Adventure trip in Ethiopia

In these mountains, a journey through time is hidden, where the traveler who will be lucky enough to walk on its paths, must be ready to listen to the stories of a little-known population, who calmly awaits the passing of the days, in a natural context on a human scale.

Every day will be a surprise. During the first part of the trek, we will walk alongside the very high cliffs of the highlands, until we reach the summit of Ras Dashan, which with its 4545 meters, is the highest peak in Ethiopia. In the second part of the trek, we will live in close contact with the populations of the lower part of the Simien plateau, where we can appreciate their surprising ability to survive in a harsh and difficult nature.

It will not only be the path of the body to surprise us, but also the path of discovery; we will in fact dive into the cradle of the world, where Lucy was found, a hominid old 3 million years.

We will then have the opportunity to find the space to visit the beauties of Lake Tana, the castle of Gondar, the rock churches of Lalibella, the museums of Addis Ababa and many other wonders of this handkerchief of Africa. Certainly a fascinating and authentic journey, suitable for true travelers, a combination of nature, culture and emotions.

Trip in brief

• Overnight stays: small hotels and tent camping.
• Meals: small restaurants and field kitchen.
• Altitude differences: the Trekking takes place almost entirely at 3000 metres, the maximum altitude is 4550 metres
• Difficulty: medium
• Internal travel: flights, private cars, buses
• Equipment: normal walking gear, sleeping bag and mattress.

Sample travel itinerary day by day:

November 12: 8.25pm ​​Flight Milan-Addis Ababa. Arrival in Ethiopia at 7am. Entry formalities and departure at 12.10pm with internal flight.

November 13: after the entry formalities at 12.10, a short internal flight awaits us: Addis Ababa-Bahir Dar. Arrival in the city, on the shores of Lake Tana, accommodation and first steps to savor our trip. In the evening visit to the nearby Blue Nile Falls, Tissisat in Amharic.

November 14: We will have the whole day to explore the beauties of this part of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. In the evening, transfer by private means to Gondar, where we will spend the night.

November 15: wake up in Gondar and visit the town that was the ancient imperial capital of Ethiopia. After visiting Ghebbi Castle, in the afternoon, shopping and preparations for the trek. Dinner in the city, where we will spend another night to acclimatize to the altitudes of the trek.

November 16: breakfast, final preparations and transfer by private means to the headquarters of the Simien Mountains National Park, registrations and entrance permits to the Park. Another short transfer and start of the trek with a few hours of walking. The route touches suggestive panoramic points, with a comfortable walk at 3000 meters in 2 and a half hours we will arrive at the comfortable Sankaber camp, where we can admire the gelada baboons up close.

November 17: with a walk of about 6 hours, always at 3000 meters, we will move from the Sankaber camp to the Geek camp, which is located on a beautiful plateau. We will walk on the top of vertical cliffs, cross streams and waterfalls, always in the company of gelada baboons and eagles.

November 18: From Geek we will reach Chennek, touching the 4050 meters of an easy unnamed peak. We will then walk losing altitude to the camp. This stage is also about 6 hours of walking.

November 19: from Chennek to Ambiko. We continue with the acclimatization in view of the next stage, today we will overcome the 4200 meters of the Bwhait pass, then continuing to the village of Chiroleba, where a well-deserved Fanta awaits us at the local bar. We will continue by setting up camp near Ambiko. Today too the walk will be about 6 hours.

November 20: we will now be ready for the high mountain stage, we will leave before dawn, under the good luck of the stars, the route includes the climb to Ras Dashan, the highest peak in the entire country.
A few rocks to get to the top will give us satisfaction for the climb completed. At the end of the day, a few beers will await us in the village of Beyeda. A tiring day with about 10 hours of walking.

November 21: Today we will enjoy a bit of relaxation, ups and downs will accompany us for 4 and a half hours, from Beyeda to Jambalao, in the lands of the leopard. In these villages we will be in close contact with the local populations, accompanied along the way by wayfarers, shepherds and cute curious children.

November 22: From Jambalao to Dobre-Mariam it will take us about 4 and a half hours. We will walk in the morning, in the cool weather, since we have been descending in altitude for a few days now. The landscape has changed completely; we will encounter rural villages, some cultivated land, we will have the opportunity to wash ourselves in the streams at a decidedly warmer temperature.

November 23: A rather long day awaits us, with 8 hours of walking we will move from Dobre-Mariam to Meshaa Shefru; we will leave behind the view of the mountains of the Park, descending to altitudes around 1300 meters. We will find here and there the local versions of our drinks kiosks and hundreds of children will accompany us at every step.

November 24: Shefru –Theka, walking day; the trail starts uphill and the heat is felt right away, we will pass some peasant villages, where water is the indispensable wealth for the entire community. Last efforts of the journey, at least for the legs and last night in a tent.

November 25: Travel by vehicle to the village of Sokota and from there to Lalibela.

November 26: Lalibela-Cultural Excursion.

November 27: Lalibela-Cultural Excursion.

November 28: Flight home.