9 Days Simien Mountains Trek & Ras Dejen Summit Adventure

Tour Overview

Experience one of the most complete Simien Mountains trekking adventures in Ethiopia on this 9-day hiking tour from Gondar.

The journey follows the famous highland route through Sankaber, Geech, Imet Gogo and Chenek before crossing the high Bwahit area to Ambiko for an ascent of Ras Dejen, Ethiopia’s highest mountain at approximately 4,543 metres.

Unlike shorter Ras Dejen trekking packages that return along the same route, this expedition continues through the lower and less-visited eastern and northern valleys towards Adi Arkay. This gives you a much broader experience of the Simien Mountains, from cool Afro-alpine plateaus above 4,000 metres to warmer valleys around 2,000 metres.

Along the way, enjoy dramatic escarpments, giant lobelias, remote highland communities and opportunities to see endemic wildlife such as geladas, Walia ibex and, with luck, Ethiopian wolves.

This is an excellent Simien Mountains hiking holiday for experienced walkers seeking a longer wilderness adventure and a Ras Dejen summit attempt.

Tour Highlights

• Trek for nine days through the spectacular Simien Mountains
• Attempt the summit of Ras Dejen, Ethiopia’s highest mountain
• Hike along the dramatic UNESCO-listed Simien escarpment
• Walk from Sankaber to Geech via Jinbar Waterfall
• Visit Imet Gogo, one of the Simiens’ finest viewpoints
• Trek through Chenek and high Walia ibex habitat
• Cross the high Bwahit Pass area
• Experience elevations above 4,000 metres
• Camp beneath Ras Dejen at Ambiko
• Descend through rarely visited valleys rather than retracing the standard route
• Experience changing vegetation and climate from Afro-alpine highlands to warmer lowlands
• Meet highland communities along the trail
• Look for geladas, Walia ibex, birds of prey and other wildlife
• Finish the trek at Adi Arkay before returning to Gondar

At a Glance

• Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
• Start: Gondar
• Finish: Gondar
• Tour Style: Trekking, hiking, camping, wildlife and adventure
• Highest Point: Ras Dejen – approximately 4,543 m
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Accommodation: Mountain camping
• Best For: Experienced hikers and adventure travellers

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Gondar → Debark → Sankaber

Meet your trekking team in Gondar and drive for approximately 2–3 hours towards Debark, the main gateway to the Simien Mountains.

Debark lies at roughly 2,700 metres above sea level. After completing park arrangements and meeting the required trekking support team, continue towards the national park.

Begin your first short hike towards Sankaber.

The walk provides an excellent introduction to the Simien escarpment and offers your first opportunities to see geladas grazing along the highland grasslands.

Sankaber lies at approximately 3,250 metres.

Trekking time: Approximately 2 hours

Overnight: Sankaber Camp

Elevation: Approx. 3,250 m

Day 2 – Sankaber → Jinbar Waterfall → Geech

After breakfast, meet the mule handlers and begin the classic trek towards Geech.

Follow highland trails through grassland and heather vegetation before descending towards the Jinbar River.

One of today’s highlights is the spectacular Jinbar Waterfall, where the river drops into the deep Geech Abyss.

Continue across the valley and climb towards Geech.

The campsite lies at approximately 3,600 metres and is surrounded by beautiful highland scenery and giant lobelias.

Trekking time: Approximately 5–6 hours

Distance: Around 10 km

Overnight: Geech Camp

Elevation: Approx. 3,600 m

Day 3 – Geech → Imet Gogo → Chenek

Today is one of the most spectacular hiking days of the tour.

Follow the escarpment towards Imet Gogo, approximately 3,926 metres above sea level.

From the viewpoint, enjoy sweeping panoramas across the deep valleys and eroded mountain formations of the Simien Mountains.

Continue through high plateau landscapes towards Chenek.

The trail offers excellent birdwatching opportunities and possible wildlife encounters.

Chenek is one of the best-known areas for looking for the endemic Walia ibex.

Trekking time: Approximately 7–8 hours

Overnight: Chenek Camp

Elevation: Approx. 3,600 m

Day 4 – Chenek → Bwahit Pass → Mesheha Valley → Ambiko

Today is one of the most demanding stages of the expedition.

Climb from Chenek towards the high Bwahit area, one of the highest sections of the Simien Mountains trekking route.

The trail crosses terrain above 4,000 metres and provides your first major views towards the Ras Dejen massif.

After reaching the high pass, descend more than 1,000 metres towards the Mesheha River.

Cross the valley before climbing steeply towards Ambiko, the traditional base for Ras Dejen summit attempts.

Trekking time: Approximately 8–10 hours

Highest elevation: Above 4,000 m

Overnight: Ambiko Camp

Day 5 – Ras Dejen Summit Day

Begin before sunrise for the most challenging day of the expedition.

