10 day Trekking to Semine mountains

This tour package is a 10 day trekking to Semine mountains and also a visit to the historical town of Gondar . The trekking in the semien mountain starts at Geche and follows Chenek – Ambiquo – Rash Dashen – Chenek trekking route. We will finish the trekking and return back to Addis on the 9th day. City tour of Addis Ababa is included on the 10th day. Itinerary Day 1: Upon arrival in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia , You will be greeted with the traditional Ethiopian hospitality at the airport and transferred to the hotel. (Depending on your arrival time we can arrange afternoon or after hour city tour) Day 2: After breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight to Gondar . Lunch and in the afternoon city tour of the 17th century town of Gondar with its castle compound. You will visit also one of the beautiful churches "Debre Birhan Sellassie" very known for its mural paintings as well as drive for a short visit of the visit of the village of the former Ethiopian Jews. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. Day 3: GEECH CAMP: Starting early in the morning from Gondar you will be driven through the mountainous country. You stop for an early lunch in the market town of Debark. Then head off to Sankaber where you will pick up the mules and then start the trek. Leaving the camp you descend into the Michotis Valley and climb the other side where on your left you will see the Jin Bahir River plummeting into the Geech Abyss. A couple of kilometers later you descend to cross the Jin Bahir and after a steep climb to the other side you reach Geech camp where you will stay overnight.(Approx. 5 hour trek, including breaks.) Day 4: CHENEK CAMP: With an early start the mules will be packed and depart for Chenek whilst you will head with daypacks to the escarpment edge at Saha and Imetgogo(3,926m) for staggering views over the lowlands characterized by its rocky spires. Clinging to the escarpment edge you then trek via undulating terrain towards your camp at Chenek. On the way you will see many examples of the impressive Giant Lobelia and stand a good chance of seeing some Gelada baboons. At the end of todays trek you descend to the road that leads to camp with it inspiring sunset view of the lowlands. O/N Chenek camp.(Approx. 8-9 hour trek.) Day 5: AMIBIKWA CAMP: The mules will head directly to camp and you have the choice of walking with them or of trekking to the summit of the Simien's second highest peak, Bwahit (4,430m). After refreshments at the summit you will descend steeply towards the village of Chiro Leba where you will have lunch around the local school. Afterwards you continue the descent to the Mesheha River valley (2850m) and up the other side to Ambikwa camp at 3,200m. (Approx. 8-9 hour trek including breaks). Day 6: THE SUMMIT OF RAS DASHEN: This is the most challenging day of the trek up to the summit of Ras Dashen. You will trek up to the head of the valley and the village of Mizma where you will get your first view of your imposing goal. To reach it you wil contour round a number of steep gullies ascending all the time until you find yourself on a rocky plateau which is dominated by the tree peaks the middle one being the tallest. It is then a relatively easy scramble to the top of one of Africa 's highest mountains. After refreshments at the top you will descend by the same route to Ambikwa camp. (Approx. 10-12 hour trek including breaks). Day 7: CHENEK: You retrace your steps to Chenek where you will spend your last night under canvas. Time to reset and reflect on your on your achievement. (Approx. 8-9 hour trek). Day 8: Drive back either to Gondar or Debark The transport will arrive early to take you back to Debark or Gondar and a well earned hot shower and relaxing afternoon which can be spend sightseeing or shopping in the local market or just sleeping! Day 9: Transfer to the airport to fly back to Addis where you will be picked up and taken to your hotel. We stay overnight in the same hotel as before and have dinner in one of the many restaurants of the capital. Day 10: After early breakfast we will visit the National Museum (a multi-collections representing Ethiopia 's past and present image). Among the famous exhibits, the 3.5 million year old skeleton of 'Lucy' is worth visiting. We will also visit the Ethiopian Studies Institute Ethnological museum for it’s extraordinarily collection of the priceless and varied ethnic medley. Then we continue driving up to the mount (over 3000 meters) Entoto, the first seat of Emperor Menelik II before he established Addis Ababa as the capital of Ethiopia in 1886. Visitors will also have the opportunity to visit Trinity Cathedral and Merkato. Along our way we will have the chance to see avenues, squares, obelisks and many places of interests and shopping. Early evening, we will have a coffee ceremony to show our appreciation for touring with us,. Late at night transfer to the Bole International Airport and depart for home.