EXPEDITION SUMMARY
| Expedition: | Simien Mountains |
| Code: | XPD080 |
| Region: | Africa |
| Country: | Ethiopia |
| Activity: | Trekking,Mountain Trekking,Nature |
| Duration: | 14 |
| Cost: | *$3790 |
| *Per Person Twin Share | |
Simien Mountains > Trip Notes
Click on image to download a more detailed itinerary
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa
Day
2: Gondar
Day 3: Debark - Sankaber
Day 4: Sankaber - Geech
Day
5: Geech - Chenek
Day 6: Chenek - Ambiquo
Day 7:
Ambiquo
Day 8: Ambiquo - Arkwaziye
Day 9: Arkwaziye -
Loma
Day 10: Mulit
Day 11: Adi Arkai - Gondar
Day 12:
Gondar - Lalibela
Day 13: Lalibela - Addis Ababa
Day
14: Addis Ababa / Departure
Note : A single supplement applies in
Ethiopia of AUD$220
INCLUSIONS
-Hotel accommodation (double room sharing)
-Internal airfares
-All 3 meals of the day according to the
itinerary.
-All transfers and city tours
-All entrance fees
-Ground transportation
-Camping gears (Tent, mattress, sheets
etc)
-Cooking materials (while camping) - utensils, kitchen
materials, dinning tents, chairs, tables, etc
-Pack animals (mule
or horses) while trekking
-Professional guide & cook with 4
course meals
-Scout fee
-All government taxes
-Boat trips
on Lake Tana
EXPEDITION EXTENSIONS
Ethiopia is an awesome and huge country, diverse in both its terrain and culture. After the Simien Expedition, why note see another side of Ethiopia by heading south into Omo River region where we will see both fascinating wildlife and colourful and fascinating cultures such as the Hammer, Karo and Dassanech tribes. Want to know more about these trip extensions or stand alone trips?
GENERAL EXPEDITION INFORMATION
The regions visited in this trip are located at altitudes ranging from 1,800 to 4,563 metres above sea level. In the Simien Mountains, temperatures vary during the day from 18 to 20C, at night they drop below zero. It is therefore recommended that you bring warm clothes like a jacket, a pullover and a good sleeping bag and strong hiking shoes. During the day, it is quite warm on the mountain plateau, with an average temperature of 25C. The best period to visit these regions is from September to April, after the rainy season, the area is all green with myriad of flowers. In December, the barley is ripe and golden; it is harvested in January, after which it is threshed.
Full board is provided throughout the trip: breakfast and dinner in a hotel, lunch of salad and fruit. During the treks, breakfast and dinner is prepared at the camp. The food served is mostly European. However there are opportunities to taste the local fare and Ethiopian cuisine. While trekking, we sleep in tents and sleeping mats are provided. The group will be accompanied by a professional guide and cook.
It is useful to bring some medication with you, such as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, milk enzymes, eye-drops and sun-block lotion for mountains. We don't recommend that anti-malaria measures be taken, because the only place where malaria is present is Bahir Dar, but only during the rainy season (June to August). We do however advise that you bring mosquito repellent with you.
FOOD AND DRINKS
The food and drink of Ethiopia reflects the many different cultures found there. A typical dish is Wot, a hot spicy stew of meat or vegetables, seasoned with a blend of Berbere (chillie powder). It is made with Doro (chicken), and normally served with Injera, the traditional spongy pancake made from a fermented Teff flour batter.
Ethiopia produces its own wines; Dukam and Gouder are fine reds, while Axumite is sweeter. Crystals is a dry white wine. The famous honey wine or Tej is found all over the country as is Tela, a local beer, and Katikala, distillated liquor.
RELIGION
Christianity and Islam are the two main religions in Ethiopia making up 45% of the population each with other religions making up the rest. Most of the Christians belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
VISA
Visa is required for any foreign visitor to Ethiopia except Kenya and Djibouti. This can be secured from Ethiopian Diplomatic and consular missions abroad. In addition visitors from many countries Australia, the U.S, U.K and many European Union nations can obtain a visa on arrival at Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa) the cost is US$20.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Prior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days prior to his/her arrival in Ethiopia.
LANGUAGE
Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic state with a great variety of languages spoken in the country, of which there are 83 with 200 dialects. The main three languages are Amharic (the national language of the country), Tigrigna and Oromigna. English is also widely spoken.
UPCOMING XPD DATES