The trail climbs gradually through mountain settlements and high-altitude grasslands before reaching increasingly rocky terrain beneath Ras Dejen.

Continue towards the summit of Ras Dejen, approximately 4,543 metres above sea level and the highest mountain in Ethiopia.

The final approach includes rocky sections where you may occasionally use your hands for balance.

Weather permitting, the summit provides extensive views across the northern Ethiopian highlands.

After time for photographs and rest, descend back to Ambiko.

Trekking time: Approximately 9–11 hours

Highest elevation: Approx. 4,543 m

Overnight: Ambiko Camp

Difficulty: Very challenging

Day 6 – Ambiko → Arkwaziye

Instead of returning through Chenek and Sankaber, begin a less-travelled route towards the lower country.

Descend from Ambiko before following a generally easier trail westward through remote landscapes.

The changing route allows you to experience parts of the Simien region that many shorter trekking packages never reach.

Arrive around Arkwaziye for the night.

Trekking time: Approximately 4–5 hours

Approximate elevation: Around 3,500–3,600 m

Overnight: Camping

Day 7 – Arkwaziye → Lamo Lowlands

Continue descending through a series of ridges and valleys.

The route leaves the high Afro-alpine environment behind and enters progressively warmer landscapes.

Descend towards the Ansiya River and the lower country around Lamo.

The large change in elevation is one of the most interesting features of this extended Simien Mountains trekking itinerary.

Trekking time: Approximately 6–7 hours

Approximate camp elevation: Around 2,000 m

Overnight: Camping

Day 8 – Lamo → Lowland Villages

Enjoy a less demanding trekking day through warmer lowland landscapes.

The trail passes scrub vegetation, palm trees, agricultural areas and small communities beneath dramatic rock formations.

This section provides opportunities to meet local people and experience a side of the Simien region that is rarely seen on shorter hiking tours.

Overnight: Camping

Day 9 – Trek to Adi Arkay → Gondar

Complete the final short section of the trek towards Adi Arkay, situated at approximately 1,700 metres.

Say goodbye to your trekking support team and explore the local market area if time permits.

Meet the vehicle and drive back to Gondar.

Trekking time: Approximately 2–3 hours

Tour ends: Gondar

What’s Included

• Private transportation from Gondar to the Simien Mountains and return
• Professional English-speaking trekking guide
• Required park scout
• Trekking cook
• Mule handlers
• Pack mules for camp equipment and main luggage
• Camping tents
• Sleeping mattresses
• Sleeping bags if included in the confirmed package
• Cooking and camping equipment
• Simien Mountains National Park entrance fees
• Camping fees
• Meals during the trekking section
• Drinking water according to the agreed package
• Support and logistical coordination
• Government taxes and service fees

What’s Not Included

• International and domestic flights
• Ethiopian visa
• Travel insurance
• Hotel accommodation in Gondar unless specified
• Personal trekking clothing and footwear
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Personal expenses
• Tips and gratuities
• Laundry
• Telephone and internet
• Medical treatment
• Emergency evacuation costs
• Services not specifically included

Trek Difficulty

This is a challenging trekking itinerary.

The route includes several consecutive days of walking, substantial elevation changes and long hiking days.

Days 4 and 5 are particularly demanding because of altitude and the Ras Dejen summit attempt.

Good general fitness and previous hiking experience are strongly recommended.

Elevation & Acclimatization

This trek begins around 3,250 metres at Sankaber and reaches approximately 4,543 metres on Ras Dejen.

The route gradually gains elevation through Sankaber, Geech and Chenek before the summit section, helping provide a more progressive approach to altitude.

Altitude affects every traveller differently.

Walk slowly, remain hydrated and tell your guide immediately if you experience persistent headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or other symptoms.

Wildlife

Possible wildlife encounters include:

• Gelada
• Walia ibex
• Ethiopian wolf
• klipspringer
• jackal species
• bearded vultures and other raptors
• numerous highland birds

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Best Time for the Trek

Drier periods generally provide easier hiking conditions and more predictable trails.

The period following the main rains can offer particularly green landscapes and impressive waterfalls.

Conditions at elevations above 4,000 metres may change rapidly at any time of year.

What to Pack

Recommended equipment includes:

• broken-in hiking boots
• warm fleece or insulating layer
• waterproof jacket
• trekking trousers
• warm hat and gloves
• sun hat
• sunglasses
• sunscreen
• headlamp
• reusable water bottle
• personal medication
• daypack
• trekking poles
• power bank
• camera or binoculars

Why Choose the 9-Day Trek?

Choose this itinerary if you want more than simply reaching Ras Dejen.

Unlike shorter summit packages, this route continues through remote lower valleys towards Adi Arkay instead of returning on exactly the same trail.

It offers one of the most varied Simien Mountains trekking holidays on our website.