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Simien Mountains National Park

Ethiopia🇪🇹 | national parksSimien Mountains National ParkGelada troops, escarpment cliffs, Walia ibex, Ras Dashen trek | things to do and best time to go

Explore Nechisar National ParkExplore Omo National Park

Backpacking in Simien Mountains
UNESCO World Heritage site
🏆 Top picknational park ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

A low, wet murmur drifted up from the grass, like a crowd of old men gossiping, and then a gelada grunted and the whole hillside answered. That sound is what I connect with Simien Mountains National Park: hundreds of geladas grazing on a cliff edge, chatting. The park sits in the north of Ethiopia, on a basalt escarpment with drops of well over a kilometer. Trails are open and the views are huge, but you don’t go alone. Scouts are compulsory, because the park authority requires an armed ranger on every trek, so you hire one at park headquarters in Debark and let him set the pace. Roads are rough and distances are slow, so plan on trekking rather than day-tripping. Camps are basic and the climbs at altitude are tiring. Crowds are thin even in busy months. This suits hikers who like long, simple days and wildlife. It won’t suit anyone who wants comfort, quick sightseeing or a fixed itinerary.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Ethiopia Travel Guide.
Safety warning

The current risk level for Ethiopia is high. Check the advice before going.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 national park in EthiopiaWhat makes this national park worth exploring

Simien Mountains National Park works for backpackers because you can build your own trek from the ground up. You hire a scout, a cook and a mule for the heavy bags if you want one, and skip the packaged tour. The park is also one of the few places in Africa where a multiday walk feels like a real expedition without needing a technical skill set. The trails follow the rim of the escarpment, so every day offers a new angle on the same dramatic edge. Ras Dashen at roughly 4,550 m is the highest point in Ethiopia and gives experienced trekkers a proper summit goal. For wildlife, the gelada monkeys are the draw: they graze in big troops right beside the path and ignore walkers, so photos come easily without a long lens. You can also spot Walia ibex, a species found nowhere else, on the cliffs near … read more 👉
Simien Mountains National Park works for backpackers because you can build your own trek from the ground up. You hire a scout, a cook and a mule for the heavy bags if you want one, and skip the packaged tour. The park is also one of the few places in Africa where a multiday walk feels like a real expedition without needing a technical skill set. The trails follow the rim of the escarpment, so every day offers a new angle on the same dramatic edge. Ras Dashen at roughly 4,550 m is the highest point in Ethiopia and gives experienced trekkers a proper summit goal. For wildlife, the gelada monkeys are the draw: they graze in big troops right beside the path and ignore walkers, so photos come easily without a long lens. You can also spot Walia ibex, a species found nowhere else, on the cliffs near the main camps. Itineraries run from a single night to a week, so the park suits a short trip as well as a long one. The wild camping is cold and sparse, which keeps the crowds small and the nights quiet.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Gelada troops near Sankaber and Chenek: These grass-eating monkeys, with red chests, spend their mornings in big groups on open slopes, grooming and chattering. You can sit within a few meters of them if you stay calm.
  2. Jinbar Waterfall: A thin stream drops roughly 500 m into the lowlands below. It’s most impressive after the rains, when the water is at its fullest.
  3. Imet Gogo: A rocky spur at about 3,926 m that juts out over the escarpment. The view takes in cliffs, valleys and distant peaks, and it’s the best single photo stop in the park.
  4. Chenek camp and the Walia ibex: Chenek sits near high cliffs where these large-horned goats feed in the early morning or late afternoon. It’s also a good place for lammergeier vultures.
  5. Geech Abyss: A deep chasm near Geech village with long views over the lowlands.
… read more 👉
  1. Gelada troops near Sankaber and Chenek: These grass-eating monkeys, with red chests, spend their mornings in big groups on open slopes, grooming and chattering. You can sit within a few meters of them if you stay calm.
  2. Jinbar Waterfall: A thin stream drops roughly 500 m into the lowlands below. It’s most impressive after the rains, when the water is at its fullest.
  3. Imet Gogo: A rocky spur at about 3,926 m that juts out over the escarpment. The view takes in cliffs, valleys and distant peaks, and it’s the best single photo stop in the park.
  4. Chenek camp and the Walia ibex: Chenek sits near high cliffs where these large-horned goats feed in the early morning or late afternoon. It’s also a good place for lammergeier vultures.
  5. Geech Abyss: A deep chasm near Geech village with long views over the lowlands. The walk there from camp is easy and the drop is dramatic.
  6. Bwahit Peak: At around 4,430 m it’s one of the highest accessible summits in the park, with a long, steady climb through moorland and a wide panorama at the top.
  7. Ras Dashen: Ethiopia’s highest mountain, reached on a multiday trek from the main park routes. The summit climb is mostly walking, but altitude and distance make it a serious undertaking.
Start with the gelada troops near Sankaber in Simien Mountains National Park, since the monkeys are most active early in the day and you can enjoy them before the day’s hike begins.
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Things to do near Simien Mountains National Park

