Classic Simien Mountain Trek

The classic three to five day Simien Mountain trek, tracing the dramatic ridge trail and culminating in the ascent of Buahit at 4,430m.

Forget Kilimanjaro, the Simien Mountains have greater claim to be the roof of Africa. Whether trekking with rare Gelada Baboons, Walia Ibex and Ethiopian wolves, or getting your thrills from terrifying vertical views, the Simien Mountains have it all up their sleeves. The Simiens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and rightly so. Set amidst a vast mountain range that resembles a landscape you might expect to see in the Grand Canyon, the Simien National Park sits haughtily above at 3,500m+ offering a dramatic ridge with incredible views every step of the way.

You’d be hard pressed to find another trek with more views per km anywhere in the world. The trail follows the course of the ridge offering breathtaking view after breathtaking view. Highlights include the terrifying 700m drop of the Genbar Falls, the raised promontory of Imet Gogo with 360 degree views and summiting Buahit at 4,430m. Its hard to take your eyes off the drop, but the wildlife makes its best effort to divert you. Large troops of colourful gelada baboon roam the park, whilst the rare Wallia Ibex with its incredibly long curved horns will have you imitating David Attenborough as you creep steadily closer for the perfect shot.

All treks and tailor-made itineraries are organised on demand for groups of two or more people. For single travelers or those who prefer travelling in a group, we offer several scheduled small group tours, see here.

Travelling in Ethiopia is by no means easy, but it is vastly rewarding. The challenges are the lack of luxuries (a hot shower in Ethiopia is a rare thing, even in upmarket hotels), the unique cuisine and hassle from hawkers. Having said that it also happens to host one of the most unique cultures in the world with a rich cultural heritage and some of the best trekking in the world. You can’t have everything.

As long as you don’t come expecting to be cosseted and you have travelled previously to places like SE Asia, India and Africa then you’ll no what to expect. The trek itself is challenging but by no means technical or unaccessible. The biggest challenge is the altitude. You’ll start the trek at 3,000m and spend the entirety of the trek between 3000m and 4500m. Altitude problems are rare, but some of the climbs particularly on the first few days are a lot tougher than they would be at lower altitudes. You’ll be well looked after by your guide, cook and scout.

In summary, if you’ve travelled a bit and like walking then this trek is suitable for you – as long as you come with the right attitude!

• Option 1: 3 Day Simien Mountain Trek

  Three day / two night trek, Sankaber - Geech
  - Imet Gogo.

  Price quoted for a private trek for 2 people. Select dates to check prices for different group sizes. Minimum group size of two people.

  DAY 1: GONDAR – SIMIEN MOUNTAINS (SANKABER CAMP 3,200M)
  You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Gonder around 7.30am for the drive to Debark. At Debark you will sign in at the park headquarters, pick up your guide and scout and head up into the mountains. The road continues all the way to the first camp at Sankaber, but you’ll be dropped off on the way for a leisurely three hour acclimatisation hike. The stunning views hit you as soon as you get out of the vehicle as you walk along the ridge. There will be time to stop for a picnic lunch and after a short but demanding climb (at this altitude) to Sankaber you’ll be met as every day on this trek with a tray of fresh coffee, tea and snacks. 7km 2/3 hours walking
  Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
  Accommodation: Camping
  Transport (where relevant): Drive Gondar - Simien Mountains (3 hrs)

  DAY 2: SANKABER (3,200M) – GEECH CAMP (3,600M)
  After a hearty breakfast, you’ll set off trekking along the ridge with stunning views over the foothills 800m below. For the first two hours the trail passes through low bush of Giant Heather, soda apple, Abyssinian rose, St John’s Wort and Globe thistle. The highlight of the trek from Sankaber to Geech is Genbar Falls, an incredible 500m sheer drop. From the viewpoint opposite, you can watch the falcons, augur buzzard and lammergeyer bearded vulture soar on the thermals below. From the Genbar falls, the trail passes arable fields, broken by lunch at a somewhat less intimidating and more peaceful waterfall. Klipspringer and bush buck may be seen in the steep rocky and wooded slopes, whilst troops of Gelada Baboons roam the fields for roots. Just before you reach Geech camp site, there is a wonderful opportunity to visit one of the traditional village houses for home roasted coffee and injurra (ask your guide). Geech Camp itself is set on a grassy plateau with stunning sunset views. Walking 7-8hrs / 15km
  Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
  Accommodation: Camping
  Transport (where relevant):

