This trip joins the two most remarkable journeys you can make in Ethiopia. The trek through the Simiens Mountains National Park is probably the best trek in Africa including the highest peak in Ethiopia Ras Dashen is 4543metres, and the Historical Circuit visits cities unmatched anywhere in Africa, perhaps the world.

The Simien Range is a fascinating area for trekking, seldom reached by visitors, where the scenery is dramatic and exhilarating. The most striking features are the vast escarpments that bound the range on its northern side: many miles long and several thousand feet high in places, these tremendous cliffs are cut by steep valleys and gorges. The views from the top look north over the vast plains towards Eritrea. At the foot of the cliffs are the remains of ancient hills, now eroded into hundreds of pinnacles, towers and castles that were described so eloquently by Rosita Forbes, the formidable traveller who first reached this region in the 1920s:

The views today are still as impressive as they were in the time of Rosita Forbes. The trekking route we take on our trips follows the edge of the escarpment for much of the way, giving plenty of time to absorb the views of the cliffs and the "giant chess pieces" below. To reach the high ground, we pass through valleys where the local people have built small villages and terraced fields. Beyond the escarpments we reach the alpine meadows and rocky wilderness of the high peaks. We eventually reach the summits of two of the highest (and most impressive) mountains in the range, although these sections of the trek are optional and can be avoided if required.

We use a circular route through the Simiens, and our return path drops into the massive valleys and gorges on the northern side of the range, winding its way between the "giant chess pieces", with impressive views back up to the sheer walls of the main escarpment and the major peaks beyond.
 

 

