Ethiopia · Hiking

4-Day Simien Mountains Hiking Tour with Mt. Bwahit Climb

4 Days Round trip from Gondar Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Climb scenic Mt. Bwahit, one of the highest peaks in the Simien Mountains
  • 02 Take in spectacular views of Ethiopia's highest peak, Ras Dejen
  • 03 Experience camping in the hills of Simien Mountains National Park
  • 04 Explore local farm life in the idyllic village of Gich
  • 05 Trek through the Jinbar River Valley to the cliffs of Imet-Gogo
  • 06 Spot rare Gelada baboons, Walia ibex, lammergeier, and thick-billed ravens

Hike through Ethiopia's trails and volcanic landscapes in the mighty Simien Mountains, spotting wildlife such as Gelada baboons, Walia ibex, lammergeier, and thick-billed ravens along the way. Enjoy dramatic scenery from the Jinbar River Valley, experience a traditional coffee ceremony in the idyllic village of Gich, and climb Mt. Bwahit, one of the highest peaks in Ethiopia. This 4-day trek combines mountain landscapes, wildlife encounters, and local village life in Simien Mountains National Park.

You will find a large waterfall here, where the Jinbar River plunges 500 m into the abyss.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Gondar, Ras Dashen, Simien Mountains National Park, Debarq
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Gondar to Sankaber via Debark

  • You will be picked up from Gondar airport or your hotel, followed by a drive to the park headquarters in Debark. The 100-km journey takes around two hours.
  • At the headquarters, collect your permits for the park. After that, drive for another hour before beginning the first day's introductory walk. This first hike takes you across the foothills and plains of northern Ethiopia, where you may come across Gelada baboons along the way.

Stay the night at Sankaber.

2
Day 02

Sankaber to Gich via Kaaba Valley and Jinbar River

  • Follow the northern escarpment eastward before descending into the Kaaba Valley. Climb towards the Gich Abyss and continue over a narrow ridge to a cliff, where you will have spectacular views towards the Simien foothills.
  • You will find a large waterfall here, where the Jinbar River plunges 500 m into the abyss. Proceed for about two hours and have lunch near the Jinbar River.
  • After lunch, walk through fields of barley before arriving at the idyllic village of Gich. Here, you can enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony in one of the huts and learn more about local farm life.
  • From Gich village, walk towards Gich camp, which is a good area to look for lammergeier, a type of bearded vulture, and thick-billed ravens.
  • After a relaxing afternoon, hike up to Kedadit to enjoy the sunset and the gorgeous shaded landscapes down to the cliffside towards the east.
  • Return to the camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
3
Day 03

Gich to Chennek via Imet-Gogo

  • From Gich camp, stroll through the fields of Giant Lobelia before arriving at the towering cliffs of Imet-Gogo (3926 m). Here, you can spend time absorbing the superb views over the mountain valleys below and the strangely shaped domes in the distance, which you will visit before the trip ends.
  • Next, trek down to the Jinbar River Valley. Here, you will get a different perspective of Imet-Gogo and the volcanic landscape; the scenery looks as though big chunks of mountains have been blown away in this area.
  • The trail follows the edge of the escarpment, which is completely vertical for several hundred meters. Reach the summit, where you will have lunch.
  • After lunch, descend to Chennek for about two hours along a steep trail. From Chennek camp, you can capture some spectacular views of the entire area.
4
Day 04

Chennek to Mt. Bwahit and return to Gondar

  • On the last day of the tour, climb one of the highest peaks in the Simien Mountains, Mt. Bwahit. Here, you will have an opportunity to spot endemic wild animals of Ethiopia, particularly the Walia ibex.
  • In addition to the scenic views of the surroundings, see Ethiopia's highest mountain peak, Ras-Dejen (4543 m), before coming back to Chennek camp.
  • Here, a car will take you back to Gondar on a 4-hour journey.
Jinbar River, Imet-Gogo cliffs, Gich village

Where this trip takes you

Jinbar River, Imet-Gogo cliffs, Gich village

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Gondar 4 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transportation

  • Camping equipment

  • Hiking boots

What's Not Included

  • Accommodation

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Gondar, Ethiopia
Tour start
Gondar, Ethiopia
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in Gondar.

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