Essential Trip Information
Plan your trip
Getting around Ethiopia :-Because of the state of the roads, the distances involved and the quality of the alternative (flying) most short term visitors use internal flights in Ethiopia. There are reliable daily flights between most of the stops on the Northern Circuit (Addis, Gondar, Lalibella, Axum, Bahir Dar).
If you have more time, or delight in the joys of overland travel, we can provide you vehicles (4WD, minibus and coaster bus )
When is best :-The Ethiopian Tourist Board proudly promotes their slogan “13 months of sunshine” to anyone who will listen, but they are not far off the mark. Although this tour is available year round the rainy season in the North is in July and August, but whilst that might stop you attempting a multi-day trek in the Simien Mountains, it won’t really affect you if you are planning on touring the Northern Historical route. The best time to visit the North is in autumn, after the rains when the mountains are full of lush green and the views are unimpeded by haze. The Bale Mountains can be very wet from April to June (the peak rainy season).
When to go —September — June
Private groups:The adventures featured in our itinerary are just a starting point for many of our private group travellers. Working closely with our Groups Department we can organize custom designed itineraries for groups of friends, clubs, charity’s, schools or even work colleagues. Our team will assist you with all aspects of your private group adventure from itinerary design to group flights. For group traveller pledge considerable discount.
Customized tours: On request, this tour can be customized for small groups.
Proceeding / additional days: It’s no problem to add days before or after the expedition and we’ll book these for you. If you bring more time, you could do day trips from Addis or take an extension tour
Group booking discount: If at least 5 people together book this trip, 6% discount is given.
Accommodation: Currently, Ethiopia is known for its fine hotels. Reliable hot showers are generally speaking still a luxury and places with genuine charm are avalable. All accommodation throughout this tour is 3-4 star (comfortable hotels with en-suite facilities)All accommodation is based on twin sharing.
Accommodation: –on trek you’ll be camping in the official park camp sites in bothSemien and Bale Mountains. The sites are in beautiful spots and have been built sympathetically with seated drop toilets set well away from the camping area. The facilities are cleaned and tidied every day, but in the peak summer months and around the festivals, the sites can be a little over-run by trekkers. Out of peak though they make for fantastic camp-sites. There is no alternative, as wild camping is not permitted. You will be sleeping in 2 men tents (you can share or have a tent to yourself) and the crew will erect and take down your tent each day (as well as carrying your gear to the next camp-site). Overnight temperatures are cold at altitudes over 3,000m.
Food-wise you will have a private cook for your trek who will provide breakfast, packed lunch, tea and dinner each day. The food is great, and given most Westerners aversion to the Ethiopian stapleInjurra, mostly of the Western variety. Expect bread and pancakes / eggs for breakfast, filling sandwiches for lunch, herbal teas, fantastic coffee and popcorn at the end of a long days trekking and then a massive meal to end the day with soup starter and a hearty main with plenty of veg to finish.You’ll be accompanied by an English-speaking guide, chef and scout.
Clothing: Daytime temperatures are mainly warm and comfortable but evenings in the highlands can be cold. We recommend a thick jumper or warm fleece and lightweight wind/waterproof clothing. Take a sun hat.
Footwear: Comfortable, good walking shoes with ankle support are strongly recommended as well as comfortable sandals.
- Daypack
- Light jacket or fleece
- Good walking footwear/boots
- Walking if you normally use them
- Insect spray
- Sunhat
- Sun cream
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Wet wipes
- Anti bacterial hand gel
- Torch and spare batteries
Luggage: On Tour One main piece of baggage and a daypack. Please note that there is a weight restriction of 7kg for hand luggage/daypack for international and internal flights. Luggage allowance on tour: 20kg
All treks and tailor-made itineraries are organised on demand for groups of two or more people. For single travelers or those who prefer travelling in a group, we offer several scheduled small group tours.
Altitude Description:-In the Simien Mountains trekking is strenuous with 6-8 hrs a day walking on average, at altitudes of 3,000- 4,500m, though there are some longer days (including the ascent of RasDashen, 4,620m). There is very little flat walking involved. Your Guide will ensure that during your stay in the mountains you acclimatise enough before an ascent of RasDashen. At altitude you will find yourself moving slower than usual, but this gives an excellent opportunity to admire the spectacular views.
Please note this trip goes to an altitude where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), a common and usually harmless condition caused by reduced air pressure and a lower concentration of oxygen. Whilst the itinerary has been specifically designed to allow your body to acclimatise gradually, the speed of onset and severity – as well as the height at which AMS develops can vary greatly between individuals; being physically fit affords no special protection. If symptoms occur while on tour you must let your Guide know immediately.
