Really experience Egypt and Sudan as we follow the Nile and explore the gems of the ancient civilisations along this mighty river. This trip of course visits the Egyptian highlights of the Pyramids of Giza as well as Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel, but offers so much more. We take an overnight Felucca to experience the life of the river, visit the bustling city of Alexandria and relax on the Red Sea coast. In Sudan we explore the deserts, towns and the great temples and pyramids of the Nubian region, learning about the Kingdom of the Kush. In Khartoum we have the opportunity to witness one of Africa’s geographical highlights, the confluence of the Nile. Locally known as Al Mogran this is where the Blue Nile meets the White Nile and create the world’s longest river.
See the mummy of Rameses II in the Cairo Museum
Guided tour of the pyramids, tombs and other wonders of Egypt
Explore the ancient city of Alexandria
See the famous Suez canal
Relax on the beach of the Red Sea resort, Marsa Alam
Marvel at the incredible sights of Luxor
Explore the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
Guided tour of the Temple of Horus at Edfu
Enjoy an overnight trip in a traditional felucca on the river Nile
2 days in Aswan to explore the history and sights
Marvel at the temples of Rameses and Nefetari at Abu Simbel
Wild camp in the Sahara desert of Sudan
Guided visit of the Meroe pryamids
Wander around the bustling and fascinating city of Khartoum
SHOW MORE HIGHLIGHTSIf you love off-the-beaten-track travel, camping in deserts, meeting friendly local people, then this trip is for you. If all you want is luxury and no surprises then choose another trip. Expect the unexpected.
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 6:00pm - 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 the following morning.
The next 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.
In Khartoum we stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Explore Omdurman market in Khartoum
Witness the confluence of the Blue and White Niles at 'The Mogran' near Khartoum
Learn all about the Islamic Mahdist era with a visit to the Khalifa House Museum and the Mahdi's Tomb in Omdurman
Today we will head north out of Khartoum to explore the Kushite temples of Naqa and Musawwarat.
Tonight we aim to wild camp in the deserts near Musawwarat.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).
Explore the ancient Kushite temples of Naqa and Musawwarat
Today we will head north to visit the incredible and haunting Meroe pyramids of the Kushite era. We will then continue on to Karima.
We aim to wild camp in the deserts near Karima.
Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.
Guided visit of Meroe Pyramids
Over the next 3 days we will journey north through the remote areas of Northern Sudan and the vast Sahara Desert. En route we will visit many ruined temples of the Kushite era, including the Nuri pyramids and the pyramids at Jebel Barkal mountain near the town of Karima, the Deffufa of Kerma near Dongola, and the Temple of Soleb near Wawa.
On all of these nights we will wild camp out in the remote deserts, which is the true highlight of travelling overland through Sudan!
Estimated Drive Times - 4-8 hours each day.
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
Visit the pre-Kushite Temple of Deffufa, a 5,500 year old Nubian archaeological site built by the Kerma civilisation
Cross the Nile and explore the remote Kushite Temple of Soleb
Today we will come to the end of our long journey through the wilds of Northern Sudan and reach the dusty frontier town of Wadi Halfa on the southern shores of Lake Nasser.
The rest of the day will be free for us to explore the hills above Wadi Halfa, or to relax in the shade!
In Wadi Halfa we will stay in a basic local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 2-3 hours.
Border Information: Exit Sudan at Qustol, enter Egypt at Qustol.
Today we will cross the border into Egypt, and take the first available transport ferry across to the west side of Lake Nasser and the small village of Abu Simbel. Here we will have an included visit to the phenomenal Temples of Ramses and Nefertari, with a possibility to visit the sound and light show after sunset (if it is running).
In Abu Simbel we will stay in a basic local guesthouse.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-6 hours.
Visit the awe-inspiring world-famous Temple of Ramses II and Temple of Nefertari in Abu Simbel
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Today we continue our drive by joining the 11:00am convoy to Aswan, where we will have 3 full days to enjoy to wealth of history and culture that Aswan has to offer, and to make optional visits to Philae Temple, Elephantine Island, the Nubian Museum, and the Aswan Dam.
In Aswan we stay in a comfortable hotel in the centre of the town, next to the Nile River.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-6 hours.
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit the Philae Temple, a beautiful Ptolomaic-era temple to Osiris on an island near Aswan
Visit the controversial Aswan High Dam
Take a boat trip out to Elephantine Island to explore its ruins and Nileometers, and to the beautiful botanical gardens on Elnabatat's Island
Explore the Tombs of the Nobles near Aswan, the rock-hewn tombs of nobility all the way from the Old Kingdom to the Roman era
Today we will board a traditional felucca sailboat for an overnight adventure exploring the Nile by boat.
Our accommodation tonight will be on board the felucca.
Discover the River Nile by boat on an afternoon and overnight felucca trip
This morning we start our journey north through Egypt and visit the incredible Temple of Edfu, an awe-inspiring temple dedicated to Horus built during the Ptolomaic era, which is considered to be the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt.
After this we will head to Luxor, a beautiful modern town built on the site of the Ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes, where we will spend 3 nights exploring the incredible historical sites here.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-7 hours.
