Trekking & Culture Tour of Northern Ethiopia
This 10-day trip gives a unique experience of North Ethiopian culture whilst taking in the most stunning landscapes.
Your trip starts with 5 days of challenging trekking in the most northern part of Ethiopia in the Simien Mountains National Park. The effort is well rewarded with incredible views and sightings of native animals, including gelada baboons and Walia ibex.
Interspersed throughout your treks are opportunities to connect with the local communities, participating in a reading session at a rural school, and sharing a coffee ceremony with a local family.
The final part of our trip will be to the UNESCO recognised monasteries and rock churches in Lalibela - the Jerusalem of Ethiopia - with its 11 monolithic churches, carved directly from the red rock and connected by a network of tunnels.
This is a trip to Ethiopia that you won't forget.
Services
Included:
- 9 Nights Hotel Accommodation on a Shared Room;
- ADD-GDQ, GDQ-LLI, and LLI-ADD internal flights as of international flight with Ethiopian Airlines; unless extra USD 247.00 per pax if the international flight is with other airlines;
- Professional English Speaking Guide;
- All fuel costs as required by itinerary;
- All entrance fees;
- Airport Transfers;
- Local Guide and scout fees;
- Bottled mineral water in the vehicle (2 lt per day);
- Government tax associated with the trip.
Excluded:
- Day Use on the last day in Addis Ababa;
- FOC Leader;
- International Airfare;
- Lunches and Dinners;
- Alcoholic Expenses;
- Any Photography and Video fees;
- And what is NOT included on the “Included” List.
Optional:
- Single room supplement: Extra USD 588.00 per person;
- Lunches and Dinners can be added upon request.
Itinerary at a Glance
Chennek
Welcome to Ethiopia
Ras Dejen Peak
Trekking 'The Roof of Africa'
Arekwazeye
Magnificent mountain beauty
Sona
Experience village life in Sona
Mulit
Rock towers of Hawaza
Adi Arkay
A gentle pace
Lalibela
The UNESCO marvel of Lalibela
Genete Mariam
A taste of Ethiopia
Hudad
Churches of Ethiopia
Mekina Medhane Alem
Goodbye Ethiopia!
Detailed Itinerary
Chennek
Day 1: Welcome to Ethiopia
Welcome to Ethiopia!
The first thing you will unpack will be your hiking boots. Arrive into Gondar in the north of the country and start your adventure right away with a breath-taking 3 hour hike to the top of the Buhait pass (4,200m). The second highest point in the park will welcome you with magnificent views of Bwhait peak, Berochwuha, Silki and Lori village below.
Begin your 3 hour descent and pass through the small rural village of Chiro Leba, where you will meet locals and learn about their lives in this picturesque village. Following this, continue down for another hour enjoying the rich views of the mountain and rocky hillsides covered by aloe plants endemic to the area..
Your final stretch is about 1.5 hours of ascent to reach Ambikp campsite where you will spend your first night in Ethiopia.
Total trekking time: 8 - 9 hours
Ras Dejen Peak
Day 2: Trekking 'The Roof of Africa'
Today you will be hiking Mount Ras Dejen, at 4,553m it is Africa’s fourth highest and Ethiopia’s highest mountain. The whole trek is 10- 12 hours of challenging terrain (6–7-hour ascent, 4-5 hour descent) but it is enormously rewarding.
Start the day before sunrise to give you ample time for trekking. Begin with a relaxed hike along a rocky trail taking in the views in the golden early morning sunlight. After about 3 hours you will begin your ascent through Afroalpine meadows. The trail winds its way into the moorland where everlasting flowers and helichrysum decorate the landscape. Reach the summit, known as the 'Roof of Africa', and spend some time taking in the incredible views that surround you at every turn.
When you’re ready, begin your descent to Mentaber Campsite where you will spend the night.
Total trekking time: 10 - 12 hours
Arekwazeye
Day 3: Magnificent mountain beauty
Today’s trail takes you through an area of exceptional mountain beauty with the several famous peaks dominating the landscape, including the likes of Kidus Yared, Walia Kend, Silki and Berochwuha.
