01
Day 1 — Addis Ababa city tour
Visit the National Museum and Holy Trinity Cathedral.
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16-Day Simien Mountains Trek with Lalibela
16 Days
Private — any size
Hotels & Campings
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Northern Ethiopia
Addis Ababa · Bahir Dar · Gondar · Simien Mountains · Lalibela
Tour overview
This 16-day expedition combines the complete Ras Dashen summit trek with two days exploring the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela — pairing Ethiopia's most demanding trek with one of its most sacred sites.
After a stop in Bahir Dar and Gondar, ten consecutive days of trekking take you to the summit of Ras Dashen, then two full days in Lalibela.
Tour highlights
Summit Ras Dashen, Ethiopia's highest peak at 4,543 metres
Trek ten days through the Simien Mountains' most dramatic scenery
Spot Gelada baboons and, with luck, the endangered Walia ibex
Boat across Lake Tana to the island monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret
Visit the Blue Nile Falls
Explore all 11 rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
Day by day
The itinerary
02
Day 2 — Fly to Bahir Dar
Boat across Lake Tana to the island monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret, then visit the Blue Nile Falls.
03
Day 3 — Drive to Gondar
Explore the 17th-century Royal Enclosure, including Fasilidas' Palace and the painted ceiling of Debre Birhan Selassie church.
04
Day 4 — Drive to Debark, trek to Sankaber
Drive to Debark on the edge of Simien Mountains National Park and trek to the Sankaber campsite, watching for Gelada baboons.
05
Day 5 — Trek to Geech
Cross the Jinbar River and falls, then walk to views of the Geech Abyss.
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Day 6 — Trek to Imet Gogo
Walk to the viewpoint at Imet Gogo for sweeping views, then continue toward Seha and Quedadit.
07
Day 7 — Trek to Chennek
Continue along the escarpment to Chennek, the best spot in the park to see the Walia ibex.
08
Day 8 — Trek to Ambiko, via Mount Buhit Camping (Absolute Ethiopia Tours)
Climb Buhit, the second-highest peak in the range, before descending to Ambiko.
09
Day 9 — Summit day: Ras Dashen
Climb to the summit of Ras Dashen, the fourth-highest peak in Africa, then descend back to Ambiko.
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Day 10 — Trek to Sona
Descend through the Mesheha River valley to Sona, stopping for coffee in Arquaziye.
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Day 11 — Descend to Mekarebya
Descend into the Ansiya valley, with good birdwatching opportunities.
12
Day 12 — Trek to Mulit
A day among local villagers, finishing with a steep climb to the Mulit campsite.
13
Day 13 — To Adi Arkay, drive to Gondar
Final trekking day to Adi Arkay, then drive back to Gondar.
14
Day 14 — Fly to Lalibela
Short flight to Lalibela. Visit the first cluster of rock-hewn churches, including Bet Giyorgis.
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Day 15 — Explore Lalibela
Visit the cliffside church of Yemrehane Kristos in the morning, then the remaining rock-hewn churches in the afternoon.
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Day 16 — Fly back to Addis Ababa
Morning flight back to Addis Ababa for a farewell dinner before departure.
The route
16-Day Simien Mountains Trek with Lalibela
What's included
Included
- Private vehicle and driver-guide throughout
- English-speaking guide
- Trekking scouts, permits, and camping equipment
- All accommodation/camping as listed
- All meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
- Domestic flights per itinerary
- Park entrance and permit fees
Not included
- International flights
- Ethiopian visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses (drinks, souvenirs, laundry, etc.)
Where you'll stay
Accommodation
Bahir Dar
Avanti Blu Nile Resorts
Resort
Gondar
Haile Resort Gondar
Resort
Sankaber
Camping (Absolute Ethiopia Tours)
Camping
Lalibela
Mezena Lodge
Lodge
Accommodation can be adjusted based on your budget and preferences. Premium and budget alternatives are available on request.
On the road
Our vehicles
All Absolute Ethiopia tours use well-maintained 4WD vehicles - Toyota Land Cruisers or similar - driven by experienced, professional drivers. For larger groups we use minibuses or coaster buses. Your comfort and safety on the road is our priority throughout every journey.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is Ethiopia safe for tourists?
Ethiopia is generally safe for visitors, and the vast majority of tourist routes — including every destination on this itinerary — see no disruption. Some regions elsewhere in the country carry travel advisories; our guides and drivers know exactly where to go and where to avoid, and this itinerary is built entirely around routes we consider safe to run.
Do I need a visa to visit Ethiopia?
Most nationalities can apply for an Ethiopian e-Visa online before travel, or a visa on arrival at Bole International Airport. We recommend applying for the e-Visa in advance to avoid queues on arrival.
How physically demanding is this trek?
Strenuous. Ten consecutive trekking days including a high-altitude summit attempt, followed by more relaxed sightseeing in Lalibela.
What altitude does this trek reach?
The summit of Ras Dashen sits at 4,543 metres — Ethiopia's highest point.
Why combine this trek with Lalibela specifically?
Lalibela offers a complete change of pace after the physical demands of the trek, and pairs Ethiopia's toughest trekking with one of its most significant religious sites.
Is Ethiopia safe for tourists?
Ethiopia is safe for tourists across all the destinations we operate. Our team monitors conditions on an ongoing basis and will always communicate any updates that affect your itinerary. We have been operating tours safely for many years and your wellbeing is our first priority.
Do I need a visa to visit Ethiopia?
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Ethiopia. The Ethiopian e-Visa is available online before travel and is the most straightforward option. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry. Contact us if you need guidance on the visa process for your specific nationality.
How physically demanding is this tour?
This tour includes trekking at Erta Ale - a two to three hour walk on uneven terrain - and multi-day trekking in the Simien Mountains at altitudes above 3,000 metres. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. You do not need prior trekking experience but should be comfortable walking for several hours on varied terrain. Please let us know of any health conditions when inquiring.
Is the Danakil Depression safe to visit?
The Danakil Depression requires armed scouts as a standard precaution - this applies to all tour operators working in the region. We have operated safely in the Danakil for many years and work exclusively with trusted local partners. We monitor conditions continuously and will always communicate any changes that affect the itinerary.
What altitude does this tour reach?
This tour covers an extraordinary range - from the Danakil Depression at 116 metres below sea level, the lowest point in Africa, to the Simien Mountains above 4,000 metres. We acclimatise gradually throughout the itinerary and your guide monitors the group's wellbeing throughout the trekking sections.
Can I do this tour without the Danakil Depression section?
Yes. We can adapt this itinerary to focus on the northern historic route and Simien Mountains without the Danakil section. Contact us via WhatsApp or email and we will build the right itinerary for your interests and fitness level.
Dates & departures
This is a suggested private itinerary
Every detail can be adapted to suit you - dates, duration, accommodation tier, pace, and group size. Use this as your starting point and let us design your perfect journey.
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16-Day Simien Mountains Trek with Lalibela
Private
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