6 Days tour Package (Simien Mountains, Lalibela, and Danakil Depression)

6 Days tour Package (Simien Mountains, Lalibela, and Danakil Depression)

4.9(35) 144h
From €1,300
per personViator
4 Days Trekking to Simien Mountain National Park

4 Days Trekking to Simien Mountain National Park

5.0(10) 96h
From €503
per personViator
Gondar city Tour With Airport & Hotel Pick Up

Gondar city Tour With Airport & Hotel Pick Up

5.0(6) 7h 30m
From €82
per personViator
2 Days Simien Mountains Trekking

2 Days Simien Mountains Trekking

4.8(6) 48h
From €267
per personViator
Day trek to Simien Mountain

Day trek to Simien Mountain

4.7(6)
From €149
per personViator
2 Nights 3 Days Trek to Semien Mountain

2 Nights 3 Days Trek to Semien Mountain

5.0(5) 72h
From €362
per personViator
Simien Mountains National Park – 7 Day Trek

Simien Mountains National Park – 7 Day Trek

5.0(5) 168h
From €815
per personViator
Simien Mountains Ultimate 3 Day Tour

Simien Mountains Ultimate 3 Day Tour

5.0(4) 72h
From €530
per personViator
Day Trip Simien Mountains National Park

Day Trip Simien Mountains National Park

5.0(4) 8h
From €113
per personViator
Simien Mountains – 4 Days

Simien Mountains – 4 Days

3.9(7) 96h
From €725
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to explore Simien Mountains

  • Dry Season (October to February): Late September to early November brings green slopes and full waterfalls, then the escarpment dries into gold. Days run 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F) at Sankaber and Gich, while nights at Chennek (3,600 m) fall to 0 to 4°C (32 to 39°F) with frost. Daylight lasts roughly 11.5 to 12.5 hours, so plan to be at camp by late afternoon. This is peak season for trekking and for guides, scouts and mules, so book ahead around Christmas and Ethiopian Epiphany in January.
  • Hot Dry Months (March to May): Haze builds and grass turns brown, but trails are easy and quieter. Lower camps reach 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F). Afternoon cloud and the first showers arrive in May.
  • Rainy Season (June to mid-September): Heavy daily rain, slick paths and cloud-covered views. Daytime highs 12 to 17°C
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (October to February): Late September to early November brings green slopes and full waterfalls, then the escarpment dries into gold. Days run 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F) at Sankaber and Gich, while nights at Chennek (3,600 m) fall to 0 to 4°C (32 to 39°F) with frost. Daylight lasts roughly 11.5 to 12.5 hours, so plan to be at camp by late afternoon. This is peak season for trekking and for guides, scouts and mules, so book ahead around Christmas and Ethiopian Epiphany in January.
  • Hot Dry Months (March to May): Haze builds and grass turns brown, but trails are easy and quieter. Lower camps reach 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F). Afternoon cloud and the first showers arrive in May.
  • Rainy Season (June to mid-September): Heavy daily rain, slick paths and cloud-covered views. Daytime highs 12 to 17°C (54 to 63°F). Few trekkers, lower prices, and the best bargaining, but only for those who accept mud and hidden escarpment edges.
Aim for October or November to catch green and clear together, and arrange your trek a few days in advance in Gondar.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
Ethiopia - Simien Mountains National Park

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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Gondar is the best base, about 100 km from the park entrance, with a good choice of backpacker guesthouses and tour agents who arrange treks. Expect dorm beds or basic private rooms at roughly US$8 to 20 a night, with hot showers that depend on the power supply. Most trekkers sort out guide, scout, transport and camping gear here and are collected by minibus or 4x4.

