Walking at high altitude, past villages and through forests
You will explore two spectacular African mountain areas on foot: the Simien Mountains and the Bale Mountains, an intense and intense experience! Attention is also paid to the historic cities and the Abyssinian highlands.
The start is quiet, you will explore the capital Addis Ababa and visit the national museum with its relics and archaeological finds. Then it starts: your first steps towards the Bale Mountains, where Dodola is your base. You will pass several small villages during a five-hour trek and walk through the dense Terura forest. You will always go a little higher, walking along waterfalls, through high lawns and the Wageda forest you reach Duro, located at an altitude of 3,350 meters.
Ethiopian wolves and rock churches in Lalibela
On your way back to Addis Ababa (with a 4WD) you can take a moment to reflect on the beautiful lakes of the Great Slenk: Abiyata, Shala and Langano. Via Gondar,ethiopia's capital in the 17th century, you'll travel to the Simien Mountains,where you'll continue your active journey. This mountain range is home to special animals such as Gelada baboons, Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolves. The walk to Imetgogo really puts your condition to the test, but with spectacular views over ridges, gorges and lower villages your efforts are rewarded. After this, take it easy: in Lalibela,one of Ethiopia's biggest tourist attractions, you can see the world-famous rock churches. These churches, carved into the rocky soil, offer an unreal sight and are connected to each other through an ingenious passageway that was easy to guard and kept enemies at bay. Your trip ends in Addis Ababa, where you can still visit the Merkato.
Tips & Tops Trekking Bale and Simien Mountains:
- At the Tis Isag Falls, the Blue Nile plunges down a rock face, an impressive spectacle
- A unique collection of castles, churches and art in Gondar that recall the glory days of the Ethiopian kings in the seventeenth century
- The bath of King Fasiledes and the Debre Birhan Selassie church are just a few highlights in Gondar
- Try to reach the highest peak of the Simien Mountains: from a height of 4,624 meters you have breathtaking views!
- The roofs of the rock churches of Lalibela are at the same height as where you walk, if you then look into the depth you will see fifteen meters lower the entrances
- In the herero and Gerembo forests you walk through endemic species such as Bodocarpus, Shefflera, Hysninia Abyssinia and Juniper
- A spectacular descent into the gorge at the Jinbar River followed by a brisk climb to Geech, with its cold nights, sub-zero temperatures are no exception
- Chenek is one of the best places for spotting the native Walia ibex and the Ethiopian wolf
- At the Monastery Asheton Marian, which is 3,150 meters above Lalibela (itself located at 2,630 meters), you have a spectacular view
