Nubia – A Journey Along the Nile: Sudan & Egypt

• 1

  Day 1: Arrival in Khartoum

  Transfer to hotel.

• 2

  Day 2: Khartoum City Tour

  We visit the Archaeological Museum that, besides many beautiful objects, contains two beautiful temples rescued by UNESCO and moved from the Lake Nasser area, when it was flooded by the water. We then visit the Mahdi’s tomb from the outside and the Khalifa’s house Museums in Omdurman. Culminate the day at the largest souk in Sudan.

• 3

  Day 3: Khartoum - Naga and Mussawarat temples – Meroe

  We begin our journey northward on a desert track to the site of Naga and find a temple dedicated to Apedemak (1st century A.D.). We then go to the site of Mussawarat is located in a beautiful valley crowned by hills. Here the ruins of a very big temple are visible. We continue driving north, and all of a sudden, we see more than 40 pyramids located on top of a hill, some of them perfectly preserved, belonging to the Royal Necropolis of Meroe.

• 4

  Day 4: Meroe - the Necropolis and the Royal city of Meroe

  The morning dedicated to the visit of the pyramids and the Royal Necropolis of Meroe. Later we move along the Nile to visit the ruins of the Royal city.

• 5

  Day 5: Meroe-Bayuda Desert-Nuri-El Kurru-Karima

  We cross the Nile and enter the Bayuda Desert. We reach the pyramids of Nuri. A short walk among those ancient ruins before crossing the Nile. In the village of El Kurru lies one of the necropolises of the ancient capital, Napata. Here we can visit one tomb, which is excavated in the rock under pyramids - partially collapsed; decorated with images of the Pharaoh, of the gods and multicolor hieroglyphic inscriptions.

• 6

  Day 6: Jebel Barkal – Nubian Desert - Old Dongola-Tombos

  We visit The Jebel Barkal archaeological sites (UNESCO). At the foot of this wonderful and isolated red sandstone mountain, considered holy since the ancient times, there is a big temple, dedicated to the Pharaohs of the New Reign and to their patron, Amon. We then reach the archaeological site of Old Dongola where we see the ruins of a Christian Coptic temple. We continue our journey along the Nile visiting Nubian villages.

• 7

  Day 7: Tombos – Sebu – 3rd Cataract - Kerma – Tombos

  In Sebu, right on the river bank of the Nile it is possible to visit one of the richest sites of rock engraving of all Sudan with hundreds of images from prehistoric to Egyptian times. In Kerma we visit the majestic “Defuffa” the monument that characterizes Kerma civilization. We then reach the ancient granite quarries of Tombos where we will see a statue of Taharqa simply left there in the sand.

• 8

  Day 8: Tombos – Island of Sai - Temple of Soleb - Tombos

  We reach the Island of Sai taking a short cruise on the Nile to see the Nile crocodiles and to reach the ruins of an Egyptian temple and an old Ottoman fortress on the island. We shall then continue southward until the small village of Wawa. Here we will take a small motor boat to reach the temple of Soleb, the most beautiful Egyptian Temple in Sudan.

• 9

  Day 9: Tombos - Wadi Halfa – Ashkait - Abu Simbel

  Today we depart very early in the morning and continue to the border with Egypt. Once we have cleared the formalities to enter Egypt, we shall meet our Egyptian staff who will accompany us for the rest of the journey. Arrival in late afternoon in Abu Simbel.

• 10

  Day 10: Abu Simbel – beginning of the cruise - Toshka Island – Qasr Ibrahim Fortress - Amada

  In the morning we enjoy a visit to the famous rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel UNESCO). Afterwards, we board our private boat to start our beautiful cruise on Lake Nasser. We reach Toshka Island and an opportunity to swim in the lake. We then sail towards Qasr Ibrim (qasr = fortress) the only monument to have remained in its original location when the lake was flooded. We continue cruising across the lake towards Amada arriving just before sunset.

• 11

  Day 11: Navigation on Lake Nasser: Amada temples – –Korosqo- Nubian fjords” sail - Wadi El Arab dunes

  We’ll enjoy a sunrise walk to the temple site of Amada of the XVII dynasty. We head to the dramatic canyons of Korosqo, also called the “Nubian fjords” on the east side of the lake then continue to Wadi el Arab where we will take an evening walk in the desert.

• 12

  Day 12: Navigation on Lake Nasser: Madiq – Wadi es Seboua

  A light early morning trek through the great dunes of Wadi El Temsah (crocodile bay). One of the unique places on Lake Nasser where dunes plunge into the lake waters. Then we continue cruising north to the temples of Wadi es Sebua, Dakka and Maharraqa. Saved from the rising flood waters of Lake Nasser, the temples sit along the western banks of the lake and include the stunning Temple of Ramses II, dramatically lying half buried among the desert sands and approached along a spectacular avenue of sphinxes which gave the name to Wadi es Sebua, Valley of the Lions. Then continue our sail to Madiq to discover some nearby ancient Egyptian engravings. This unofficial site is one of our best-kept secrets.

• 13

  Day 13: Abu Derua-Garf Hussein (Lake Nasser) – Abu Setta-Kalabshah Archipelago

  We sail towards Garf Hussein where we can spot the unfinished holiday palace of Anwar el Saddat. We continue cruising north through the strait of Abu Steit, for birdwatching. This evening we take a sunset walk on the Kalabshah Archipelago keeping an eye out for Nile crocodiles.

• 14

  Day 14: Boussalem – Kalabshah temple – Aswan High Dam Harbor (end of cruise)

  We head to the temples of Kalabshah which lay just besides the Aswan high dam. This is perhaps the finest example of a freestanding temple in Nubia and is constructed from sandstone blocks. We enjoy a last little stretch on the boat until we reach the commercial harbor. It’s time to say goodbye to the crew and disembark. Overnight in Aswan.

• 15

  Day 15: Depart

  Transfer to the airport.

• Trip Length

  15 day trip begins in Khartoum, ends in Aswan

• Dates

  TBA

• Land Cost

  2023 $TBA

• Accommodations

  3-star hotel in Khartoum
  Four nights aboard cruise boat
  Exclusive Italian permanent tented camp in Meroe
  Nubian house in Abu Simbel & Karima
  Pre-set camp in Tombos

• Group Size

  4-12 people

• Included Meals

  13 lunches, 10 dinners

• Reading List

  Suggested Reading - Sudan
  Suggested Reading - Egypt

• Extend Your Trip

  Historic Ethiopia & the Wild Omo Valley Precedes Sudan
  LEARN MORE  
  Post Tour Extension to Eritrea. Details on Request..

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