SUDAN 2018 The Kingdom of The Black Pharaohs (12 days) Includes Kerma and Soleb

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1 930 Irwin Street, Suite 222, San Rafael, CA Phone: CST Permit # SUDAN 2018 The Kingdom of The Black Pharaohs (12 days) Includes Kerma and Soleb November 1-12, November 15-26, December 6-17, December 28-January 8 This tour shows all the major archaeological sites with overnights in exclusive properties of Karima and Meroe. This arid region of extraordinary archaeological interest and beautiful landscapes becomes accessible even to those reluctant to sacrifice their comfort. Northern Sudan is one of Africa's most mysterious destinations. The Nile River crosses the Sahara Desert and along its valley lie very interesting archaeological sites of the Egyptian and Meroitic civilizations still unknown to the public. There are more pyramids in Sudan than in Egypt. The Nubian Desert, the Eastern part of the Sahara desert and the Nile Cataracts, are only some of Sudan's natural wonders.

2 Day 1 Arrival in Khartoum Arrival on Qatar Air is 1235 pm or The best air carrier from the US is Qatar Air. If your flight arrives early am it should be date of day 2, otherwise extra cost for immediate check in. Meet and greet with the guide, and transfer to the hotel. Day 2 Khartoum Tour (B.L) Breakfast at the hotel and depart late morning on a tour of Khartoum. With lunch at a traditional restaurant included. We first visit the Archaeological Museum that, besides many beautiful objects, contains two beautiful temples rescued by UNESCO and moved from the Lake Nasser area, when it was flooded by the water (the visit to the Museum can be moved on to the last day according to opening time). We then cross the confluence between the Blue and the White Nile near the Presidential Palace where in 1885 General Gordon was beheaded by the Mahdi s troops and we reach Omdurman, the old capital of Sudan, where we see the Mahdi s Tomb from outside and the Khalifa s House Museum. At sunset time we go near the tomb of the sufi leader Ahmed al Nil to observe the Whirling Dervishes Ceremony (Fridays only. Return to the hotel, dinner independent (pay on your own).and overnight. Day 3 Khartoum permanent tented Camp in Meroe (B.L.D.) Breakfast at the hotel and then we begin the journey northward. After about 50 km, we get into a desert area covered with huge round granite boulders; these are the last offshoots of the rocky formations of the 6 th Cataract. We leave the asphalt road and drive about 30 km on a desert track among many small camel thorn acacia trees to visit two archaeological sites. The site of Naga is located about 30 km to the east of the Nile and it is one of the two centres that developed during the Meroitic period. In Naga, in a typical Saharan environment with rocks and sand, we find a temple dedicated to Apedemak (1 st century A.D.): a wonderful building with bas-relief decorations depicting the god with a lion s head, the Pharaoh, noblemen and several ritual images. A few metres away there is a small and odd construction with arches and columns, named "kiosk", in which we can notice Egyptian, Roman and Greek styles, all at the same time. Not far away we reach another temple dedicated to Amon with many statues of rams and beautiful gates decorated with bas-reliefs. We then go to Mussawarat, also not far from Naga. This settlement is located in a beautiful valley crowned by hills. Here the ruins of a very big temple are visible; it once played an exceptional important role. Its main characteristic, the Great Enclosure, is made by many constructions and boundary walls which surround a temple built in the 1 st century AD. The large number of elephants represented on these walls makes you think that this animal used to have an important role in this area. Beyond the big wadi there is another temple - restored by a German archaeological mission - dedicated to the god Apedemak. Picnic in the area and then return on the main road, driving north. And then, all of a sudden, we can see more than 40 pyramids, located on top of a hill, some of them perfectly preserved, belonging to the Royal Necropolis of Meroe. Arrival at the Meroe Camp with a beautiful view onto the pyramids. Accommodation in comfortable and fully furnished tents. THE PERMANENT TENTED CAMP IN MEROE

