Splendours of Egypt & Sudan

Cairo - Khartoum

27 days through Egypt, Sudan

FROM: $3045 USD + 740 USD Kitty

Transport:

Overland Expedition Vehicle, Private Bus, Ferry

Crew:

Two Dragoman Crew Members, Local Guides where necessary

Accom:

Comfortable Hotel 2 nights
Basic Hotel 14 nights
Camping 1 night
Multishare Hostel 3 nights
Overnight Boat 1 night
Camping without facilities 5 nights

Meals:

Breakfasts x 26, Lunches x 7, Dinners x 7

Physical:

Lifestyle:

Code:

ZCK

Deposit:

$260 USD per person

Foreign Travel Advice

TRIP OVERVIEW

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 creates the world's longest river.

HIGHLIGHTS

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

WHAT TO EXPECT

If 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.

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Guided tour of the Cairo Egyptian Museum

Visit the ancient Coptic Monastery of St. Anthony in Egypt's Eastern Deserts

Explore the Ottoman Fort at El Quseir

See the remarkably well-preserved painted murals in the Temple of Hathor in Dendara

Guided tour of Karnak Temple Luxor

ITINERARY

EXPAND ALL CLOSE ALL

Day 1 - Cairo (17th November 2020)

Border Information: if joining in Cairo, you will most likely enter Egypt at Cairo International Airport (IATA code: CAI).

There will be an important group meeting at 10:00am at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting. Your leader will need to check your Sudanese visa or make sure the necessary preparations have been done to pick your visa up in Cairo or Aswan. They will also need to check the Ethiopian visas of anyone going beyond Khartoum.

In the afternoon we will have 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 note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Cairo 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 Cairo.

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Guided tour of the Cairo Egyptian Museum

Included

Optional Activities

Entrance to the Mummy Room in the Egyptian Museum which displays the mummies of some very important Pharoahs such as Akenaten Ramses II and Hatshepsut

Entrance: 100 EGP

Visit The Pharonic Village - a showcase of various scenes of everyday life in Ancient Egypt

Entrance: 150 EGP

Explore the medieval Islamic fortress of the Cario Citadel built by the warrior Saladin and the beautiful Ottoman Mosque of Muhammed Ali Pasha

Entrance: 50 EGP

Visit the collection of Egyptian Coptic Christian heritage at the Coptic Museum and the nearby Hanging Church

Entrance to museum: 50 EGP

See the 9th-century Nileometer on Rhoda Island which was once used for carefully measuring the height of the Nile during the annual flood

Entrance: 15 EGP

Entrance to the distinctive Cairo Tower the tallest building in North Africa (when open)

Entrance: 70 EGP

Explore the scenic Al Azhar Park an oasis of beautiful greenery within Cairo built in tradition Islamic style

Entrance: 7 EGP

Discover the exceptional collection of art from all over the Islamic world at Cairo\'s Museum of Islamic Art

Entrance: 50 EGP

Day 2 - Cairo (18th November 2020)

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

Explore the interior of the Pyramids at Giza.

Entrance to Khufu Pyramid interior: 120 EGP

Entrance to Menkaure Pyramid interior: 40 EGP

Entrance to boat reconstruction: 40 EGP

See the stunning Sound and Light show at the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx

Price: 120 EGP

Day 3 - Alexandria (19th November 2020)

Today we will start our journey by travelling up to the Mediterranean coast to the bustling city of Alexandria, where will spend 2 nights exploring the sights.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Day 4 - Alexandria (20th November 2020)

Today we will have the chance to visit the beautiful modern Alexandria Library, explore various historical sites, and to go diving in the Mediterranean.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

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

Entrance to cemetery (not incl transport to and from Alexandria): 50 EGP

Scuba diving around the incredible submerged port of Heracleion in the MediterraneanSea

2 dives: 800 EGP

Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandria the incredible modern Library of Alexandria

Entrance: 70 EGP

See the interesting collections and exhibits at the Alexandria National Museum located in a restored Italian-style palace

Entrance (incl camera permit): 65 EGP

Explore the incredible 2nd-century Roman amphitheatre of Kom El Dikka

Entrance to main site: 15 EGP

Entrance to the Villa of Birds: 10 EGP

Visit the incredible Citadel of Qaitbey a 15th-century defensive fortress on the mouth of the Eastern Harbour

Entrance: 25 EGP

Explore the ancient underground catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

Entrance: 35 EGP

Visit Pompey's Pillar, one of the largest columns ever constructed in the Roman era.

Entrance: 20 EGP

Stroll through Montaza Palace and extensive gardens in the Montaza district of Alexandria.

Entrance to the gardens: 5 EGP

Head to the Mustafa Kamal Necropolis with tombs from the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC.

