13-day cultural and historical round trip Sudan
A special tour of the cultural highlights in the north
Tour through the north of Sudan, in which all historical sights (and there are many!) Are visited at a leisurely pace.
Moreover, there is a lot of time to enjoy indigenous products at local markets and to get to know the daily life of the population.
You will discover a country that is still authentic and pure, because Sudan is a fantastic country that has not yet been discovered by hordes of tourists.
The area we pass through - the northern Nile Valley - is quiet and safe.
You will certainly enjoy the beautiful nature with vast desert landscapes with sand dunes and oases, the scarce inhabitants we meet along the way and the views over the Nile, which offers breathtaking views in many places, with rapids (cataracts) and green agricultural areas.
It is quite possible that we also see crocodiles in the Nile.
We will of course visit the burial grounds with the many Nubian pyramids. And we see beautiful temples, with both African, Egyptian, and also Greco-Roman architectural styles, the result of the country's rich history. Our guide, archaeologist and specialized in this area from which he himself comes, are happy to tell you all about it. In short, a journey that will certainly make a great impression and be an unforgettable experience!
Price: from € 1975,- p.p. (min. 4 persons)
Included guidance, entrance fees, domestic transport, overnights 4 x in a hotel, 3 x in tents in the desert; the other nights in Nubian houses (see itinerary for details).
On full board basis from day 4 until12. The other days b&b.
Travel permit and invitation arranged by our partner in Sudan.
Excluded flights and visa for Sudan
Starting dates:
this is and individual tour, which can start daily.
Day to day program:
Day 1 - arrival in Khartoum
Arrival in Khartoum, assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 - exploring Khartoum
Visit to the Mogran Park, where we see the merger of the White and the Blue Nile. Afterwards we visit the Sudan National Museum, which succeeds in preserving the Nubian cultural heritage with an interesting collection. Some of the temples in the garden of the museum were saved with the support of UNESCO from the rising waters of Lake Nassermeer when the dam was built near Aswan. After the museum visit we drive to Omdurman and cross the white Nile. On the bridge we see the tomb of Mohammed Ahmed Al Mahdi, who led a successful military campaign against the Ottoman-Egyptian government of Sudan from 1881-1885, resulting in the conquest of Khartoum. Finally we visit the Ethnographic Museum, which contains an interesting collection of objects from different Sudanese tribes. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 - Khartoum - Bayouda desert - Dongola
Through Omdurman we head towards the Bayoda desert for a ride on an asphalt road, 520 km to Dongola city. Along the way we see varied landscapes and visit the fortress of Khandag, built by the Mamluks at a strategic point on the Nile. Overnight in Dongola.
Day 4: Dongola - Sesibi - Soleb
We start the day at the local market in Dongola. From here to the border with Egypt is the area of the Nubians. We are on our way to Sesibi. This road through the desert is part of the traditional "40 days road", the route that camel caravans follow on their way to Egypt. At the village of Tajab we see the breathtaking Nile landscape. In Sesibi we visit the temple of the god Aton. We drive further to Soleb where we can enjoy the sunset at the Amun temple. This was built by Amenhotep III (1388 BCE - 1350 BCE); beautiful architecture that resembles the Amun temple in Luxor. Night in a Nubian house in Soleb.
Day 5 - Soleb - Sedenga - Sai island We visit the Amun temple in Soleb again (if you want at sunrise). Then we walk along small farms to the Nijloever. Then we drive to Jebel Dosha, a mountain near the Nijloever, where we see the rock chapel of Thoetmosis III and three other monuments carved from the rocks. Then to the village of Sedenga and the temple of Queen Tiye, wife of Amenhotep III.
We also see the recently excavated cemetery in Sedenga; fascinating by the many small pyramids. Then by ferry across the Nile to Sai island, a half-hour boat trip where we can enjoy the beauty of the small islands around Sai and have the opportunity to see crocodiles! On Sai Island we spend the night in a Nubian house.
Day 6 - Sai Island - Arbri - Amara West - Tombus
Walk through the very extensive mud city on Sai Island, surrounded by a thick wall. Then we head to the city of Abri, have lunch at a local restaurant and visit the archaeological site at Amara west. We continue on a road through the desert (about 3 hours) and pass many Nubian villages, beautiful viewpoints over the Nile and the rocky landscape.
The Nubian houses are beautifully painted and uniquely decorated. Via the city of Delgo we drive in 30 minutes to the 3rd cataract in the Nile, where the water is broken by many small boulders and stones protruding from the river bed. We continue to visit Tombus, with Nubian rock paintings dating from the ancient empire; from 3100 BC. We continue the route through the, leave the villages and drive through the valley of the mountains outside Messida village until we reach the village of Tombus. Overnight stay in a Nubian house in Tombus.
