3-Day Simien Mountains Trek from Gondar with Gich Camping

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 See the famous Jinbar Waterfall
• 02 Trek to the village of Gich for camping
• 03 Hike to Inateye at 4,070 m, the highest point of day 3
• 04 Enjoy views of the Imet Gogo summit and Bwhait Pass

Sign up for this tour and tackle the rugged landscapes of Simien Mountains National Park on a 3-day trek from Gondar via Debarq. Hike to Sankaber along the escarpment edge, look out for endemic Gelada baboons, and continue through Erica heather, Jinbar Waterfall, and the traditional village of Gich, where you will camp. The trek then leads across Afro-alpine meadows to Inateye at 4,070 m, with rewarding views of Imet Gogo, Bwhait Pass, and the surrounding escarpment and mountains.

Hike to Sankaber along the escarpment edge, look out for endemic Gelada baboons, and continue through Erica heather, Jinbar Waterfall, and the traditional village of Gich, where you will camp.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Gondar, Simien Mountains National Park, Debarq

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Gondar to Sankaber via Debarq

• Meet your tour guide upon arrival and start your guided tour.
• Leave Gondar immediately after arrival and drive to Sankaber via Debarq, where you will meet the essential staff.
• Get out of your transport at Buyit Ras for a 3-4 hour hike to Sankaber with your Ethiopian guide. During the hike, you will tread close to the escarpment edge. The driver will then return to Gondar and meet you again after you return from your trek.
• As you near Sankaber, take in the beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge, where you will likely see the endemic Gelada baboons.

2

Day 02

Trek from Sankaber to Gich Camp

• Start the trek with a gentle stroll through the Erica heather, draped in white lichen and mosses that resemble an old man's white beard.
• Keep an eye open for the elusive and elegant klipspringer along the route.
• After 2-3 hours, reach a viewpoint where you will encounter the seasonal and impressive Jinbar Waterfall.
• Climb a reasonably steep path for an hour to reach the Jinbar Valley, then head down to the Jinbar River at 3,190 m.
• Have a picnic lunch in these majestic surroundings. Along the way, keep an eye open for the rare and graceful lammergeyer soaring in search of food.
• After a brief rest by the river, ascend gradually on an undulating trail for 2-3 hours to the village of Gich, dotted with traditional round thatched huts and home to the Muslim community.
• After the village, continue on the trail that winds into the moorland, where you will experience the highland flora of giant lobelia as you arrive at Gich camp.

3

Day 03

Gich to Inateye and Debarq

• Begin the trek by ascending gradually for about 2 hours through the Afro-alpine meadows.
• Next, descend to a point where you will have impressive views of the gorge below Imet Gogo.
• Follow the trail as it winds to the lowest point and then begins ascending to the peak of Inateye, which means beloved mother in Amharic.
• Ascend reasonably steeply at first for an hour, then more gradually for another hour, to reach the highest point of the day at Inateye (4,070 m). This area is an excellent place to view birds, particularly raptors. Many exotic species can be seen here, including the tawny eagle, lammergeyer, and augur buzzard. From here, you will have a rewarding view of the Imet Gogo summit, Bwhait Pass, and the surrounding escarpment and mountains.
• After a brief rest and lunch in this majestic spot, begin your 2-3 hour descent to the camp.
• About 10-20 minutes before reaching the camp, stop at Kurbete Metaya for the final and excellent view of the day's trek. Also keep your eyes peeled for geladas. Animals at this campsite have become accustomed to humans, so please keep your distance and do not feed them.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• English-speaking professional Ethiopian guide
• All meals and bottled water
• Mule and muleteer
• Cook and utensils
• Scout
• All entrance fees
• Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, and mattress)
• Applicable local guides
• Service charge and tax

What's Not Included

• Extra car (the guide, scout, and cook, all from Debark, will share the vehicles you are using to save costs)
• Any accommodation in a hotel or lodge
• Gratuity
• Personal expenses
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Gondar, Ethiopia

Tour start

Gondar, Ethiopia

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.