The Complete Experience
From First Contact
to Lifelong Memory.
Nine stages. Every question answered. Every uncertainty removed. This is what it looks like to travel with Discover Simien Tours — from the moment you discover us to the moment you return home changed.
Discover
Connect
Plan
Confirm
Prepare
Arrive
Experience
Support
Return
Discover
Something catches your eye.
You're thinking: "Is this real? Is this actually possible for me?"
It is. Ethiopia is not as far or as difficult as it looks. Every year, travelers from 50+ countries make this journey — solo travelers, couples, families, photographers, first-time Africa visitors. The question is not whether you can go. The question is what kind of journey you want.
Browse our destinations, read our travel guides, look at the gallery. Take your time. There is no pressure here.
Simien Mountains, Northern Ethiopia
Connect
You reach out. We respond within 2 hours.
You're thinking: "Will I get a generic auto-reply? Will I be pressured to book?"
No auto-replies. No sales pressure. When you contact us — by email, WhatsApp, or our booking form — a real person responds. Usually Sahlie or Mellese, who have been guiding in Ethiopia for 15+ years. They will ask you questions. They want to understand what you're looking for before they suggest anything.
Average response time: under 2 hours. WhatsApp responses: usually under 30 minutes.
Sahlie Beza — Founder & Lead Guide
Ready to start the conversation? No commitment required.
Plan
We design your journey around you.
You're thinking: "Will I just get a standard package? Will my specific interests matter?"
Every itinerary we create is built from scratch for the individual traveler. We do not copy-paste packages. We ask about your fitness level, your interests, your travel style, your budget, your dates. Then we design something that fits you — not the other way around.
You will receive a detailed day-by-day itinerary, accommodation options at different price points, and a transparent cost breakdown. No hidden fees.
Lalibela — one of 9 UNESCO sites in Ethiopia
Confirm
Booking is simple. Your spot is secured.
You're thinking: "How does payment work? What if I need to cancel?"
A 30% deposit confirms your booking. The balance is due 30 days before departure. We accept bank transfer, credit card, and PayPal. Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. We strongly recommend travel insurance — and we will help you find the right policy.
After booking, you receive a confirmation document, a detailed pre-departure guide, and direct contact details for your guide.
Northern Ethiopia highlands
Prepare
We prepare you for everything.
You're thinking: "What do I pack? Do I need vaccinations? What about visas?"
You will receive a comprehensive pre-departure pack: a detailed packing list tailored to your specific itinerary, visa guidance, vaccination recommendations, altitude advice (if relevant), cultural etiquette, and a 24/7 emergency contact number. Nothing is left to chance.
We have prepared thousands of travelers. We know exactly what questions you will have — and we answer them before you ask.
Preparing for the Simien trek
Have questions about preparation? We answer everything before you go.
Arrive
Someone is waiting for you at the airport.
You're thinking: "What if I can't find my driver? What if something goes wrong on arrival?"
Your guide or a designated driver will be at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with your name on a sign. From the moment you land, you are not alone. Your first night's accommodation is arranged, your first day is planned, and your guide's phone number is already in your pocket.
We have never left a traveler stranded at an airport. Not once in 15 years.
Addis Ababa — gateway to Ethiopia
Experience
This is what you came for.
You're thinking: "Will it actually be as good as the photos? Will I feel safe?"
The gelada baboons will walk past you. The lava lake will glow red against the night sky. The priests will chant in ancient Ge'ez as the sun rises over Lalibela. These things happen. They happen because our guides know exactly where to be, when to be there, and how to create the conditions for extraordinary moments.
Your guide is not just a logistics coordinator. They are a storyteller, a naturalist, a cultural interpreter, and a friend.
Gelada baboons, Simien Mountains
Support
We are with you every step of the way.
You're thinking: "What if something goes wrong? What if I get sick? What if plans change?"
Your guide carries a first aid kit and emergency oxygen on all high-altitude treks. We have satellite communication in remote areas. If plans need to change — weather, health, personal reasons — we adapt. We have contingency plans for every scenario. In 15 years, we have never had a serious incident.
Our emergency line is available 24/7 during your trip. You will never be unreachable.
Safety first — every trek, every day
Return
You go home changed.
You're thinking: "Will this actually be worth it?"
We have never had a traveler tell us it wasn't worth it. Not one. What we hear, again and again, is that Ethiopia exceeded every expectation. That the geladas were more extraordinary than the photos. That Lalibela was more moving than they imagined. That they are already planning to come back.
After your trip, we stay in touch. We share your photos. We ask for your feedback. And when you're ready for your next adventure, we'll be here.
Timkat festival, Lalibela
Honest Answers
What If...?
Every traveler has these questions. We answer them honestly — not with marketing language, but with the truth.
The Difference
Why Our Process Is Different
We are local.
Our founder grew up in the Simien Mountains. Our guides have lived in the regions they guide. This is not a foreign-owned operation with hired staff. This is home.
We build, not book.
We do not sell fixed packages. We design custom journeys. Every itinerary is built from scratch for the individual traveler.
We stay with you.
From first contact to final farewell — and beyond. We are not a booking platform that disappears after payment. We are your travel partner.
We are honest.
We tell you what to expect — the challenges, the rewards, the realities. No surprises. No hidden costs. No inflated expectations.
I was nervous before I went. I cried when I left. Not because I was sad — because I didn't want it to end. Ethiopia does that to you.
Sarah Mitchell
United States · Simien Mountains Trek, 2026