Day 7 - Tombus-Kerma-Kawa
Morning walk through the village of Tombus. We visit the stutle of Thutmosis I to commemorate his victory over the Nubian kingdom of Kerma. We take a walk along the shore, with a beautiful view of the Nile, where shallow granite rocks form a small cataract, surrounded by green palm trees on both Nile banks. Lunch at a local restaurant in Kerma, after which we will visit the market. Then we drive in about 30 minutes to the remains of the kingdom of Kerma. We also see the western Deffufa (Nubian word for "old building"); a strikingly solid mud structure of 19 m. high with a staircase to the top. We will then visit the Museum of Kerma which, thanks to the interesting remains, offers a better insight into the history of this area. Then we drive to Kawa in one hour and spend the night in tents in the desert, surrounded by oasis and spectacular sand dunes.
Day 8 Kawa - Old Dongola - Karima
We see the beautiful oasis of Kawa and continue to the nearby Amun temple. After the temple visit we continue our route to Old Dongola (2.5 hours), the ancient land of Makuria, one of the Christian kingdoms that existed between 580- 450. The center of this empire was built along the Nile River, a complex of beautiful churches, offices and the palace that were decorated and painted. We walk through the remains of the city, visit the church, built on a hill with a beautiful view of the city and the old monastery. Then we drive through the Nubian desert to the Nile, to the final destination of today, Karima. Here we spend the night in a Nubian house, near Gebel Barkal.
Day 9 Karima - Gebel Barkal - Kurru
In the morning we drive to Kurru, where we visit the royal burial place of the kings and queens from the 25th dynasty of the black pharaohs, when the Nubians ruled all over Egypt and Sudan. And we see a valley with petrified trees. Back in Karima we visit Gebel Barkal. This mountain was a source of sacred myths among early Egyptians and Nubians. During the new kingdom and in the Nubian 25th dynasty, when Nubians ruled over Egypt, the city at Gebel Barkal became known as Napata, with temples and palaces at the foot of the mountain. This was the main shrine of the kingdom of the Nubian kings, who claimed that the god Amun lived in the mountain. We visit the huge Amun temple, the temple of the goddess Mut and the pyramids west of the mountains. If you wish, you can climb up at Gebel Barkal late in the afternoon and enjoy the sunset with a view of temples and pyramids and the Nile. Back for dinner and overnight at a local house in Karima not far from Gebel Barkal.
Day 10 Karima - Nuri - Gazali - Bayoda desert - Atbara
We visit the market of Karima, then we cross the Nile and drive to the pyramids of Nuri (20 km, about 25 minutes).
Nuri is, among other things, the burial place of one of the most famous Nubian rulers, Taharka (680-669 BC). Then we drive through the desert to the impressive ruins of a monastery in the Gazali Valley. We go through the valley to the Bayoda desert, where we usually meet nomads from the Hassania tribe. Finally we reach the Nile again, which we cross over a bridge to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in the city of Atbara. Then on to the pyramids of Meroe where we arrive around sunset. We camp in tents near Meroe pyramids (or at an additional cost in the Mozon Motel nearby.)
Day 11 - Meroe pyramids-Shendi-Mussawarat es Sufra-Naga
We get up early to see the pyramids in the morning light. Then we continue to the royal city of the old Meroë (metropolis) (5 km, 7 min.) A short distance from the Nile.
We continue to Shendi, (50 km, 45 min), where we take a walk on the market and have lunch in a local restaurant. We also visit a house where cotton fabrics are woven in the traditional way. Back on a paved road we drive to Mussawarat es Sufra. Here is the lion temple with its beautiful reliefs. Then we drive on to a large complex with a unique architectural style, very different from all the others in the Nile Valley, with a complex of temples; a holy Meroistic city where pilgrims came from far and wide for their pilgrimage. Finally in Naga we view the Amon temple, the Roman kiosk and enjoy our last sunset in the desert at the Lion Temple. We camp in tents in Naga
Day 12 Naga - Khartoum
From Naga we drive to the 6th cataract; a beautiful green belt along the Nijloever. A motor boat takes us to the other side in about an hour. We stop on an island to enjoy the view of waterfalls, surrounded by volcanic mountains. Many species of birds live in this beautiful green river area. Finally we drive back to Khartoum. There we check in at hotel Taka, where we can rest and freshen up for dinner in a good restaurant in Khartoum.
Day 13 - Khartoum - departure to airport
In the morning a visit to the Omdurman market and a walk along the Nile through the Abu Roaf street, very interesting to see how the locals still build fishing boats out of wood and where many local specialties are sold for food. In the afternoon we return to the hotel, where you can prepare for the return trip. To conclude, in the late afternoon we visit the sailing club on the Blue Nile, from where we have a beautiful view, and where we can see the old boats with which General Kitchener invaded Sudan in 1898. Farewell dinner in a good restaurant in Khartoum. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
