Hidden Treasures of Sudan with Richard Bangs

Itinerary

• Day01

  Arrive in Khartoum

  Arrive in Khartoum at any time today and meet your MT Sobek representative at the airport for a hotel transfer. Most flights arrive late, so dinner is not included this evening. Spend the night in a deluxe room at the 5-star Corinthia Hotel Khartoum.

  • Accommodation: Corinthia Hotel Khartoum
• Day02

  Discover the Wonders of Khartoum

  Rise for a morning tour of Khartoum. Cross the confluence between the Blue and the White Nile near the Presidential Palace and reach Omdurman, the old capital of Sudan. Explore the vibrant Omdurman souk and visit the National Museum, which contains two beautiful temples - both rescued by UNESCO from the flooding of Lake Nasser. At sunset, enjoy a whirling dervish ceremony near the tomb of the Sufi leader Ahmed al Nil. Tonight's welcome dinner is at the excellent Assaha Khartoum.

  • Accommodation: Corinthia Hotel Khartoum
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day03

  Explore the Nile & Visit a Camel Market

  Take a morning trip to the open-air camel market before boating up the Nile to the confluence between the Blue and White Nile. Next, head to Khartoum North to see the traditional sport of Nuba wrestling. Overnight at the Corinthia Hotel and enjoy dinner at the hotel's signature Asian-fusion restaurant.

  • Accommodation: Corinthia Hotel Khartoum
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day04

  Visit Ancient Naga & Mussawarat

  Today, journey northward to explore the ancient city of Naga, which dates from the Meroitic period and showcases a number of architectural treasures - including temples decorated with bas-reliefs and a remarkable Roman structure called "the kiosk." Continue on to the ruined settlement of Mussawarat in a beautiful valley, featuring a large temple built in the 1st century B.C. Check out the incredible blend Egyptian, the Roman and the Greek architectural styles. Arrive in Meroe in the late afternoon.

  • Accommodation: Meroe Permanent Tented Camp
  • Activity: Cultural touring
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day05

  Marvel at the Royal Sites of Meroe

  Head out today to explore the royal necropolis of Meroe, a cluster of striking pyramids situated atop a series of yellow sand-covered hills. Each has its own funerary chapel with walls decorated with bas-reliefs representing the pharaoh's life and various offerings to the gods. In the afternoon, move along the Nile to visit the ruins of the royal city of Meroe, spreading across many small hills strewn with red clay fragments still waiting to be documented by archaeologists. Enjoy sunset at the pyramids.

  • Accommodation: Meroe Permanent Tented Camp
  • Activity: Cultural touring
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day06

  Visit Nuri, El Kurru Tombs & The Ancient City of Napata

  Cross the Nile in Atbara and enter the serene Bayuda Desert, characterized by black basalt mountains, volcanic rock formations, and dry river valleys. Explore the ancient city of Napata, the Nubian capital from 800 to 400 B.C. and site of a royal necropolis. Then travel southwards to El Kurru village to take in one of two tombs that were excavated under the pyramids, adorned with multi-colored hieroglyphic inscriptions. Continue to a desert site rich in fossilized trees and return to Karima this evening. Dinner and overnight in the charming Nubian Rest House at the feet of Jebel Barkal.

  • Accommodation: Karima Nubian Rest House
  • Activity: Cultural touring
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day07

  See Jebel Barkal & El Kurru Tombs

  Experience a Nubian Desert landmark today, the holy red-sandstone mountain of Jebel Barkal - a UNESCO-listed wonder. The large temple at the foot of the mountain is dedicated to the Pharaohs of the New Reign and their patron Amon. Next, travel southwards to El Kurru village to take in one of two tombs that were excavated under the pyramids, adorned with multi-colored hieroglyphic inscriptions. Continue to a desert site rich in fossilized trees and enjoy sunset at Jebel Barkal.

  • Accommodation: Karima Nubian Rest House
  • Activity: Cultural touring
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day08

  Tour Wadi Sebu & Ancient Tombos

  A feast of cultural touring awaits today, beginning with a trip to the Third Cataract of the Nile - a shallow, boulder-strewn stretch of the river with incredible views. In Sebu, right on the riverbank, visit one of Sudan's richest rock-engraving sites, featuring hundreds of images from prehistoric to Egyptian times. Next, visit then "Defuffa," a monument of the Kerma civilization. Lastly, explore the incredible ancient quarries of Tombos, where you'll find the remains of an enormous 3000-year-old recumbent statue of King Taharqa. Return to Karima this evening and enjoy a farewell dinner.

  • Accommodation: Karima Nubian Rest House
  • Activity: Cultural touring
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day09

  Old Dongola & Return to Khartoum

  Wake today for a trip to the archaeological site of Old Dongola, a deserted ancient town featuring a Christian Coptic temple and several churches on the banks of the Nile. Then drive south along across the Western Desert, stopping for lunch in a simple "chai house" along the way. Reach Khartoum late in the afternoon and enjoy a final night in a deluxe room at the Corinthia Hotel Khartoum with dinner at the hotel.
  
  You can plan to depart this evening and will be transferred to the airport in accordance with your flight schedule.

  • Accommodation: Corinthia Hotel Khartoum
  • Activity: Cultural touring
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day10

  Depart from Khartoum

  Enjoy leisure time before your departing flights. Day rooms are available until 2:30pm. Please note that most flights depart very early this morning, between 12am and 3am.

  • Meals: Breakfast