- Group Size 12 People Maximum
-
Activity Level
Moderate
-
Travel Style
Overland Adventure
Traveling with Atlas Obscura during COVID-19
When you join one of our trips, we want you to have peace of mind.
Learn more about:
Traveling with Atlas Obscura amid COVID-19 How We’re Adapting Our Trips Destination Requirements (via Embassy Pages)Join us for an epic journey to discover Sudan's ancient history and hidden gems. Home to some of the world's most spectacular historical artifacts, Sudan has an incredible wealth of ancient sites—more than can be found even in Egypt. Following the Nile from Khartoum northward into the desert, you'll unlock the secrets of the ancient Nubian Kingdom of Kush and the rule of the Black Pharaohs and Meroitic kings. Along the way, you'll encounter the majestic pyramids at Meroe and Jebel Barkal. This place only reveals its stories and secrets to those willing to explore its vast desert landscape.
- Crisscross the Nile to trace centuries-old ancient Egyptian and Nubian history
- Meet Bisharin nomads and Nubian locals
- Camp in the Sudanese desert
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Meroe and Jebel Barkal
- Travel by 4WD through incredible landscapes to see the remains of ancient civilizations at Naqa and Musawwarat
Itinerary
Day 1: Khartoum Arrival
A private transfer will be waiting for you at the airport to take you straight to the hotel. Most flights arrive in the middle of the night so you'll want to check in and go right to sleep.
Grand Holiday Villa Hotel, Khartoum
Most international flights arrive into Khartoum in the early morning hours (for example 12AM or 2:30AM). So we've booked an extra hotel night so that you can check into your room whatever hour you arrive on the 'Welcome to Sudan' day.
Day 2: Welcome to Sudan
Our journey begins in the capital of Khartoum, this vibrant city is a multicultural hub andan important trading center for the region. Take the morning to sleep in. You can enjoy breakfast and lunch at the hotel at your leisure. You'll meet up with your fellow travelers for a festive welcome dinner in the evening.
Grand Holiday Villa Hotel, Khartoum
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: At the Nexus of the Blue & White Nile
Khartoum is located near the confluence of the Blue Nile from Ethiopia and the White Nile. Exploring the city, you'll cross the river by boat near the Presidential Palace and enjoy a meal at one of the oldest hotels in the city. Before sunset, you'll head to the tomb of Sheikh Hamad-al Nil to observe the weekly local Dervish ceremony.
Grand Holiday Villa Hotel, Khartoum
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Dervish ceremony is not a performance. Please note that the Dervishes do notalways whirl at ceremonies! They'll only do so if they feel spiritually compelled to in themoment.
Day 4: The Old Capital of Omdurman
After breakfast at your hotel, we'll explore the city by driving to the outskirts of Omdurman to visit the camel market, the largest souk in Sudan, and see Mahdi's Tomb from the outside.
Later in the day, we'll catch a traditional Nuba wrestling match that has a fascinating cultural significance and has become extremely popular in the city, even to those outside of the Nuba peoples.
Grand Holiday Villa Hotel, Khartoum
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Following the Nile North to Meroe
Set out this morning traveling north from Khartoum, quickly entering the desert landscape of sand and rocky, granite hills. You'll stop at Sabaloka Gorge at the Sixth Cataract of the Nile with a short boat ride. Then, hold your breath as the spectacular pyramids of the Royal Necropolis of Meroe come into view, perched high on a hill and surrounded by dunes. The ruins of the ancient royal city now appear as a collection of small hills covered in red clay fragments, yet to be fully excavated by archaeologists.
Settle into your comfortable tented camp and enjoy the splendid view of the pyramids from your personal verandas.
Meroe Camp, Meroe
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: The Royal Necropolis of Meroe
Slowly being reclaimed by the sands of time, the pyramids of Meroe hold the fragile footprints of a mysterious and long-forgotten civilization. Meroe was an ancient city in the Kushite Kingdom around 270 BCE, and the sheer number of its still-standing pyramids indicate that it was a massive, bustling city. Each pyramid contains a funerary chapel and walls decorated with bas reliefs showing the king's life and offerings to the gods. You'll visit the local village of Kabushia for a coffee break. In the evening, you'll have the opportunity of traveling by camel to watch the sun set over the pyramids.
