With more pyramids in Sudan than can be found in all of Egypt, the wonders of ancient Egypt are known worldwide, while those of its southern neighbour, Sudan, stand forgotten on the banks of the Nile.
The stunning rugged terrain of Sudan is home to some of the most romantic archaeological sites in the world, among them several whole fields of pyramids. Join us as we discover one of the worlds oldest civilisations, brimming with history and sites that you never dreamed existed.
Welcome to Sudan! Upon arrival in Khartoum, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure.
Built where the Blue and White Nile rivers meet, Khartoum is a boisterous, modern, flashy city with an ever-increasing number of glass tower blocks altering its skyline. As well as an excellent museum, some fascinating souqs and Nile-side views, Khartoum’s good facilities, hospitable people and laid-back vibe provide the traveller with a warm welcome to this fascinating country.
Overnight Grand Holiday Villa Hotel or similar
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. This morning, start your Khartoum city tour. Cross the confluence between the Blue and the White Nile near the Presidential Palace where in 1885 General Gordon was beheaded by the Mahdi’s troops and reach Omdurman, the old capital of Sudan. Here you will see Mahdi’s Tomb from outside. Visit the interesting Khalifa’s House which holds a small museum about the Mahdyia. You then visit the colourful souk of Omdurman. Take a pleasant boat ride on the Nile to see the confluence between the Blue and the White Nile.
Lunch today is in a local restaurant in Khartoum.
In the afternoon, visit the National Museum that besides many beautiful objects, contains two beautiful temples rescued by UNESCO and moved from the Lake Nasser area, when it was flooded by the water.
Before sunset, move to Khartoum North to see the traditional Nubia Wrestling. Return to your hotel. (B,L)
Overnight Grand Holiday Villa Hotel or similar
This morning you will drive north to cross the Western Desert on a good tar road until you reach the Nile that you will cross in to Ed Debba. Continue by road along the Nile to visit the site of Old Dongola, the old Christian capital of the Makuria Kingdom.
Old Dongola is a deserted town located on the east bank of the Nile. An important city in medieval Nubia, and the departure point for caravans west to Darfur and Kordofan, from the fourth to the fourteenth century, Old Dongola was the capital of the Makurian state. A Polish archaeological team has been excavating the town since 1964. (B,L,D)
Overnight Camping
After breakfast, it is time to depart and transfer to the central part of the Nubian region where you will have the chance to experience some Nubian Villages. Here the population lives in small villages amongst yellow sand dunes and palm trees. They speak a different language from the Arabs and also the Islamic religion is not as “strict” as in other regions. The women don’t cover their faces and will readily speak to foreigners. Look out for the houses in these villages that are painted and decorated with colourful patterns and flowers. Enthusiastic hospitality abounds, people will often invite travellers to visit their home and share a meal or a cup of spiced tea.
Then you will begin the drive to Kerma and visit the majestic “Defuffa” and the rest of this ancient civilisation. There will be time to pay a visit to the Kerma Museum, founded by Charles Bonnet, where you will see the seven beautiful statues of the Black Pharaohs discovered by a Swiss archaeological mission in 2003.
Late in the afternoon, you will reach Tombos. (B,L,D)
Overnight Preset Camp in Tombos or similar
After breakfast, depart for Wadi Sebu, located on the river bank of the Nile. You will pay a visit to one of the richest sites of rock engraving in all of Sudan with hundreds of images from prehistoric to Egyptian times.
Then it is onward to the granite boulders of the Third Cataract, this site used to be the third huge obstacle that the ancients Egyptians had to face when trying to sail on the Nile River. The Third Cataract presents very interesting rocky formations. It is located north of Kerma, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Kush, which lasted for over 1,000 years before falling under the control of the Egyptians thanks to the natural protection offered by the cataract itself. When the 18th New Kingdom dynasty reached it, made here the border between the Egyptian Empire and the Nubian kingdom.
After a picnic lunch, you will reach the Nile and cross it via the pontoon, the local ferry boat. These ferries are a hive of colourful activities. You will find yourself sharing space with people, donkeys, camels and goats. Late in the afternoon, reach Soleb where you will visit the Temple of Soleb, the most beautiful Egyptian temple of all Sudan. Testimony of the New Kingdom in Nubia is the many walls rich in hieroglyphic inscriptions, bas-relief figures and ornate columns. Return to Tombos. (B,L,D)
Overnight Preset Camp in Tombos or similar
This morning, pay a visit to ancient granite quarry site of Tombos. You will see a statue of the King Taharqa, simply left there in the desert 3,000 years ago. On the Nile banks, see some Egyptian stelae and inscriptions. This was the southern border of the ancient Egyptian kingdom for centuries. Cross the Nubian Desert to reach the village of El Kurru where there is one of the necropolises of the ancient capital, Napata. You will visit one of the tombs, which is excavated in the rock under pyramids.
