Simien Mountains National Park
Popular to see in the
Simien Mountains National Park:
Trek
in Simien Mountains National park, Discover Semen Mountains - trekking, lodging
and Camping
Itinerary
Program: Historic Routes
and Simien Mountains
Tour Code: Ibex 01
Duration: 19Nights (20 Days)
Transportation: Drive,
trekking & Flight
Tour starts: Addis Ababa
Tour ends: Addis Ababa
Day1: City Tour
Morning,
Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Air Port. Meet there with us and
transfer to Ghion Hotel for check in and then; drive to the Entoto Mountain for
a panoramic view of Addis, Entoto Museum and the old palace of MenelikII (at
Entoto Mountain), the National Museum, where one can see different
archaeological findings, trinity Museum, Mausoleum of emperor MenelikII and
finally Merkato – the largest open market in Africa. Overnight –Hotel– Addis
Day2: Old palace of
Emperor MenelikII at Ankober
Morning,
drive from Addis to Debre Birhan (130km) and proceed to Ankober (about 40km
from Debre Birhan). Visit the old palace of Emperor MenelikII, and then drive
to the town of Dessie. On the way, visit the old tunnels made by Italians
during the Occupation period (1936-1941). Overnight ––Kombolcha
Day3: The 11 Rock Hewn
Churches
Morning.
Drive Dessie to Lalibela (300km). This route is scenic. Take stopovers on the
way. Overnight –Hotel –Lalibela
Lalibela in Brief: At the end of the 12th and
beginning of the 13th centuries, King Lalibela of the Zeghie dynasty built a
series of rock hewn churches, acknowledged as one of the wonders of the world
by UNESCO. The churches stand in two groups on either side of a river, which is
known as river Jordan. Some of the churches are Bete Medhanealem (house of the
Savior of the World), Bete Mariam (house of the Virgin Mary), Bete Golgotha
Abba Libanos and Bete Michael. According to legend, anyone, who enters Bete
Golgotha, will go to heaven as it contains Lalibela's tomb and personal
treasures. It also contains a recumbent figure of Christ. Bete Georgis is the
most photographed church. It is curved in the form of a Greek cross. The first
view is of a root ornamented with crosses. Generally, the Monolithic
construction of Lalibela is considered as the 2nd Jerusalem.
Day4: 11Hewn Churches of
Lalibela
Early
morning, trek to Asheten Mariam for a panoramic view of the region and a
mountain Church. Descend down and visit first group of the Hewn Churches. After
lunch, visit the Second group of Churches, and the cave church of Nakuto Leabe.
Overnight - Hotel - Lalibela
Day5: Yimrahine Kristos –
amazing cave Church
Morning,
drive from Lalibela to Mekelle. On the way; visit the cave church called
Yimrahine Kristos (42km from Lalibela), meaning: let Christ lead us. This cave
Church is unique & fabulous if you compare it with other Ethiopian cave
churches. It was built in 13thcentury, by the Zagwe Dynasty (Agew ethnics)
king, Yimrahine Kristos. In the Church: you will definitely stare for some time
at the big tomb of King Yimrahine Kristos, covered with decorated clothes, more
than 5000(five) thousands of uncovered dead human skeletons who were
pilgrimages from Egypt, Syria and Ethiopia during their times, amazing murals
on the wall of the church, ancient church books being used even today and a
year round spring water from top of the church. Proceed to Mekelle. Lunch at
the town of Korem (212km. From Lalibela) and drive on best asphalt road to
Mekelle. Overnight –Hotel – Mekelle.
Day6: Yeha Temple
Morning,
drive to Axum. On the way, visit Mosque of Negash, We-Atsbeha, Yeha Temple, and
Adwa escarpment. Overnight - Hotel-Axum
Day7: The birth Place of
Ethiopian History
Full
day visit. Explore the city of Axum. The city of Axum: treasures the ancient
Ethiopia history. The attractions of Axum includes: the archaeological museum,
monolithic steles, the tombs of King Kaleb, and the legendary Bath and the
ruins of ancient palace of the Queen of Sheba, St Mary of Zion and the
sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the covenant. It is strongly believed
that the original Ark of God of Israel is resting right here for centuries!
Overnight – Hotel-Axum
Day8: Sankaber
Morning,
drive from Axum to Semien Mountains via the escarpments of the Semien Mountains.
