Saharan Gems of Sudan & the Kush

Khartoum - Khartoum

8 days through Sudan

FROM: $1690 USD

Transport:

Overland Expedition Vehicle, Boat

Crew:

Two Dragoman Crew Members, Local Guides where necessary

Accom:

Basic Hotel 2 nights
Camping without facilities 5 nights

Meals:

Breakfasts x 7, Lunches x 5, Dinners x 5

Physical:

Lifestyle:

Code:

ZKH

Deposit:

$260 USD per person

Foreign Travel Advice

TRIP OVERVIEW

As a destination, Sudan is so often overlooked but to journey through the beautiful Nubian desert is a wonderful experience. Clustered along the banks of the Nile, are some of the greatest sites of antiquity. They may not rival Luxor or Abu Simbel in grandeur and scale, but in sheer, artistic beauty and isolation, they are second to none. The petit temples of Naga and Musawwarat are simply lovely, and the experience of camping under the stars in the wilds of the desert behind the Pyramids of Meroe is serene. Add in a boat trip across the Nile to the Temple Of Sulb, with its towering columns and you get a true sense of what is hidden in the Sudanese Sahara. Khartoum, sits on the confluence of the Blue and White Niles, and across the river from the city in the plains of Omdurman, where we have the rare chance to witness the bizarre dances of the Whirling Dervish. This a raw and highly vital street display by Sufi devotees.

HIGHLIGHTS

Explore Khartoum & the historic Omdurman market

Explore the mediaval ruins of Dongola

Visit the pre-Kushite Temple of Deffufa, a 5,500 year old Nubian archaeological site

Visit Kushite temples and climb Jebel Barkal mountain

Visit to the Meroe pryamids and temples of Naqa and Musawwarat

Visit the incredible and haunting Nuri pyramids

Witness the wild antics of the Omdurman Whirling Dervish

WHAT TO EXPECT

A journey through the wilds of the Sudanese Sahara, with plenty of wild camping, small homestay hostels and city hotels. Ideal for those who want to see seldom visited sites. Sudanese Arabs are wonderfully welcoming and if you enjoy cultural interaction, this is a perfect trip. Do not expect too many home comforts.

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Explore the curious medieval ruins of Old Dongola in the western deserts of Sudan

Visit the pre-Kushite Temple of Deffufa a 5500 year old Nubian archaeological site built by the Kerma civilisation

Explore the ruins of the Temple of Soleb

Visit to the Kushite temples and climb to the summit of the distinctive Jebel Barkal mountain

Explore the ancient Kushite Royal Pyramids at Nuri near Karima

ITINERARY

EXPAND ALL CLOSE ALL

Day 1 - Khartoum (25th December 2021)

Border Information: if joining in Khartoum, you will most likely enter Sudan at Khartoum International Airport (IATA code: KRT).

There will be an important group meeting at 10:00am - please look for a note from your leader at the hotel reception when you arrive with more details about this important meeting. Your leader will need to collect your passport in order to get everyone's visas registered today.

The rest of the day will be free to independently explore Khartoum, including possible optional visits to the impressive Grand Mosque and the bustling Omdurman market.

Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Khartoum before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Khartoum.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

Learn all about the Islamic Mahdist era with a visit to the Khalifa House Museum and the Mahdi's Tomb in Omdurman

Visit: 15 USD

Witness the confluence of the Blue and White Niles at 'The Mogran' near Khartoum

Visit: Free

Visit the various interesting museums of Khartoum - the Presidental Palace Museum the National Museum and the Ethnographic Museum

Entrance Presidential Palace Museum: Free

Entrance Ethnographic Museum: 1,000 SDG

Entrance National Museum: 1,000 SDG

Explore Omdurman market in Khartoum

Visit: Free

Day 2 - Dongola (26th December 2021)

Today our journey begins with a drive out into the Sahara deserts northwest of Khartoum. We will arrive at the historic site of Old Dongola, once an important city in medieval Nubia. After an included visit to the site, we will wild camp in the stunning deserts nearby.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Explore the curious medieval ruins of Old Dongola in the western deserts of Sudan

Included

Day 3 - Dongola (27th December 2021)

Today we will journey through the remote areas of northern Sudan and the vast Sahara Desert. En route we will visit the Deffufa of Kerma near Dongola, once of the site of the capital of the Kingdom of Kerma, an incredibly ancient civilisation that flourished in the area as long as 5,500 years ago. In the afternoon we will arrive in the small village of Wawa, and will have an included visit to the deserted ruins of the Temple of Soleb on the opposite bank of the Nile.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Visit the pre-Kushite Temple of Deffufa a 5500 year old Nubian archaeological site built by the Kerma civilisation

Included

Day 4 - Karima (28th December 2021)

Today we will journey to the town of Karima, where we have an included visit to the mysterious site of Jebel Barkal. A very distinctive flat-topped mountain in the desert, the site has some well preserved ancient paintings in a small temple underneath it and a few Nubian pyramids nearby.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Explore the ruins of the Temple of Soleb

