Trekking to Semien
Mountains National Park
Trekking To Semien Mountains National Park ( Tour Code GTT:003 Duration 12 Days)
Day 1: ARRIVAL AT ADDIS ABABA: Arrival at Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa) where you will be met by a Ghion Travel and Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in your hotel in Addis.
Day 2: GONDAR: Fly to Gondar and visit the 17th century castles and churches. Overnight stay will be in your hotel.
Day 3: Morning drive to Sanka ber and continue your first trekking for about 3to 4hours through cultivated areas. Overnight stay will be camping.
Day 4: SEMIEN MOUNTAIN; Trekking for about 6 to 7 hours to Geech through meadows and forests and some cultivated areas. Here you may meet your first trop of Gelada Baboons around Sanka ber. Walk to the edge of the abuse to see Walia Ibex. At Geech there is a toilet and a convenient nearby water fall for washing. Overnight stay will be camping.
Day 5: SEMIEN MOUNTAIN; The trek takes about 5 to 6 hours. Here you will pass a spot known as Kibran Metia, just before arrival to Chenek; it provides stunning views of the lowlands below and the escarpment edge to the west. There is a fast running stream about five minutes walk south of Chenek camp. Lammergeyers are often seen here. Chenek is probably the best spot in the Simien Mountains for wild life. Overnight stay will be camping.
Day 6: SEMIEN MOUNTAIN; Trek for about 9 to 10 hours from Chenek to Ambikwa following a track that leads you to the south east of Chenek. Here you will have a good viewpoint on the eastern escarpment near the Ambikwa camping spot. Overnight stay will be camping.
Day 7: SEMIEN MOUNTAIN; Trekking for about 9 to 10 hours from Ambikwa to Ras Dashen and returning back to Maje. Here you will have a stream river near the Maje camping spot. Overnight stay will be camping.
Day 8: SEMIEN MOUNTAIN; Trek for about 9 to 10 hours from Maje to Arkwasiye via Mentaber. Overnight stay will be camping.
Day 9: SEMIEN MOUNTAIN; Trekking for about 7 to 8 hours from Arkwasiye to Ansiya riverside via Sona, a spot where you meet after 3hours trek. Overnight stay will be camping.
Day 10: SEMIEN MOUNTAIN; Trek for about 7 to 8 hours from Ansiya to Hawaza. Overnight stay will be camping at Hawaza.
Day 11: AXUM: Trek for about 3to 4 hours from Hawaza to Adi Arkay. After taking a break in Adi Arkay. Continue to drive to Axum, the ancient capital of Ethiopia and the cradle of Ethiopian civilizations. Axum is famous for its more than 2000 year old Axumite steles measuring some of them up to 33m high, the bath and palace of Queen of Sheba, King Kaleb’s and other kings tombs, archaeological museum which is widely rated as Ethiopia’s best, the church of St. Mary of Tsion, where the original Ark of the covenant is housed. Legend has it that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of Israel, King Menelik I brought the original Ark from Israel to Axum. Overnight stay will be in your hotel.
Day 12: DEPARTURE: Transfer to the Airport and fly to Addis Ababa. Evening welfare dinner party with national music and dancing. O/n hotel
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Day 12: CITY TOUR AND DEPARTURE; Sightseeing tour that includes Trinity Cathedral-a beautiful church with a baroque style of European Architecture unique to both Ethiopia and Africa, National Museum-the home of the famous complete hominid fossil remain of Lucy dated 3.5 millions years back, Ethnological Museum-presents different collections to have an overview of the history, culture, tradition and religions of almost all tribal groups in Ethiopia, St. George Cathedral and Museum-a historical church with the traditional Ethiopian Orthodox Church architecture founded by Emperor Menelik-II, Mount Entoto panoramic view point at the highest pick in Addis with an altitude of 3200 meters, The Merkato: the biggest open air market in Africa. Evening welfare dinner party with national music and dancing, and transfer to Bole International Airport for your flight back home.