20 days in Ethiopia & Djibouti Itinerary

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.

Lalibela is known for historic sites, nature, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Church of St. George, see the sights as you ascend with a climbing tour, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, and delve into the distant past at Tomb of Adam.

For ratings, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Lalibela day trip tool.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Lalibela is an approximately 11.5-hour flight. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) to allow time to fly 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.

On the 15th (Sat), look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas. Keep things going the next day: step into the grandiose world of Fasil Ghebbi, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Debre Berhan Selassie Church, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Fasiladas Bath Timket.

For where to stay, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Gonder road trip planning app.

You can fly from Lalibela to Gonder in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In October, daily temperatures in Gonder can reach 30°C, while at night they dip to 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Debark.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Mon): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Simien Mountains National Park.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Debark trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Gonder to Debark in 2 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Mon) so you can go by car 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.

Bahir Dar is known for nature, historic sites, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the sheer force of Blue Nile Falls, examine the collection at Church of Debre Sina Maryam, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Tana, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Azwa Mariam Monastery.

To find traveler tips, photos, maps, and more tourist information, read Bahir Dar tour itinerary site.

Traveling by car from Debark to Bahir Dar takes 4.5 hours. In October, daily temperatures in Bahir Dar can reach 29°C, while at night they dip to 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly to Addis Ababa.

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.

Addis Ababa is known for museums, historic sites, and nature. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in the awesome beauty at Mount Entoto, pick up some local products at Mercato, indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink, and see the interesting displays at Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum.

To see where to stay, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, go to the Addis Ababa day trip site.

Traveling by flight from Bahir Dar to Addis Ababa takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Bahir Dar in October, plan for little chillier nights in Addis Ababa, with lows around 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Djibouti.

Djibouti, the country's eponymous capital and largest city, houses over two thirds of the nation's population.

Take a break from Djibouti with a short trip to Arta Beach in Arta, about 1h 55 min away. On the 26th (Wed), dedicate a day to the elevated beauty of Day Forest National Park. There's still lots to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Assal, tour the pleasant surroundings at Khor Ambado Beach, take a tour by water with Aden Fishing, and shop like a local with L'ELIXIR parfumerie.

To see maps, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Djibouti trip itinerary website.

You can fly from Addis Ababa to Djibouti in 5 hours. Another option is to fly. While traveling from Addis Ababa, expect a bit warmer days and much warmer nights in Djibouti, ranging from highs of 38°C to lows of 33°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sun) so you can travel back home.