simien mountain trek
The Simien Mountains are one of the major
highlands of Africa, rising to their highest point
in Ethiopia, with Ras Dejen (4,543m), the fourth
tallest peak on the African continent.
Your trekking route is far from the regular
tourist trails. It will take you to beautiful lowland
valleys and high escarpments, where Amhara
villages can be found. The Ras Dejen summit is
tough but rewarding, and is followed by a
challenging ridge route, topping several 4,000m
peaks en route. The trek down the escarpment
from Arkwasyie and on to Sona will offer one of
the toughest days on the challenge, as you
leave the higher plateau, cross several
substantial ridges and valleys and climb down
the near vertical Devil’s Staircase with a 900m
descent to reach Lamo, one of the most
beautiful locations in the Simiens.
With time in the fabulous historic city of Axum
you will see a little of the rich, ancient culture of
this unique and fascinating African country.
Day1: International Departure
You will leave London Heathrow for the night flight to
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Your Charity Challenge
representative will be there to assist you with the checkin and any last minute questions.
Day 2: Arrive Addis Ababa
The flight arrives in Addis Ababa, where you will be met
at the airport by a Charity Challenge representative who
will transfer you around 3 hours to your hotel. After the
chance to freshen up you will visit a nearby Send A Cow
Project, Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Project visit and return to Addis Ababa
Today you will visit another project in the area run by
Send a Cow before returning to a hotel in Addis Ababa.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Flight to Gondar, drive and trek to
Chenek (3500m)
After breakfast you will get an early morning flight from
Addis Ababa to Gondar. You will then drive to the
Sankaber, passing through beautiful mountain scenery
and the market town of Debark. Once past Sankaber
you will get out of the vehicles and start the trekking.
You will trek for roughly 2-3 hours to reach your
campsite at Chenek.
Day 8: Sona to Lamo (2,000m) 18kms
Day 5: Chenek to Ambiko (4,300m) 25kms.
A long but interesting walk from Chenek at
11,800ft/3,600m, to Ambiko at 3,100m. This is primarily
a wildlife sanctuary, formed in 1969 to protect
endangered species such as the Walia Ibex, the Simien
Wolf, and the Gelada Baboon. You may also see some
of Ethiopia’s 30 endemic bird species, about 9 of which
can be seen in the Simiens. Unfortunately, the Simien
Wolf has disappeared from this area, and the other
species are continually being pushed away from their
usual habitat. This is a sensitive area, and on
environmental grounds we are conscious that vehicle
support should be reserved for emergencies. Camp at
Ambiko at low altitude 3,200m before summit day. Trek
time approx 9/10 hours.
We leave the higher plateau of Sona (3,100m), climbing
directly down the near vertical Devil's staircase with a
3,300ft/1000m descent. You will lunch at the bottom
with the chance to take a swim in the river before
heading on a slightly undulating path to Lamo. The
reward for this long descent is Lamo itself, one of the
most beautiful locations in the Simiens. Your overall
height loss will be around 1100m. Altitude at Lamo
approx 2,000m. Trek time 5 hours.
Day 6: Ambiko to Ras Dejen & return (4,550m)
22kms
Early start from Ambiko to Ras Dejen summit and then
return to Ambiko. At first, ascend in a loop to the southeast, through a gully, then north to the summit.
Scrambling up, you will notice that there are 2 distinct
hog-back rock summits, the first being the highest, Ras
Deshen 14,928ft/4,550m. This is Africa’s fourth highest
mountain and the highest in Ethiopia. This is it! This was
your challenge, but don’t stop now! From here it is a
long descent back to camp, following the route you took
on the way up. A tough day. Trek time approx 11/12
hours.
Day 7: Ambiko to Sona (3,400m) 24kms
A steep descent to the valley floor for 1 hour followed by
a 2/3 hour steep ascent will bring you to the top of the
main escarpment. After this the terrain becomes easier,
as you round several bends, though still trending
upwards before dropping to a beautiful valley with lots of
giant lobelias and a river running through it. As we
approach the lunch spot, the summit of Ras Dejen
comes into view behind us, a reminder of the heights
achieved yesterday. After lunch, there are spectacular
views of several 4,000m mountains on the ridge line to
our right. The route then heads up to the village of
Arkwasiye at 3600m, before heading downhill (2 hours)
to Sona, perched right on the edge of the Devil’s
staircase with amazing views. Trek time 9/10 hours.
Day 9: Lamo to Mulet (1,800m) 17kms
Lamo is also known as Mekarebya. Look north-east
across the valley to the circle of mountains around Amba
Ton and you will see the view illustrated on Ethiopian
Airlines tickets. Today you should allow around eight
hours for a day of ridge and valley treks through some
spectacularly beautiful scenery to Mulet, where you
camp at much the same altitude as at Lamo. Tonight
you will celebrate your achievement of walking through
the Simien Mountains and have time to spend with the
muleteers, guides and scouts as this is your last night
together. Trekking time about 7 hours.
Day 10: Mulet to Axum (1,700m) 13 kms
Today you will have your final walk out of the National
park. The route heads downhill for 2-3 hours to reach the
village of Adi Arkay (1,600m). After a celebratory drink in
a cafe, say goodbye to your muleteers and camp staff,
and meet the vehicles for the five hour drive to Axum,
where you will overnight at the Yeha Hotel.
Day 11: Axum to Addis Ababa
An early start today for a transfer to the airport for your
return flight to Addis Ababa. In Addis you will have time
to explore before having a last dinner followed by a late
transfer to the airport for your journey home early the
next morning.
Day 12: International Flight
Your early morning flight to the UK arrives at London in
the morning.
N.B. The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to
unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, the strength of the
group, and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the set
itinerary; however, we cannot be held responsible for any last
minute changes that may occur. In all such circumstances, your
expedition leader will have the final say.
Should you suffer from vertigo, it is worth considering that on most
mountain treks there will be occasional exposure to sheer drops. If
you have any doubts, you should discuss the particular itinerary of
your choice with a member of our team.