Experience the spectacular Simien Mountains on a five-day trekking adventure from Gondar, exploring dramatic escarpments, deep valleys, rugged peaks, and high-altitude landscapes while encountering the unique wildlife of the Ethiopian highlands.
Tour Package
5-Day Simien Mountains Trek from Gondar
DAY 1
Gondar – Debark – Buyit Ras – Sankaber
Your guide and private 4WD vehicle will pick you up early from your hotel in Gondar. Drive to Debark, approximately 100 km and 2.5–3 hours, where you will complete registration at the Simien Mountains National Park headquarters and meet your local park scout.
Continue by 4WD toward Buyit Ras, the starting point of the trek. From Buyit Ras, begin trekking toward Sankaber Camp through the spectacular Simien escarpment, with views over deep valleys, steep cliffs, highland grasslands, and surrounding mountain ranges.
The area is also known for Gelada baboons, which can often be seen feeding and moving across the highland grasslands. Arrive at Sankaber Camp in the afternoon and relax while enjoying the mountain scenery.
- Drive: Gondar to Debark (100 km / 2.5–3 hrs) & Debark to Buyit Ras (30 km / 1 hr)
- Trek: Buyit Ras to Sankaber (8–9 km / 3–4 hours)
- Elevation: Buyit Ras 3,100 m → Sankaber 3,250 m
- What You See: Simien escarpment, deep valleys, cliffs, highland grasslands, Gelada baboons, and panoramic mountain views
- Overnight: Sankaber Camp (approximately 3,250 m)
DAY 2
Sankaber – Jinbar Waterfall – Gich
After breakfast, begin trekking from Sankaber toward Gich Camp. The trail follows the spectacular escarpment, with views of massive cliffs, deep gorges, green highland valleys, and wide mountain landscapes.
Continue toward the Jinbar Waterfall viewpoint, where the Jinbar River plunges dramatically from the plateau into the deep gorge below. After enjoying this impressive natural sight, continue toward the Jinbar River and gradually climb toward Gich.
Along the way, pass through open highland grasslands, Giant Lobelia vegetation, rocky mountain terrain, and traditional rural landscapes. You may encounter Gelada baboons, lammergeyers, thick-billed ravens, and other highland birds before arriving at Gich Camp in the afternoon.
- Trek: Sankaber to Jinbar Waterfall to Gich (15–16 km / 6–7 hours)
- Elevation: Sankaber 3,250 m → Jinbar Waterfall 3,200–3,300 m → Gich 3,600 m
- What You See: Simien escarpment, deep gorges, Jinbar Waterfall, highland grasslands, Giant Lobelia, Gelada baboons, and mountain scenery
- Overnight: Gich Camp (approximately 3,600 m)
DAY 3
Gich – Imet Gogo – Inatye – Chennek
After an early breakfast, begin trekking across the high Gich Plateau. Today's route takes you through some of the most spectacular high-altitude scenery in the Simien Mountains, with Giant Lobelia, open mountain grasslands, rugged cliffs, and deep valleys.
Continue toward Imet Gogo, one of the most famous viewpoints in the park. At approximately 3,926 metres, the viewpoint offers sweeping views of deep valleys, towering cliffs, surrounding peaks, and distant mountain ranges.
Continue along the high escarpment toward Inatye, reaching approximately 4,070 metres. Descend toward Chennek Camp, where you will encounter rugged mountain peaks, steep escarpments, open highland plateaus, and potentially large groups of Gelada baboons.
- Trek: Gich to Imet Gogo to Inatye to Chennek (15–17 km / 6–8 hours)
- Elevation: Gich 3,600 m → Imet Gogo 3,926 m → Inatye 4,070 m → Chennek 3,620 m
- Highest Elevation: Approximately 4,070 m at Inatye
- What You See: Giant Lobelia, highland grasslands, Imet Gogo viewpoint, deep valleys, dramatic cliffs, Inatye, Gelada baboons, and panoramic mountain ranges
- Overnight: Chennek Camp (approximately 3,620 m)
DAY 4
Chennek – Bwahit Pass – Chennek
After breakfast, begin a full day of trekking around the Chennek and Bwahit Pass area. Today's route takes you through some of the highest and most dramatic landscapes of the Simien Mountains.
Trek through rugged ridges, enormous cliffs, deep valleys, and high-altitude grasslands while enjoying panoramic views toward Bwahit Mountain and the surrounding peaks. The remote character of this area provides an opportunity to experience the high Simien landscape away from the main camps.
Along the route, you may encounter large groups of Gelada baboons feeding on the grasslands, while lammergeyers, thick-billed ravens, and other highland birds can often be seen above the cliffs. Return to Chennek Camp in the afternoon and enjoy the mountain scenery around camp.
- Trek: Chennek to Bwahit Pass area to Chennek (10–14 km / 4–6 hours)
- Elevation: Chennek 3,620 m → Bwahit Pass area approximately 4,000 m+
- What You See: Bwahit Mountain, high escarpments, deep valleys, cliffs, highland grasslands, Gelada baboons, and highland birds
- Overnight: Chennek Camp (approximately 3,620 m)
DAY 5
Chennek – Debark – Gondar
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning walk around the Chennek area. Take one last opportunity to observe Gelada baboons and appreciate the dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, rugged peaks, and highland landscapes of the Simien Mountains.
After the morning walk, meet your private 4WD vehicle and begin the drive toward Debark. The journey from Chennek to Debark takes approximately 2–2.5 hours, depending on road conditions and stops.
From Debark, continue toward Gondar, approximately 100 km and 2.5–3 hours. Arrive in Gondar in the late afternoon or early evening and transfer to your hotel, marking the end of your Simien Mountains trekking adventure.
- Morning Trek: 4–6 km / 2–3 hours
- Elevation: Chennek 3,620 m, descending toward Debark
- What You See: Gelada baboons, Simien cliffs, deep valleys, mountain peaks, highland grasslands, and final panoramic views
- Drive: Chennek to Debark (40–50 km / 2–2.5 hrs)
- Drive: Debark to Gondar (100 km / 2.5–3 hrs)
- End Point: Drop-off at your hotel in Gondar
Tour Inclusions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Gondar
- Private 4WD transportation
- Professional English-speaking trekking guide
- Experienced 4WD driver
- Simien Mountains National Park entrance fee
- Local park scout
- Camping equipment, tent, mattress, and sleeping equipment
- Cook and cooking equipment
- All meals during the trek
- Drinking water during the trek
- Luggage assistance during the trek
- Government taxes and applicable fees
Not Included
- Accommodation in Gondar before or after the trek
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic drinks
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal trekking equipment
- Any services not specifically mentioned under Tour Inclusions