8 days in Ethiopia Itinerary

A sprawling metropolis and home to millions of Ethiopians, Addis Ababa houses many international organizations, embassies, and commissions, making it a diplomatic, political, and economic hub of the country.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Sat): steep yourself in history at Meskel Square, examine the collection at Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum, then examine the collection at National Museum of Ethiopia, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Holy Trinity Cathedral, and finally stop by ZAAF Collection. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, see the interesting displays at Ethnological Museum, and then sample the tasty concoctions at St. George Brewery.

To see ratings, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, read Addis Ababa trip planner.

Paris, France to Addis Ababa is an approximately 10.5-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Paris to Addis Ababa is 2 hours. While traveling from Paris, expect much warmer days and a bit warmer nights in Addis Ababa, ranging from highs of 27°C to lows of 11°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Bahir Dar.

Palm trees and tropical gardens line the spacious avenues of Bahar Dar, a town nestled on the southern shore of the vast, glistening Lake Tana.

On the 4th (Mon), explore the world behind art at Church of Debre Sina Maryam and then explore the activities along Lake Tana.

For traveler tips, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Bahir Dar tour itinerary app.

You can fly from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In January, daytime highs in Bahir Dar are 30°C, while nighttime lows are 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Mon) early enough to drive to Gonder.

A former royal city, Gonder once served as the Ethiopian Empire's capital--it still boasts well-preserved remains of 17th-century castles and palaces that shed light on the opulent lifestyle of the bygone times.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Tue): take in the spiritual surroundings of Fasiladas Bath Timket, step into the grandiose world of Fasil Ghebbi, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Debre Berhan Selassie Church, then make a trip to Falasha Village, and finally get some fabulous bargains at Ploughshare Women Crafts Training Centre.

Plan my Gonder trip by asking Inspirock to come up with tips and suggestions.

Traveling by car from Bahir Dar to Gonder takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car. Traveling from Bahir Dar in January, Gonder is a bit warmer at night with lows of 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Tue) so you can fly to Lalibela.

Tourism in Lalibela, a small town nestled in Ethiopia's Lasta Mountains, prospers due to its fascinating cluster of rock-carved churches, dating back to the 12th century and boasting the status of a World Heritage Site.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Wed): take in the exciting artwork at The Fine Art Gallery, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, and then steep yourself in history at Church of St. George.

To see maps, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read our Lalibela trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Gonder to Lalibela takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Wed) so you can catch the flight to Axum.

Axum or Aksum is a city in the northern part of Ethiopia. Kick off your visit on the 7th (Thu): contemplate the long history of Northern Stelae Field, explore the ancient world of Obelisk of Axum, then pause for some serene contemplation at Arabtu Ensessa Church, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion.

For ratings, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Axum travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Lalibela to Axum takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.