Top Gonder Adventure Tours

Simien Mountains - "Chess pieces of the gods" The Simien Mountains present the most dramatic mountain scenery in Africa: "the chess pieces of the Gods" as one writer described them, tower over precipitous gorges, river valleys and plains stretching all the way to Eritrea.

Begin your full-day Ethiopian trekking adventure from the old, once-capital city of Gondar. Get picked up from your hotel and drive two hours to Debark, the entrance of Simien Mountains National Park. Upon arrival, get all the formalities and permits figured and meet your guide and the national park scouts who will assist you throughout the day. Then, drive 13 miles to the first area of the park and the starting point of your hike. Begin trekking on a three-hour trail all the way up to Michibi, where you will see the endemic gelada baboon and many varieties of plants and birds. Enjoy the spectacular view of the Simien Mountains from above. End the wonderful day with drop-off to your hotel in Gondar.

This extensive trek explores in depth one of Africans largest mountain ranges, studded with at least a dozen peaks over the 4,000m mark. These include Ras Dejen the highest point in Ethiopia, and the 4th highest peak in Africa. The area was designated a national park in 1966, and the entire range a UNESCO world heritage site in 1978.

The entire Simien range is characterized by exceptional scenery. As you advance further into the park, the altitude increases and the viewpoints become increasingly spectacular. The first major viewpoint you’ll encounter is Imet Gogo, sitting at 3,926m between the Gich and Chennek campsites. As you continue your journey, you’ll find Mount Bwahit at 4,430m, and for the adventurous, Ras Dashen towers just east of Mount Bwahit at a staggering 4,550m, making it Ethiopia’s highest peak and the tenth highest peak in Africa.