12D Classic Historic Route & Simien Mountains Trekking Expedition – Ethiopia
Discover the timeless wonders of Ethiopia on this extraordinary 12 Days / 11 Nights adventure combining ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and one of Africa’s most spectacular trekking routes.
Journey through Ethiopia’s legendary Historic Route, exploring the cultural treasures of Addis Ababa, the medieval castles of Gondar, the monasteries of Lake Tana, and the world-famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Adventure seekers will trek through the spectacular Simien Mountains National Park, often called “Africa’s Grand Canyon.” Experience dramatic escarpments, highland villages, and rare wildlife including the Gelada, Walia ibex, and Ethiopian wolf.
The highlight of the expedition is summiting Ras Dejen (4,543m), Ethiopia’s highest peak, offering unforgettable panoramic views across the Simien Highlands.
This expedition perfectly blends culture, trekking, nature, and authentic Ethiopian experiences into one unforgettable adventure.
Tour Highlights
• Explore Addis Ababa – National Museum, Trinity Cathedral, St. George Cathedral & Merkato
• Discover the medieval castles of Gondar – often called “Africa’s Camelot”
• Trek across the dramatic landscapes of Simien Mountains National Park
• Witness the spectacular Jinba Falls (Ethiopia’s longest waterfall)
• Hike to epic viewpoints: Kedadit, Emet Gogo (3,926m), Enatye (4,070m) & Mount Buhait Pass
• Summit Ras Dejen (4,543m) – Ethiopia’s highest peak
• Visit the UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
• Experience traditional Ethiopian villages & coffee ceremonies
• Fully supported trekking with guide, cook, camping crew & pack animals
• Domestic flights included: Addis → Gondar → Lalibela → Addis.
🗓 TOUR DURATION : 12 Days / 11 Nights
📅 TOUR DATES: 07 – 19 October 2026
💰 TOUR COST
Group of 4–6 Pax : SGD 3480 / Pax
Group of 8–10 Pax : SGD 3280 / Pax
Group of 12–18 Pax : SGD 2880 / Pax
🔥 EARLY BIRD PROMOTION : SGD 2780 / Pax (2 To Go)
Signup before 30 April 2026
📞 BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES
Contact VIJAY
📱 WhatsApp: +65 9270 0908
📧 Email: contact@sgtrek.com
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Terms & Conditions
• Early Bird Promotional Price is valid until 30 April 2026.
• A deposit of SGD 1000 per person is required to confirm your booking.
• Full balance payment must be made 4 months before the tour departure date.
• Single Supplement: SGD 280 per person (applicable for solo travelers requesting a private room).
• Minimum group size: 4 participants required for the tour to operate.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Ethiopia Grand Adventure: Simien Mountains & Historic Route Expedition
Day 1 – Arrival in Addis Ababa | City Tour
Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After breakfast, begin a guided city tour visiting some of Ethiopia’s most important landmarks:
• Mount Entoto & Menelik II Church
• Institute of Ethiopian Studies
• National Museum of Ethiopia – home of the famous Lucy fossil replica
• St. George’s Cathedral
• Holy Trinity Cathedral – burial site of Emperor Haile Selassie
• Merkato
Overnight: Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel or similar
Day 2 – Addis Ababa → Gondar → Debark → Sankaber (Simien Mountains)
Morning flight to Gondar. Meet the trekking team and drive to Debark for trekking permits while exploring the local market.
Continue to the entrance of Simien Mountains National Park and proceed to Sankaber campsite.
Enjoy a short introductory trek through spectacular landscapes.
Overnight: Camping – Sankaber
Day 3 – Trek Sankaber → Geech (3,600m) | 6–7 hrs
Today’s trek follows dramatic escarpments with breathtaking views dropping nearly 800m below.
Highlights include:
• Giant heather forests and endemic alpine flora
• Troops of Gelada
• The magnificent Jinbar Waterfall (500m drop)
• Picnic lunch by the Jinba River
• Visit Geech village and enjoy a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony
Optional sunset hike to Kedadit viewpoint (3,786m).
