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FrenchSafari Tour: 13-Day Ultimate Ethiopia Expedition: Simien Trekking, Timket Festival - Ethiopia Safari Tour
13-Day Ethiopia Safari Tour by SMT Tour
Offered by - SMT Tour
Tour Features
13-Day Ultimate Ethiopia Expedition: Simien Trekking, Timket Festival & Danakil Depression Discover the incredible diversity of Ethiopia on this 13-day cultural and nature adventure. Trek through the breathtaking landscapes of the Simien Mountains National Park, home to dramatic escarpments, Gelada baboons, and the rare Walia ibex. Experience the vibrant celebrations of the Timket Festival in Gondar, one of Ethiopia’s most important religious events. Explore the ancient treasures of Aksum, visit historic churches and archaeological sites along the northern historic route, and discover the world-famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Conclude your journey in the extraordinary Danakil Depression, where colorful mineral formations, vast salt flats, and the active Erta Ale volcano create one of the most unique landscapes on Earth. This tour perfectly combines Ethiopia’s rich history, living culture, spectacular wildlife, and unforgettable natural wonders.
| Mid-Range tour | This mid-range tour includes comfortable lodges and tented camps. |
| Can be customized | You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour. |
| Shared tour | This tour will be shared with other travelers. |
| Solo travel available | Solo travelers can book this tour. |
| Can start any day | If availability permits, this tour can start on any day. |
| No minimum age | There is no minimum age for this tour. |
| Transportation | This tour uses: Normal 4x4, Minivan, Bus, Walking, Air, Overland, Self-drive, Horse. |
Route & Activities
Ethiopia
Activities Included
Accommodation & Meals
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
| Day | Accommodation | Meals |
| 1-13 | Mid-Range Accommodation No images available | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks |
Arrival (See Getting There for more details)
- A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Day 1 - Gondar-Sankaber (3250 m), 3-4 hours
Early morning we drive from Gondar to the park headquarters in Debark. The 100 km journey will take around 2 hours. At the headquarters we will arrange our permits to the park and pick up our scout. After that we will drive for another hour before we start our first day introductory walk. This first hike is an easy one along the northern edge of the escarpment with a nice view points over the foothills and plains of northern Ethiopia. You will encounter gelada baboon along this hike
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 2 - Sankaber-Gich (3600 m), 5-6 hrs
We follow the northern escarpment eastward, before we descend a little into the Kaba Valley. After that we climb up before we reach Gich Abyss over a narrow ridge to a cliff where we have a spectacular view of the abyss towards the Simien foothills. We also find a large waterfall here, where the Jinbar River plunges 530 m into the abyss. We proceed for about two hours and have lunch at the Jinbar River. After lunch we walk to Gich camp which is a good area to look for lammergeyer and thick billed raven.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 3 - Gich-Chennek (3600 m), 7-8 hrs
From Gich camp we stroll through endless fields of Giant Lobelia before we reach the towering cliffs of Imet-Gogo (3926 m). Here we will spend some time to absorb the superb views over the mountain valleys below and strange shaped domes in the distance, which we will see from up close at the end of the trip. After that we descend into the Jinbahir River Valley. In this way we get a very different perspective of Imet-Gogo and the volcanic landscape, where it looks like big chunks of mountains have been blown away. The trail follows the edge of the escarpment, which is completely vertical here for several hundred meters. We climb to a summit of 4070 m where we will have lunch. After lunch we descend to Chennek for about two hours along a steep trail. From Chennek camp there are spectacular views in all directions. Sit down on a bench at the escarpment and try to spot Walia Ibex in late afternoon or early morning. Sometimes Walia Ibex visit the edges of the camp site.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 4 - Day 4 Activity
Chenek-Buwahit, 5-6 hrs
Climb the second highest peak in the Simien mountains Buwahit (4430m) rewarding with one of the endemic wild animals in Ethiopia particularly in the Simien mountains called Walia Ibex (a goat family), in addition to the scenic views of surroundings including the chance to see the highest mountain peak in Ethiopia Ras-Dejen (4543m) and back down to chenek camp
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 5 - Chenek-Buwahit, 5-6 hrs
Drive to Gondar for Timket, we will see when the get out from the church taking the holy cross to fasilledse Bass. Then back to hotel.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 6 - Gondar
on the 20th early mornig we will go the place where the people baptize we will be there for about 2 hrs then come back for break fast, then we will go again before noon.
