Today is an opportunity to take it a little slower. you can choose to walk or ride a rented mule (small extra cost for the mule) up to Asheton Maryam Church, situated at about 3100 metres. Here you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Lalibela town and the surrounding valleys.

Overnight  in Lalibela.

You will depart early morning from Gondar to Debark. In debark you will arrange your visit with the park office and receive a scout and guide then drive into the park to arrive at Sankaber. You can either drive all the way in to Sankaber or have the car drop you off near Buyit Ras for a short hike. If you choose to hike in you will take in beautiful views of the landscape and the endless mountain ridges, and you likely see some gelada baboons. When you arrive in Sankaber you will be met with your supplies. Sankaber will be the first campsite on your trip.

After breakfast you will start off on a 7-8 hour hike of the best views you will see in the Simien Mountains. In route you will pass through Imet Gogo. Here you will have reached an altitude of 3,926m and be able to look out at the amazing landscape from 360 degrees. At this height and view point you can see the canyon below, distant ridges, and view the seemingly never ending valleys. After Imet Gogo you will hike to the view point at Innateye valley at an altitude of 4,070m. Lunch will be here and then you will descend to Chennek (3,600m) for your third campsite.

In the morning fly  Gondar to Axum .  Upon arrival to Axum, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.  Today will be a full day visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s enscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace.  You can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept.  Men only are allowed to enter the old church.  Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept.  Overnight in Axum (hotel).

In the morning, visit either Abuna Yemata Guh or Maryam Korkor.  Both churches involve an approximate one-hour hike but offer commanding views of the surrounding area.  After lunch, continue your visit with the more easily-accessible churches of Abreha we Atsbeha and Chirkos.  Afterwards, proceed driving to Mekele for overnight (hotel).

We walk down to the camp at the bottom of the volcano, have breakfast and drive to Hamadella, where we reach in the afternoon. Lunch will be served on the way in a town called Abala. We walk around the Afar village “Hamadella” to see how the people live and survive in the conditions of the desert. We will have time to buy souvenirs, take pictures of the Afar and their village and you will see plenty of the camel caravans.