Included

Visit to the Kushite temples and climb to the summit of the distinctive Jebel Barkal mountain

Included

Day 5 - Meroe (29th December 2021)

Today we will visit the incredible and haunting Nuri pyramids of the Kushite era, east of the town of Karima. We will then continue our drive towards the famous site of Meroe.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Explore the ancient Kushite Royal Pyramids at Nuri near Karima

Included

Guided visit of Meroe Pyramids

Included

Day 6 - Musawwarat (30th December 2021)

This morning we will visit the incredible deserted Kushite pyramids of Meroe, one of the most iconic and haunting sites in Sudan. In the afternoon we will move on to the other magnificient Kushite sites of Musawwarat and Naqa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 2

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Visit the Meroitic temple complex of Musawwarat

Included

Explore the ancient Kushite temple of Naqa

Included

Day 7 - Khartoum (31st December 2021)

Today we will complete our journey back to the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, where we have a much-deserved refresh and relax in the hotel after our time in the desert!

In the evening we will meet up for an included visit to Omdurman to see the weekly gathering of Whirling Dervishes, a magical cultural experience to see in the sunset.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Witness the spectacular Whirling Dervishes of Omdurman

Included

Day 8 - Khartoum - End Date (1st January 2022)

Border Information: if finishing in Khartoum, you will most likely exit Sudan at Khartoum International Airport (IATA code: KRT).

Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Khartoum. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.

Meals: Breakfast

DATES, PRICES & TRIP NOTES

Show only available departures

Departing

Finishing

Total Price (USD)

25 Dec 21 Khartoum

01 Jan 22 Khartoum

$1,690 USD

Status: Closed

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 8 days Booking Closed

01 Jan 22 Khartoum

08 Jan 22 Khartoum

$1,690 USD

Status: Closed

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 8 days Booking Closed

19 Mar 22 Khartoum

26 Mar 22 Khartoum

$1,690 USD

Status: Closed

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 8 days Booking Closed

24 Dec 22 Khartoum

31 Dec 22 Khartoum

$1,730 USD

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 8 days Add to basket

31 Dec 22 Khartoum

07 Jan 23 Khartoum

$1,730 USD

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 8 days Add to basket

18 Mar 23 Khartoum

25 Mar 23 Khartoum

$1,730 USD

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 8 days Add to basket

REVIEWS

Ross P

The Whirling Dervishes at Khartoum was my favourite part of the trip

Paul B

A Drago' truck is always a great way to travel and given the size of the Sudan, it is probably the best way to see and experience this amazing country.

Andrea W

The sights of Sudan are amazing and made the uncomfortable bits of the trip more bearable. The tour group are great morale boosters

Kerryn D

Bush camping was wonderful.

Robert K

The two leaders were the best! Always ready to answer questions, regardless of how many times the same questions were asked by others lol. Patient, always going out of their way to make sure everyone was comfortable. Professional, they always gave good information. I highly recommend them! One of the reasons I've traveled with Dragoman maybe 10 times. I'm looking forward to my next trip already!

David M

I normally travel on my own and was therefore apprehensive about travelling with a group. Two points I would make. Firstly I enjoyed it immensely. Secondly it was not a trip that would not have been easy to replicate solo.

Edwin Peter W

Have usually travelled independently before so didn't know what to expect. The trip was brilliant, thanks to the crew who seemed more like wise and knowledgeable friends than mere tour leaders. I would like to thank them for their hard work and patience.

VICENTE F

It all went really well, way better than I could have expected.

Richard D

This was my first overland trip so wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I enjoyed the cross mix of people plus the fascinating country and the sites visited.

Myrtle R

The lack of other tourists - to view the pyramids and temples against the desert with the wind adding to the loneliness is quite spectacular

GARY H

This was a trip I had my eye on for a long time ( via other Companies ) and was delighted when Dragoman started to offer the route. Timings do mean you really need an extra day to make sure you can cover Khartoum in depth.

Michael T

Fantastic to visit beautiful sites and to have them almost to ourselves. The joy of travelling in a country where tourism hasn't taken hold yet.

Veronica L

Amazing!

David H

The archaeological sites were the main attraction and did not disappoint. The visit to the Whirling Dervishes in Khartoum was brilliant -a must see.

Damian M

It was very good. Itinerary was good, crew and guide were very professional

Sharon N

Had a great time - and despite this being the first time the leaders had done the trip they did an amazing job of getting us everywhere we were meant to be!

Kirsten T

Pre departure support was excellent. Really appreciated the visa support and assistance at Khartoum airport.

Angela M

It is a brilliant way to travel. It was a journey of discovery for everyone on the trip and I liked that. No-one had been to Sudan before. The most special moment for me was the dawn crossing of the Nile from Wawa and watching the rising sun change the colours of the stone Temple of Solab

Hollie S

It was great.

Contact Us

Saharan Gems of Sudan & the Kush

Khartoum - Khartoum

USEFUL INFORMATION