Join us for an epic journey to discover Sudan's ancient history and hidden gems. Home to some of the world's most spectacular historical artifacts, Sudan has an incredible wealth of ancient sites—more than can be found even in Egypt. Following the Nile from Khartoum northward into the desert, you'll unlock the secrets of the ancient Nubian Kingdom of Kush and the rule of the Black Pharaohs and Meroitic kings. Along the way, you'll encounter the majestic pyramids at Meroe and Jebel Barkal. This place only reveals its stories and secrets to those willing to explore its vast desert landscape.
- Crisscross the Nile to trace centuries-old ancient Egyptian and Nubian history
- Meet Bisharin nomads and Nubian locals
- Camp in the Sudanese desert
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Meroe and Jebel Barkal
- Travel by 4WD through incredible landscapes to see the remains of ancient civilizations at Naqa and Musawwarat
Itinerary
Day 1: Khartoum Arrival
A private transfer will be waiting for you at the airport to take you straight to the hotel. Most flights arrive in the middle of the night so you'll want to check in and go right to sleep.
Day 2: Welcome to Sudan
Our journey begins in the capital of Khartoum, this vibrant city is a multicultural hub andan important trading center for the region. Take the morning to sleep in. You can enjoy breakfast and lunch at the hotel at your leisure. You'll meet up with your fellow travelers for a festive welcome dinner in the evening.
Day 3: At the Nexus of the Blue & White Nile
Khartoum is located near the confluence of the Blue Nile from Ethiopia and the White Nile. Exploring the city, you'll cross the river by boat near the Presidential Palace and enjoy a meal at one of the oldest hotels in the city. Before sunset, you'll head to the tomb of Sheikh Hamad-al Nil to observe the weekly local Dervish ceremony.
Day 4: The Old Capital of Omdurman
After breakfast at your hotel, we'll explore the city by driving to the outskirts of Omdurman to visit the camel market, the largest souk in Sudan, and see Mahdi's Tomb from the outside.
Later in the day, we'll catch a traditional Nuba wrestling match that has a fascinating cultural significance and has become extremely popular in the city, even to those outside of the Nuba peoples.
Day 5: Following the Nile North to Meroe
Set out this morning traveling north from Khartoum, quickly entering the desert landscape of sand and rocky, granite hills. You'll stop at Sabaloka Gorge at the Sixth Cataract of the Nile with a short boat ride. Then, hold your breath as the spectacular pyramids of the Royal Necropolis of Meroe come into view, perched high on a hill and surrounded by dunes. The ruins of the ancient royal city now appear as a collection of small hills covered in red clay fragments, yet to be fully excavated by archaeologists.
Settle into your comfortable tented camp and enjoy the splendid view of the pyramids from your personal verandas.
Day 6: The Royal Necropolis of Meroe
Slowly being reclaimed by the sands of time, the pyramids of Meroe hold the fragile footprints of a mysterious and long-forgotten civilization. Meroe was an ancient city in the Kushite Kingdom around 270 BCE, and the sheer number of its still-standing pyramids indicate that it was a massive, bustling city. Each pyramid contains a funerary chapel and walls decorated with bas reliefs showing the king's life and offerings to the gods. You'll visit the local village of Kabushia for a coffee break. In the evening, you'll have the opportunity of traveling by camel to watch the sun set over the pyramids.
Day 7: The Magnificent Musawwarat & Naqa
Begin today’s excursion at Musawwarat es-Sufra, one of the most important archaeological heritage sites and the largest Meroitic temple complex in Sudan (300 BCE to 350 CE). Pause and take in the setting of this magnificent valley, surrounded by sandstone escarpments: the Wadi es-Sufra. The focal point of Musawwarat is the "Great Enclosure" a huge complex of religious temples, corridors, and courtyards. The walls are carved with depictions of elephants, which must have once roamed this region.
A short distance away is Naqa, where you'll find two well-preserved, first-century Meroitic temples to explore. One is the Lion Temple, dedicated to the lion-headed warrior god Apedemak. The other features statues of rams, gates, and decorative bas- reliefs dedicated to ancient Sudan's most prominent god, Amon. After a full day of archaeological exploration, you'll return for a final night at our camp.
Day 8: Crossing the Bayuda Desert
This morning, cross the Nile on a public ferry, sharing our passage with locals and their donkeys, camels, and goats. Enter the Bayuda Desert; isolated groups of Bisharin nomads call this area home. Traveling through this desolate land, you’ll meet some familial groups gathered near one of the desert’s rare water wells.
After a full day of traveling desert roads, you’ll arrive at Jebel Barkal, the holy mountain of Egyptian and Nubian Pharaohs. At the mountain’s base is the small town of Karima, where the charming Nubian Rest House will provide a welcomed respite.
Day 9: Under the Eye of a Nubian God
Weathered pyramids spike upward amid sweeping stretches of golden desert sand. They stand in the shadow of Jebel Barkal, a small butte considered sacred thousands of years ago. It is a trove of architectural treasures (900 BCE to 350 CE), now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the temples you’ll encounter was dedicated to the god Amon, believed to live atop the butte. Amon was the Olympus of the Nubians and at the center of worship for over 1,000 years. You’ll visit the village of El Kurru to find one of the necropolises of the ancient city of Napata. You’ll also have the opportunity to observe an excavated tomb under the pyramid, featuring images of pharaohs, gods, and hieroglyphic inscriptions. In the late afternoon, we’ll return to Karima through an ancient petrified forest.
Day 10: Nuri: A Journey Back in Time
Enjoy a leisurely morning before boarding a small motorboat for a gentle cruise along the Nile, providing views of the cultivated islands along the river. After a scenic picnic lunch on an island in the river, you'll visit some of the oldest pyramids in Sudan (7th century BCE) at the Necropolis of Nuri, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial site of King Taharqa. Return to the Nubian Rest House, where you'll enjoy a performance of traditional Sudanese music and dance in the evening.
Day 11: Returning Through the Western Desert
Journey back to Khartoum across the Western Desert, an area so dry and flat you can see from horizon to horizon in all directions. We’ll take a break for lunch at a simple roadside chai house, just as the local truck drivers do. Once back in Khartoum, we’ll enjoy a farewell meal and reminisce about our experiences.
Day 12: Farewell & Departure
After our unforgettable journey through some of the world’s most legendary lands, it’s time to bid farewell and head to the airport.
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