15 days: Trekking in Simien & Bale MountainsNational Park | |||
TOUR CODE |
DURATION |
SITE |
TRANSPORT |
AAT-TT-004 | 15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS | TREKKINK IN SIMIEN AND BALE MOUNTAINS | BY AIR & SURFACE |
ItinerariesDay 1: Arrive Addis Ababa and transfer to the Hotel, city tour.
A representative from African Adventure Tours welcomes you on your arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and transfer to hotel. After refreshment, city tour of Addis Ababa. O/n Ghion Hotel.
Day 2: Fly to Gondar then drive Sankaber. Overnight camp in Sankaber
After breakfast transfer to airport to fly to Gondar, established by king Fasiledous in 1636. The town was capital of Ethiopia17thc. Upon arrival at Gondar Airport, departure for Debark town (100 Kms from Gondar), where the head quarter of Semien Mountains National Park is found. Here we pay the entrance fees and a scout and a local guide will accompany us. Then we continue driving to Sankaber (31 Kms) the first campsite of the National Park. On this drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, the extraordinary scenery, enjoying the endemic Gelada Baboons and the bone breaker giant bird Lammergeyer roaring around. O/n Camping at Sankaber. - (3200 m)
Day 3: Sankaber to Geech Camp Site -
This day is the day that we arrange all the trekking staff including mules and Muleteers for packing and transport of camping gears and all foodstuffs for the trek. It is this day that we start to walk in the national park. We walk from Sankaber to Geech, which will take between 5 - 6 hours. After about 1 and half hours walk we see the Jinnbar River and falls, we will cross the river later in the day. After crossing the river, we ascend for about two hour to Geech, which is full of Giant Lobelias. The scenery is wonderful, and heard of the endemic Gelada Baboon can be seen on our way. O/n Camping at Geech Campsite (3600m).
Day 4: Geech – Imetegogo – Geech:
This day we will be waking to the best viewpoints in the National park. First we walk to Imetegogo, the view here enables one to look 3600 to all directions this one of the best view in the national park. After a short stay here continue walk to Seha, the other terrific viewpoint in the National park. We will have our picnic lunch and we continue to the last viewpoint, Quedadit. After some stay we walk back to Geech camp site. The walk this day is not hard; it takes about 4 - 5 hours. It is the day that we will be walking in the best part of the national park. If we are lucky we might have the chance to see mammals like the Simien wolf, Walia Ibex and Klipspringers. O/n Camping at Geech Campsite - (3600m).
Day 5: Chenek. Overnight Camping :
We trek to Chenek, we will be walking through the Giant lobelia trees and under these trees, and African field Rats are common. After picnic lunch we walk on the edge of Enatye escarpments (4000m. above sea level), which is another breathtaking view in the national park; finally we descend to Chenek. Chenek is the best place to see the endemic Waliya Ibex and more Gelada Baboon. It takes 6-7 hours walk. O/n Camping at Chenek. - (3600m)
Day 6: Around Chenek:
This day you will be wandering around Chenek. This site of Chenek has the best view from all camp site and it is also the best spot to observe the Walia Ibex.
Day 7: Chenek - Gondar:
The vehicle can reach the campsite of Chenek, so they will drive directly from Chenek campsite via Debark to Gondar. Drive from Chenek to Gonder with stops in some picture sque points. Overnight Goha Hotel.
Day 8: Fly to Addis Ababa:
After breakfast fly from Gondar to Addis Ababa then check in to your hotel. O/n Ghion Hotel.
Day 9: Bale Mountains - Dinsho Lodge:
After breakfast, we start a full day's drive to the Bale Mt. National Park, traveling thorough the southeast part of the capital, where fertile land is cultivated by the Oromo people. We arrive at Dinsho (Park HQ) in the afternoon, in time for a walk around to see three of the endemic mammals: Menelik's Bushbuck, and Mountain Nyala. And birds Blue-winged goose, Spot-breasted lapwing, Abyssinian long claw, Wattled ibis, Black-headed siskin, Rouget’s rail, and of course other species, too. Overnight at Dinsho Lodge, which is a clean, down-to-earth lodge that is surrounded by juniper trees and numerous species of wildlife.
Day 10: Dinsho - Geysay Valley - Dinsho. Overnight Lodge
: The whole day visit around Dinsho and Geysay Valley. In time hike to see three of the endemic mammals: Menelik's Bushbuck, Mountain Nyala and Ethiopian wolf . The rest of the day arranges the trekking staff. O/n Dinsho lodge
Day 11: Wolla Valleys (Kotera) – Camping:
Accompanied by your guide, a scout and packhorses we trek 5 hrs through the lush highland vegetation to our first campsite. The air here is clean and crisp and the scenery utterly stunning. O/n camping.
Day 12: Wassema Valley – Camping:
After breakfast we resume trek that will last for approx. 7-8 hrs. The trek offers the chance to see Ethiopia's endemic Abyssinian Wolf. Overnight camping at the base of Wassema Mountain. O/n camping
Day 13: Gebre Guracha – Camping:
Today we trek through the highlands, crossing Batu mountain on the way to Gebre Guracha. Wild flowers abound, the dominant plant being the Helichrysm, or 'everlasting' flowers. The Everlasting plant can be seen in several forms, but the grey bushes of H. splendidum are the most striking with their yellow flowers. Several rodent species are found in the area. O/n camping
Day 14: Sanetti Plateau to Goba Town - Wabe Shabele hotel:
After breakfast we trek for 5 hrs to the highest peak in the Bale Mountains, Tullu Deemtu (4377m, 14357ft) which is part of the Sanetti Plateau. The vistas are simply unbelievable and so photogenic. Here you will find small alpine lakes and typical afro-alpine vegetation that includes the Giant Lobelia and shrubs such as 'Everlasting'. Vistas reach out to the strange pinnacles of Chorchora Peak and across the sheer-sided Tegona River Gorge. There are views to the steep-sided volcanic plug of Konteh Tullu and the long, craggy ridges of Mount Batu. The car will meet us here and drive us down to Goba town for an overnight stay at Wabe Shebele Hotel.
Day 15: Drive back to Addis evening Departure:
Drive back to Addis Ababa with stops on the way at rift valley Lakes. Evening a fare well dinner party in one of the traditional Ethiopian restaurant with dances from different ethnic groups. Then transfer to The Airport for your flight back home.
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