The small town of Debark, 1 to 2 hours by road from Gondar, is the gateway and the park headquarters sits here. A few simple lodges charge about US$6 to 15 a night. It is handy for the permit office, last supplies and an early start, … read more 👉
Gondar is the best base, about 100 km from the park entrance, with a good choice of backpacker guesthouses and tour agents who arrange treks. Expect dorm beds or basic private rooms at roughly US$8 to 20 a night, with hot showers that depend on the power supply. Most trekkers sort out guide, scout, transport and camping gear here and are collected by minibus or 4x4.

The small town of Debark, 1 to 2 hours by road from Gondar, is the gateway and the park headquarters sits here. A few simple lodges charge about US$6 to 15 a night. It is handy for the permit office, last supplies and an early start, and makes a sensible night if you reach the area late.

Inside the park, the main lodging is Simien Lodge near Buyit Ras, one of the highest hotels in Africa at about 3,260 m, with rooms at roughly US$80 to 150. Budget travelers sleep in camps instead. Sankaber, Gich, Chennek and Ambikwa have designated campsites, with cold water and little else. Carry a tent and a sleeping bag rated to at least -5°C (23°F), or rent both through your Gondar operator. A few basic huts at Gich and Chennek are also available, though a tent is more reliable.
Best hostels in Ethiopia


Best quality hotels in Ethiopia

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Simien Mountains National Park costs most backpackers about US$57 to 113 per day on an organized trek, with the mandatory park fees making up a large share of the total.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Park entranceUS$10 to 15Charged per day at the Debark office, with the fee rising for each additional day in the park.
Scout (compulsory)US$6 to 10An armed ranger walks with each group, and the fee is usually shared among group members.
GuideUS$15 to 25Licensed guides are required, with rates usually shared by the group.
CampingUS$3 to 8Campsite fee per night. Tent and sleeping bag rental adds about US$5 to 12 a night.
Accommodation, high seasonUS$8 to 20Guesthouses in Gondar or Debark on non-trek nights. Rainy season prices are lower.
Local transportUS$5 to 15Minibus from Gondar to Debark costs
… read more 👉
Simien Mountains National Park costs most backpackers about US$57 to 113 per day on an organized trek, with the mandatory park fees making up a large share of the total.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Park entranceUS$10 to 15Charged per day at the Debark office, with the fee rising for each additional day in the park.
Scout (compulsory)US$6 to 10An armed ranger walks with each group, and the fee is usually shared among group members.
GuideUS$15 to 25Licensed guides are required, with rates usually shared by the group.
CampingUS$3 to 8Campsite fee per night. Tent and sleeping bag rental adds about US$5 to 12 a night.
Accommodation, high seasonUS$8 to 20Guesthouses in Gondar or Debark on non-trek nights. Rainy season prices are lower.
Local transportUS$5 to 15Minibus from Gondar to Debark costs a few dollars, while a private 4x4 for the group adds more and is split among the party.
Food and suppliesUS$10 to 20A cook and supplies for the trek are often arranged by operators, and snacks and water are available in Debark.
Total Daily BudgetUS$57 to 113Costs fall with larger groups and rise with a private vehicle or cook.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsBest hikes in Simien Mountains national park

