Sudan - Ancient Magical Land

Itinerary

Day 1 - Khartoum
Arrive in Khartoum and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Holiday Villa Hotel or similar.

Day 2 - Khartoum – Omdurman – Western Desert
This morning we visit the Archaeological Museum that, besides many beautiful objects, contains two full temples rescued by UNESCO and moved from the Lake Nasser area, when it was flooded by the water. We then drive to Omdurman and visit the Khalifa’s House and the Mahdi’s Tomb. Afterwards we drive north through the western desert, stopping at local teahouses before pitching camp. Overnight in camp. (BLD)

Day 3 – Old Dongola - Nubian villages
We visit the ancient Christian site of Old Dongola with its Coptic Christian temple and churches. We then continue our journey through the Nubian Desert, following the Nile. Here the population speaks a different language from the Arabs, and adopts a less ‘strict’ form of Islam - the women don't cover their faces and readily speak to foreigners. The villages are beautiful, between sand dunes and palm trees; some houses are painted and decorated with patterns and flowers. Enthusiastic hospitality abounds, people will often invite foreigners to visit their home and share a meal or a cup of spiced tea. Overnight in camp. (BLD)

Day 4 – Kerma - Tombos
In the small town of Kerma we visit the ‘Deffufa’, an ancient building made with mud bricks and probably once a sacred area for the Kerma civilisation. Not far from here, among the rocks near the village of Tombos, we can find a statue of the black Pharaoh Taharqa, left in the old quarries for 3000 years Overnight in camp. (BLD)

Days 5-6 - Sebu - Temple of Soleb – Isle of Sai - Abri
In Sebu, right on the river bank, there are many rock engravings on the mountain walls. From here we reach the granite boulders of the Third Cataract, a significant obstacle that the ancient Egyptians had to face when sailing on the Nile. We follow the Nile and visit the temple of Soleb, considered to be one of Sudan’s best preserved temples. We cross the river to reach the Isle of Sai, with its ruins of Egyptian temples and Turkish forts, and cross the Nile again by ferry to set up camp near the village of Abri. Dinners and overnights in camp. (BLD)

Days 7- 8 – Wadi Halfa – Lake Nasser - Station no.6 – Umm Nabari Gold mine
We drive north to the border town of Wadi Halfa where we stock up for the next few days, and take the opportunity to visit Lake Nasser, known to the locals as Lake Nubia. Continuing on we visit Station No. 6, somewhat reminiscent of a British railway station, and head to the Umm Nabari Gold Mine at the base of the Mountain Umm Nabari, standing out on the white sand plain that surrounds it. Stone grinders of the old miners are still found in the area as well as the steel carriages and other mining tools. Dinner and overnight in camp. (BLD)

Day 9 – El Kab village - Nubian Desert
This morning we drive across the desert to the amazing village of El Kab, developed on the banks of the Nile between two Turkish forts built on the top of the hill. The surrounding area is characterized by big pillars of rocks and beautiful palm trees; a real oasis in the desert. In April 2008 the new Dam of Merowee on the 4th Cataract was been completed and the flooding of the artificial lake started. We visit the villages of the people located along the banks of the lake. Dinner and overnight in camp. (BLD)

Day 10 - Karima – El Kurru - Karima
We head to the small town of Karima at the foot of the ‘holy mountain’ Jebel Barkal. We visit El Kurru, an important Napatan necropolis with beautifully decorated tombs. Close by are several enormous petrified tree trunks. Dinner and overnight in tents. (BLD)

Days 11-12 – Nuri – Atrun Crater – Bayuda Desert - Meroe
Visit the pyramids of Nuri before taking a cruise along the river and exploring its small islands and beaches. We cross the Nile and we enter in the Bayuda Desert, area bounded by the loop formed by the Nile between the 4th and 6th Cataracts. In the centre of this desert, we reach the Atrun Crater, where nomads gather salt from the edge of a green coloured pool to sell it in the markets of the towns outside the desert. Reaching the town of Atbara, we cross the Nile for the last time and head to the pyramids of Meroe, where we visit the ruins of the ancient royal city. Overnight camping near the pyramids. (BLD)

Day 13 - Musawwarat - Naqa
Continuing on we reach Mussawarat El Sufra and explore this interesting site. We then head to the beautiful site of Naqa for our last night of camping. Dinner and overnight in tents. (BLD)

Day 14 – Naqa – Khartoum
Explore the temples of Naqa before returning to Khartoum. On the way we stop in Omdurman to visit the souq. In Khartoum, day use rooms are available until your flight. Tour ends with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Please note that on occasion this itinerary may be run in the reverse direction.