Although partially collapsed you can still see the decorated images of the Pharaoh, gods and multicolour hieroglyphic inscriptions. Not far from here there is an interesting site of petrified wood, an ancient forest with hundreds of huge trunks.
This evening, enjoy sunset at Jebel Barkal, enjoy watching the end of the day over this amazing landscape. (B,L,D)
Overnight Karima Nubian Rest House or similar
After breakfast, it is time to get up close and learn more about Jebel Barkal. A key landmark in the Nubian Desert, Jebel Barkal, which means mountain in Arabic, can be seen from miles around. At the foot of this wonderful and isolated red sandstone mountain, considered holy since the ancient times, there is a big temple, dedicated to the Pharaohs of the New Reign and to their patron, Amon. Amon’s ancient “Pure Mountain”, the Olympus of the Nubians, was the religious Nubian heart for more than 1,000 years. Besides the ruins of the big temple there are several sculptured granite rams that were once a border along an avenue that probably led to the pier on the Nile. In the mountain wall, there is a vast room decorated with bas-relief. You will soon see why Jebel Barkal archaeological sites are on the World Heritage list.
Lunch today will be at the Nubian Rest House in Karima.
Take a boat ride on the Nile for a late afternoon visit to the Pyramids of Nuri. More than 20 ancient pyramids belonging to Nubian kings and queens are still standing at Nuri, which served as a royal necropolis for the ancient city of Napata, the first capital of the Nubian Kingdom of Kush. It is probable that, at its apex, 80 or more pyramids stood at Nuri, marking the tombs of royals. (B,L,D)
Overnight Karima Nubian Rest House or similar
After breakfast, it is time to start your journey crossing the Nile. Enter the Bayuda Desert, an area bounded by the loop formed by the Nile between the Fourth and Sixth Cataract. The region is characterised by volcanic cone shaped black basalt mountains. They alternate with level pebble stretches and large valleys crossed by dry wadis, where little vegetation can be seen. Look out for isolated groups of Bisharin nomads, who live in family groups in small huts made of intertwined branches.
In the centre of the Bayuda Desert reach Atrun Crater. Local nomads gather salt from the edge of a green coloured pool, in turn they will then sell it to markets of the towns outside the desert. Continue your desert crossing visiting wells where nomads gather water for their camels and goats. (B,L,D)
Overnight camping
Today you will finish crossing the Bayuda desert and again cross the Nile on a local ferry boat. As you drive along the other side of the Nile catch a glance of more than 40 pyramids located on top of a hill, some of them perfectly preserved that belong to the Royal Necropolis of Meroe. (B,L,D)
Overnight Meroe Camp or similar
This morning is dedicated to visiting the Meroe pyramids. The Royal Necropolis of Meroe which is located about 3 km from the Nile on some hills covered by yellow sand dunes. Several pyramids stand out with their sharp shapes against the clear sky. Each one has its own funerary chapel with the walls fully decorated with bas-reliefs that show the King’s life and offers to the gods. Visit the Tarabil school (if open), that we support as part of our responsible tourism policy.
Coffee break at the local village of Kabushia. In the afternoon, move along the Nile to visit the ruins of the Royal City. Sunset today will be at the Pyramids. (B,L,D)
NB. The Royal Baths ae currently closed from 2022 for renovations. A reopening date is TBC.
Overnight Meroe Camp or similar
Following breakfast at the camp, you will begin the journey southward. The site of Mussawarat is located in a beautiful valley crowned by hills. Here the ruins of a very big temple are visible; it once played an exceptional important role. Its main characteristic, the “Great Enclosure” is made by many constructions and boundary walls which surround a temple built in the 1st century A.D.
Then it is time for a visit to Naga which is one of two centres that developed during the Meroitic period. In Naga, in a typical Saharan environment with rocks and sand, you will find a 1st Century AD temple dedicated to Apedemak. Marvel at this wonderful building with bas-relief decorations depicting the god with a lion’s head, the Pharaoh, noblemen and several ritual images. A few metres away there is a small and odd construction with arches and columns, named “kiosk”, in which you will notice Egyptian, Roman and Greek styles, all at the same time. Visit another temple dedicated to Amon with many statues of rams and beautiful gates decorated with bas-reliefs.
In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Omdurman where we see the Dervish ceremony in Ahmed al Nil cemetery.
After sunset, you will reach Khartoum where you will be dropped off at your hotel. (B,L)
Overnight Grand Holiday Villa Hotel or similar
The day is yours at leisure until it is time to be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
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**Please note that this tour can be organised on request for private departures.
* Pricing is subject to change at anytime until full payment has been received.
* A minimum of 2 adults is required to guarantee this departure.
A non-refundable deposit of $1000 AUD per person is required to secure your place. Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Travel insurance is mandatory for travelling with Crooked Compass. For full terms and conditions, please click here.
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
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