Ethiopia 7 Day Itinerary

7-Day Itinerary for Exploring Ethiopia 🇪🇹

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa (ADD) 🏞️🌆

  • Arrive at Bole International Airport.
  • Visit National Museum of Ethiopia to see Lucy, a 3.2 million years old hominid fossil.
  • Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa. (Beware of pickpocketing)
  • Try local cuisine such as Injera (sourdough flatbread), Doro Wat (chicken stew), and Tibs (spiced beef).

📝 Things to Know:

  1. Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian Calendar, which is approximately 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar.
  2. The official language is Amharic, but English is widely spoken in cities.
  3. Tipping is expected in restaurants and tour agencies.

🛵 Transportation: Taxis are readily available at the airport or use apps like “GetIt” for local transportation.

Day 2: Explore Addis Ababa & Surroundings 🌲🐘

  • Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral, a significant religious site in Ethiopia.
  • Drive to Entoto Mountain for panoramic views of the city.
  • Explore Penguin House, the only penguin sanctuary outside Antarctica.

Day 3: Bahir Dar & Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat) 🌊🏞️

  • Travel to Bahir Dar by plane or bus.
  • Boat trip on Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, visiting ancient monasteries on islands.
  • Visit Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat).

🛵 Transportation: Take a local bus or hire a private car to travel from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar.

Day 4: Gondar & Debre Birhan Selassie Church 🏯☁️

  • Travel to Gondar and explore the ancient city, known as “Camelot of Africa.”
  • Visit Fasil Ghebbi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with castles and royal enclosures.
  • Debre Birhan Selassie Church for its beautiful frescoes.

Day 5: Axum 🏛️☀️

  • Travel to Axum, the ancient capital of the Ethiopian Kingdom of Aksum.
  • Stele Park, home to many massive stone obelisks, including the famous Obelisk of Axum.
  • Church of St. Mary of Zion (outside view only for women and men).
  • Archeological Museum.

📝 Things to Know: Axum is a sacred city for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, so dress modestly and respect the local customs.

Day 6: Lalibela ⛪️🏞️

  • Travel to Lalibela, another UNESCO World Heritage Site with its famous rock-cut churches.
  • Visit the 11 monolithic rock-hewn churches in a single day or split over two days.

Day 7: Departure from Addis Ababa 🏞️🌆

  • Return to Addis Ababa.
  • Shop for souvenirs at Piazza, a popular shopping area.
  • Depart from Bole International Airport.

🛵 Transportation: Fly back to Addis Ababa or travel by bus if time allows.

Visa Requirements 🛂

All visitors require a visa to enter Ethiopia, which can be obtained online or upon arrival at the airport. Check the latest requirements on the official government website.

Enjoy your trip to Ethiopia! 🇪🇹❤️