Welcome to Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a country located in the Horn of Africa.
The largest city and the capital is Addis Ababa.
The oldest evidences of the modern human is found in Ethiopia, place which is considered a region from which the Homo Sapiens first set out for the modern world.
Ethiopia nation is consisted of 80 different ethic groups. Two of the biggest ethic groups are Oromo and Amhara.
This country is also the place where the coffee bean was found. Ethiopia is also one of the founding members of UN. In Ethiopia there are many places that can be visited.
Beside the traditions and the native people with their unique cloths will make the trip in Ethiopia unforgettable.
The Simien Mountains are are a perfect place where you can enjoy the landscape that will take your breath away.
It is also a great view to see the Erta Ale, the constantly active volcano.
The many churches that are unique and the old cities with traditions are just the beginning of the beauties.
The wildlife of Africa can also be found in Ethiopia and is a great sign of it.
Day 1: Addis Ababa – Gonder.
A short morning flight takes you to Gonder and A warm welcome to the old mountain capital of Gonder and transfer to your hotel.
Gonder has a rich history with its beautiful and strategic mountain setting, the 17thcentury capital was once the cross roads of several major caravan routes, and was also occupied by the Italians during world war2.The art Deco buildings surroundings the Royal enclosure with its medieval castles and churches are a reminder of this heritage.
This afternoon, explore Gonder’s castle and the churches of Debra berhan silassie with its iconic ceiling of painted angel.
Day 2: Gonder – Sankaber (3250m):
Drive from Gonder early in the morning to Debark the place where the park headquarter is situated where we need to spend about one hour to do entrance fees and pick the scout plus to have tea and coffee before leaving to the mountain, then keep on driving to the place where called Machibiny and start the introductory walk to the first campsite Sankaber for 3-4 hours along the plateau of the mountain far from the edge of mountain and overnight at Sankaber.
You will encounter Gelada Baboon along this hike.
Day 3: Sankaber – Gich (3600m), 5 -6 hours.
We follow the northern escarpment eastwards, before we descend a little into the Kaba valley. After that we climb up before we reach Gich Abyss and continue over a narrow ridge to a cliff where we have a spectacular view of the abyss towards the Simien foothills.
We also find a large waterfall here, where the Jinbar River pluges 500m into the abyss. We proceed for about two hours and have lunch we walk through fields of barley before we arrive at the idyllic village og Gich.
Her we can enjoy traditional coffee ceremony in one of the huts and learn more about local farm life.
From Gich village it is a short walk to Gich camp wich is a good area to look for Lammergier and Thich billed Raven.
After a relaxing afternoon, we will take a short hike up to Kedadit to enjoy sunset plus the gorgeous shaded landscapes down to the cliff side towards to the eastern direction and return to the camp for dinner.
Day 4: Gich – Chennek (3600m), 7 – 8 hours.
Walk from Gich camp we stroll through endless fields og Giant Lobelia before we reach the towering cliff’s of Imet- Gogo (3926m).
Here we will spend some time to absorb the superb views over the mountain valleys below and strange shaped domes in the distance, wich we will see from up close at the end of trip. After that we descend in to the Jinbahir Rift valley.
In this way we get a different prespective of Imet Gogo and the volcanic landscape, where it looks like big chunks of mountains have been blown awy. The trails follows the edge of the escarpment, wich is completely vertical here for several hundred metres.
We climb to the summit of 4070m where we will have lunch. After lunch we descend to Chennek for about two hours along a steep trail.
From chennek camp there are spectacular views in all directions. Sit down on a bench at the escarpment and try to spot Walia Ibex in the late afternoon and early morning. Sometimes Walia Ibex visit the edges of the campsite.
Day 5: Cheennek – Buwait – Chennek, 5 -6 hours.
On this day the character of the trek is more uphill and downhill. It is a bit tough while climbing up and easier while descend back but it is totally far from sheer cliffs.
On this trip, from the top of Mt. Buhawit(4430m), we will have the opportunities to see the highest mountain peak in the entire country called Ras-Dejen (4543m) as well as the decent views of Mt.Buwahit itself. It takes an approximate time of 5 -6 hours to cover both ways and drive back to Gondar for about 5 hours.
Day 6: Gonder to Lalibela:
Fly to the UNESCO world Heritage Site of Lalibela – the Jerusalem of Ethiopia, and Africa’s own ‘petra’. In a fitting finale to your Ethiopia adventure, explore the monolithic red- hued churches incredibily carved in to the rock.
Your guide will lead you through the network of crevices and tunnels linking each of the churches. The church are still in use today.
Day 7: Lalibela (“African Petra”):
Today your guide take you to the eastern group of rock hewn churches: smaller in size, these are no less impressive, with intricate carvings and many dark tunnels to explore! Travel further afield to the Nakutelab rock-hewn church, built into the side of a hill in a natural cave.
The afternoon culminates in a visit to a private home to participate in an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Day 8: Lalibela – Addis:
The end of the visit will be flight back to our capital town Addis Ababa and farewell dinner at one of the Ethiopian traditional hotel then transfer to the airport to back home.