Summary
As the title suggests, this trip really explores the ancient cultures of Northern Africa. It travels between Cairo and Addis Ababa, two of Africa's great modern day cities. But along the way it passes through the lands and history of three great cultures.
The most obvious is the land of Ancient Egypt, and we have over 18 days to explore the Egyptian Nile Valley and it's myriad of ancient relics, such as the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara, Thebes, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, Aswan and of course Abu Simbel. We also make time to explore the Nile by an overnight Felucca trip.
The next of the great cultures is the least known, the Kushite Kingdom of Sudan's Nubian Desert and this is where we really come into our own, as our overland vehicle and camping equipment, allow us to camp out in the desert at some of Africa's finest ruins. Finally, we have over three weeks to really get to grips with Northern Ethiopia, its mountains, deserts and its wonderfully ancient Christian culture.
Short Itinerary / Route
- Day 1
- Addis Ababa
- Day 2
- Debre Markos
- Day 3
- Bahir Dar
- Day 4
- Bahir Dar
- