Treasures of Ancient Nubia

Fly to Khartoum via Addis Ababa

Overnight flight on Ethiopian Airlines from London (regional connections available) to Khartoum via Addis Ababa. (N)

Khartoum

Late morning arrival. Overnight at the Grand Holiday Villa Hotel & Suites / Corinthia Hotel† Khartoum. In the afternoon, take a Nile cruise to see the confluence of the Blue and White Nile. Sunset performance of the Whirling Dervishes (Fridays only). (N)

Wadi Mugaddam • Old Dongola • Karima

Drive to Karima via the chai houses at Wadi Muqaddam and marble-columned Coptic temple on the banks of the Nile at Old Dongola. Hospitality abounds in this central area of the Nubian region, and some houses are painted with colourful patterns and flowers. Stay 3 nights in the Nubian Rest House, right at the foot of Jebel Barkal. (B, L, D)

Jebel Barkal • Napata

Visit the Unesco world heritage site at Jebel Barkal. At the foot of this isolated red sandstone mountain lies a holy temple, dedicated to the Pharaohs of the New Reign. Take an optional 20-minute walk to the top of the mountain, where you will be greeted by impressive views overlooking the ruins of the palaces and temples. Return to the Nubian Rest House for lunch. Drive south to the village of El Kurru and the necropolis of Napata. Visit tombs located under partially collapsed pyramids. Return to Karima after visiting a desert area containing fossilised tree trunks. (B, L, D)

Tombos • Kerma

Drive via the Third Cataract of the Nile to the village of Tombos, where there is a small stele and a statue of King Taharqa. Continue to the town of Kerma and visit the deffufa (a type of mud brick temple) and a fascinating museum. Return to Karima. (B, L, D)

Bayuda desert • Meroë

Cross the Nile and visit the Pyramids of Nuri. Enter the impressive Bayuda desert, characterised by sharp, black basalt mountains. Picnic in the desert, where groups of Bisharin nomads, with their herds of camels and donkeys, are likely to be seen. Cross the Nile for the last time and visit the Railway Museum. Stay 3 nights at Meroë Tented Camp. (B, L, D)

Meroë

Visit the royal necropolis at Meroë, located in a semi-desert area, set against reddish-brown hills. Optional 10-minute camel ride between the north and south necropolis (payable locally). Return to camp for lunch and then visit the ancient ruins of the royal city of the Kushite kings. (B, L, D)

Naga • Mussawarat

Morning visit to the archaeological sites of Naga and Mussawarat. Picnic lunch in the area around Mussawarat and return to camp. (B, L, D)

Khartoum

Drive to Khartoum via a spectacular desert area covered in huge granite boulders. Have lunch at the Sabaloka gorge, where there are impressive rock formations, and the rapids of the sixth cataract. Drive on to Omdurman where local handicrafts can be purchased in the colourful souk. Continue on to Khartoum and watch Nuba wrestling. Overnight at the Grand Holiday Villa Hotel & Suites / Corinthia Hotel†. (B, L)

Fly to London via Addis Ababa

Check out of the hotel after breakfast. Morning visit to the Omdurman market and Khalifa House Museum (including Mahdi’s tomb). Lunch at Al Hoshe restaurant on the Nile. Afternoon visit to the Archaeological Museum. Transfer to the airport and fly back to London via Addis Ababa, arriving the next day. (B, L) (N)

Fly to London via Addis Ababa

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.