Entrance: 15 EGP

Day 5 - Port Said (21st November 2020)

Today we will follow the Mediterranean coast across the Nile Delta to reach Port Said, the town at the northern outflow of the Suez Canal.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

See the famous and influential Suez Canal near Port Said

Price: Free

Visit the Military Museum

Entrance incl camera permit: 7 EGP

Day 6 - Zafarana (22nd November 2020)

Today we will travel south following the Suez Canal, then branch out into the Eastern Deserts, visiting the ancient Coptic Monastery of St. Anthony en route.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Visit the ancient Coptic Monastery of St. Anthony in Egypt's Eastern Deserts

Included

Day 7 - El Quseir (23rd November 2020)

Today we will travel down the stunning coast of the Red Sea to explore the Ottoman fort at El Quseir.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Explore the Ottoman Fort at El Quseir

Included

Day 8 - Marsa Alam (24th November 2020)

Today we will complete our drive to the beautiful southern Red Sea village of Marsa Alam.

We will have 2 full 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!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3

Day 9 - Marsa Alam (25th November 2020)

Today we will continue to enjoy the activites on offer in Marsa Alam. There are plenty of options for once in a lifetime expereinces, both on land and in the sea!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

Head out scuba-diving through the coral reefs of the Red Sea

Price: 60 EUR

Take an evening camel safari in the Wadi-El-Gamal desert with the option of sleeping out under the stars

Day trip: 100 EGP

Overnight trip: 300 EGP

Snorkel through the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea searching for dolphins and other marine life

Sharm El Luli or Dolphin House: 60 EUR

Abu Dabab: 15 EUR

Visit the fascinating traditional camel markets of Shalateen on the remote coastal border with Sudan

Visit to camel market: 33 EUR

Head out on a small yacht for a fishing trip on the idyllic waters of the Red Sea

Price: 70 EUR

Head out for a sunset quad biking trip into the deserts near Marsa Alam

Half-day super safari (jeep, quads, camels): 60 EUR

Sunset quad biking trip: 35 EUR

Explore the coral reefs of the Red Sea from a \'semi-submarine\', a boat designed with huge underwater viewing windows

Price: 40 EUR

Surfing or kite-surfing on the Red Sea near Marsa Alam

Kite surfing bay fee per day: 60 EUR

Kite surfing equipment rental per day: 79 EUR

Day 10 - Marsa Alam (26th November 2020)

Our final day in Marsa Alam. This is the time to enjoy relaxation on the beach before we continue our journey towards Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 11 - Luxor (27th November 2020)

Today 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. We will also try to visit the Temple of Hathor at Dendara en route (if accessible).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Multishare Hostel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Daily Activities

Included Activities

See the remarkably well-preserved painted murals in the Temple of Hathor in Dendara

Included

Day 12 - Luxor (28th November 2020)

On the second 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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Multishare Hostel

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Guided tour of Karnak Temple Luxor

Included

Optional Activities

Explore the colossal 18th-Dynasty Temple of Luxor

Entrance: 65 EGP

See the Sound and Light show at the Karnak Temple

Entrance: 100 EGP

Visit the fascinating Luxor Museum of Antiquities

Entrance: 80 EGP

Learn all about the process and techniques of mummification at the Luxor Mummification Museum

Entrance: 60 EGP

Day 13 - Luxor (29th November 2020)

On the third 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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Multishare Hostel

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Explore the phenomenal royal tombs at the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of the Nile

Included

Visit the impressive Temple of Hatshepsut, built to honour one of Egypt\'s most influential Pharoahs

Included

Optional Activities

Visit the world-famous tomb of the Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings the only Egyptian royal tomb ever discovered undisturbed

Entrance: 150 EGP

Day 14 - Aswan (30th November 2020)

Today we leave Luxor 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.

We will then continue on to the southern city of Aswan - here is where we will pick up the Sudanese visas of anyone who has arranged them to be processed here in advance.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Take a guided tour of the Ptolomaic-era Temple of Horus at Edfu considered to be the best preserved temple in Egypt

Included

Day 15 - Nile Felucca (1st December 2020)

Today we will board a traditional felucca sailboat for an overnight adventure exploring the Nile by boat.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight Boat

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Discover the River Nile by boat on an afternoon and overnight felucca trip

Included

Day 16 - Aswan (2nd December 2020)

We will return from the felucca to Aswan, where we will have 2 full days to enjoy to wealth of history and culture that Aswan has to offer, and to make optional visits to the Philae Temple, Elephantine Island, the Nubian Museum, and the Aswan Dam. If the group are keen to extend the felucca trip, we also have time to allow this possibility.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

Visit the Philae Temple a beautiful Ptolomaic-era temple to Osiris on an island near Aswan

Boat and Entrance: 110 EGP

See the spectacular Sound and Light show at the Philae Temple

Price: 33 EGP

Visit the controversial Aswan High Dam

Entrance: 30 EGP

Take a boat trip out to Elephantine Island to explore its ruins and Nileometers, and to the beautiful botanical gardens on Elnabatat\'s Island