3 Meroe tented Camp is located in Bagarwyia, (about 230 km. north of Khartoum), overlooking the beautiful pyramids of Meroe. restaurant with a nice terrace. Accommodation consists of 22 twin-bedded tents (4x4m), tastefully furnished. Each one has its own private bathroom hut with shower and toilet. The Camp is located 2 km from the Royal Necropolis. Each tent is equipped with a veranda with two comfortable chairs to relax in front of the astonishing view of more than forty pyramids. The tents have electricity produced by a generator working till 11:00 pm. There is a The camp is operated by an Italian manager with the help of well-trained Sudanese staff. With this permanent facility, this arid region of extraordinary archaeological interest and beautiful landscapes become accessible even to those reluctant to sacrifice their comfort. Day 4 Meroe - The Necropolis and the royal city of Meroe (B.L.D.) This morning is dedicated to the visit of the pyramids. The Royal Necropolis of Meroe is located at about 3 km from the Nile on some hills covered by yellow sand dunes. Several pyramids stand out with their sharp shapes against the clear sky. Each one has its own funerary chapel with the walls fully decorated with bas-reliefs that show the King s life and offers to the gods. In the afternoon we move along the Nile to visit the ruins of the royal city. The excavations confirm that the town of Meroe used to cover a large area and the royal city was located in a central position, surrounded by suburbs and a boundary wall. Most of the area where the city is located, formed by many small hills covered by red clay fragments, has still to be excavated by the archaeologists. Dinner and overnight at the permanent camp. The archaeological sites of the Meroitic Empire listed in the World Heritage Unesco sites in June 2011 Day 5 Meroe Karima (B.L.D.) After breakfast we leave from Meroe and continue on the road that skirts the Nile to the city of Atbara, located on the confluence between the Nile and the Atbara River. Here we cross the Nile on a pontoon,

4 local ferry, to enter the Bayuda Desert. These ferries are a beehive of colourful activity. We find ourselves sharing space with donkeys, camels, goats and people. The Bayuda Desert, an area bounded by the loop formed by the Nile between the 4 th and the 6 th Cataract and characterised by sharp black basalt mountains, most of them volcanic and typically cone-shaped. They alternate with level pebble stretches and large valleys crossed by dry wadis where only little vegetation survives and dorcas gazelles can be seen. It is very likely to meet isolated groups of Bisharin nomads, who live in familiar groups in small huts made of intertwined branches close to the rare water wells, with their caravans and herds of camels and donkeys. In the first part of the crossing we drive among sand dunes. After some kilometres on the asphalt road, the adventure continues following the Wadi Abu Dom, driving on a sandy track among many acacia trees and some wells where it is possible to meet nomads. We arrive at Merowe, on the Nile. Karima is a small town located on the right bank of the Nile, close to the famous archaeological site at the foot of Jebel Barkal, south of the 4 th Cataract. The town is a small, dusty and calm village, where a big market takes place in the morning. NOVEMBER 1 TOUR: MEROWEELAND RESORT IN KARIMA Because of the limited number of rooms available in the exclusive property in Karima, for certain dates we have Meroweeland Resort as accommodation in Karima instead of our Nubian Rest House. This is a 3*** hotel located just opposite the Nile from our Nubian Rest House in the town of Merowee about 15 minutes drive away from Jebel Barkal. It offers A/C rooms with en-suite bathrooms. It is nice and clean. The price is discounted for these dates. There will be a free upgrade to the Nubian house closer to the dates if available. NOVEMBER 15 & DECEMBER 28 TOURS: THE NUBIAN REST- HOUSE IN KARIMA The Nubian Rest House is a charming hotel built in the typical Nubian style just at the foot of Jebel Barkal, the holy mountain of the old Egyptian and Nubian Pharaohs. It is surrounded by a large private enclosure, with a nice garden and leisure area. Each of the 22 A-C rooms is characterized by a peculiar Nubian door with its own private bathroom and a pleasant veranda. The décor and finishing have been carefully selected. They come mainly from Italy and provide an elegant yet rustic charm. A reception, a restaurant and a living room with decorated walls complete the wonderful setting. All the buildings are made with local bricks covered by hand-spread clay plaster as used in the Nubian area. The hotel is operated by an Italian manager with the help of well-trained Sudanese staff. Day 6 Karima - Jebel Barkal and the Necropolis of El Kurru (B.L.D.) A landmark in the Nubian Desert, Jebel Barkal ("Jebel" means mountain in Arabic) can be seen from a few dozen kilometres whilst still in the open desert. At the foot of this wonderful and isolated red sandstone mountain, considered holy since the ancient times, there is a big temple, dedicated to the Pharaohs of the New Reign and to their patron, Amon. Amon's ancient "Pure Mountain", the Olympus of the Nubians, was the religious Nubian heart for more than 1000 years. Besides the ruins of the big temple there are still several sculptured granite rams that were supposed to border a long avenue that probably led to the pier on the Nile. In the mountain wall there is a big room decorated with bas-relief. The Royal necropolis of the ancient city of Napata, the Nubian capital (from 800 to 400 B.C.) before the Meroitic period, had a large number of pyramids, located in three different places:

