3-Day Simien Mountains Wilderness & Wildlife Trek

You will begin your journey by driving from Gondar to Sankaber, making a brief stop at the Simien Mountains National Park headquarters to arrange permits. Today's trek will take you through highland grasslands, heather forests, and cultivated fields, following a stunning escarpment with dramatic views. Along the way, you will encounter friendly gelada baboons foraging in large groups. After a short climb to a viewpoint at Jinbar Falls, you will enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the waterfall plunging several hundred meters down the escarpment. After a 20-minute drive on a rough road, you will have your lunch break by the Jinbar River. You will then ascend through terraced farmland to your camp at 3,600 m. If luck is on our side, you may spot Ethiopian wolves in this area. In the evening, those interested can take a 30-minute walk to the summit of Kedadit (3,760 m) to witness an unforgettable sunset. Your overnight camping is in Gich 3600 masl.

After breakfast, you will hike for about 2 hours to the summit of Imet Gogo (3,926 m), one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the region, offering a 360-degree panorama that includes Ras Dashen, the highest peak in Ethiopia. Following a photo break, you will trek along the escarpment, cross a small valley, and climb Inatye (4,070 m) for our lunch stop. The views from Inatye showcase the lush green fields of the mountain village Dihwara, Tiya, Amiwalka, and Truwata, located over 1,000 m below you. Throughout the day, you will walk through expansive fields of Giant Lobelia (Lobelia rhynchopetalum) and occasionally see Heather Trees (Erica arborea) and Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia foliosa). After your break, you will descend to your camp at Chennek (3,620 m) in the afternoon. Chennek is known as a wildlife corridor, providing excellent opportunities to observe gelada baboons, Walia ibex, and Ethiopian wolf.

For those who enjoy early mornings, we recommend starting around 4:00 AM to experience the stunning sunrise from the second-highest peak, Ras Bwahit (4,430 m). After departing from Chennek, you will climb approximately 600 m to Pass Bwahit (around 4,200 m), which is the route for those aiming to summit Ras Dashen, a trek that requires at least two additional days. If fitness allows, you will continue your ascent to the peak of Ras Bwahit (4,430 m), one of the highest points in the area. After enjoying the views, you will descend back to Chennek, where your vehicle will take you back to Debark via a 58 km rough road. From Debark, you will travel on a new asphalt road back to Gondar, arriving in the afternoon around 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM