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SU2: Nubia – Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs
14 days expedition in small groups of 5 - 12 persons with English speaking guide
Get away from the crowds - discover a country not yet changed by tourism. Explore the marvellous and mostly still untouched nature of North Sudan and the impressive pyramids and temples of the Black Pharaohs. Meet hospitable and friendly people in the colourful Nubian villages along the banks of the Nile.
Price per person in DBL: 1700 €URO Christmas Departure (marked *): 1780 €uro Single supplement: 100 €uro |
Dates:
13.09.
–
26.09.08 |
Program:
1.
Day: Flight Europe - Khartoum
Arrival in Khartoum, meeting and assistance at the airport and
transfer to hotel, overnight.
2. Day: Khartoum
After breakfast citytour 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 motor boat trip to the
confluence of Blue and White Nile (ca. 1 ½ hours). Back to hotel, overnight.
(B/-/-)
3.Day: Khartoum – Omdurman - Naga
In the morning drive to Omdurman. 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. In the afternoon drive to the ancient
cultic centre of Nagaa with the meroitic temple of Amun, the Roman chapel
and the lion temple. Tent overnight in Naga. (B/L/D)
4.Day: Naga - Musawwarat - Meroe
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 30 km to Meroe. Visit the largest pyramid cemetery of the Nile
valley – dozens of black pyramids rise from the desert sands. Tent overnight
in front of the pyramids of Meroe. (B/L/D)
5.Day: Meroe - Damer - Bayouda Desert- Deir Ghazali
In the morning opportunity to take a stroll and photograph the pyramids.
Then drive to El Damer 100 km, crossing the Nile to Umm Tuyur on the west
bank. Afterwards the route leads through the Bayouda desert for 400 km, Tent
overnight near Deir Ghazali.(B/L/D)
6. Day: Deir Ghazali – Nuri - El Kurru - Gebel Barkal
Visit to the ancient monastery of Deir Ghazali, 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 and 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. Drive to Jebel
Barkal, 18 km. and tent overnight. (B/L/D)
7. Day: Jebel Barkal - Kerma
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 centre of Kush. Then crossing the desert from El
Nekheila to Kerma 300 km. Tent overnight (B/L/D)
8. Day: Kerma – Messaida - Soleb
Drive to Kerma, capital of Upper Nubia during the 3rd and 2nd millenium B.C.
The "Diffufa", large mud brick constructions slightly younger than the Giza
pyramids, were probably tombs. Drive to the village of Kerma for provisions,
then proceed to Messaida, 18 km, and visit an old Christian chapel. Drive
north through colourful Nubian villages to Delgo, 80km, crossing the Nile,
then 70 km drive to Soleb. Overnight in the house of a Nubian family.
(B/L/D)
9. Day: Soleb – Sdeinga – Sai - Soleb
Visit the temple of Soleb, a Nubian copy of the temples of the Egyptian New
Kingdom, with pillars reminiscent of Luxor temple. Drive to Sdeinga, 50 km
and visit to the temple dedicated to Queen Teje, the mother of Akhenaten.
Afterwards boat trip to the island of Sai, 40 km, with settlement ruins from
old Nubian, Pharaonic and Christian times. Afterwards return to Soleb and
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. Overnight in the
house of a Nubian family. (B/L/D)
10. Day: Soleb – Sesebi – Sebu - Tumbus
Turn back 50 km to Sesebi, a military outpost of pharaoh Akhenaten. Crossing
the Nile near Delgo and 30 km drive to the 3rd cataract. Photo stop at the
rapids and 50 km drive to Tumbus, passing prehistoric rock inscriptions near
Sebu. Visit to hieroglyphic inscriptions and a recumbent statue of King
Taharka in the granite quarries. Tent overnight near Tumbus. (B/L/D)
11. Day: Tumbus – Kawa - Old Dongola
Drive from Tumbus to Kerma to buy provisions, then on to Kawa 120 km to see
the sand-covered temple ruins. Afterwards proceed to Old Dongola, tent
overnight. (B/L/D)
12. Day: Old Dongola – Wadi Milk
Visit Old Dongola, once the Christian capital of the Nubian kingdom Makuria
and later a major islamic city. Afterwards drive to the spectacularly
beautiful desert valley of Wadi Milk. Often one meets Bisharin bedouin
watering their camels at one of the wells. Tent overnight. (B/L/D)
13. Day: Wadi Milk - Khartoum
After breakfast opportunity to take a walk; then drive back to Khartoum.