Simien Mountains National Park offers a network of high-altitude trails mostly above 3,000 m, running along the rim of a steep escarpment with open views almost everywhere. Most walkers take two to four days. Terrain is grassland, rocky ridges and giant lobelia, with steep drops beside the path in places. Weather turns quickly, so you need warm layers and rain protection.
  • Sankaber to Geech: Roughly 11 km, about 4 to 5 hours, easy to moderate. The route follows the cliff edge past Jinbar Waterfall and gelada grazing areas.
  • Geech to Imet Gogo: A short side trip of around 2 to 3 hours return, moderate.
… read more 👉
Simien Mountains National Park offers a network of high-altitude trails mostly above 3,000 m, running along the rim of a steep escarpment with open views almost everywhere. Most walkers take two to four days. Terrain is grassland, rocky ridges and giant lobelia, with steep drops beside the path in places. Weather turns quickly, so you need warm layers and rain protection.
  • Sankaber to Geech: Roughly 11 km, about 4 to 5 hours, easy to moderate. The route follows the cliff edge past Jinbar Waterfall and gelada grazing areas.
  • Geech to Imet Gogo: A short side trip of around 2 to 3 hours return, moderate. It climbs to the 3,926 m viewpoint over the escarpment.
  • Geech to Chenek: Around 15 km, 6 to 7 hours, moderate to hard. It crosses high ridges and passes Inatye and Lamalimo views before Chenek, where Walia ibex feed on the cliffs.
  • Chenek to Bwahit: A full day of steady climbing to about 4,430 m, hard. The summit gives a wide panorama.
  • Ras Dashen trek: A multiday route, hard. It needs careful planning, acclimatization and a guide.
Wildlife includes gelada, Walia ibex, Ethiopian wolf (rare) and many birds, especially lammergeier vultures. Debark is the gateway town, and minibuses run there regularly from Gondar. From Debark you arrange scouts, permits and transport into the park. A park fee applies per person per day, in the region of US$3 to 6, with an additional compulsory scout fee, roughly US$8 to 12 per day. Camping fees are separate. Crowds are light, even in peak months. Many travelers join trips with a four-wheel-drive to reach the farther camps, but you can walk from Debark if you prefer. Bring warm layers, because the nights are cold.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Simien Mountains National Park is straightforward for fit hikers, and the main hazards are altitude and cold rather than crime or animals. Most trails sit between 3,000 and 4,400 m, so headaches and breathlessness are common on day one. Ascend slowly, drink plenty, and spend the first night at a lower camp such as Sankaber. Nights at Chennek get below freezing, so a proper warm sleeping bag and insulating layers matter more than any other gear. Rain and mist arrive quickly in the afternoon.

The escarpment drops up to 1,500 m, and paths run close to the edge, so keep to marked trails and avoid walking in fog. An armed scout is mandatory and walks with you, and a guide handles route-finding. Gelada baboons graze in large groups and ignore people, but keep your distance and never offer them … read more 👉
Simien Mountains National Park is straightforward for fit hikers, and the main hazards are altitude and cold rather than crime or animals. Most trails sit between 3,000 and 4,400 m, so headaches and breathlessness are common on day one. Ascend slowly, drink plenty, and spend the first night at a lower camp such as Sankaber. Nights at Chennek get below freezing, so a proper warm sleeping bag and insulating layers matter more than any other gear. Rain and mist arrive quickly in the afternoon.

The escarpment drops up to 1,500 m, and paths run close to the edge, so keep to marked trails and avoid walking in fog. An armed scout is mandatory and walks with you, and a guide handles route-finding. Gelada baboons graze in large groups and ignore people, but keep your distance and never offer them food. Leopards and hyenas exist but are rarely seen. Bring a water filter, sun protection, and a basic first aid kit, since the nearest clinic is in Debark.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 3 to 4 days to hike the classic Sankaber to Gich to Chennek route, and 5 to 6 days if you add Imet Gogo and Ras Dashen. Simien Mountains National Park also works as a 1 to 2 day trip from Gondar, covering Sankaber, Jinbar Falls and Geech viewpoints. Trekking to Ras Dashen (4,550 m), Ethiopia's highest peak, requires 7 to 9 days round trip.
A car is not essential, since minibuses run from Gondar to Debark in roughly 1.5 to 2 hours for a few dollars. From Debark, trekkers walk with a guide and scout, and mules carry gear along the main route. Simien Mountains National Park does not have public transport inside, so a hired 4x4 from Debark helps for short stays and viewpoints such as Geech and Jinbar Falls.
Yes, entry requires a paid fee at the park office in Debark, around US$10 to 15 per day per person. A mandatory scout (about US$6 to 10 a day) and a licensed guide (about US$15 to 25 a day) are also needed for any trek. Simien Mountains National Park campsites charge a few extra dollars per night, and payment is generally made in birr.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Simien Mountains National Park fits neatly between Gondar’s castles and the rock churches of Lalibela, so I would trek here for three or four days before heading on. Hire your scout and cook in Debark rather than booking ahead, and carry a proper sleeping bag. Save the Ras Dashen climb for a longer trip, because the shorter routes already deliver the best views.

✈️ When did I visit Ethiopia?
Ethiopia I visited back in October 2017. I combined the trip with a visit to Sudan. Ethiopia was a pure surprise with the magical scenery like the Danakil Depression and the Simien Mountains.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Ethiopia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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