Overnight: Geech Campsite
Day 4 – Geech → Mount Emet Gogo → Seha Valley → Kedadit | 5–6 hrs
Wake early for sunrise over the Simien escarpment.
Trek to Emet Gogo, one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the park offering 360° panoramic views.
Descend to Seha Valley for lunch and continue to Kedadit viewpoint before returning to camp.
Overnight: Geech Campsite
Day 5 – Geech → Mount Enatye (4,070m) → Cheneck (3,620m)
Ascend Mount Enatye, offering some of the most dramatic vertical drop views in the park.
After lunch, descend through alpine grasslands and Giant Lobelia forests toward Cheneck campsite, known for sightings of the rare Walia ibex.
Overnight: Cheneck Campsite
Day 6 – Cheneck → Mount Buhait Pass → Ambiko (3,200m) | 9–10 hrs
The longest trekking day (approx. 25km).
Highlights:
• 600m ascent to Mount Bwahit Pass
• Descent to Chiroleba village
• Trek along the scenic Meshea River valley
• Arrival at Ambiko – base camp for the summit attempt
Overnight: Ambiko Campsite
Day 7 – Summit Day: Ras Dejen (4,543m) → Ambiko | 10–11 hrs
Start the summit push around 4:00 AM.
Highlights include:
• Ancient glacier-era rock formations dating back 14,000–20,000 years
• A challenging but rewarding climb to Ethiopia’s highest peak
• Spectacular panoramic views spanning over 10,000 sq km
Return to Ambiko after the summit.
Overnight: Ambiko Campsite
Day 8 – Ambiko → Chiroleba → Gondar
Morning trek to Chiroleba (approx. 3 hrs), followed by a scenic drive back to Gondar.
Overnight: Haile Resort Gondar or similar
Day 9 – Gondar → Lalibela | Northern Churches
Fly to Lalibela and explore the Northern Cluster of Rock-Hewn Churches, including:
• Bet Maryam
• Bet Medhane Alem
• Bet Golgotha
• Bet Mika’el
• Bet Meskel
• Bet Danagl
These churches are part of the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela.
Overnight: Mountain View Hotel or similar
Day 10 – Lalibela | Southern Churches & Bet Giyorgis
Visit the Southern Cluster of churches including:
• Bete Giyorgis (St. George) – the most iconic church
• Bet Emanuel
• Bet Mercurios
• Bet Abba Libanos
• Bet Gabriel-Rufa’el
Overnight: Mountain View Hotel or similar
Day 11 – Lalibela → Addis Ababa
Morning flight back to Addis Ababa.
Continue exploring the city or enjoy free time for shopping and cultural experiences.
Overnight: Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel or similar
Day 12 – Addis Ababa → Departure
Depending on flight timing, group airport transfers will be arranged.
Departure from Addis Ababa and end of an unforgettable Ethiopian adventure.
Note:
- This tour is directly managed by our Local Adventure Partner.
- Tour is subjective to weather conditions on the day and will be revised accordingly.
- Hotels to be reconfirmed once the group is firmed. If the above hotels are fully booked similar standard hotel will be used for the tour.
- SGTREK Leader to be followed if group of 12pax or more.
