Tour Overview
| Duration | 5 Days / 4 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Price From | $750 per person (twin share) |
| Tour Style | Trekking / Nature |
| Data Source | SafariBookings — Essence Ethiopia Tours 2026 (5.0 rated) |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Fly to Bahir Dar — Lake Tana Monasteries
Morning flight to Bahir Dar, on the shores of Lake Tana — the source of the Blue Nile. Boat trip to visit the ancient island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam, with their vibrant 14th-century frescoes. Afternoon at the Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat — “smoking water”), a 45-meter cascade. Overnight in Bahir Dar.
Day 2: Gondar — Royal Enclosure
Drive to Gondar (3 hours). Afternoon tour of the Royal Enclosure — the castle complex and the stunning Debre Berhan Selassie Church. Overnight in Gondar.
Day 3: Simien Mountains — Sankaber
Drive to the Simien Mountains National Park. Begin trekking from Sankaber camp (3,250m). Walk along the escarpment with jaw-dropping views into the abyss. Gelada baboons in their hundreds — approachable and endlessly photogenic. Overnight camping at Sankaber.
Day 4: Simien Mountains — Geech Camp
Trek to Geech camp via the Jinbar Waterfall, which plunges 500 meters into the Geech Abyss. Cross the Afro-alpine moorland with giant lobelias standing like sentinels. Watch for lammergeiers soaring on thermals. The Simien escarpment drops over 1,000 meters — some of the biggest vertical drops in Africa. Overnight camping at Geech.
Day 5: Imet Gogo Summit & Return
Pre-dawn hike to Imet Gogo (3,926m) for sunrise — the view from here is frequently called the most spectacular in Africa: a 360-degree panorama of jagged peaks, deep valleys, and the lowlands stretching to the Eritrean border. After the summit, descend and drive back to Gondar for your departure flight.
Inclusions
- 4 nights (hotels + camping)
- Full board during trek
- Park fees and scout
- Camping equipment
- Cook and mules for camping
- All transfers
Why This Trek
- Simien Mountains — trekking on the “Roof of Africa”
- Gelada baboons — found nowhere else on Earth
- Imet Gogo sunrise — one of Africa’s finest views
- Combine with Lake Tana monasteries and Gondar castles
- Excellent value — full board trek at $750