5 few hundred metres north of Jebel Barkal; a dozen kilometres southwards from the holy mountain, in El Kurru; in Nuri, which is located on the other bank of the Nile. We enjoy lunch in a Nubian Rest house. We then move southwards to the village of El Kurru where there is one of the necropolis of the ancient capital, Napata. The pyramid of King Piye is still visible, but not well preserved. although it is the biggest of all in this necropolis. Here we can visit two tombs, which are excavated in the rock under pyramids - partially collapsed - and are totally decorated with images of the Pharaoh, of the gods and multicolour hieroglyphic inscriptions. These tombs are of the Qalahata Queen and her son Tawentamani, the last pharaohs of the 25 th dynasty.. Close by is a site called petrified woods, an ancient forest rich in huge fossil trunks in the desert. In the late afternoon, we return to the Karima Guesthouse, for dinner and overnight. Day 7 Karima Old Dongola-Karima (B.L.D.) Today it is a long day on the road but full of interesting encounters and visits. Early in the morning we will follow the Nile until we reach the archaeological site of Old Dongola. Here a Christian Coptic temple with marble columns as well as several churches are situated on the banks of the Nile. This area is the central part of the Nubian region. Here the population lives in small villages amongst yellow sand dunes and palm trees they speak a different language from the Arabs and also the Islamic religion is not as "strict" as in other regions. The women don't cover their faces and readily speak to foreigners. Some houses in the Nubian Villages are painted and decorated with colourful patterns and flowers. Enthusiastic hospitality abounds, people will often invite foreigners to visit their home and share a meal or a cup of spiced tea. We enjoy a picnic lunch in the area. In the evening return to the Nubian Rest House in Karima. Day 8 Karima Cruise on the Nile-Necropolis of Nuri (B.L.D) We visit the Karima Market where we ll have a real experience of the life of Sudanese people. We then board a small motor boat for a pleasant cruise along the Nile, enjoying views of beautiful sand stretches and cultivated islands. A little further northward there used to be the beautiful granite rocky formations of the 4 th Cataract, which prevented the Nile from flowing slowly and formed many rapids that obstructed the navigation. In April 2008 the Dam of Merowee has been completed and the flooding of the artificial lake started. Picnic in the area. After lunch, we visit the archaeological site of Nuri, one of the three necropolises of the ancient Napata. We will see many pyramids among which there is the one of the great Taharqa. A short walk and then return to the Nubian Rest House in Karima for dinner and overnight. Day 9 Karima Temple of Soleb-Island of Sai-Soleb B.L.D.)

6 Today we drive west through the Nubian Desert. We reach the Nile and cross the bridge to Dongola city, then continue north on the western side of the Nile on a new asphalt road that crosses part of the western desert, which in some areas has nice granite formations. We reach the Temple of Soleb. Here we have our picnic lunch in the house of the Guardian of the temple. After the visit we drive north and cross the Nile on a fisherman s boat to reach the Island of Sai, an important archaeological area where we can find ancient remains from Kerma, Egyptian and Christian culture. During the navigation to the island we may hope to see Nile crocodiles on the shore of the river. We return to the main land and drive to the house for overnight, just opposite the Temple of Soleb. DECEMBER 6 TOUR NUBIAN HOUSE IN WAWA (SOLEB) This is a typical Nubian house with some rooms with 4 beds each, verandas with other beds, 2 long drop toilets, 1 naturally sun heated water shower. There is a generator working for a couple of hours, so people can charge the batteries from their cameras. The food will be prepared by our cook. Sleeping bags with sheets and mosquito nets are provided by our organization. SGL rooms cannot be guaranteed. Please note there are no hotels in this area and this is the best option. NOVEMBER 1, 15 & DECEMBER 28 TOURS PRESET CAMP SOLEB The pre-set camps are prepared prior to arrival. Big igloo tents (2, 40 x 2,40 x 1,80) with camp beds, foam mattresses, sheets and wool covers are set up. One small table and two folding chairs are in every tent. A cook will be in charge of the meals. Camping showers and camping toilets complete the structure. The camp will be located among the beautiful rock formations in the area of Tombos. Day 10 Soleb-Sebu-Tombos (B.L.D.) This morning we visit the Temple of Soleb, the most beautiful Egyptian temple of all Sudan, testimony of the New Kingdom in Nubia, with many walls rich in hieroglyphic inscriptions, bas-relief figures and many columns. We then drive south leaving the main road to reach the Nile and following it among some villages before arriving at the ferry. Here we cross the Nile to the Eastern bank just north of the rapids of the Third Cataract which used to be the third huge obstacle that the ancients Egyptians had to face when trying to sail on the Nile River. We walk up the hill to the ancient Ottoman Fort where we can have beautiful views of the cataract. In Sebu, right on the river bank of the Nile it is possible to visit one of the richest sites of rock engraving of all Sudan with hundreds of images from prehistoric to Egyptian times. We continue driving through Nubian villages and among the huge rocks of the third cataract Not far from here, among the huge rocks of the Third Cataract to the village of Tombos,. Here there were ancient granite quarries with the remains of a statue of the King Taharqa, simply left there in the desert about 2800 years ago and some interesting Egyptian stelae engraved on the rocks. Overnight in a private Nubian house in Tombos, with simple/basic rooms and sharing facilities. Day 11 Tombos-Kerma-Karima (B.L.D) A short drive this morning takes us to Kerma where we visit the majestic Defuffa the monument that characterizes Kerma civilization. Very interesting is the Museum created by the Swiss archaeological mission after the recovery of seven statues of the Black Pharaohs in We have time to also visit the eastern Dufuffa located in the middle of the Necropolis. To reach it we need to cross agricultural fields. In the afternoon, we return to Karima Day 12 Karima Khartoum (B.L.)

