Ethiopia Simien Mountains Private Hiking Tour

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Trek lodge to lodge in astonishing Simien Mountains National Park, spotting endemic wildlife 
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Explore the wondrous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and Yemrehanna Kristos, hidden in a grotto
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Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Elias A.

Elias has over 15 years of guiding experience and possesses a degree in tourism from the University of Gondar. He is passionate about sustainable tourism, and has a deep level of knowledge for Ethiopian culture, geology, ethnography, and history. Elias is very personable, and takes great pride in attending to the needs and questions of guests while leading a fun and informative travel experience.

Girum W.

Girum is a knowledgeable guide and also holds a degree in tourism from the University of Gondar. He has excellent communication skills and has worked locally in the region since 2005. He enjoys sharing perspectives of Ethiopian history and culture with MT Sobek travelers from around the world. Girum is kind and mindful, and looks forward to sharing an immersive travel experience on this Ethiopian adventure. 

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Arrive in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and meet your MT Sobek representative outside the terminal building of Bole International Airport, for transfer to the hotel. This evening, gather for a welcome dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant and enjoy a captivating folklore dance performance. 
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                    [Latitude] => 8.5840 N
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Today embark on an Addis Ababa city tour, taking in the highlights. Admire the nation\'s art and archeological treasures at the National Museum, including the famous "Lucy" skeleton, partial fossilized remains of an early hominid. See the Trinity Cathedral Church, built to commemorate Ethiopia\'s liberation from Italian occupation, and the Ethnological Museum, one of Africa\'s finest museums set within the former palace of Haile Selassie (the last Emperor of Ethiopia), surrounded by beautiful gardens. Wander through Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa, with its colorful stalls laden with coffee.

The September departure also includes the annual Meskel Festival.

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                    [Headline] => Fly to Gondar & Drive to the Simien Mountains 
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Transfer to the airport for your flight to Gondar and then continue overland into the Simien Mountains National Park. Ethiopia\'s most popular place for trekking, this spectacular landscape has jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and a dramatic escarpment with views over the rugged lowlands. Check in at the Simien Lodge, and head out for a short hike in search of the endemic gelada baboons. Return to the lodge for dinner and drinks.
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After breakfast, head back out to Simien Mountains National Park for a scenic trek along the escarpment. These mountains are a nature lover\'s dream, fantastically rich in wildlife, including the iconic red-chested gelada baboon that only exists in Ethiopia. Hiking with these cliff-dwelling monkeys that hang out in large groups is an absolute treat for wildlife lovers. Along the way, explore more of the park\'s unique flora, fauna, and geology. Return to the cozy comforts of Simien Lodge for an evening atop the escarpment.
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Today explore the Simien Mountains on an extraordinary lodge-to-lodge trek. With its altitude, varied terrain and weather, the full-day hiking adventure is challenging but the rewards make it worthwhile. Hike above plummeting gorges and in the shadows of towering pinnacles, following routes as old as time. Look out for lammergeier vultures, tawny eagles, and thick-billed ravens; the park features over 180 species of birds. Arrive at the Limalimo Lodge to enjoy dinner by a roaring fire.
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Kick off the day with yoga and a hearty breakfast, then set out to explore more of the Simiens with its myriad ecosystems. Dropping off from the escarpment, witness these ecosystems changing from high mountain desert into acacia forest. Enjoy a 2-hour hike through the forest, a prime habitat for birding. In the afternoon, opt for a 30-minute hike to the local community, to learn traditional beer brewing, cooking and coffee making. Or unwind at the lodge, with more yoga, a massage, or simply soaking in the views.
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After breakfast at the lodge, drive back from the Simien Mountains to Gondar, the former royal capital of the Ethiopian Empire. Have lunch at the traditional Four Seasons Restaurant and set out on a tour of this historic city first founded in 1636 by Emperor Fasilides. Take in the Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure), with its magnificent castles, and Fasilides Bath, where on January 19 during Timket (Epiphany) hundreds celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ by bathing in the sacred pool. Visit the 18th-century Debre Birhan Selassie Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its gorgeous sacral art.
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Today after breakfast, fly from Gondar to the town of Lalibela. Check in to your hotel, enjoy lunch, and head out to the rarely visited Yemrehanna Kristos, one of Ethiopia\'s best-preserved late Axumite churches. Set inside a large cave on a juniper tree-dotted ridge 26 miles outside Lalibela, this spectacular church predates the nearby rock-hewn churches of Lalibela by nearly a century.
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Spend today marveling at the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the crown jewel among Ethiopia\'s sights. Ringed by courtyards and trenches and connected via a tangled maze of passages, this series of 11 monolithic churches - designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO - was built during the 12th and 13th century. Take in this mind-blowing treasure, including the most famous Church of St.George, also known as Bete Giyorgis, carved out of solid volcanic tuff. Enjoy a farewell dinner and coffee ceremony at Ben Abeba Restaurant, known for its Scottish-Ethiopian cuisine and marvelous views. 
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This morning after breakfast, fly back to Addis Ababa and check in to the day room at a hotel near the airport. 

Interested in more opportunities to experience Ethiopia\'s stunning rock-hewn churches? Call us for a three-day extension options to Gheralta.

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Accommodations

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An upscale city hotel and boutique lodges in stunning natural surrounds.

Simien Lodge

Comfortable Hotel

This gorgeous mountain lodge sits right on the doorstep of Simien Mountains National Park, with majestic vistas in every direction. Comfortable rooms inside circular huts come with floor heating and traditional Ethiopian decor. The restaurant with a circular fireplace serves international favorites and Ethiopian fare, while the cozy bar claims to be the highest place to get a drink in Africa.

Limalimo Lodge

Comfortable Hotel

Perched dramatically on the edge of a cliff in Simien Mountains National Park, this gorgeous boutique lodge features 12 en-suite rooms in wooden buildings strewn around the grounds. The bar and restaurant atop a hill showcase remarkable views of the lowlands. Lounge in one of the hammocks between acacia trees and come evening, curl up around the fire pit.

Mezena Lodge

Comfortable Hotel

This upscale lodge has an unbeatable location for visiting the churches of Lalibela. The well-appointed rooms are housed inside individual huts dotted across a scenic garden with outstanding mountain views. The all-day restaurant and bar, an outdoor swimming pool, and a sauna round out the stellar facilities.

Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa

Comfortable Hotel

Centrally located in Meskel Square, the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa is the perfect upscale spot to unwind after a long flight. Head over to the infinity pool and spa to relax before adventuring into the heart of Ethiopia. Each room offers complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee/tea maker, hair dryer, and flat screen TV.

Gondar Hills Resort

Comfortable Hotel

The Gondar Hills Resort is an eco-lodge situated on the top of a mountain overlooking the lush valley below. Designed using traditional stonework to mimic the architecture of the surrounding medieval castles, each room's French windows open up to picturesque views of mountains or rivers with a private garden.

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