Meals & Drinks: No meals selected
- Day 7 - fly to Axum,
After breakfast sightseeing tour of Axum that includes: St. Mary church where the original Arc of the covenant housed in, Archeological Museum, Stelaes, tombs, and palace. The ancient city of Aksum is found close to Ethiopia's northern border. It marks the location of the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Aksum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. Overnight sabian Hotel
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 8 - Drive from Axum to Mekele After breakfast drive through the
After breakfast drive through the historical town of Adwa, which is the major African battlefield and drive to the very small town of Yeha to visit the 5th century B.C imposing ruins of Yeha’s temple. It was a large pre-Christian temple consisting of a single oblong chamber. The temple is believed to be the oldest standing building in the country. You will also visit the 6th century A.D church of Aba Afse –the church, sharing the same compound with the temple, is rectangular in shape. Continue driving to Mekele-the capital of Tegray region en route visit Rock church of Wekro Cherkos and Abreha WE Asbeha. Overnight Mekele Axum Hotel.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 9 - Mekel to Hamedla Dallol
On this day drive from mekel to Hamedal via Berhale, in the afternoon, you will visit lake Asale and a beautiful sunset by the lake. Night opne air on traditional bed at Hmedla.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 10 - Hamedela to dallol/ the to Erta-ale
On this early morning Drive to Dallol, a settlement unoccupied except for its salt industry, and considered a ghost town. Geologically, the area is one of the very active areas of Ethiopia, with underground earth minerals that are pushed out due to high pressure and crystallized when coming in contact with atmospheric oxygen. The result is mineral hills of different shapes and colors, then drive to Erta-ale
In the afternoon Drive to Erta Ale via Kusruad, a volcano whose name means "smoking mountain." It takes 35 minutes to trek up to the top of the mount where one can clearly observe the crater pit filled with a lake of lava. This is one of the only 4 volcanoes in the world a permanent lava lake. Spend the night camping.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 11 - drive to drive back to Semera.
on These day we will drive from the base camp to Lake Afdera and we will have some time there before we drive back semeral . Night Kuriftu hotel.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch Included with Drinks
- Day 12 - fly from Semera to Addis Abeba and tour in Addis abeba
fly from Semera to Addis and city tour in Addis before you for the whole day Night Addis abeba
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
- Day 13 - Shopping before you fly back
on this day morning you cand shopping then after luch we will transfer you to the Airport for fly back.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included with Drinks
End of tour (See Getting There for more details)
- Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
- A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Excludes
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Rates Per Person
Jan 18, 2027 - Dec 12, 2028
*n/a = not available. This tour is unavailable for solo travelers.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Excludes
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Getting There
Ethiopia, situated in the famous Horn of Africa, is known as both the Land of Origins and the Land of a Thousand Smiles. Most of the visitors arrive at the Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa. Usually, the Safari operator picks you up at the airport and takes care of any travel arrangements from there. If you are already in the region it’s possible to get in by land from Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti. It is best to stay away from the borders of South Sudan and Somalia. Drive-around tours are also available (especially in southern Ethiopia). Even when flying around, covering some distances by car can be very rewarding as you'll see some of the Ethiopian countrysides.
This tour starts in Addis Ababa and ends in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- Visitors can be obtain there Visas in advance from Ethiopian embassies or high commissions.
- You can also apply through the online visa-application portal, the official website of the Ethiopian Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs.
- For certain countries, A tourist visa can also be issued on arrival at Bole International Airport.
- When arriving from a country in Africa or the Americas where yellow fever is present, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
Getting There
Ethiopia, situated in the famous Horn of Africa, is known as both the Land of Origins and the Land of a Thousand Smiles. Most of the visitors arrive at the Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa. Usually, the Safari operator picks you up at the airport and takes care of any travel arrangements from there. If you are already in the region it’s possible to get in by land from Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti. It is best to stay away from the borders of South Sudan and Somalia. Drive-around tours are also available (especially in southern Ethiopia). Even when flying around, covering some distances by car can be very rewarding as you'll see some of the Ethiopian countrysides.
This tour starts in Addis Ababa and ends in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- Visitors can be obtain there Visas in advance from Ethiopian embassies or high commissions.
- You can also apply through the online visa-application portal, the official website of the Ethiopian Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs.
- For certain countries, A tourist visa can also be issued on arrival at Bole International Airport.
- When arriving from a country in Africa or the Americas where yellow fever is present, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
Offered By
SMT Tour
Ethiopia
Kenya
Tanzania
Nurlign – Ethiopian Tour Guide & Tourism Professional
Nurlign is an experienced Ethiopian tour guide and tourism professional with nearly two decades of experience guiding travelers across Ethiopia. He has a deep passion for showcasing the country's rich history, diverse cultures, spectacular landscapes, and unique wildlife.
As the owner of �, Simien specializes in organizing customized tours throughout Ethiopia, including the renowned Simien Mountains National Park, which he considers one of the most beautiful mountain destinations in the world. Having worked as a guide in the Simien Mountains for approximately 17 years, he possesses extensive knowledge of trekking routes, local communities, wildlife, and mountain logistics.
simienmountainstour.com
Simien is actively involved in developing travel itineraries, trekking expeditions, cultural tours, and wildlife adventures. He is particularly interested in promoting Ethiopian tourism internationally and building partnerships with travel platforms, tour operators, and travelers worldwide.
He communicates confidently in English and continuously works to improve his language and professional communication skills. His approach to tourism emphasizes hospitality, cultural exchange, and creating memorable experiences for visitors.
Beyond tourism, Simien values cooperation and understanding among people and believes in peaceful collaboration to solve regional challenges. His dedication to Ethiopia's natural and cultural heritage is reflected in his commitment to helping travelers discover the country's remarkable destinations.
Key strengths:
Professional tour guiding and trekking leadership
Ethiopia travel planning and logistics
Simien Mountains trekking expertise
Cultural and historical tourism
Customer service and hospitality
Tourism business development and partnerships
Multiday expedition organization
This profile presents you as a knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated tourism professional committed to promoting Ethiopia to travelers from around the world.
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