Ethiopia 6 Day Itinerary

Title: Six-Day Itinerary for Exploring Ethiopia

Day 1 - Arrival in Addis Ababa (Capital City)

  • Activities: Familiarize yourself with the city, visit the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to Lucy’s fossil and other cultural artifacts. Don’t miss the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a significant religious site.

Things to Know:

  • Language: Amharic is the official language, but English is widely spoken in urban areas.
  • Currency: Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
  • Time Zone: Ethiopia follows the Ethiopian calendar, which is seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, so it’s currently 7 or 8 years behind the rest of the world.

Visa Requirements: A tourist visa is required for most nationalities and can be obtained online or upon arrival at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. The cost varies depending on your country of origin. Check the latest requirements here.

Transportation: Taxis are readily available from the airport to your hotel. For local travel, use ‘Blue Taxi’ services, which are regulated and offer fair pricing.

Day 2 - Explore Addis Ababa (Continued)

  • Activities: Visit the African Artists and Africa Hall, explore the bustling Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa. Don’t forget to try some Ethiopian cuisine at one of the local restaurants.

Day 3 - Bahir Dar (Lake Tana and Blue Nile Falls)

  • Transportation: Take a flight or bus from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar. The journey takes approximately 1 hour by air or 6 hours by road.

  • Activities: Visit Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and explore its islands, rich in historical monasteries. Then, head to the Blue Nile Falls for a refreshing swim (seasonal).

Day 4 - Gondar (Royal Enclosure)

  • Transportation: Travel from Bahir Dar to Gondar by road or air. The journey takes approximately 2 hours by air or 4 hours by road.

  • Activities: Explore the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring ancient castles and palaces. Visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church famous for its vibrant frescoes.

Day 5 - Lalibela (Rock-Hewn Churches)

  • Transportation: Travel from Gondar to Lalibela by air or road. The journey takes approximately 1 hour by air or 8 hours by road.

  • Activities: Visit the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore Biete Medhane Alem, Biete Golgotha Mikael and the monolithic cross at the Church of Saint George.

Day 6 - Departure from Addis Ababa

  • Transportation: Fly back to Addis Ababa for your departure. Don’t forget to do some last-minute souvenir shopping in Mercato or at the craft market near the Trinity Cathedral.