Sudan

This tour has been postponed

12 Day Expedition through a country not yet discovered by tourism, with marvelous nature, impressive monuments and friendly people!

Day 1: Arrival Khartoum
Arrival in Khartoum, meeting and assistance at the airport and transfer to hotel, overnight. No meals included

Day 2: Khartoum
After breakfast for a city tour in Khartoum and visit to the National Museum housing the salvaged temples of Upper Nubia and the frescoes from the cathedral of Faras. Afterwards proceed to the Ethnographical Museum. Lunch in a restaurant by the Nile (optional), afterwards we enjoy a motor boat trip to the confluence of Blue and White Nile (about 1 ½ hours). Back to hotel, overnight. (B)

Day 3: Khartoum – Naga – Musawwarat es Sufra – Meroe
Early morning departure with 4×4 northward passing the rapids of the sixth cataract. On to the ancient cultic center of Nagaa with the Meroitic temple of Amun, the Roman chapel and the lion temple, then proceed to Musawarat as-Sufra (20 km), an extensive temple area with rare elephant depictions. Afterwards continue to the small town of Shendi (80 km), and onwards to Meroe (30 km). Overnight in a simple guesthouse. (B/L/D)

Day 4: Meroe – Damer – Bayouda Desert- Nuri – Karima
In the morning visit the largest pyramid cemetery of the Nile valley – dozens of black pyramids rise from the desert sands. We will have an opportunity to take a stroll and photograph the pyramids. Afterwards we drive to El Damer (100 km), crossing the Nile to Umm Tuyur on the west bank. Afterwards the route leads through the Bayouda desert, then drive to Nuri (25 km). Visit the cemetery containing the pyramids of the 26th dynasty, among them that of Pharaoh Taharqa. Afterwards drive to Karima. Overnight in a Nubian House. (B/L/D)

Day 5: Karima Gebel Barkal – El Kurru – Karima
Ascent to Jebel Barkal and afterwards visit to the great temple of Amun of Napata dating back to the 12th century B.C. The temple was the most important religious center of Kush. Afterwards crossing the Nile to visit the necropolis of el-Kurru (18 km). The subterranean tomb of King Tanwetamani is decorated in the classical pharaonic style. Overnight in a Nubian House in Karima. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Karima – Kerma
Drive to Kerma, capital of Upper Nubia during the 3rd and 2nd millennium B.C. We will see the vast site of temples, pyramids, including the “Diffufa”, large mud brick constructions slightly younger than the Giza pyramids. Overnight in a Nubian House in Kerma. (B/L/D)

Day 7: Kerma – Sesebi – Soleb
We drive through colorful Nubian villages to Sesebi, a military outpost of pharaoh Akhenaten. Afterwards drive to Soleb. Visit the temple of Soleb, a Nubian copy of the temples of the Egyptian New Kingdom, with pillars reminiscent of Luxor temple. Overnight in a Nubian House. (B/L/D)

Day 8: Soleb – Sdeinga – Sai – Soleb
Drive through the desert along the old Darb el-Arbain, the “Road of Forty” – a camel took 40 days from Khartoum to Cairo on this road. In Sdeinga we visit the temple dedicated to Queen Teje, the mother of Akhenaten. Afterwards enjoy a boat trip to the island of Sai (40 km), with settlement ruins from old Nubian, Pharaonic and Christian times. Afterwards return to Soleb and overnight in a Nubian House. (B/L/D)

Day 9: Soleb – Messaida – Sebu – Tumbus
Drive to Tumbus, passing prehistoric rock inscriptions near Sebu. Afterwards drive to a nearby hill to visit the ancient church at Messaida. In Tumbus visit to hieroglyphic inscriptions and a recumbent statue of King Taharka in the granite quarries. Overnight in a Nubian House. (B/L/D)

Day 10: Tumbus – Old Dongola
Drive to Old Dongola, once the Christian capital of the Nubian kingdom Makuria and later a major Islamic city. Visit to the fortress and the remains of a cathedral. Overnight in a Nubian House. (B/L/D)

Day 11: Old Dongola – Omdurman – Khartoum
We drive back through the Bayouda desert. Arrival in Omdurman in the afternoon to see the famous dervish dance on Friday. Afterwards proceed to Khartoum, transfer to hotel for overnight. (B/L)

Day 12: Khartoum – Camel Market – Omdurman – Departure
In the morning visit of the largest camel market in the country, then visit the house of the Khalifa that has been transformed into a museum, the mausoleum of the Mahdi, the bazaar of Omdurman and other popular markets. Late in the evening transfer to airport for departure. (B)

Price per person in double room/tent for 6 participants: $2900
Single room supplement: $500

Price Includes: 

• All transfers and sightseeing according to program with modern vans or 4×4
• All entrance according to program
• Routing permits
• Photo permits
• 3 Hotel overnights in Khartoum in Grand holiday Villa Hotel 5* on BB http://www.holidayvillahotels.com/sudan/khartoum/holiday-villa-khartoum/
• 1 Overnight in a simple guesthouse
• 7 nights at private Nubian homes in shared rooms
• Full board safari-style during jeep safari including mineral water, tea and coffee, begins with lunch on day 3 and ends with lunch on the 11th day
• English speaking guide

Not included: 

• International flights
• Entry visa for Sudan **
• Departure tax (currently $20)
• Passport registration ($60)
• Insurance – highly recommended
• Personal expenses
• Tips for guide and driver we recommend $12 for the guides and $10 for the drivers per person per day

** You must apply for the Visa in the Sudanese embassy in NYC one month before the trip. For that you need an invitation letter to be provided by our partner in Sudan that we will provide once all passport information for the group is received.

What to pack for your trip to Sudan:
• Back pack or soft bag (no hard luggage) not heavier than 12 kg
• Sleeping bag
• Loose comfortable clothes, preferably cotton, no shorts or beach dress outside of hotel compounds! It is recommended to bring several pieces of light clothing to wear one above the other instead of one thick item.
• Trekking shoes
• Sandals or light shoes
• Cap or sun hat
• Swim wear
• Flash light and batteries
• Pocket knife
• Spoon, Fork, Drinking Cup, Water Flask (best made of aluminum)
• Moist kerchiefs and small towel
• Sun screen (high protection), tooth brush, tooth paste, lip stick

Copies of your travel documents (passport, flight ticket, visa, insurance policy, traveler checks etc.) and at least 2 passport photos for the processing of permits

Please note:

• Credit cards are not accepted anywhere so you must bring cash
• Your passport must not contain any Israeli visa or stamps
• It is not permitted to bring alcoholic beverages into Sudan
• In Khartoum the rooms in the hotel are with private bathrooms, in the Nubian houses and guest houses with shared bathrooms.
  The Nubian houses belong to inhabitants. They build a few rooms next to their house and rent them to tourists. In each room are 3-4 beds. The rooms are connected to large open courtyard with several toilets and showers. But you can also pitch a tent in the yard, if you do not want to sleep in a room with multiple beds. Tents will be provided by us.