Most common: 3-6 days
The most common trekking route in the Simien Mountains goes along the northern escarpment, in order to enjoy the best of the dramatic Simiens scenery. Since most of the camps along this route are accessible by motor vehicles, it is quite easy to reach various points along this route (The “V” mark means that a spot is accessible by maximum 15 minutes of walking from the road).
The best sights along this route are: The escarpment around Buit Ras (V); The viewpoint of the waterfall at Deche Nedala – East of Sankaber(V) ; Village of Geech; Imet Gogo Peak (3925m); The whole trekking route from Imet Gogo to Chenek; the view from Chenek camp (V) “Paradise Benches”; the view from Bwahit Pass.
6 days itinerary may look like this: 1) Debark -> Buit Ras ; 2) Buit Ras -> Sankaber ; 3) Sankaber -> Geech ; 4) Geech -> Imet Gogo -> Chenek ; 5) Chenek -> Bwahit Pass / Bwahit Ras -> Chenek ; 6) Chenek – Debark (by vehicle)
Variations:
- Days 1-2 can be done in one long and strenuous walk day from Debark to Sankaber (no time to admire the view).
- Days 1-3 can be squeezed into one day: two hours drive by vehicle from Debark to Sankaber (make it at least three hours including photo stops…) and a fast walk from Sankaber to Geech.
- Day 4 can be broken into two days – visit Imet Gogo as an acclimatization day trip from Geech.
Short in time: 1-2 days
Use a vehicle to take you to the best spots described above.
In one day you can even visit Bwahit Pass or Chenek camp for superb views.
But – The Simien Mountains experience is not complete without a decent walk or a sunrise view.
Recommended camp for sleeping and wathcing sunrise/sunset is Chenek. If you want to skip camping, Simien Lodge (located at Buit Ras) is your (only) cushy choice.
For walking, it is recommended to trek from Buit Ras East bound, Around Deche Nedala waterfall viewpoint, and around Chenek camp.
All the way to the top: 8-11 days
Many trekkers do not skip the ascent to the highest peak in Ethiopia – Ras Dashen (4550m).
The common Ras Dashen section takes 3 extra days from Chenek:
1) Chenek to Ambiquo 2) ; Ambiquo -> Ras Dashen Summit -> Ambiquo ; 3) Ambiquo -> Chenek
Variations:
- Instead of returning to Chenek, it is possible to extend the trek to the less visited section to the north west and finish it in the town of Adi Arkay, which is on the main Goner-Axum road. Such route takes you through Arkwasie pass and views of the Imet Gogo escarpment, including a remarkable descent from the highlands to the lowlands.
Itinerary from Ambiquo may look like this:
1) Ambiquo -> Arkwasie ; 2) Arkwasie -> Makarabia ; 3) Makarabia -> Hawaza ; 4) Hawaza -> Adi Arkay
- It is also possible to walk in one day from Arkwasie to Chenek.
For those who really like to walk: 20 days
- Add 15 days of walking north to Axum
- Add 15 days of walking south to Lalibela
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