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ETHIOPIA: Trekking the Simien Mountains It's Back! One of the most spectacular hikes in the world is a trek in Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains, whose landscape of dizzying escarpments, mile-deep canyons, and mesmerizing ranks of peaks, mesas, and spires is like the Grand Canyon multiplied a thousand times over. With trip leader Mike Speaks (who led this as a “Follow the Leader” trip in 2006), you’ll trek high into the Afro-alpine country above 11,000 feet, make a climb of Ras Dashen (15,159'), the highest peak in Ethiopia and the fourth highest on the African continent, and search for rare endemic wildlife, including Walia ibex, the Simien fox, and lion-maned gelada baboons that live on the sheer walls of the Simien cliffs. Besides the trek, you’ll delve into Ethiopia’s ancient culture and traditions, with visits to the island monasteries of Lake Tana; Axum, the seat of the earliest known urban civilization in Ethiopia; the highland village of Lalibela, noted for its subterranean rock-hewn churches of great beauty and character; and the historic castles and churches of Gonder, “Africa’s Camelot.” TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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 Itinerary: Trekking in the Simien MountainsDay 1 - Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Day 2 - Fly to Bahar Dar on the shores of Lake Tana. Hike to a great viewpoint of the fabulous Tissisat Falls (also known as the Blue Nile Falls). Afternoon boat excursion on the lake, where we may spot a variety of water birds. Day 3 - Drive to Gonder and explore the town, which was founded by the Christian emperor Fasilidas in the 17th century and the royal capital of Ethiopia until 1868. Day 4 - Drive to the Simien Mountains National Park at Sankaber and hike to a campsite on the precipitous Simien escarpment, where there are wonderful views of the sculpted mountains, gorges, and ambas (sheer-walled columns—the fossil “plugs” of old volcanic vents) reminiscent of the American Southwest. Days 5-12 - On trek through the Simien Mountains. Along with spectacular views of mountain ranges and rugged escarpments, you’ll have a good chance to spot the rare Walia ibex, Gelada baboons, the handsome Ethiopian wolf, or red jackal (also known as the Simien fox), rewarding birdlife, and interesting Afro-alpine vegetation. You’ll also make a climb of Ras Dashen (15,159'). Day 13 - End trek and transfer to Axum. Day 14 - Full day excursion in Axum, the center of the earliest known city-state in Ethiopia and said to be the home of the Queen of Sheba. Day 15 - Fly to Lalibela, famous for its rock-hewn churches dug out from the volcanic rock. Day 16 - Fly to Addis Ababa and connect with homeward-bound flight. Detailed Itinerary - ETHIOPIA: Trekking the Simien Mountains 1. Download detailed itinerary in a PDF format 2008 Detailed Itinerary (PDF files require that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. This program can be downloaded for free from the Adobe Website.) 2. Or email us your itinerary request at sales@mtsobek.com 3. Or call us at 1-888-831-7526 (USA and Canada) or (510) 594-6000 We’ll email you a copy (Word or Acrobat document), fax, or mail you the itinerary as you prefer. For more information and reservations, please contact: Mountain Travel Sobek 1266 66th Street, Suite 4 Emeryville, CA 94608 USA Toll Free (USA and Canada): 1-888-831-7526 Phone: +1-510-594-6000 Fax: + 1-510-594-6001 Email: info@mtsobek.com |