Arrival late in the afternoon and transfer to hotel to rest. At night
transfer to airport and departure. (B/L/-)
14.Day: Departure
Transfer to Khartoum airport and departure.
Included
All
transfers and sightseeing according to program with modern vans or 4x4
All entrance according to program
Routing permits
Photo permits
3 Hotel overnights in Khartoum in 3*superior Hotel B/B
2 nights at private Nubian homes
Remainder of nights in 2Persons-Tents
Full board safari-style during jeep safari incl. mineral water, tea and
coffee
Camping equipment (tents, mattresses, cooking equipment)
English speaking guide
Not included
International flights
Entry visa for Sudan
Departure tax (currently 20 US$)
Passport registration
All kinds of insurance.
Personal expenses.
Drinks with meals at hotels
Tips for guide and driver
NB. Routing may change depending on local circumstances!
Starts any time upon demand from 2 pax upward!
1. Day: Arrival
Arrival in Khartoum und transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight.
2.Day: Khartum –Naga
In the morning city tour in Khartoum. Visit to the National Museum to see the relocated temples of Nubia and the frescoes of the early Christian cathedral at Faras. Then drive to Naga, where there is a lion temple, a temple for Amun and a kiosk of the Roman PeriodOn to Naga, where there is a lion temple, a temple for Amun and a kiosk of the Roman Period.. Tent overnight in Naga. (B/L/D)
3.Day: Naga - Musawwarat - Meroe
After breakfast short drive to Musawarat as-Sufra 20 km, an extensive temple area with rare elephant statues. Proceed to the small market town of Shendi, 80 km, then 30 km to Meroe. Visit to the vast pyramid necropolis – dozens of black pyramids rise from the desert sand. Tent overnight near the pyramids of Meroe. (B/L/D)
4.Day: Meroe - Damer – Bayouda Desert - Deir Ghazali
In the morning leisurely stay in Meroe. Afterwards drive to Damer 100 km, crossing the Nile for Umm Tuyur on the western bank. Drive through the Bayouda Desert for 400 km, overnight near Deir Ghazali.(B/L/D)
5. Day: Deir Ghazali – Nuri - El Kurru - Jebel Barkal
Visit the monastery of Deir Ghazali, then on to Nuri, 25 km, and visit to the pyramids of the 26th dynasty, among them that of Pharaoh Taharqa. Proceed to Karima and cross the Nile once more to reach the necropolis of El Kurru, 18 km. The subterranean tomb of King Tanwetamani is decorated in the classical pharaonic style. Afterwards drive to Jebel Barkal, 18 km. Tent overnight at Jebel Barkal. (B/L/D)
6. Day: Gebel Barkal - Old Dongola
Ascent of Jebel Barkal. The summit offers a wonderful view of the Great Temple of Amun dating back to the 12th century B.C, that was the most important religious centre of Kush. Drive to old Dongola, tent overnight. (B/L/D)
7. Day: Old Dongola – Khartum - Omdurman
Visit to Old Dongola formerly the capital of the Christian kingdom of Makuria. Visit to the fortress and the remains of a cathedral. Afterwards drive through the Bayouda desert to Omdurman and visit the tomb of the Mahdi and the colourful local market. Afterwards proceed to Khartoum, transfer to hotel for rest. Late in the evening transfer to airport and departure.
8. Day: Departure
Routing may change depending on local circumstances!