11 Days Simien Mountains Trekking, Gondar & Aksum Tour

Tour Overview

Combine one of Ethiopia’s great mountain adventures with the historic cities of Gondar and Aksum on this 11-day Simien Mountains trekking and cultural tour.

Beginning in Addis Ababa, travel to Gondar before entering Simien Mountains National Park for a multi-day trek through Sankaber, Geech, Chenek, Sona, Mekarebya and Mulit.

Unlike shorter Simien Mountains trekking packages that return from Chenek along the same route, this itinerary continues through the lower northern valleys towards Adi Arkay, giving hikers a much broader experience of the Simien landscape.

The trek begins around 3,250 metres at Sankaber, passes through high mountain terrain around Chenek, and gradually descends into warmer valleys before reaching Adi Arkay.

After the trekking section, continue north to Aksum, the ancient centre of the Aksumite Kingdom and one of Ethiopia’s most important archaeological and religious destinations.

This tour is ideal for travellers looking for a combination of Simien Mountains trekking, hiking, adventure travel, wildlife and northern Ethiopia’s historical heritage.

Tour Highlights

• Explore historic Gondar
• Trek through Simien Mountains National Park
• Hike from Sankaber to Geech
• See Jinbar Waterfall and dramatic escarpments
• Visit famous Simien viewpoints
• Trek through wildlife-rich Chenek
• Search for geladas and Walia ibex
• Experience giant lobelia and Afro-alpine vegetation
• Descend from the high mountains through Sona and Mekarebya
• Experience rarely visited lower Simien landscapes
• Meet highland communities along the trekking route
• Finish the trek at Adi Arkay
• Explore ancient Aksum
• Visit the famous Aksum stelae and archaeological sites
• Combine trekking and history in one northern Ethiopia adventure

At a Glance

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Start/Finish: Addis Ababa

Trekking Section: Approximately 6 days

Tour Type: Trekking, hiking, camping, history and wildlife

Highest Regular Camping Areas: Around 3,600 m

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Best For: Active travellers combining adventure with historical sightseeing

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Addis Ababa

Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and meet your representative.

Transfer to your hotel.

Depending on arrival time, relax or enjoy an optional city tour visiting selected attractions such as the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Entoto or other cultural sites.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 2 – Addis Ababa → Gondar

Travel to Gondar according to the confirmed domestic flight or road arrangement.

After arrival, explore the historic city.

Visit the Fasil Ghebbi Royal Enclosure, associated with the emperors who made Gondar their imperial capital in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Continue to Debre Birhan Selassie Church and, depending on time, Fasilides’ Bath.

Overnight: Gondar

Day 3 – Gondar → Debark → Sankaber

Drive from Gondar towards Debark, the principal gateway to the Simien Mountains.

After completing park formalities and meeting the trekking support team, continue into the national park.

Begin an introductory walk towards Sankaber.

The surrounding grasslands are an excellent place to encounter troops of endemic geladas.

Enjoy sweeping views across the northern escarpment before reaching camp.

Trekking: Approximately 2–3 hours

Overnight: Sankaber Camp

Elevation: Approx. 3,250 m

Day 4 – Sankaber → Jinbar Waterfall → Geech

Begin the classic trek from Sankaber towards Geech.

The trail follows highland grasslands and heather vegetation along the escarpment.

Stop for views towards Jinbar Waterfall, where the river drops dramatically into the deep gorge.

Descend to the Jinbar River before climbing towards Geech.

The campsite sits among giant lobelias and high-altitude grasslands.

Trekking: Approximately 5–6 hours

Distance: Around 10 km

Overnight: Geech Camp

Elevation: Approx. 3,600 m

Day 5 – Geech → Imet Gogo Area → Chenek

Leave Geech and continue through some of the most dramatic scenery in the Simien Mountains.

Depending on routing, visit or pass near major escarpment viewpoints before continuing towards Chenek.

Chenek is surrounded by high cliffs and mountain grasslands and is one of the best areas in the national park for possible sightings of the endemic Walia ibex.

Geladas, raptors and other highland wildlife may also be encountered.

Trekking: Approximately 6–8 hours

Overnight: Chenek Camp

Elevation: Approx. 3,600 m

Day 6 – Chenek → Sona

Leave the high Chenek region and begin trekking northwards through changing mountain landscapes.

