Ethiopia is one of those countries that rewards a longer trip. Two weeks lets you do the classic historic north properly — Lalibela, Gondar, Bahir Dar, the Simien Mountains — and still have time in Addis. Three weeks adds the south.
This guide pulls together the practical things you actually need to plan a trip: the standard routes, real costs in 2026 birr, what to pack for the highlands, and the small points of Ethiopian etiquette that locals notice.
The classic two-week northern circuit
Day 1–2: Addis Ababa. Recover from the flight, see the National Museum (home of Lucy), eat at Yod Abyssinia, take the new light rail. Day 3–5: fly to Lalibela for the rock-hewn churches — three days lets you see all eleven and acclimatise. Day 6–8: fly to Gondar for the Royal Enclosure and Debre Berhan Selassie. Day 9–11: drive into the Simien Mountains for two or three nights of trekking — this is one of Africa's great mountain experiences. Day 12–14: drive or fly to Bahir Dar for Lake Tana, the Blue Nile Falls and the island monasteries.
All flights are with Ethiopian Airlines and are dramatically cheaper if you booked your international flight with them too — ask about the 'Ethiopian Domestic Discount'.
Adding the south
If you have a third week, fly Addis to Arba Minch and use it as a base for the Omo Valley — the most ethnically diverse region in Africa, home to the Mursi, Hamer, Karo and Dassanech peoples. Travel here is best with a guide and 4x4. The southern Rift Valley lakes (Langano, Hawassa) make a relaxed end to a trip if you have a few extra days in Addis.
What it costs in 2026
Budget travel: USD 40–60 per day including a guesthouse (ETB 1,000–2,000 per night), local restaurants, public transport. Mid-range: USD 100–180 per day including a 3-star hotel (ETB 3,500–7,000), driver-guide or domestic flights, sit-down meals. Upper end: USD 300+ per day for international 4 and 5-star hotels and private guides.
Domestic Ethiopian Airlines flights: USD 80–150 per sector for foreigners, much less for Ethiopian passport holders. Site entry fees: USD 5–20 per major site. Tipping: 10% in restaurants is standard, USD 5–10 per day for guides.
Getting around
Fly between regions — Addis to Lalibela, Gondar, Bahir Dar, Axum and Arba Minch are all under 90 minutes by Ethiopian Airlines. Drive within regions — the road from Gondar into the Simiens or from Bahir Dar to the Blue Nile Falls. Avoid long-distance bus travel if you can: roads are slow, fuel shortages occasionally affect schedules, and you'll spend whole days getting somewhere a one-hour flight could cover.
In Addis, use the Ride or Feres app for taxis. The new Light Rail is cheap and convenient for north-south journeys.
What to pack
Layers — the highlands are cool morning and evening even in the dry season. A warm fleece for Lalibela and the Simiens (it can get near freezing at altitude). Modest clothing for churches: knees and shoulders covered. Good walking shoes — every historic site involves uneven stone. A head torch for the rock-hewn churches and for power cuts.
Toiletries are easy to find in Addis but limited elsewhere — bring what you need for the rest of the trip. Cash in USD or EUR is useful for visa fees and a backup; Ethiopian birr ATMs work well in main cities.
Ethiopian etiquette — small things locals notice
Greet everyone. 'Selam' (peace) or 'Salaam' goes a long way. A handshake — and often a slight bow — is standard. Use your right hand for eating and giving things; the left is considered unclean.
When sharing injera, the host or eldest will often place a piece of food (gursha) directly in your mouth — it is a gesture of warmth, accept it. Remove your shoes when entering a home or a mosque. Ask before photographing people, especially in rural areas; a small payment is sometimes expected in the Omo Valley.
Food you should not miss
Injera with doro wat (chicken stew with berbere). Kitfo — minced raw beef with spiced butter, served at room temperature, properly Ethiopian. Tibs — sautéed cubes of beef or lamb. Shiro — chickpea stew, the everyday vegetarian dish. Coffee, of course — Ethiopia is the birthplace, and a full coffee ceremony with three rounds, frankincense and popcorn is one of the country's great experiences.