Meroe Camp, Meroe
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: The Magnificent Musawwarat & Naqa
Begin today’s excursion at Musawwarat es-Sufra, one of the most important archaeological heritage sites and the largest Meroitic temple complex in Sudan (300 BCE to 350 CE). Pause and take in the setting of this magnificent valley, surrounded by sandstone escarpments: the Wadi es-Sufra. The focal point of Musawwarat is the "Great Enclosure" a huge complex of religious temples, corridors, and courtyards. The walls are carved with depictions of elephants, which must have once roamed this region.
A short distance away is Naqa, where you'll find two well-preserved, first-century Meroitic temples to explore. One is the Lion Temple, dedicated to the lion-headed warrior god Apedemak. The other features statues of rams, gates, and decorative bas- reliefs dedicated to ancient Sudan's most prominent god, Amon. After a full day of archaeological exploration, you'll return for a final night at our camp.
Meroe Camp, Meroe
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Crossing the Bayuda Desert
This morning, cross the Nile on a public ferry, sharing our passage with locals and their donkeys, camels, and goats. Enter the Bayuda Desert; isolated groups of Bisharin nomads call this area home. Traveling through this desolate land, you’ll meet some familial groups gathered near one of the desert’s rare water wells.
After a full day of traveling desert roads, you’ll arrive at Jebel Barkal, the holy mountain of Egyptian and Nubian Pharaohs. At the mountain’s base is the small town of Karima, where the charming Nubian Rest House will provide a welcomed respite.
Nubian Rest House, Karima
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Under the Eye of a Nubian God
Weathered pyramids spike upward amid sweeping stretches of golden desert sand. They stand in the shadow of Jebel Barkal, a small butte considered sacred thousands of years ago. It is a trove of architectural treasures (900 BCE to 350 CE), now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the temples you’ll encounter was dedicated to the god Amon, believed to live atop the butte. Amon was the Olympus of the Nubians and at the center of worship for over 1,000 years. You’ll visit the village of El Kurru to find one of the necropolises of the ancient city of Napata. You’ll also have the opportunity to observe an excavated tomb under the pyramid, featuring images of pharaohs, gods, and hieroglyphic inscriptions. In the late afternoon, we’ll return to Karima through an ancient petrified forest.
Nubian Rest House, Karima
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Nuri: A Journey Back in Time
Enjoy a leisurely morning before boarding a small motorboat for a gentle cruise along the Nile, providing views of the cultivated islands along the river. After a scenic picnic lunch on an island in the river, you'll visit some of the oldest pyramids in Sudan (7th century BCE) at the Necropolis of Nuri, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and the burial site of King Taharqa. Return to the Nubian Rest House, where you'll enjoy a performance of traditional Sudanese music and dance in the evening.
Nubian Rest House, Karima
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Returning Through the Western Desert
Journey back to Khartoum across the Western Desert, an area so dry and flat you can see from horizon to horizon in all directions. We’ll take a break for lunch at a simple roadside chai house, just as the local truck drivers do. Once back in Khartoum, we’ll enjoy a farewell meal and reminisce about our experiences.
Grand Holiday Villa Hotel, Khartoum
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Most international flights depart late in the evening or after midnight. Whether you leave tonight or tomorrow, a private airport transfer will be arranged according to your flight schedule.
Day 12: Farewell & Departure
After our unforgettable journey through some of the world’s most legendary lands, it’s time to bid farewell and head to the airport.
This trip price is based on double occupancy.
You’re in good company. Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip. We have two options for you:
Shared Room: You’ll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.
Private Room: Have your own room, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $1,075. After booking your trip, please request a private room when you fill out your traveler information form and we’ll add the option to your booking and final balance.
