Cultural
5-Day Ethiopian Culinary Journey
Food markets, a cooking class and coffee ceremonies in Addis Ababa, with both groups of Lalibela’s churches.
- Duration
- 5 Days
- Season
- Year-round
- Group Size
- Private or group
- Price
- Designed Around You
The Journey
4 nights, designed around the hours that matter
Discover Ethiopia through its food, coffee and cultural traditions on this five-day journey combining the vibrant capital of Addis Ababa with the historic town of Lalibela. Experience traditional Ethiopian cuisine, explore local food markets, learn about indigenous spices, take part in a hands-on cooking class and enjoy the country’s famous coffee ceremony. Beyond its food, the journey introduces Ethiopia’s history, religious heritage and warm hospitality: explore Addis Ababa’s major attractions, then fly to Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to visit its two main groups of rock-hewn churches on separate days while discovering the food traditions and everyday life of the highlands. Ideal for food lovers, cultural travellers and anyone who wants to experience Ethiopia through its cuisine, coffee and traditions.
Highlights
- Explore Addis Ababa’s historical landmarks and cultural attractions
- Discover traditional Ethiopian food markets and spice stalls
- Learn how injera is prepared from teff flour
- Take part in a hands-on Ethiopian cooking class
- Taste traditional dishes such as doro wat, shiro, tibs and bayenetu
- Experience an authentic Ethiopian coffee ceremony
- Visit both groups of Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches on separate days
- Discover the links between Ethiopian food, religious traditions and hospitality
Day by Day
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary is carefully planned, but minor adjustments may be made due to weather, local festivals, road conditions or your personal interests to ensure the best possible experience.
Day 1
Arrival in Addis Ababa and Ethiopian Culinary Experience
Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed by your representative from Extraordinary Ethiopia Tours and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, begin your culinary journey with an introduction to Ethiopian food and dining traditions: learn about injera, the traditional sourdough flatbread made primarily from teff, and the stews, spices and vegetable dishes that form the foundation of Ethiopian cuisine. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, sampling dishes that may include doro wat, shiro, misir wat, tibs and bayenetu, a colourful assortment of vegetarian and fasting foods served on injera. Your guide will explain the Ethiopian way of sharing food from a communal platter and the cultural importance of hospitality and eating together. Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Day 2
Addis Ababa City Tour, Food Markets and Cooking Class
After breakfast, begin a full day combining historical sightseeing with Ethiopia’s culinary traditions. Start at the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to important archaeological discoveries including the famous fossil of Lucy, then continue to Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the city’s most significant religious and historical landmarks. Next, visit a traditional food market with stalls selling teff, berbere, mitmita, legumes, grains, fresh vegetables and local herbs, and learn how these ingredients create the distinctive flavours of Ethiopian cuisine. Continue to a local household or cooking venue for a hands-on cooking class: with an experienced cook, prepare selected traditional dishes such as shiro, misir wat or gomen, and discover how berbere, one of Ethiopia’s signature spice blends, is made. Enjoy the dishes you have helped prepare for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Mount Entoto if time permits, for panoramic views of Addis Ababa and an introduction to the city’s history. End the day with a traditional coffee ceremony, watching the beans roasted, ground and brewed in a clay pot known as a jebena, served with traditional snacks. Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Day 3
Fly to Lalibela and the First Group of Rock-Hewn Churches
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. On arrival, meet your local guide and check in before exploring Lalibela’s remarkable rock-hewn churches. Visit the northwestern group, including Bete Medhane Alem, one of the largest rock-hewn churches in the world, and Bete Maryam, known for its religious significance and distinctive architectural details, then explore the interconnected passageways, courtyards and tunnels while learning about their construction and spiritual importance. Lalibela remains one of Ethiopia’s most important pilgrimage destinations and its churches are still active places of worship; depending on the day’s religious activities, you may observe local worshippers and traditional ceremonies. In the afternoon, enjoy a culinary experience focused on the food traditions of the Ethiopian highlands: local grains, traditional bread, legumes and the role of injera in everyday meals, with regional specialties at a local household or restaurant, depending on availability. Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela.
Day 4
The Second Group of Lalibela Churches and Highland Food Traditions
After breakfast, visit the second group of rock-hewn churches, including Bete Giyorgis, the iconic cross-shaped Church of Saint George. Carved deep into the rock, it is one of Ethiopia’s most recognisable historical landmarks; your local guide will explain its remarkable architecture and religious significance. Continue to other churches in the southeastern cluster, where accessible, discovering their distinctive features and continuing importance in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. Later, explore more of Lalibela’s culinary traditions, visiting a market, bakery or household, depending on local availability, to learn about traditional food preparation and regional ingredients. Discover how religious fasting shapes Ethiopian cuisine, with dishes of lentils, chickpeas, beans, vegetables and local spices, and enjoy a traditional highland lunch of local specialties served with injera. In the afternoon, take part in a traditional coffee ceremony, if available, and learn why coffee is a symbol of hospitality and community in Ethiopian culture. Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela.
Day 5
Return to Addis Ababa and Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Depending on your international departure, enjoy free time for shopping or a final culinary experience in the capital: visit a local coffee shop or specialty food store for Ethiopian coffee, berbere or other packaged culinary souvenirs, and, if time permits, a final Ethiopian lunch featuring some of the dishes you discovered during your journey. At the appropriate time, transfer to Bole International Airport for your international departure, with a deeper appreciation of Ethiopia’s food, coffee, cultural heritage and hospitality.
What Is Included
- Meet-and-assist at Bole International Airport and all transfers
- Domestic flights as shown in the itinerary
- Licensed English-speaking guide (other languages on request)
- 4 nights of accommodation: 3 to 4 Star Hotels
- Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Hands-on Ethiopian cooking class and food market visits
- Traditional coffee ceremonies
- Entrance fees to all sites and churches in the itinerary
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
Before You Book
Questions about this journey
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Guest reviews
What our guests say
Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor and Google, and 4.9 on SafariBookings.
“My tour operator was very communicative even before the trip began and very responsive on WhatsApp. He booked all my domestic flights and arranged all my airport pick-ups and drop-offs. He had professional guides in all the regions I visited, the itinerary was clear, and he was flexible with any changes. There were no extra costs. He is reliable, communicative and well experienced. I will be back with the same company.”
Sarah · Kenya · August 2026
Read more reviews on SafariBookings“Excellent services provided by Maereg and his team. The local guides and the drivers – Geta (my fave) – were all great. They were patient, professional, knowledgeable and took great care of us. Everything was seamlessly coordinated and they were always on time for pickups and made sure we were briefed in advance of the itinerary and any changes. One of my top travel destinations in Africa, with some of the kindest and warmest people. Maereg went above and beyond! First-class service, always with a smile!”
D Thomas · Google review · May 2026
Read more reviews on GoogleEnquire
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