7 This morning we drive south along the tarmac road across the Western Desert. We stop for lunch in a simple in chai house (a roadhouse where local people stop for food and rest). The rest of the journey back to Khartoum is on tar road. We will reach Omdurman in the afternoon and tour the interesting Omdurman souk if people are interested. Then we cross the Nile and check in at the hotel in Khartoum where day use rooms will be available until Dinner on your own. In the evening transfer to the airport. Depart Qatar Air departs 2030 or PRICES based on min 7 people; price differs by your selection of accommodation in Khartoum Hotel in Khartoum includes 2 overnights + 1 day use: select from 2 hotel categories. With Holiday Villa 4* A bit run down but with style/character, located on the Blue Nile shore. November 1 tour: $4485 twin share; Single Room Supplement: $640 (Meroweeland Resort Karima) November 15 tour: $4650 twin share; Single Room Supplement: $710 December 6 tour: $4485 twin share; Single Room Supplement: $640 (Nubian House in Soleb) December 28 tour: $4810 twin share; Single Room Supplement: $820 With Corinthia Hotel 5* Very modern building with great views of Khartoum city and the Niles, located on the Blue Nile Shore. November 1 tour: $4685 twin share; Single Room Supplement: $800 (Meroweeland Resort Karima) November 15 tour: $4850 twin share; Single Room Supplement: $870 December 6 tour: $4685 twin share; Single Room Supplement: $800 (Nubian House in Soleb) December 28 tour: $4950 twin share; Single Room Supplement: $910 Tour Price Includes: - Airport arrival transfer to the hotel on day 1 of tour date. Other dates, $75 per car - Archaeological fees, passport registration, travel & photo permits - 2 nights in permanent tented camp in Meroe; 5 nights guesthouse or hotel in Karima, 2 nights pre-set camp or traditional Nubian House in Wawa (Soleb) - sleeping bags provided for Soleb Nubian House accommodation (no single rooms available here) - Breakfast & lunch on day 1; all meals day 2-10; breakfast & lunch on day 11 - Mineral water outside Khartoum during drives and at meals - Transport by Toyota Land Cruisers (4 people per car) OR Toyota Hilux (3 people per car) - Accompanying Tour Leader Does not include: Sudan entry visa ($150 at the moment) and visa authorization ($135 at the moment), National Museum and archaeological sites entry fees and passport registration (approx. $280 total) video camera permits at the archaeological sites (at the moment 20 USD per site per video camera), tips to staff at accommodations, driver and guide, soft drinks even when meals are included. ADDITIONAL FEES TO BE PAID ON ARRIVAL - required to be paid in cash (US dollars, new bills) Sudan entry visa ($150 at the moment); visa authorization ($135 at the moment), National Museum and archaeological sites entry fees and passport registration (approx. $280 total) Trip Grade: III Challenging Parts of the trip are physically challenging, involve hiking on rough terrain or in sand or at high altitudes. There may be very long drives on rough roads; weather conditions with high heat or

8 humidity, presence of insects. You may have simple picnic lunches, primitive bathroom facilities along the road and remoteness from modern towns or cities. Lodging Level: Khartoum Best: Corinthia Hotel great views of Khartoum city and the Niles, located on the Blue Nile Shore. Khartoum Next Best: Holiday Villa Hotel Simple One or more properties on the trip are very basic, rustic, and primitive, with shared bathroom facilities (1 or 2 stars) Superior: Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined service and comfort level acceptable to western standards. (3/ 4 stars). Some of the sites visited are remote and tourist accommodations do not exist in the area. In order to visit them, a simple but comfortable camp is utilized (Meroe). Two nights are spent in a simple/primitive Nubian house with shared facilities and sleeping bags on simple bench beds. Sometimes on the tour, you may encounter insects as well as mosquitos are also in season especially near the Nile valley hence you need to take your precautions. During the best time to visit Sudan (Nov-Feb) temperature will be around mid 80 s in the sun. Visa process is currently simple & straight forward as it will be obtainable and paid for upon arrival in Khartoum. Your passport must not have an Israeli stamp.