During this trip we’ll be staying at a variety of accommodations. The hotel in Khartoum is an international standard with Western-style private bathroom facilities. Outside Khartoum, however, the lodgings are basic. For our nights out in the desert, we’ll be in nice, pre-set tents (one might even call it “glamping”), but these camps do not have 24-hour electricity in the rooms, and each tent’s bathroom facility is a short walk behind the tent.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking up to three hours each day, with lots of time spent outdoors, moving around, and on your feet. You should be comfortable walking on both flat and uneven ground, as well as stairs, sand, and rocky terrain. During the day’s activities and in transit, toilet facilities may be limited to “bush toilets” or basic squat toilets of inconsistent cleanliness standards.
This is an overland journey that relies on long, rigorous drives in 4WD vehicles over rough, bumpy roads. On days when the distance to be covered is particularly long, we’ll make sure to stop regularly.
While not required, soft suitcases are appreciated as they're easier to pack into the vehicles.
Most international flights arrive very early in the morning (before 2AM). We've arranged for an extra hotel night stay (Day 1) so that no matter what time you arrive, you can check in and get some sleep. You'll meet up with the group on Day 2.
Departing flights also leave quite late, so there's a chance your flight might be close to midnight on Day 11. You have the hotel room for the night however so you can stay in your room as late as you need.
- Accommodation throughout the trip at comfortable hotels and safari-style tented camps
- All meals as described in the itinerary
- Transportation throughout the trip, including arrival and departure airport transfers
- Two experienced Leaders (one European, one Sudanese) to accompany you for the duration of the trip as well as special guests throughout
- Admission to all proposed activities, locations, and events
- A curious group of fellow Atlas Obscura travelers!
- 24/7 emergency assistance during your trip, provided by Global Rescue (terms apply)
- Special access to unique places and extraordinary experiences
- All tips and gratuities except for accompanying Trip Leaders
- Transportation and flights to and from Khartoum
- Pre- and post-trip accommodations
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Additional meals and drinks outside of Atlas Obscura offerings (please note that alcohol is illegal in Sudan however you will find non-alcoholic beer options)
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable
- COVID-19 testing requirements
- Customary gratuities for Trip Leader
Trip FAQ
What positive impact will I have by taking this trip?
Your participation in this trip will provide significant financial contributions to the communities we visit, directly supporting small businesses, schools, villages, and local families. In addition, this trip's focus on important archaeological sites will help to preserve and maintain them for future generations. With the help of Friends Of Sudan/Amici del Sudan (an Italian NGO founded by our trip partners) your trip is supporting a school near the Meroe, called Tarabil, and digging a well to allow some nomadic tribes to bring their herds of animals back to their ancestral lands.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Food options in Sudan are limited. While our team will attempt to accommodate most dietary restrictions, substitutions may not be an option. We encourage you to bring some travel snacks from home, such as energy bars, trail mix, dried fruit, and nuts. If you have a severe allergy, please contact us to find out if this is the right trip for you.
In general, influence from various trade relations and invasions means you’ll find a variety of flavors in Sudanese food. Common ingredients are peanuts, rice, lava beans, porridge, okra, fish and meat.
What are the visa/passport requirements for entering Sudan?
A visa is required for Sudan. Please check requirements for travel to Sudan and any countries passed through in transit. We will supply the letter of invitation required with your visa application. We recommend starting your visa application process 4 to 5 months prior to the departure. A passport is required for international travel. Your passport should have two full blank visa pages and an expiration date at least six months after your return home. A visa will be denied if you have an Israeli visa or entry stamp in your passport. You can check for requirements directly through the embassy or by using a third-party visa resource. *Please note that applications through a third-party resource may incur services charges in addition to any applicable visa fees.
Do I need any vaccinations and/or medications?
The CDC recommends all travelers be up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Please check these recommendations and discuss them with your doctor. As of October 2021, Atlas Obscura requires that all travelers be vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate in our trips.
Or 
