Young Pioneer Tours
Sudan Nubian Legends Tour
For the first time, YPT takes you to Sudan. Often ignored next to Egypt, Sudan is a land of extreme beauty with a history that goes back to the Pharaohs. Come with us as we explore ancient pyramids and necropolises, haggle in busy markets and meet the people of this off-the-tourist-radar country! We will be the first in line to witness history in action as this proud nation rises up after being freed from years of economic sanctions.
During this Sudan tour, we will visit the capital city, Khartoum, and its numerous temples. We will then cross the white Nile and visit the second-biggest city, Omdurman, where we will explore the recent history of the country and the mahdist state which ruled before colonization by the British.
We will then leave the cities in our hired 4WD cars to explore ruins of former glorious empires, including the Christian Kingdom of Makuria, the Necropolis of Napata and last but definitely not least, the pyramids of Meroe. While the pyramids in Egypt are now visited by thousands and thousands each years and can get very crowded, the pyramids of Meroe will be all ours! We shall camp right by them for a truly memorable night!
Go see the other Sudan and the world’s youngest country in our Sudan & South Sudan Combo.
All Pioneers members will get a discount on this tour, which we expect to sell out very quickly.
Monday 15th November – Khartoum
- Own arrival into Khartoum to be met at the airport by our local guide and transferred to our hotel.
- Meet at 8pm for a pre-tour group dinner and meet your fellow travelers.
- Overnight in Khartoum.
Tuesday 16th November – Khartoum & Omdurman
- Up early for breakfast at hotel before we start the day with a city tour of the Sudanese capital city.
- We’ll visit the national museum, which contains various objects dedicated to Nubian history. This Nubian area of the southern Nile was home of Africa’s earliest ancient civilization.
- We’ll also take in the beautiful temples saved by UNESCO from lake Nassir and rebuilt entirely inside the museum.
- Visit the Ethnographic museum. Sudan has 597 different ethnic groups that speak over 400 different languages and dialects, we’ll get a taste for the incredible diversity here.
- Cross the White Nile for a trip to technically Sudan’s second largest city – Omdurman. We’ll have a short stop at the Mahdi tomb and tour around the Khalifa house museum. The house served as the HQ of the Mahdist state. This was a short-lived religious and political movement that ruled Sudan until the British reconquered in 1898.
- Lunch stop in Omdurman.
- Visit Omdurman’s beautifully colourful market before making our way back to Khartoum.
- Dinner and overnight in Khartoum.
Wednesday 17th November – Khartoum/Old Dongola/Kerma
- Very early morning breakfast before beginning our journey to Northern Sudan.
- We travel 500km north of Khartoum. On the way we’ll stop at Old Dongola, the capital of the Christian kingdom of Makuria. Today it’s a deserted city with the population having moved downstream in the 19th century.
- We move onto the cemetery of the Sofi holy men (lunch on the way).
- Take the ferry across the Nile and drive for a further 40km arriving at Kerma, a 3800 B.C archeological site.
- Overnight in a traditional Nubian house with a wonderful local feast.
Thursday 18th November – Tombus/Soleb
- Another early rise to visit the site of Tombus. Here there are many Egyptian inscriptions and a huge granite statue dedicated the famous black Pharaoh – Taharqa.
- We continue 50km to the north where we stop to take in the amazing panoramic view of the rock art from the prehistoric period at Wadi Sebu.
- Lunch stop at a local tea house.
- Cross the Nile to its west bank and drive two hours up to Soleb; an ancient Nubian town home to a vast necropolis of which we can visit the tombs which haven’t been destroyed by colonial “archaeologists”
- Dinner and overnight at a traditional Nubian house.
Friday 19th November Soleb – Karima
- Today we head back south driving for 320km before reaching the city of Karima, the location of ancient Napata.
- We visit the holy mountain of Jebel Barkal (Together with Napata, a UNESCO heritage site) and the numerous temples at the foot of Jebel Barkal.
- We then visit the impressive Kurru, the royal necropolis of Napata. Here we go deep underneath the pyramid to see the amazing painted tomb of the black Pharaoh Tanutamani. You won’t find such vivid painting anywhere else!
- Dinner in a local restaurant.
- Overnight at Merowe Tourist Village hotel.
Saturday 20th November – Nuri/Meroe
- Early morning visit to the nearby Nuri pyramids. There are over 60 burial places here.
- We continue crossing though the Bayuda desert up to Meroe. We’ll pass through and stop at desert settlements such as Ad-Damer before reaching the famous Meroe pyramids. A perfect setting to witness the sun go down.
- TRIP HIGHLIGHT: Overnight camping in tents near the Pyramids!
Sunday 21st November – Meroe/Khartoum
- Rise and shine for an early morning visit to the royal city of Meroe.
- Set off on an off-road/on-road adventure to visit Mussawart. This is a complex of temples dedicated the local god Apedamak – the lion god. This was the biggest construction in the history of Nubia.
- After a local lunch we continue up to Naqa 20km from Mussawart. This was once a vital trading post between the Mediterranean world and Africa. It houses a wonderful collection of buildings dated to the first century AD.
- Visit the Roman kiosk, which represents the intersection of various cultures both European and African.
- Visit the Among temple.
- We hit the road back to Khartoum 150km from Naqa.
- Dinner in Khartoum in none other than the Corinthian Hotel also known as the Gaddafi Egg. This hotel was financed by Libya and is one of the fanciest hotel of the city. They have a mean buffet!
- Overnight in Khartoum
Monday 22nd November
- End of trip, with YPT able to arrange everything in the region from flights, transportation and tours in Africa and beyond.
Tour Extensions
Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions
