An exploratory adventure to the less-frequented land of the Nile

Egypt’s vaster and less tourist-trodden neighbor to the south, Sudan shimmers with all the rich culture and fertile landscape that a 500-mile stretch of the Nile can muster. Despite five millenia of Coptic, Muslim, and Kushitic civilizations, and Sudanese hospitality renowned the world over, much of this complex country—one of Africa’s largest—remains unexplored. We begin where the White Nile meets the Blue at the historic city of Omdurman (near Khartoum), and skirt the great river northward toward the ruins and pyramids of the Kushitic kingdom of Meroë. We’ll stay in a unique Nubian guest house and camp out under the stars, encounter vast Nubian sand dune deserts and the holy mountain of Jebel Barkal, and marvel at the painted tombs of El Kurru.

Activities

12 days of archaeology, cultural touring, camping

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the new country of North Sudan with intrepid MTS guide Barbara Wagner
• Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt with far fewer tourists!
• Pristine archaeological sites, beautiful desert landscapes, colorful tribal markets, and whirling dervishes

Duration: 12 days Start Location: Khartoum End Location: Khartoum

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Khartoum

  Arrival in Khartoum this evening, where you will be met by your MTS guides and transferred to the hotel for dinner.

• Day 2 : Khartoum, Whirling Dervishes

  Today we visit an excellent archaeological museum, have lunch on the Nile, wander the vast Omdurman Souk, and visit the tomb of Sufi leader Ahmed Al Nil at sunset to witness the amazing Whirling Dervishes. Overnight in Khartoum.

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  Day 3 : Naga and Mussawarat

  We'll visit two important archaeological sites today: Naga, where we find various temples and bas-reliefs from the Meroitic period, and the ruins of Mussawarat, another important city during the first century B.C. We'll also explore the colorful local market in the village of Shendi before spending the night in our exclusive deluxe tented camp.

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  Day 4 : Meroe

  Today we visit the pyramids at the Royal Necropolis and explore the ruins of the Royal City of Meroe, where excavations are still underway and waiting to be documented by archaeologists.

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  Day 5 : Bayuda Desert to Karima

  We'll depart Meroe and follow the Nile River north to the city of Atbara, where we cross the Nile and enter the Bayuda Desert. Here we search for Dorcas Gazelle and the Bisharin nomads, who live in this harsh desert environment. We spend the night in a comfortable guest house in the town of Karima.

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  Day 6 : Karima - Jebel Barkal & the Necropolis of El Kurru

  Today we travel across the open desert to the base of Jebel Barkal, where we explore the ruins of a temple dedicated to the god Amon. We also visit the ancient city of Napata, once the Nubian capital; the pyramids at Nuri; and the painted tombs in the village of El Kurru.

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  Day 7 : Nile Cruise to Nuri

  After breakfast, we wander through a local market, where the local tribes come to hawk and buy their wares. We also take a leisurely cruise down the Nile, where we get the chance to view Sudan's agricultural life before embarking on an easy walk around the pyramids of Nuri. We return to the Nubian Rest House for dinner and overnight.

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  Day 8 : Kerma and Tombos

  We drive through the Nubian Desert, visit another local market in the town of Selim, then explore the ancient mud-brick city of Kerma, before camping out under the stars near the quarries of Tombos.

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  Day 9 : Temples of Sesibi & Soleb

  We cross the Nile by ferry, then drive north to the temples of Sesibi and Soleb. Soleb temple is covered with hieroglyphs, bas-reliefs and columns reminiscent of Egypt's Luxor temple. Overnight camping or in a private Nubian house.

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  Days 10 - 11 : Nubian Villages & Desert Camping

  We spend two more days in the desert, visiting Nubian villages scattered among sand dunes and palm trees, perhaps stopping for spiced tea in one of their homes, or sharing a meal. Overnight camping in the desert.

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  Day 12 : Old Dongola to Khartoum

  We visit the various archaeological sites and churches of Old Dongola before driving back to Khartoum, where dayrooms are available at the hotel before evening transfers to the airport (most flights depart late).

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Barbara Wagner

  Barbara Wagner was born in Germany and did her university studies at the Sorbonne in Paris and at the University of Pennsylvania. She has since been involved in international travel for most of her career with a focus on Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Barbara developed a number of tours for Mountain Travel Sobek including trips in Ethiopia, Yemen, Mali, Ghana, Togo and Benin. She speaks German, French and English fluently as well as some Urdu, Hindi and Arabic. Her passion for tribal and cultural travel helped her to define a unique niche for exotic travel to remote and often endangered tribal groups. Her guiding experience has taken her from the high Hindu Kush Mountains of Pakistan to the searing heat of the Sahara. Her knowledge and involvement with local cultures has gained her the respect of chiefs and leaders while providing her clients with exceptional travel experiences.

photo credits: ©MTS Photo File