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Spiekermann
Tour Itinerarys...
SUDAN - ANCIENT NUBIA Itinerary
February 07 to 08 USA to SUDAN
Depart JFK on night flight to Cairo and connect to the flight to Khartoum
arriving the following evening. Transfer to a local hotel for dinner and
overnight. (D)
February 09 KHARTHOM
Explore the Archaeological Museum that houses two complete temples rescued by
UNESCO from the floodwaters of Lake Nasser area. Have lunch at a restaurant
overlooking the Nile. Afternoon at leisure to relax and prepare for the
adventure that lies ahead. Have dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
February 10 KHARTOUM to MEROE
Depart after breakfast heading north along good roads to the desert. The area
is littered with huge granite boulders, the last offshoots of the rocky
formations of the 6th Cataract. Leave the asphalt road for Sabaloka Gorge for
a closer look at these impressive formations near the rapids of the 6th
Cataract of the Nile River. Next stop is the town of Shendi for a brief visit
of the market. As you continue driving north, the pyramids of the necropolis
of Meroe become visible among yellow sand dunes. There are more than 40
pyramids along the Nile in Sudan, some very well preserved. Arrive at the
permanent tented Camp of Meroe, your base for the next three nights and have
dinner. (B,L,D)
February 11 MEROE
Tour the pyramids of Meroe, some of which have been restored. Their distinct
shape stands out against the clear sky. Located in front of them are some
small funerary temples with walls fully decorated with bas-reliefs that depict
the life of the gods and the king. Follow the Nile to visit the ruins of the
royal city. Excavations confirm that there was once a central area surrounded
by suburbs and boundary walls. Return to camp for dinner and overnight.
(B,L,D)
February 12 NAGA and MUSSAWARAT
Visit Naga located east of the Nile. It was one of two major centers that
developed during the Meroitic period. Situated in a typical Saharan
environment of rocks and sand, is the Apedemak Temple (1st C AD), decorated
with bas-reliefs of the Lion-headed god, and several cultic images of the god
Apedemak, the pharaoh himself and several noblemen. Nearby is a small building
or kiosk with arches and columns in which Egyptian, Roman and Greek styles are
all evident. Not far away is a temple dedicated to Amon with many statues of
rams and an entranceway decorated with bas-reliefs. Depart for the ancient
settlement of Musawwarat, located in a valley crowned by hills. The ruins of a
very large temple believed to have played an important role in the community
are still visible. Its main feature, the Great Wall, is comprised of many
buildings and boundary walls that surround the temple built in the 1st C AD or
possibly earlier. The large number of elephants represented on these walls
leads to speculation of the importance of this animal to this area at that
time. Beyond the big wadi is another temple dedicated to the Apedemak god that
was recently restored by a German archaeological mission. Enjoy a picnic
lunch before returning to the camp for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
February 13 MEROE to KARIMA
Follow the road that skirts the Nile as you depart Meroe for the city of
Atbara, located on the confluence between the Nile and the Atbara rivers.
Cross the Nile by ferryboat and while waiting for the boat and during the
crossing you will have ample opportunity to observe and interact with the
local people. Head to the Bayuda Desert, an area bounded by the loop formed
by the Nile between the 4th and 6th Cataracts. The desert landscape is
characterized by sharp black basalt mountains, most of them volcanic and
typically cone-shaped, alternating with level pebble stretches and large
valleys with dry wadis and little vegetation. You may encounter isolated
groups and camel and donkey caravans. These are the Bisharin nomads who live
in small huts close to the rare water wells in areas where surviving seems
almost impossible. Upon arrival in Karima you will check into the Nubian Rest
House for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
February 14 JEBEL BARKAL and EL KURRU
Considered holy since ancient times Jebel Barkal stands as a landmark in the
Nubian Desert. This ancient “Pure Mountain”, the Olympus of the Nubians, was
the religious heart for more than 1000 years. At the foot of this isolated red
sandstone mountains are the ruins of a temple dedicated to the pharaohs of the
New Reign and to their patron Amon. There are also several statues of rams
carved in granite that once bordered a long avenue that probably led to a pier
on the Nile. Explore the Royal necropolis of the ancient city of Napata, the
Nubian capital from 800 to 400 B.C., before the Meroitic period. Scattered in
three different locations are a large number of pyramids. Visit two tombs
excavated from the rock under the pyramids in the necropolis in the village of
El Kurru. Partially collapsed, they are decorated with images of the pharaoh,
the gods and colored hieroglyphic inscriptions. Return to Karima for dinner
and overnight. (B,L,D)
February 15 NUBIAN DESERT
Visit the market before departing for the 4th cataract of the Nile site of the
Merowee dam built in 2008. Take a cruise on the Nile stopping to explore the
small sandy islands and to enjoy a picnic lunch. Later visit the Pyramids of
Nuri before returning to your lodgings for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
February 16 KARIMA to TOMBOS
Head to the central part of the Nubian region to visit Defuffa, a monument of
the Kerma civilization. Continue to the 3rd Cataract and the pre-set camp near
Tombos. Visit the stelae on the bank of the river, the granite quarries and
remains of a huge statue of King Taharqa. Follow the Nile to Sebu one of the
richest sites of rock engraving in Sudan with hundreds of images from
prehistoric to Egyptian times. Return to camp for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
February 17 TOMBOS
Continue north following the Nile to Delgo, Cross by ferry in front of the
temple of Sesibi and proceed to the temple of Soleb, the most beautiful
Egyptian temple in all Sudan. The walls are rich in hieroglyphic inscriptions
and bas-relief figures. Return to camp for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
February 18 TOMBOS to KARIMA
Return south through the Nubian Desert to an area where the locals do not
speak Arabic, and Islam is not as strictly adhered to as in other regions.
Women do not cover their faces and do speak to foreigners. People are very
hospitable and often invite foreigners to visit their home and have tea.
Arrive in Karima late afternoon. Have dinner and overnight at the Nubian Rest
House. (B,L,D)
February 19 KARIMA to KHARTOUM
Travel through the Western Desert to Wadi Muqaddam inhabited by the Bisharin
nomads living in camelhair tents near the water wells. Stop at a chai house
for a picnic. Continue to the hotel in Khartoum. (B,L,D)
February 20 OMDURMAN
Head to Omdurman, ancient capital of Sudan to explore the souk. Next visit the
small Ethnographical Museum before heading to the tomb and small museum of the
Mahdi, the Islamic leader of Sudan who fought against English colonization and
General Gordon in 1885. Afterwards return to the hotel in Khartoum for a
farewell dinner and your last night in country. (B,L,D)
February 21 SUDAN to the USA
Depart for the airport and your flight back to the US with connecting flights
through Cairo and JFK to your hometown, arriving same day. (B)
We (STS) reserve the right to change hotels, restaurants or the order of
activities if/as needed.
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