- Similar hotel type will be used if the above hotels are full during booking
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- Accommodation throughout the tour (Sharing basis)
- Full-board meals during trekking
- Professional English-speaking guide
- All entrance fees, permits & local guide fees
- National Park Scout
- All ground transportation (Coaster bus or minibus – post-2010 model)
- Domestic flights: Addis → Gondar → Lalibela → Addis
- Camping gear (tents, mattresses, cooking gear)
- Professional cook during trekking
- Daily drinking water during trekking
- Cultural night with traditional performance
- Airport transfers
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
- International flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visa fee (E-Visa available)
- Optional tours or unscheduled activities
- Tips for guide, scout, cook & driver (recommended USD 30–50per client)
- Excess baggage on domestic flights (20kg allowance)
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (as required)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Laundry services
- Personal expenses
- Porter tips
- Single Supplement
THINGS TO PACK
Clothing
- Moisture-wicking trekking shirts
- Fleece jacket / down jacket (cold nights)
- Waterproof jacket & pants
- Trekking pants (quick-dry)
- Warm hat & gloves
- Sun hat / cap
Footwear
- Trekking boots (broken-in)
- Camp shoes / sandals
- Wool & synthetic socks
Gear
- Headlamp + spare batteries
- Trekking poles
- Sleeping bag (comfort rating −5°C to 0°C)
- Daypack (20–30L)
- Waterproof backpack covers
Personal Items
- Sunblock & lip balm
- Basic personal medications
- Refillable water bottle / hydration pack
- Wet wipes & toiletries
- Power bank
- Travel documents & vaccination certificate
Optional
- Gaiters
- Camera / binoculars
- Snacks / energy bars.
Ethiopia Entry Requirements (General Travelers)
✅ 1. Passport Validity
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
- Must have at least 1 blank page for entry stamps.
✅ 2. Visa Requirement
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Ethiopia.
Options:
- a) e-Visa (Recommended)
You can apply online before arrival:
👉 Ethiopia Immigration e-Visa Portal (official site)
- Tourist visas typically available for 30 or 90 days
- Single-entry visa is standard
- Processing time: typically 3–5 days
- b) Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Available at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for many nationalities.
However, e-Visa is strongly preferred for faster entry.
✅ 3. Yellow Fever Requirements
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required if arriving from or transiting through a Yellow Fever–risk country.
- Important for travelers returning to Singapore:
Singapore may require you to show the certificate if you have visited Ethiopia.
✅ 4. COVID-19 Requirements
As of current updates:
- No PCR test required
- No vaccination certificate required
- No quarantine
(Subject to change depending on global health situations)
✅ 5. Currency Regulations
- You cannot freely exchange Ethiopian Birr outside the country.
- Bring USD cash (new notes preferred, post-2009 series).
- Credit cards accepted only in larger hotels.
✅ 6. Travel Insurance
- Mandatory for trekking and adventure tours (for most tour operators)
- Must cover:
- High-altitude trekking
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Trip cancellation
✅ 7. Domestic Flight Allowances
For Ethiopian Airlines domestic flights:
- Baggage allowance: 20kg (including hand-carry)
- Excess baggage fee: approx USD 0.06 per kg
✅ 8. Health & Safety Recommendations
- Bring personal medications
- Altitude sickness precautions for Simien Mountains
- Avoid raw foods and untreated water
- Carry sunblock (strong UV at high altitude).
*This tour is handled by our Local Adventure Partner directly. Do take note.By Joining this trip, YOU:
- Acknowledge all the TERMS & CONDITIONS: https://sgtrek.com/terms-conditions/
- Acknowledge that YOU have read and agreed to RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT FORM of (SGTREK) : https://sgtrek.com/sgtrek-indemnity-form/
- YOU have read all the above paragraphs and YOU know, understand, and appreciate these and other risks that are inherent in The Activity. YOU hereby assert that your participation is voluntary and that YOU knowingly assume all such risks.
- YOU acknowledge the agreement freely and voluntarily, and intend by completing this form and unconditional release of all liability to SGTREK PTE. LTD.
TERMS & CONDITIONS: https://sgtrek.com/terms-conditions/
For any queries related to the event do contact below person:
Phone: +65 92700908 (WhatsApp)
Email : contact@sgtrek.com
This trip was organized by:
SGTREK PTE. LTD .
Reg. No. 201816267K
STB License No. 03160
Address: 28A, Kandahar Street
Singapore 198889
Email: contact@sgtrek.com
WhatsApp: +6592700908
Website: https://sgtrek.com
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