Trip: 90 EGP

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

Entrance: 40 EGP

Visit the the fortress-like 7th-century Monastery of St. Simeon

Entrance: 25 EGP

Visit the Nubian Museum a fantastic showcase of Nubian culture and civilisation

Entrance: 20 EGP

See the colossal Unfinished Obelisk near Aswan, which would have been the largest obelisk in the world had it been completed

Entrance: 30 EGP

Explore the nearby Fatimid cemetery a rare window into the 10th and 11th-century Fatimid Caliphate era

Entrance: Free

Visit the incredible Roman-era Temple of Kalabsha constructed in tribute to Mandulis the Nubian sun god

Entrance: 50 EGP

Explore the locally-made abstract sculptures showcased at the Aswan Sculpture Park

Entrance: 40 EGP

Enjoy more time on a Nile felucca

Sunset felucca cruise: 25 USD

2-day felucca trip to Kom Ombo: 100 USD

Day 17 - Aswan (3rd December 2020)

Today we have full day in Aswan to visit as many of the historical sites as possible! Museums, Obelisks, Tombs and Temples are commonplace here. Which ones will you choose to visit?!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 18 - Abu Simbel (4th December 2020)

Today we will drive to the small village of Abu Simbel, where 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).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Visit the awe-inspiring world-famous Temple of Ramses II and Temple of Nefertari in Abu Simbel

Included

Optional Activities

Watch the fantastic Sound and Light show at the Abu Simbel Temples

Entrance: 60 EGP

Day 19 - Wadi Halfa (5th December 2020)

Border Information: Exit Egypt at Qustol, enter Sudan at Qustol.

Today we will take an early transport ferry across to the east side of Lake Nasser, and then head across the border where we meet our local facilitator who will accompany us in Sudan. We will then drive a short distance to the dusty northern Sudanese frontier town of Wadi Halfa, where we will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Day 20 - Wawa (6th December 2020)

Over the next 2 days we will journey 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 Temple of Soleb near Wawa, the Deffufa of Kerma near Dongola, and the pyramids at Jebel Barkal mountain near the town of Karima.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Explore the ruins of the Temple of Soleb

Included

Day 21 - Karima (7th December 2020)

Today we continue on our journey visiting the relics of the Kushite era on our way.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 7

Daily Activities

Included Activities

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

Included

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

Included

Day 22 - Naqa (8th December 2020)

Over these days we continue our journey into the heart of Sudan, visiting the incredible and haunting Nuri pyramids and Meroe pyramids of the Kushite era. We will then continue south to visit the Kushite ruins at the sites of Naqa and Musawwarat.

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

Day 23 - Naqa (9th December 2020)

We have the luxury of taking our time here. As we work out way towards Khartoum you can really feel yourself becoming one with Sudan as you spend time wandering through the ruins of bygone ages.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Guided visit of Meroe Pyramids

Included

Day 24 - Naqa (10th December 2020)

Our final day travelling through the desert of Sudan. It will not be long until we are in the hustle and bustle of Khartoum. Enjoy the final hours of desolation and the final night of sleeping under the stars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping without facilities

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 6

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Visit the Meroitic temple complex of Musawwarat

Included

Explore the ancient Kushite temple of Naqa

Included

Day 25 - Khartoum (11th December 2020)

Today we will complete our journey to the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, where your tour leader will have to collect the passports of everyone in the group to register our visas.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 4

Day 26 - Khartoum (12th December 2020)

We will have the whole day to freely explore Khartoum, including possible optional trips to the impressive Grand Mosque and the bustling Omdurman market.

Meals: Breakfast

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

Witness the spectacular Whirling Dervishes of Omdurman

Entrance: 1,000 SDG

Minibus for up to 10 people out to the site: 500 SDG

Day 27 - Khartoum - End Date (13th December 2020)

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.

For passengers continuing their journey on to Gondar, today we will leave Khartoum towards the Ethiopian border, staying in the small town of Gedaref.

Meals: Breakfast

DATES, PRICES & TRIP NOTES

Show only available departures

Departing

Finishing

Total Price (USD)

17 Nov 20 Cairo

13 Dec 20 Khartoum

$3,045 USD + 750 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 27 days Add to basket

25 Mar 21 Khartoum

20 Apr 21 Cairo

$3,075 USD + 740 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 27 days Add to basket

16 Nov 21 Cairo

12 Dec 21 Khartoum

$3,150 USD + 750 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 27 days Add to basket

24 Mar 22 Khartoum

19 Apr 22 Cairo

$3,175 USD + 740 USD Kitty

Status: Open

Trip Notes:

Trip Itinerary

Essential Info:

Essential Info.

Duration: 27 days Add to basket

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Splendours of Egypt & Sudan

Cairo - Khartoum

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