ethiopian Wolf. And in order for the picture to be full, the mountain is neither deprived of human presence – Simien is also a world of herdsmen and of small mountain villages.

Gondar, the capital city of the old Ethiopian Empire, was founded in 1635 by emperor Fasilides. While the city centre is influenced by the later Italian occupation, the real sights here are the old royal buildings – the fortress, the palace, the stables, the library, as well as the three churches.

Lake Tana is the biggest lake in Ethiopia. It is 84 km long and 66 km wide. But more important than its size is the great number of monasteries built on its islands and keeping precious relics – emperors’ tombs, ancient wall-paintings. The lake gives origin to the Blue Nile – the river starts its long way with spectacular waterfalls between 37 and 45 m high.

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Departure dates:	Price without flight ticket:	Status
25 November 2010	1300 EUR	Open for booking
04 February 2011	1300 EUR	Open for booking

Country region:   Simien mountains

Additional price information:   Sgl. supplement: 120 EUR

Price without flight ticket:    1300 EUR

Additional price information:   Domestic flight Addis Ababa-Gondar and Bahir Dar-Addis Ababa are included in the price!

Trip plan:

Day 1: Flight to Addis Ababa via Istanbul.

Day 2: Addis Ababa – Gondar
Arrival in Addis Abeba. Morning flight to Gondar. Transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon in the city.                       

Day 3: Gondar – Debark – Sankaber
Morning transfer from Gondar to Debark (3-4 hours) – after which is the starting point of the trekking - 4 hours to Sankaber (3250 m). Camping.

Day 4: Sankaber – Gich
6 hours trek from Sankaber to Gich (3600 m) around the amazing deep river gorge and waterfall of 500m, traversing Jinbar river and ascend to Gich camp through arable lands and Gich village itself.

Day 5: Gich – Chenek
7-8 hours trek through Imet Gogo (3926 m) and Inatye (4070 m) to Chenek camp (4000 m). The route isn’t very easy, but the incredible views along the way are worth it!

Day 6: Chenek – Ambiko
8-9 hours trek to Ambiko (3200 m). On the way there is a picturesque view from Bwahit pass (4200 m) to the peak Ras Dashen. Next is a steep descent to the village of Chiro Leba, crossing of Mesheha river and ascend to the camp placed by the side of a village with a small church.                                         

Day 7: Ambiko – Ras Dashen – Ambiko
Setting off before sunrise upwards through the valley, a steep passage to the shelter Mizma (3700 m), from where on a grassed slope starts the climbing up of the highest mountain top in Ethiopia and the fourth highest in Africa – Ras Dashen. After a traverse on the ridge and a steeper climbing you reach a wide saddle plateau at 4250 m. Here is also the realm of the Giant Lobelia, reaching the incredible 8 m! After that, through stony passages you reach the top point – 4620 m. Then you descend back to Ambiko camp.

Day 8: Ambiko – Arkwazye
6-7 hours trek from Ambiko to Arkwazye through scattered among the hills mountain villages and arable lands.

Day 9: Arkwazye – Chennek
Return to Chennek camp. 5-6 hours trek through the escarpment and back throught Bwahit pass.

Day 10: Chennek – Gondar
You meet the sunrise and prepare to leave the mountain. Return to Gondar - transfer around 11.00am.

Day 11: Gondar – Bahir Dar
Visit to the royal buildings in the historic centre of Gondar. In the afternoon transfer to Bahir Dar.

Day 12: The Blue Nile Waterfalls, Lake Tana, Ura Monastery.
In the morning you have a boat trip in Lake Tana and a visit to Ura Monastery. In the afternoon follows an excursion to the Blue Nile waterfalls. Flight to Addis Abeba.

Day 13: Addis Ababa
Visit to the National Museum, Ethnografical museum and Merkato - the large open market.

Day 14: Departure from Addis Ababa
Departure early in the morning.
 

Accomodation and food: Accommodation in tent camps; European style food prepared on the spot by a professional cook.

Included in the price:  During the trek - Food and Drinks (purified packed water); guide; ranger and cook; mule with attendants; all the necessary camping gears and utensils; The trekking days are based on Full board – breakfast, lunch and dinner included. The hotel accommodation days are based on BB – bed and breakfast.

Practical information: All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months after the intended length of stay. Visas can be obtained prior or upon arrival. You will need an International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever. Please check with your doctor if you need additional vaccinations. The following web site http://whatplug.info/, provides information about plugs and electricity in the country. January and February are the hottest and driest months. The places we will visit are high and despite the powerful sun, temperatures are pleasant.

Tour difficulty:   C 

These tours include trekking which is a little harder, normally on a challenging terrain. We take it for granted that you are in good condition and fit. You should be physically prepared at home to get the maximum of the tour. Most of the trekking is done at a greater height (between 3000m and 4000m a.s.l.).

Group Size:   7-12

Vacation Extensions:
Round Trip Ethiopia - Antiquity Beyond Imagination

Reservation System Code: ETHIOPIATREK

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