Simien Mountains National Park — Attraction in Amhara Region

As a solo traveler I only hired the mandatory guard for 400 bir a day and decided for a 3 nights 4 days hike (2000 birr, park entrance and camping fees included) to the imet gogo without vehicle except for a bajaj (tuk tuk) from debark to the entrance of the park. Everything was organized at the park office in Debark by me and some people working for the park. The first day we started to hike at about 8 and after a few of hours we reached the first camp site, Sankaber. It was raining and the guard started to tell me we should have gone back to Debark, signifying putting an end to a 4 day trip after a mere 3 hours... I said no and explained to him I wanted to continue to Geech, which, according to the park staff, would have been the destination for the second day (being Sankaber the destination for the first day!). The guard agreed and we kept moving. After a while the sky cleared and the guard started to tell me: "today Geech, tomorrow Imet Gogo, third day Debark" which meant reducing the whole trip by one day. We were making good progress and i said "OK". Then the guard took me in front of a river and told me we had to cross it, but the river was impassable due to heavy rain. I insisted we tried to cross it,three but we failed on three different points. I asked the guard if there was an alternative way, he said "NO". He said "back to Sankaber". I asked him if the next day we could have walked to Chenek, an alternative camping site to Geech, given that Geech was apparently unreachable. He said "with car". I didn't want to hire a car and said no. He then said " too far". I asked him what would have been his plan for the next day, he said "Debark". I said no, I paid 4 days. There was a mild argument. Given the fact i was alone with an armed guy I gave up. The guard never threatened me, but I was unwilling to push the argument too far. We walked back to Sankaber. I had a tent with me and I set it up. The guard had nothing, literally nothing with him except the rifle and some bread. He tried to convince me to go to the lodge. I said no. The guard showed me a place to set up the tent completly unsuited for camping, on a slope and on rocks. I asked for another place. He said "here clean, no place". Then he sat next to the tent. I invited him to get inside. He said no. After 30 minutes in the tent pondering the craziness of a guy staying outside for the whole freezy and rainy night I decided to rent the room at the lodge. The camping place sucked anyway. If you rent a room in the lodge, the guard is allowed to sleep in the same room, which is basically a big dorm with about 10 beds. In the lodge I found people who booked an organized trip from Addis, paying between 3 to 4 times what i payed (however they had guide and cook and 4wd transportation) and they were having a wonderful time. The next day the guard took me back to Debark effectively ending the whole thing at 10 a.m on the second day. I went to the park office where i organized the trip just 2 days before and they told me "no refund". I asked again and they told me to speak to the manager. The manager said " no refund"

If you are an independent traveler trying to organize things by yourself, who only wants to hike, thinks he doesn't need guides, cooks and porters, this place feels like a massive, massive scam. They will make your life as hard as possible. The fact I was alone didn't help either.

On a side note, the park...

Awesome trekking of simien Day 1

DRIVE FROM GONDAR AIRPORT TO DEBARK AND TREK TO GEECH CAMPSITE

Meet at Gondar airport at about 8 a.m. and drive to Debark and on to Sankabir. Hike from Sankabir to Geech campsite. The hike from Sankabir takes about 5 to 6 hours passing through spectacular scenery and varying flowers and trees.

There is the possibility to see kilpspringer minlik bushbuk as well as a leopard( if you are very lucky ). The entertaining gelada baboons are always around .along the way you pass the 500 meters high Jinbar waterfall and stop for packed lunch on the banks of the Jinbar river . In the evening take a sunset walk to see the amazing sites of the Gelada a monkey going to bed ( this can be done tommorow if tired ) .

Day 2

After an early breakfast, depart from Geech to the peak of Imet Gogo at 3926m. Here you’ll have spectacular views over the lowlands – one of the highlights of the trip. As you continue to Chenek, you will pass Korbete Metia, a solid rock wall which opens up exposing beautiful views over the lowlands and the escarpment. This is also a good place for spotting lammergeiers. Overnight camping in Chenek. Total trekking time: 7 – 9 hours

Day 3

From Chenek, continue east up a valley to Mt. Buhayit, overlooking the camp from where you just came. After crossing the Buhayit Pass, you come to a viewpoint offering wonderful views of the Mesheha River Valley as well your first glimpse of Ras Dashen. From here, the path descends, passes through the village of Chiro Leba, and finally leads to the Mesheha River. Across the river, you climb back up the valley to the village of Ambikwa. Overnight camping in Ambikwa. Total trekking time: 6-8 hours

Day 4

Starting early, you will continue up the valley to the village of Mizma, after which you will have a steep ascent to a ridge crest overlooking a large valley. The path then follows along the side of the valley, straight at Ras Dashen. You will eventually reach a point where you will see three distinct buttresses. The buttress on the left is the summit of Ras Dashen. A pile of rocks at the top of the buttress marks the summit. After your successful arrival at the highest point in Ethiopia, you return to Ambikwa for overnight. Total trekking time: 8-10 hours

Day 5

Today you return back to Chenek and from here drive to Gondar for overnight stay before going on to Lalibela.

Total trekking time: 6-8 hours .

At the moment cost for person is 678$ but if more ppl joinn it...

AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!!!

Simien mountains is my number one nature experience in the world!! You feel like you are on top of the world when trekking there!

Can be explored in feb-march: at that time the landscape is brown and very beautiful!

Can also be explored in sep-oct: at that time the place is beautifully green and full of life as well!

Both seasons are great!

You will get the chance to unique and endemic wildlife, such is an Ethiopian wolf, ibex, gelada baboons, dik dik, bushbuck and if you are very lucky, an endemic kind of leopard.

You can combine the tour with a visit in Gondar city, which has a lot to offer!

Most tours to simien are affordable, but after asking 50+ local guides and tour companies for offers, we got the by far best offer from a cool dude called Taz. He was THE BEST guide, and highly recommended! Hook him up on WhatsApp +251 933181780

REMEMBER GONDAR AND SIMIEN MOUNTAINS ARE NOT DANGEROUS! THERE ARE A LOTS OF RUMORS GOING ON IN ADDIS ABEBA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. THAT IS ALL ONE BIG LIE! THEESE PLACES ARE SAFE AND AMAZING WITH THE MOST...