On this day, you will appreciate the extremely fabulous Simien Mountains
landscape. Arrive to Debark and collect entrance tickets at the Simien
Mountains head office drive to Sankaber (36km from Debark). Overnight- Tented
camp – Sankaber
Day9: Geech /Gich
Morning,
trek to Geech (full day). At many points on the way, you will discover the
endemic Gelada Baboon. Lunch at suitable place on the way. Overnight – tented
camp – Geech.
Day10: Imetgo peak
Mountains
Morning,
mount Imetgo and Kedadit (Peak Mountains) and proceed to Chennek. On this day,
you will appreciate the extremely fabulous Simien Mountains landscape, Gelada
Baboon and a big chance for the Walia Ibex at Chennek. Overnight – Tented camp
- Chennek
Day11: Ambiko
Morning,
explore Chennek area to see Walia ibex in groups. Here, you may see ibex and
Gelada Baboons heating the morning sun together. After Breakfast, trek from
Chennek to Ambiko via Buayt (Peak Mountain).Overnight – Tented camp – Ambiko
Day12: Ras Dashen (Ras
Dejen)
Morning,
Climb Ras Dashen from Ambiko (estimated 4620 meters). At the top of this
mountain, you will indeed feel the climax experience and mountain breathing
satisfaction amongst peaks in the Simien chained mountains. Descend down to
Ambiko for dinner and overnight – Tented camp- Ambiko
Day13: Sona
Morning,
trek from Ambiko to Sona. Overnight – tented camp – Sona
Day14: Mekarebya
Morning,
trek from Sona to Mekarebya. Overnight – tented camp - Mekarebya
Day15: Mulit
Morning,
trek from Mekarebya to Mulit. Overnight - camp - Mulit
Day16: Gondar
Morning,
trek from Mulit to Adi Arkay and get your car to drive to Gondar (about 176km).
On the way, visit the Jews (Felash Village). Overnight – Hotel – Gondar
Day17: Gondar Castles,
Churches & Gorgora
Morning,
visit the Castles of emperor Fassiladas and his swimming pool, the 17century
church of Debre Birhan Silassie (Light of Trinity). Afternoon, drive to the
small town of Gorgora(62km from Gondar) for Debre Sina Mariam Monastery, rich
in murals. The old town of Gorgora was established by emperor Susenyos, father
of Emperor Fassiladas who founded the City of Gondar in 1636 A.D. Overnight -
Hotel – Gorgora
Day18: Wanzaye Hot spring
Water
Drive
from Gorgora to Bahir Dar. (249kms).On
the way; visit the Awramba/ Awra Amba Community & landscapes. Again on the
way,
visit Wanzaye, a place for natural hot spring water (9kms from the main route
to Bahir Dar). It is very important for the local people (a curing spa against
some diseases).People will immerse into the hot spring bath (a big room that accommodates
from 40 to 80 people together) for about 6 hours (3 hours morning and 3hours
afternoon) per day. In doing so, the patient will be cured or will have seen
changes from his disease within a weak. Lunch at Wanzaye Hotel and drive to
Bahir Dar. Near Bahir Dar visit the
hill of Bezawit (roughly 5km after Gojjam – Gondar border Bridge). At this
point, you are visit the Palace of Emperor Haile SellassieI (entering is
prohibited), the source of the Blue Nile- leaving Lake Tana and panoramic view
of Bahir Dar. Overnight - Hotel-Bahir Dar
Day19: The Tis Issat of
the Blue Nile and Monasteries on Lake Tana
Morning;
drive to the small town of Tiss Abay(32km rough road) to visit the impressive
Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire'. The fall throws
up a continuous spray of water droplets which sprinkles up to a kilometer away.
Much of the water is diverted for Hydroelectric Generation plant but it is
worth visiting for the walk around and see a Portuguese made bridge (17Century)
and the country side. The area around the water fall is amazingly fertile and
the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghum and Teff (from which
Injera, the national bread, is made). After the fall, return to Bahir Dar &
make city tour of Bahir Dar which includes: market where you can find the
pottery, traditional hand-made woven clothes, and Woito Basket market. After
lunch, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit monasteries (14th century). You
will visit only the most accessible and representative of the monasteries on
the lake, still serving their original function: Ura Kidane Mehret, and Azwa
Maryam (in Zeghie Peninsula), Kibran Church (prohibited for women) & Entos
Eyesus. Overnight- Hotel-Bahir Dar
Day20: Departure:
Morning;
Fly from Bahir Dar to Addis and departure home.
The
itinerary can be amended up on request
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