  DAY 3: GEECH (3,600M) – IMET GOGO - GONDAR
  After breakfast you’ll trek for 2 hours along the grass plateau past countless bizarre outsized Giant Lobelia plants. The destination is Imet Gogo, an incredible rocky promontory that grants 360 degree views over the Simien Range. At an altitude of 3,926m you can see West back along the ridge towards Sankaber and Geech and South East across a deep gully towards Inatye and Cheneck Camp. The views here are arguably the best in the Simien Mountains and the drop is terrifying. From Imet Gogo, you’ll walk back towards the road where your vehicle will be waiting to meet you and take you back to Gondar.
  Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
  Accommodation: n/a
  Transport (where relevant): Drive Simien Mountains - Gondar (4 hrs)

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• Option 2: 4 Day Simien Mountain Trek

  Four day (three night) trek from Sankaber - Geech - Imet Gogo - Chenek.

  Price quoted for a private trek for 2 people. Select dates to check prices for different group sizes. Minimum group size of two people.

  DAY 1: Gondar – Debark – Sankaber Camp (3,200m)
  4-5hrs driving, 7km 2/3 hours walking
  You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Gonder around 7.30am for the 2 ½ hr drive to Debark in a 4x4. The road is rough and very dusty, but if you haven’t left the built up areas in Ethiopia yet, it is a real eye opener into the life of the rural majority. At Debark you will sign in at the park headquarters, pick up your guide and scout and head up into the mountains (by 4x4). The road continues all the way to the first camp at Sankaber, but you’ll be dropped off on the way for a leisurely three hour acclimatisation hike. The stunning views hit you as soon as you get out of the vehicle as you walk along the ridge. There will be time to stop for a picnic lunch and after a short but demanding climb (at this altitude) to Sankaber you’ll be met as every day on this trek with a tray of fresh coffee, tea and snacks. (L,D)

  DAY 2: Sankaber (3,200m) – Geech Camp (3,600m)
  Walking 7-8hrs / 15km
  After a hearty breakfast, you’ll set off trekking along the ridge with stunning views over the foothills 800m below. For the first two hours the trail passes through low bush of Giant Heather, soda apple, Abyssinian rose, St John’s Wort and Globe thistle. The highlight of the trek from Sankaber to Geech is Genbar Falls, an incredible 500m sheer drop. From the viewpoint opposite, you can watch the falcons, augur buzzard and lammergeier bearded vulture soar on the thermals below. From the Genbar falls, the trail passes drier dustier land, broken by lunch at a somewhat less intimidating and more peaceful waterffall. Klipspringer and bush buck may be seen in the steep rocky and wooded slopes, whilst troops of Gelada Baboons roam the dusty fields for roots. Just before you reach Geech camp site, there is a wonderful opportunity to visit one of the traditional village houses for home roasted coffee and injurra. Geech Camp itself is set on a grassy plateau with stunning sunset views. (B,L,D)

  DAY 3: Geech (3,600m) – Imet Gogo (3,926m) Innatye (4070m) - Chennek (3,600m)
  Walking 8 hrs / 17km
  After breakfast you’ll trek for 2 hours along the grass plateau past countless bizarre outsized Giant Lobelia plants. The destination is Imet Gogo, an incredible rocky promontory that grants 360 degree views over the Simien Range. At an altitude of 3,926m you can see West back along the ridge towards Sankaber and Geech and South East across a deep gully towards the tomorrow’s ridge walk to Inatye and Cheneck Camp. The views here are arguably the best in the Simien Mountains and the drop is terrifying. From Imet Gogo, you’ll detour SE towards Inatye. The path drops into a forest of Giant Hazel before following the ridge on open grassland. The climb to Inatye (4,070m) rewards with stunning views. Inatye roughly translates as “mamma mia” and the terrifying vertical drop here justly warrants the name! After a picnic lunch the path follows mostly downhill through open grassland and gian lobelia towards Chenek with a number of stunning viewpoints along the way. Chenek camp is superb for wildlife with both Gelada Baboons and Wallia Ibex common here. (B,L,D)

  DAY 4: Chennek (3600m) – Gonder (Buahit climb optional)
  Driving 6 hours
  After breakfast, you will begin the journey back to Gonder by 4wd getting back in the early afternoon. Those feeling brave can opt to tackle Buahit before leaving camp. You'll need to be up early for the 3-4 hour round trip to this spectacular summit at 4430m. (B,L)

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• Option 3: 5 Day Simien Mountain Trek

  Five day (four night) classic Simien Mountain trek Sankaber - Geech - Imet Gogo - Geech - Chenek.