Day 1:	Arrive in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in the morning and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. A tour of the city is available in the afternoon. In the evening you can eat at the hotel or go out to a local restaurant to sample various regional specialties. Bed and breakfast at hotel.
Day 2:	The journey continues, with a short flight northwards to Gondar. This was the capital of Ethiopia between the early 1600s and the late 1800s. At the centre of the town is an area called the 'imperial precinct' which contains several castles built by the emperors of Ethiopia during this two-century period. All different, as each emperor strove to out-do his predecessor, and unlike other buildings found anywhere in the world, these castles contain elements of early Egyptian, Axumite, Arabic and even Portuguese design. Your guide will show you around and unravels the castles' fascinating histories. Dinner, bed & breakfast at hotel.
Day 3:	The trek begins. You drive from Gondar to the small town of Debark, the 'gateway' to the Simien Mountains National Park, where you meet your local guides and mules. (Mules are used as pack-animals throughout this trek. You carry only day-packs.) The equipment is loaded up and you roll out of town. A circular route is taken through the Simiens Range, which begins by heading eastwards out of Debark, soon leaving behind the houses and passing through valleys of farmland and occasional villages. On this first day, you walk for about five hours, to stretch your muscles and limber up for the longer days to come. You cross the Lama River and the path climbs steeply onto the western plateau. The plateau's northern escarpment is reached near the village of Chinkwanit and it is followed to reach your first camp near the village of Michibi. Each night in the Simien Mountains will be spent camping and due to the high altitude temperatures do drop so suitable clothing is recommended. The people of the Simiens are friendly and hospitable; any visit’s to their village is seen as an excuse for a fair bit of locally produced millet beer drinking. You may be invited into a house and offered some beer, although this is an acquired taste and strictly optional! (4-6 hours walking)
Day 4:	You follow the edge of the escarpment eastward. To the north, the views are unique and simply stunning, and unlike anything else in Africa, and possibly the world. This is where you see the "giant chess pieces", the ancient eroded hills, towers and rock formations described by travel-writer Rosita Forbes. You descend into the Koba River Valley to the south, and then climb steeply up through the Michotis area. To the left is the Geech Abyss and a large waterfall where the Jin Bahir River plunges into the abyss. You drop into this valley then follow the path up again, to reach our campsite near Geech village during the afternoon. (8-9 hours walking).
Day 5:	You stay at Geech for two nights. On the day in between you walk up to the summit of Imetgogo, a high rocky peak on the edge of the escarpment to the east of the camp, with spectacular views north and east across the foothills and plains. You are likely to see Klipspringer (a small mountain antelope), possibly Walia ibex (a rare wild goat, found only in the Simiens), and hundreds of spectacular birds. Today is relaxed, and there's plenty of time to watch the wildlife and absorb the scenery. (5-6 hours walking)
Day 6:	From Geech travel southwards, then east to follow the crest of a broad ridge. After midday the path contours above the huge Belegez Valley to its head where it meets the northern escarpment once more and reach your next camp at Chenek. This is one of the most spectacular spots on the trek. The views in all directions are dramatic and ever-changing as the sun moves overhead; out from the escarpment edge, across the foothills, up to the surrounding peaks, and westwards down the Baiagas Valley. Meanwhile, lammergeiers and buzzards soar overhead and groups of gelada baboons (another animal unique to the Simiens), with golden fur that makes them look like lions; can be seen along the cliffs. (7-8 hours walking)
Day 7:	Overlooking Chenek is Bwahit, at 4430 metres one of the highest peaks in Ethiopia. The route from Chenek takes us through a high col on Bwahit's northern shoulder at 4200 metres, so you can divert for a few hours to walk up the impressive ridge and bag the summit - but only if you have spare energy. From here you can see in the distance Ras Dashen, at 4543 metres the highest peak in Ethiopia, on the far side of the massive Masheha Valley which splits the range into two great plateaux. This is also your route for the next two days so don't be too disheartened! The descent to Misma is 1400 metres but there is no rush. Camp at Misma at 3500 metres. (9-10 hours walking)
Day 8:	This is the summit day. The climb up is long and you'll probably find it arduous, but well worth it. Take it very slowly. The route follows an open gully and moves onto a wide ridge. The summit cliffs can soon be seen and the highest point is on the left, reached by an easy scramble past the cliffs. The summit should be reached about four or five hours after leaving camp. The route now follows the ridge North West over several lower summits to reach the Metalel Pass. There is no water here but the mules will have been taken round the lower path and collected water on the way. This route can also be taken by anyone who is not feeling up to the summit. (10-11 hours walking)
Day 9:	The route today gives the best walk of the trek as it follows the high ridge across several peaks. Some of them can be skirted round at a lower level and there are a couple of escape routes for earlier descents. For the faint-hearted (and faint legged) it is easy to go with the mules along the lower path and reach the next camp in about six hours. The prominent peaks are: Kidis Yared (4453m), Abba Yared (4409 m), Silki (4420m), and Beroch Wuha (4272m). On the open ridge below is the small village of Akwaziye, and the chief is a good friend of our guide. The camp is nearby and you may be invited that evening to the chief's house. The village inhabitants are friendly; and it's a good opportunity for us to meet the locals, and see them as real people rather than just colourful "extras" in the landscape. (8-12 hours walking)
Day 10:	A long morning's walk, so an early start and a late lunch. Two hours gently downhill and then two hours very steeply down on a good path to the Ansiya River. This is an idyllic spot for lunch and a wash. Wade across the river and another hour contouring along the pastured terraces brings you to a camp beneath a huge fig tree near Lamu. As the sun sets behind the mountains at the head of the valley, the fissures and gorges on the escarpment overlooking the camp fall into shadow, and the high peaks and buttresses glow in the evening light. (6-7 hours walking)
Day 11:	Continue down the valley terraces and then drop down and wade across the river. Lunch is at an even more idyllic spot just further on waterfalls, palms, rock baths and swimming. A steep climb of 500 meters takes you back on the plateau and a short walk ends at a spectacular camp site on the ridge near Musit. (7-8 hours walking)
Day 12:	A short walk in the morning along a forested ridge and then through fields takes you to the road head, where you meet your vehicle to take you to Axum. From here you drive north, slowly gaining height as you reach the plateau area around Axum. There is time in the afternoon and evening to visit the museum and see the famous Stelae, Axum's most striking relics that are believed to be thousands of years old. They are carved from single blocks of granite and the tallest (now broken) was more than 100 feet high. The tallest of them was taken by Italians in 1937 but after much negotiation was returned in 2005 and is currently being restored to its original state. Axum is also the centre for Ethiopia's Orthodox Christians. Ethiopia is one of the oldest Christian countries in the world, and you visit the remains of a church dating from the fourth century. Nearby is a 16th century church where the crowns of the Ethiopian emperors are stored. The Covenant of the Ark is reputed to be here however only one priest can see it, and some ruins associated with the Queen of Sheba. Dinner, bed & breakfast at hotel.
Day 13:	There will be a couple of hours to look around Axum a little more and then you fly to Lalibela, where you spend two days. This is the site of eleven monolithic rock hewn churches, built around the 13th century. These churches are one of the great unknown wonders of the world - ''much better than Petra''. Each church is different in design but they are remarkable in that they have been carved inside and outside from solid rock below the ground. There are surprisingly large and interconnected by a system of tunnels and trenches. Several are decorated with carvings, paintings and murals. The churches are still in use, but outside mass times one of the priests will show you round. There's also some free time to look round the town itself.
Day 14:	One day will be walking to some of the more distant churches. In the evening at the hotel, there may be a local Tigraian dance group and there is the possibility of a visit to a local house for a traditional meal. Dinner, bed & breakfast at hotel.
Day 15:	From Lalibela you fly back to Addis Ababa. The afternoon is free, and in the evening there's a chance to visit a local restaurant for a farewell supper. Bed & breakfast at hotel.
Day 16:	Your flight departs Addis Ababa. Departures - This is a tailor made trip and so can start on any day. The itinerary can be changed in any way. In Ethiopia, perhaps more than in many other parts of the world, situations change and so the itinerary may change as well. We will always do as much as possible to avoid this and, should it be unavoidable, do everything to make the trip as enjoyable and satisfying as possible.
Walking conditions during the trek The trek is not easy and compares with a high medium grade Himalayan trek. During the trek you'll be walking for between six and ten hours per day. Some days, for example when we go to the summits of Bwahit and Ras Dashen are even longer. Therefore, you need to be reasonable fit and have hill walking experience. As the route follows paths and tracks for most of the distance, conditions underfoot are not too hard. The high days are made difficult by altitude, although it is unlikely that anyone will suffer seriously. You will have local guides, so there is no need for everyone to stick together and you should be able to walk at a pace which you find comfortable. All equipment is carried by mules: you have only day sacks. There are also a couple of spare mules in case anybody gets tired or footsore, or just wants to try riding a mule! The highest part of the trek is avoidable (and escapable) by taking lower paths with the porters, but this would mean missing some of the most spectacular scenery. Altitude Although you go above 4000 meters, altitude sickness is unlikely to be a problem as you gain height gradually throughout the trek. The lack of air will, however, slow you down. Food and accommodation On the trek all food is provided, although you may want to bring snacks such as dried fruit and 'energy bars' to keep you going between meals. In the towns and cities, meals provided are listed in the itinerary. On trek you camp, using 2 person tents. In the towns and cities you stay at comfortable hotels.
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