On the following day we will have an included guided tour around the world-famous Karnak Temple, which is walking distance from our hotel. This temple contains some remarkably preserved painted walls and many awe-inspiring pillars and obelisks, and was the centre of religious life in Thebes. Our tour will last about 2 hours, and then we will have free time for the rest of the day to explore the temple independently, and to visit the other sites in Luxor such as the smaller Luxor Temple in the town centre, and the small but beautiful Luxor Museum, which is filled with priceless treasures from the area.
On the following day we will have an included tour to the West Bank, which will encompass the Hatshepsut Temple and the phenomenal Valley of the Kings, the location of the tombs of the Pharoahs of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt.
In Luxor we will stay in a comfortable hotel.
Take a guided tour of the Ptolomaic-era Temple of Horus at Edfu, considered to be the best preserved temple in Egypt
Guided tour of Karnak Temple, Luxor
Explore the phenomenal royal tombs at the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of the Nile
See the remarkably well-preserved painted murals in the Temple of Hathor in Dendara
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Explore the colossal 18th-Dynasty Temple of Luxor
Visit the fascinating Luxor Museum of Antiquities
Visit the world-famous tomb of the Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, the only Egyptian royal tomb ever discovered undisturbed
Today we will drive to the beautiful southern Red Sea village of Marsa Alam. We will also have an included visit the remarkably preserved Temple of Hathor at Dendara en route.
Estimated Drive Time - 6-8 hours.
We will have 2 days in Marsa Alam to relax on the beaches, enjoy many optional activities on the Red Sea, or to take an optional overnight camel safari out into the nearby deserts of Wadi-el-Gamal!
In Marsa Alam we will stay in a basic local beach guesthouse.
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Head out scuba-diving through the coral reefs of the Red Sea
Explore the coral reefs of the Red Sea from a 'semi-submarine', a boat designed with huge underwater viewing windows
Take an overnight camel safari out into the Wadi-El-Gamal desert, sleeping out under the stars
Head out on a small yacht for a fishing trip on the idyllic waters of the Red Sea
Today we will spend some more time at Marsa Alam, before heading up the coast to explore the nearby Ottoman fort at El Quseir.
In El Quseir we will stay in a pleasant campsite.
Estimated Drive Time - 2-3 hours.
Explore the Ottoman Fort at El Quseir
Today we will travel up the stunning coast of the Red Sea and into the Eastern Deserts, visiting the ancient Coptic Monastery of St. Anthony en route.
We will aim to stay in a simple local guesthouse in Zafarana en route.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-7 hours.
Visit the ancient Coptic Monastery of St. Anthony in Egypt's Eastern Desert
Today we will head further north, and follow the Suez Canal to its northern outflow into the Mediterranean Sea at Port Said.
In Port Said we will stay in a local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 6-8 hours.
Today we will follow the Mediterranean coast across the Nile Delta to reach the bustling city of Alexandria, where will spend 2 nights exploring the sights. We will have the chance to visit the beautiful modern Alexandria Library, explore several historical sites, and to go diving in the Mediterranean.
In Alexandria we will stay in a local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-6 hours.
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandria, the incredible modern Library of Alexandria
Scuba diving around the incredible submerged port of Heracleion in the Mediterranean Sea
Take a trip out to the incredibly moving war cemeteries of El Alamein, the site of one of the most influential battles of World War II
Today is our final drive day to the colossal, busting Egyptian capital of Cairo. We will aim to arrive in the later afternoon. Please note that if the traffic is particularly heavy, we may not be able to safely drive right up to the hotel due to parked cars blocking the streets; in this instance we may have to take the truck directly to a parking area and take taxis to the hotel.
In Cairo we will stay in a comfortable hotel located in the pleasant district of Dokki, a short taxi or metro journey from downtown Cairo.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours
Today we will set off in a local chartered minibus for an included full-day guided tour to Memphis, the pyramids at Saqqara, the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
We will aim to be back in Cairo for around 4:00pm today and stay overnight in the same hotel.
Tonight is the last night of the trip so we will go out for our final night group meal together!
Visit the site of Dashur, with the fascinating Red and Bent Pyramids built by the 4th Dynasty Pharoah Sneferu - includes entrance to the interior of the Red Pyramid
Visit the ancient 3rd Dynasty necropolis of Saqqara, including Djoser's Step Pyramid, the oldest complete stone building ever built in the world
Explore the remains of Memphis, the old capital of Lower Egypt
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Guided visit to the Giza and Saqqara Pyramids, Cairo
See the stunning Sound and Light show at the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
Entrance to the interior of the Menkaure Pyramid at Giza
Border Information: if finishing in Cairo, you will most likely exit Egypt at Cairo International Airport (IATA code: CAI).
This morning we will head out on our final activity, an included half-day guided visit to the Egyptian Museum. We will go to the museum by metro or by taxi, and be shown around the vast and breathtaking collection of historical relics and treasures, including the sarcophagus of Akhenaten, the mummy of Ramses II and of course the incredible golden mask of Tutankhamun!
Please do not book flights out of Cairo before about 6:00pm if you would like to make sure you have enough time to fully explore the museum before the trip ends.
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Cairo. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Dragoman 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.
Guided tour of the Cairo Egyptian Museum
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
This group overland journey has multiple departures.
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