11 Days North Historic And Simien Gheralta Mountain Trekking Ethiopia

Morning drive to Gheralta visit the Bete Johannes, Wukero cherkos and Abreha Asbeha Temple rock-hewn churches, Overnight at Hawzien Gheralta Lodge. (B,D)

Morning drive to Gheralta. In the way visit the rock-hewn churches In one day you will visit two churches; Abuna Yemata Guh; and Maryam Korkor. All of which are very different in style but stunningly beautiful in their own way.

To visit Abuna Yemata Guh, walking for about an hour to commence a steep ascent up the side of the Gheralta massif. This steep ascent soon turn into a climb using foot holds and hand holds chipped into the sandstone rock by the passage of many hands and feet. The climb and the walk along very narrow ledges with sheer drops to the side is not one for the faint hearted. The church itself can be reached by walking out on a ledge one meter wide and with a 200m drop to the left-hand side. At the entrance, there is a small cave and a wooden door built into the rock. After visiting, Overnight at Hawzien Gheralta Lodge. (B,D)

This morning we fly north to Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia. Gondar has now become one of Ethiopia’s largest and most impressive cities, with its walled Royal Enclosure.  Gondar’s most famous monuments are its exceptionally well preserved 17th century castles. The largest and best is that of King Fasilidas. It is a stone-built construction with around turrets and wooden balconies. The king also built a remarkable bath a mile or so outside of town known as the ‘Pavilion of Delight’. The Bathhouse of Fasil at which thousands of Ethiopians celebrate Timkat festival every January. This whole complex of buildings is unique in Ethiopia and unlike anything found elsewhere in Africa. This afternoon we’ll also make a visit to the Debre Birhan Selassie church (Light of Trinity) with its sensational angelic ceiling and mural

Late Afternoon drive You will depart from Gondar to Debark. In debark you will arrange your visit with the park office and receive a scout and guide then drive into the park to arrive at Sankaber. You can either drive all the way in to Sankaber or have the car drop you off near Buyit Ras for a short hike. If you choose to hike in you will take in beautiful views of the landscape and the endless mountain ridges, and you likely see some gelada baboons. When you arrive in Sankaber you will be met with your supplies.

Sankaber will be the first campsite on your trip. 

From Sankaber you will begin hiking following the ridge and look out over the foothills 800m down. From the ridge you will descend down into the valley and be able to view the Jinbar River plunging into the Geech Abyss. After some time at the waterfall you will continue on to Geech village where you will find your second campsite.

After breakfast at Geech campsite you will hike through the grass plateau that are home to the, appropriately titled, Giant Lobelia plants. After about 2 hours you will reach Imet Gogo which is an amazing 360-degree view of the Simien Mountains. Here you will have reached an altitude of 3,926m and be able to look out at the amazing landscape from 360 degrees. At this height and view point you can see the canyon below, distant ridges, and view the seemingly never ending valleys. From here you will return to Geech, but first you will pass through Siha Gorge for a lunch break. When you arrive back at Geech you will have time to relax from the hike. Before nightfall you will have the option of taking a short sunset hike to Keda Dit.

You will spend the night Camping back at Geech. 

After breakfast at Geech you start your 7-hour hike to one of the most spectacular passing in the mountains. From the campsite, you will walk SE towards Innatye where you will descend into a forest of Giant Hazel and through the ridgelines open grasslands. After climbing up to Innatye to view the vertical drop you will see why locals named it to mean "mama mia". Here you will have lunch and continue on towards Chennek where you will be able to view the wildlife like, Walia Ibex and Gelada baboons, and plant life.

Chennek will be your campsite for the night. 

After breakfast at campsite, visit top of view Ras Dashen. And also by going down the hills for some hours you will visit the desert area and visit Sona small village and experience their real life.

Overnight Campsite.

Breakfast at the campsite then a 2 hour hike up to the Buwahit peak. Here you will be standing on the second highest peak in the Simien Mountains (4,430m). Here is where many visitors are able to see the endemic animals like the Walia Ibex and Ethiopian Red Fox. After spending time at the peak you will hike back down to Chennek for lunch and transportation back Debark to Gondar. 

Overnight in Taye Hotel. (B,D)

This day after our morning breakfast we will transfer to the Air Port for our flight back to Addis Ababa and then on our arrival we will some shopping and leisure time in the evening you will have exclusive farewell dinner party which you will be invited by our company, during this you will get a chance to see Ethiopian music with dance too. Then, transfer to the airport for your departure to Home.

Tour End!    (B,D)