Your hike will mainly be along hillside before an ascent to the next pass at 3,580m. From there you descend for about 2 hours on a trail that brings you to the village of Arekwazeye. Your campsite is situated here, in a pleasant spot on the foothill of Mt. Beorch Whuha.
Settle in for a beautiful night under the stars.
Total trekking time: 7 hours
Sona
Day 4: Experience village life in Sona
Today will begin with a lovely walk towards Mt. Beorch Whuha peak, 4,272m, where you will be greeted by the stunning views of the rocky peaks of Imeg Gogo.
After this, visit the village of Sona. Here you will meet with locals and participate in a community tourism programme where you could help furnish homes of elderly members of the community or do some renovation works at Sona Primary School.
Afterwards, continue on towards Mekarebya, following a trail twisting down to the Ansiya River which is surrounded by fig trees and offers splendid views of the riverine forest. The trail then winds its way into the lowland where you will experience beautiful flora including the Cordia Africana tree, known for its beauty. There's an abundance of birdlife in this area: look out for the African paradise flycatcher and the hemirpch hornbill.
Total trekking time: 9 - 10 hours
Mulit
Day 5: Rock towers of Hawaza
This morning you will have an easy walk along the riverbed before beginning a steep ascent for 2 hours that’ll take you to Hawaza (table mountain in Amharic). Along this route is an impressive array of rock towers to stop and admire.
Finish today at the vibrant village of Mulit before settling in for a night under the stars.
Total trekking time: 5 - 6 hours
Adi Arkay
Day 6: A gentle pace
With today being the shortest trek of the entire trip, a gentle pace is all you need!
After breakfast embark on today’s pleasant stroll downhill to Adiarkay enjoying the beautiful scenery the lowland area has to offer.
In Adiarkay, meet your driver who will take you to Gondar where you will spend tonight.
Total trekking time: 2 hours
Driving time: Approximately 6 hours
Lalibela
Day 7: The UNESCO marvel of Lalibela
Today you will visit the incredible Ethiopian rock-hewn orthodox Christian churches of Lalibela.
Said by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World this collection of churches, contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century. Some of these churches are beautifully painted on the inside and are connected by fascinating internal channels full of religious symbols. Spend today learning all about this historic site before heading onwards to Lalibela for some down time in the afternoon.
This evening you will visit cultural houses in Lalibela where you will listen to Ethiopian traditional music and taste traditional honey wine.
Genete Mariam
Day 8: A taste of Ethiopia
This morning you will visit Genete Mariam, one of the most interesting outlying churches in Ethiopia. This large monolith is carved into a pink-tinged outcrop near the source of the Tekeze River. Supported by pillars, the church is very different from those excavated in Lalibela as it is not hidden within a trench, but carved openly on a rocky hilltop.
After lunch, you will have the opportunity to join another community tourism project in the small village of Genete Mariam. Learn all about local life as you watch how injera (traditional bread) is baked, local beer is brewed, and join in with a typical family coffee celebration.
Hudad
Day 9: Churches of Ethiopia
This morning you will walk up to Hudad Lodge, which is situated on the plateau and offers breath taking views of the landscape. Here you will have a relaxed lunch enjoying the warm midday sunshine.
In the afternoon continue on to Mekina Medhane Alem, a cave church known for its wonderfully decorated interior displaying geometric patterns and many old paintings. Built in the 6th century this church is a great example of Axumite wood and stone construction, while also showcasing a unique modification of wall sections of polished rubble and dressed block of reddish tuff.
This evening, relax at your community lodge enjoying your last night in Ethiopia.
Mekina Medhane Alem
Day 10: Goodbye Ethiopia!
Say goodbye to Ethiopia today as we drive you back to Lalibela Airport to take the Midday flight to Addis Ababa.
If time allows, take a quick tour of the capital before your flight home.