The route gradually moves away from the better-known western trekking circuit.

Enjoy extensive views as the high plateau begins to give way to warmer and lower terrain.

This is one of the advantages of the extended route: rather than returning directly towards Sankaber, you continue through less-visited sections of the wider Simien region.

Trekking: Approximately 6–7 hours

Overnight: Sona Camp

Day 7 – Sona → Mekarebya

Continue descending towards Mekarebya.

Much of today’s hike is downhill as you move away from the high Afro-alpine environment.

Vegetation, temperature and local agriculture gradually change as altitude decreases.

Pass through rural communities and enjoy views towards the lower valleys.

Trekking: Approximately 5 hours

Overnight: Mekarebya Camp

Day 8 – Mekarebya → Mulit

Continue through the lower Simien landscapes towards Mulit.

The route passes warmer valleys and vegetation very different from the high plateau around Geech and Chenek.

Vervet monkeys and a variety of birds may be encountered along the route.

The day provides good opportunities for interaction with local communities and photography of the surrounding countryside.

Trekking: Approximately 5–6 hours

Overnight: Mulit Camp

Day 9 – Mulit → Adi Arkay → Aksum

Complete the trekking section with a mostly downhill walk towards Adi Arkay.

Meet the vehicle after approximately 2–3 hours of walking.

Say goodbye to the trekking support team and continue north towards Aksum.

The drive introduces another side of northern Ethiopia as the journey transitions from mountain adventure to ancient history.

Overnight: Aksum

Day 10 – Full-Day Aksum Historical Tour

Spend the day exploring Aksum, once the centre of the powerful Aksumite Kingdom.

Visit the famous Northern Stelae Field and learn about the monumental granite obelisks associated with the ancient city.

Continue to important archaeological sites and the Church of St. Mary of Zion area.

Depending on current opening arrangements, additional visits may include ancient tombs, archaeological remains and other historical monuments.

Overnight: Aksum

Day 11 – Aksum → Addis Ababa

Transfer to Aksum Airport for the flight to Addis Ababa according to the available schedule.

Upon arrival, continue with your international departure or transfer to your hotel.

Tour ends: Addis Ababa

Tour Includes

• Domestic flights stated in the confirmed package
• Private ground transportation
• Professional English-speaking guide
• Simien Mountains trekking guide
• Required park scout
• Trekking cook
• Mules and mule handlers
• Camping equipment
• Sleeping mattresses
• Park entrance and camping fees
• Meals during the trekking section
• Hotel accommodation stated in the package
• Gondar sightseeing entrance fees
• Aksum sightseeing entrance fees
• Local guides where required
• Airport transfers
• Drinking water during trekking and road transfers
• Government taxes and service charges

Tour Excludes

• International airfare
• Ethiopian visa
• Travel insurance
• Meals outside the trekking program unless stated
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Personal trekking equipment
• Tips and gratuities
• Laundry
• Telephone and internet
• Personal purchases
• Medical and emergency evacuation costs
• Services not specifically mentioned

Additional Simien Mountains Trekking Information

Difficulty

Moderate to challenging.

The route includes several consecutive hiking days, long descents and basic camping conditions.

It is easier in terms of maximum altitude than a Ras Dejen summit expedition but requires good endurance because of the number of trekking days.

Elevation

Sankaber: approx. 3,250 m

Geech: approx. 3,600 m

Chenek: approx. 3,600 m

Later camps: progressively lower as the trek descends towards Adi Arkay

Adi Arkay: approx. 1,700–1,800 m

Landscape Changes

One of this itinerary’s strongest features is the change in elevation.

Travellers experience:

• high escarpments
• Afro-alpine grasslands
• giant lobelia
• mountain valleys
• agricultural highlands
• warmer lower-altitude vegetation

Wildlife

Possible wildlife includes:

• gelada
• Walia ibex
• Ethiopian wolf
• klipspringer
• vervet monkeys
• raptors and highland birds

Sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Best For

Travellers looking for a longer Simien Mountains trekking holiday that combines mountain adventure with Gondar and Aksum rather than focusing on a Ras Dejen summit.