  Price quoted for a private trek for 2 people. Select dates to check prices for different group sizes. Minimum group size of two people.

  DAY 1: Gondar – Debark – Sankaber Camp (3,200m)
  4-5hrs driving, 7km 2/3 hours walking
  You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Gonder around 7.30am for the 2 ½ hr drive to Debark in a 4x4. The road is rough and very dusty, but if you haven’t left the built up areas in Ethiopia yet, it is a real eye opener into the life of the rural majority. At Debark you will sign in at the park headquarters, pick up your guide and scout and head up into the mountains (by 4x4). The road continues all the way to the first camp at Sankaber, but you’ll be dropped off on the way for a leisurely three hour acclimatisation hike. The stunning views hit you as soon as you get out of the vehicle as you walk along the ridge. There will be time to stop for a picnic lunch and after a short but demanding climb (at this altitude) to Sankaber you’ll be met as every day on this trek with a tray of fresh coffee, tea and snacks. (L,D)

  DAY 2: Sankaber (3,200m) – Geech Camp (3,600m)
  Walking 7-8hrs / 15km
  After a hearty breakfast, you’ll set off trekking along the ridge with stunning views over the foothills 800m below. For the first two hours the trail passes through low bush of Giant Heather, soda apple, Abyssinian rose, St John’s Wort and Globe thistle. The highlight of the trek from Sankaber to Geech is Genbar Falls, an incredible 500m sheer drop. From the viewpoint opposite, you can watch the falcons, augur buzzard and lammergeier bearded vulture soar on the thermals below. From the Genbar falls, the trail passes drier dustier land, broken by lunch at a somewhat less intimidating and more peaceful waterffall. Klipspringer and bush buck may be seen in the steep rocky and wooded slopes, whilst troops of Gelada Baboons roam the dusty fields for roots. Just before you reach Geech camp site, there is a wonderful opportunity to visit one of the traditional village houses for home roasted coffee and injurra. Geech Camp itself is set on a grassy plateau with stunning sunset views. (B,L,D)

  DAY 3: Geech (3,600m) – Imet Gogo (3,926m) – Siha Gorge – Kedar Dit – Geech (3,600m)
  Walking 5-6 hrs / 13km
  After breakfast you’ll trek for 2 hours along the grass plateau past countless bizarre outsized Giant Lobelia plants. The destination is Imet Gogo, an incredible rocky promontory that grants 360 degree views over the Simien Range. At an altitude of 3,926m you can see West back along the ridge towards Sankaber and Geech and South East across a deep gully towards the tomorrow’s ridge walk to Inatye and Cheneck Camp. The views here are arguably the best in the Simien Mountains and the drop is terrifying. From Imet Gogo, you’ll return to camp via the Siha Gorge for lunch. Afternoon at leisure before heading out for a short optional sunset trek to KedaDit (3760m). Overnight at Geech Camp again. (B,L,D)

  DAY 4: Geech (3600m) – Innatye (4070m) - Chennek (3,600m)
  Walking 7 hours / 15km
  Today is the longest and arguably most spectacular passing close to the ridge most of its length. After breakfast you will head back on the path towards Imet Gogo before detouring SE towards Inatye. The path drops into a forest of Giant Hazel before following the ridge on open grassland. The climb to Inatye (4,070m) rewards with stunning views. Inatye roughly translates as “mamma mia” and the terrifying vertical drop here justly warrants the name! After a picnic lunch the path follows mostly downhill through open grassland and gian lobelia towards Chenek with a number of stunning viewpoints along the way. Chenek camp is superb for wildlife with both Gelada Baboons and Wallia Ibex common here. (B,L,D)

  DAY 5: Chennek (3600m) – Mount Buahit (4430m) – Chennek (3600m)
  Walking 5 hours / 830m elevation gain and descent / 10km distance covered
  After an early breakfast, you will head SE out of Chennek to climb Buahit Peak at 4430m. The path follows a small stream for an hour or two up to Buahit Pass. At the pass the views open up to the North East towards Lori and Sona Villages. This is a fantastic place to spot the Wallia Ibex. From here it is another hour or two’s scramble up a rocky slope to Buahit Peak. It is hard work at the altitude but the views from the top and the wildlife on the way are more than worth it. After a quick lunch in Chennek, you’ll be driven back to Gonder (B,L)

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