Sudan
Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs

Arrive in Khartoum and transfer to the hotel. No guided services or meals today. Overnight at the Hotel Acropole or similar. No meals are included today.

**Depending on the time of your flight arrival you may arrive very early on the morning of Day 2 and the room will be available for you at the hotel**

This morning we drove north through the desert to Karima and the comfort of the Nubian Guest House.

Journey across the Western Desert around and cross Wadi Muqaddam with its many acacia trees.

We will make a short stop at a chai house, a very spartan motorway services in the desert where local truck drivers usually stop for a quick meal and some rest. We then reach Merowee and once on the other side of the river Nile we arrive in the small town of Karima, located right at the foot of Jebel Barkal holy mountain. Overnight at the Nubian Rest House. (BLD)

A landmark in the Nubian Desert, Jebel Barkal (‘Jebel’ means mountain in Arabic) can be seen for many kilometres. Considered holy for centuries, at the foot of the isolated red sandstone mountain is a large temple dedicated to the Pharaohs of the New Reign and their patron Amun. Beside the temple ruins lie several sculpted granite rams that once lined an avenue leading to a pier on the Nile. Nearby, we visit the Royal Necropolis of the ancient city of Napata, the Nubian capital from 800 to 400BC, before the Meroitic period. The necropolis has a large number of pyramids in three different locations, a few hundred metres north of Jebel Barkal, at El Kurru, and south from the mountain at Nuri on the opposite bank of the Nile. At the village of El Kurru we explore a tomb excavated in the rock under the pyramids. It’s partially collapsed but ornately decorated with images of the Pharaoh, the gods and multicoloured hieroglyphic inscriptions. Overnight Nubian Rest House. (BLD)

After breakfast we visit the market in Karima and experience the sights and sounds of Sudanese life. Next, we board a boat for a pleasant cruise along the Nile, enjoying views over the sandy shores and across cultivated islands. Later we visit the archaeological site of Nuri to see many more pyramids, including that of Taharqa, Pharaoh of the 25^th dynasty for 26 years until 664BC. We explore the area on foot before returning to Karima. Overnight at the Nubian Rest House (BLD)

This morning we follow the Nile until we reach the ancient Christian site of Old Dongola. Here we see the marble columns of an impressive Coptic Christian church, as well as other church ruins on the banks of the Nile. We pass several Nubian villages along the way and hope to stop and meet the inhabitants and see their colourful painted houses. Return to Karima for the night. Overnight at the Nubian Rest House. (BLD)

Today we cross the Nile by ferry, a great opportunity to meet local people and to experience some of their kindness and hospitality. After the river crossing we enter the Bayuda desert, an area bounded by a loop of the Nile between the 4th and the 6th Cataracts. Here, we may be lucky enough to meet nomads who inhabit small huts made of intertwined branches sited close to local wells. Afterwards we continue to the first part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Island of Meroe, where our accommodation overlooks the Royal Necropolis. Overnight at tented camp. (BLD)

The Royal Necropolis of Meroe stands among yellow, sandy hills some three kilometres from the Nile. The site is shared by more than 40 pyramids, some in a remarkable state of preservation. The day is spent visiting the Necropolis and later the Royal City of Meroe, providing a a fascinating insight into a culture and civilisation long since passed. Overnight at tented camp. (BLD)

After breakfast we leave camp, initially following a tarmac road before joining a desert track for thirty kilometres that passes through a landscape of camel thorn acacia trees. We visit two other important archaeological areas making up the Island of Meroe UNESCO site, the Kushite centre of Naqa, one of Sudan’s largest ruined cities, and the extensive temple complex of Musawwarat es-Sufra. After a picnic lunch we return to the main road through an area of desert covered by huge granite boulders, remnants of rocky formations from the 6th Cataract. Back on the tarmac, we return to Khartoum, arriving before sunset in Omdurman in time for the mesmeric Dervish grave dancing ceremony. Later, we travel the short distance to Khartoum itself. Overnight Acropole Hotel or similar. (BL)

After breakfast at the hotel we have time to explore the city and visit the Archaeological Museum, notable for two temples rescued by UNESCO from the rising waters of Lake Nasser after the construction of the Aswan Dam. We cross the confluence of the Blue and White Niles to reach Omdurman, former capital of Sudan. Here we see the Mahdi’s Tomb, and later explore the souk (if open). At around sunset we return to Khartoum to observe traditional Nuba wrestling. Overnight Acropole Hotel or similar. (BL) 

**Depending on the time of your departure flight, you may wish to depart today (Day 9) in the late evening or very early on the next morning**

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Check-out of your room is at 12:00 today. (B)

Contact us for details of our pre/post tour extension to Soleb. Depending on departure dates this will take place either before or after the main tour.

Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Acropole Hotel or similar (B)

This morning we drove north through the desert to Karima and the comfort of the Nubian Guest House.  Journey across the Western Desert around and cross Wadi Muqaddam with its many acacia trees. We will make a short stop at a chai house, a very spartan motorway services in the desert where local truck drivers usually stop for a quick meal and some rest. We then reach Merowee and once on the other side of the river Nile we arrive in the small town of Karima, located right at the foot of Jebel Barkal holy mountain. Overnight at the Nubian Rest House (BLD)

Today we drive west through the Nubian Desert, crossing the Nile at the Dongola Bridge and continuing north to the remarkable Temple of Soleb. Probably the most beautiful Egyptian temple in all of Sudan, among carved colonnades the many walls are richly decorated by hieroglyphic inscriptions and bas-relief figures. Lunch is taken at a nearby Nubian house before we drive off-road to reach the Nile. A short drive south takes us to the ancient granite quarries of Tombos where the remains of a statue of King Taharqa still lie. Overnight at tented camp in Tombos. (BLD)

Today we drive north on the eastern side of the Nile and visit the 3rd Cataract, once a huge obstacle for ancient Egyptians attempting to navigate the Nile. We walk up the hill to the Ottoman Fort for views of the cataract. In Sebu, on the banks of the Nile, we visit one of the richest sites for petroglyphs in Sudan, where hundreds of images, from prehistoric to Egyptian times may be found. Later, we drive farther north, taking a ferry to reach the Island of Sai. This is an important archaeological area where we can find remains from the Kerma civilisation, together with evidence of Egyptian and Christian presence. Re-crossing the Nile, this time by fishing boat, we hope to see Nile crocodiles basking on the riverbanks. Overnight at tented camp in Tombos (BLD)

A short drive this morning takes us to Kerma to visit the majestic ‘Deffufa’ tomb structure, a monument that characterises Kerma civilisation. The site’s museum is surprisingly informative, created by the Swiss archaeological mission after the recovery of seven statues of the Black Pharaohs in 2003. In the early afternoon we return to Karima. Overnight at the Nubian Rest House. (BLD)

Day 6 is then Day 3 of the main tour when the extension is done pre-tour.

Note: The itinerary may change in order depending whether the extension is done pre or post tour. Please contact us for exact itinerary for your preferred departure.