Desert Secrets of Sudan: Kingdom of The Black Pharaohs

NORTH SUDANThe itinerary sequence can change for various dates. Shown here departing Khartoum to Meroe; some dates may start by going to Karima and Soleb first and Meroe at the end.

Day 1: Arrival in Khartoum

Transfer to hotel.

Day 2: Khartoum-Meroe

Tour Khartoum. Visit the Archaeological Museum and Omdurman, ancient capital of Sudan where we see Mahdi's tomb and explore the souk.

We then travel north along good roads to the desert and Meroe. There are more than 40 pyramids along the Nile in Sudan. Arrive at the permanent tented camp of Meroe, your base for the next three nights.

Day 3-4: Meroe-Royal City

Tour the pyramids of Meroe; visit Naga, east of the Nile and the ancient settlement of Musawwarat.

Day 5: Karima

Follow the road along the Nile to the city of Atbara, located on the confluence between the Nile and the Atbara rivers.

We cross the Nile by ferryboat. While waiting for the boat and during the crossing you will have ample opportunity to observe and interact with the local people.

Head to the Bayuda Desert. The landscape is characterized by sharp black basalt mountains, most of them volcanic and cone-shaped, alternating with pebble stretches and large valleys with dry wadis.

You may encounter isolated groups and camel and donkey caravans. These are the Bisharin nomads who live in small huts close to the rare water wells in areas where surviving seems almost impossible.

Day 6: Jebel Barkal & El Kurru

Jebel Barkal stands as a landmark in the Nubian Desert. At the foot of this isolated red sandstone mountain are the ruins of a temple dedicated to the pharaohs of the New Reign and to their patron Amon.

Explore the Royal necropolis of the ancient city of Napata, the Nubian capital from 800 to 400 B.C., before the Meroitic period. Scattered in three different locations are a large number of pyramids. Visit two tombs excavated from the rock under the pyramids in the village of El Kurru.

Day 7: Karima-Old Dongola-Karima

We follow the Nile until we reach the archaeological site of Old Dongola. Here a Christian Coptic Temple and several churches are on the banks of the Nile. We then visit some Nubian villages where local hospitality is enthusiastic.

Day 8: Karima-Kerma-Tombos-Wawa

Drive north west through the Nubian Desert to Kerma village and visit the majestic Defuffa and Tombos village. We visit one of the richest sites of rock engravings located in Sebu.

Day 9: Wawa-Soleb-Island of Sai

Cross the Nile to the Temple of Sesibi and then visit Temple of Soleb-the most beautiful Egyptian Temple. On the Island of Sai we see ancient remains from Kerma, Christian and Egyptian culture.

Day 10: Nubian Villages

Drive through the Nubian Desert to Karima, visiting Nubian villages enroute. Overnight in Nubian guesthouse in Karima.

Day 12 Return to Khartoum

Today we drive south along the tarmac road acoss the western desert. We reach Khartoum and tour Omdurman souk.

At sunset attend the whirling dervishes ceremony (Fridays only). Transfer to hotel for wash/change, available until 9 pm.

Depart-Transfer to airport

Intl flight departs at late night or very early am.

Trip Length

12 day trip begins and ends in Khartoum

Dates

2023: January 17-28, February 7-18, February 14-25, February 28-March 11, March 7-18, March 28-April 8, April 4-15, October 10-21, November 7-18, December 25-Jan 5, 2024

Land Cost

2023 Jan-Apr: $5075 based on minimum of 6 people. Single Room Supplement: $1035
2023 Oct-Dec: $TBA
Oct-Dec prices TBA

Accommodations

Option to select 4 or 5-star hotel in Khartoum
Nubian-style house in Karima, exclusive Italian permanent tented camp in Meroe; simple Nubian guesthouse Soleb and Kerma

Group Size

6-12 people

Included Meals

All meals outside Khartoum

Duration

12

Reading List

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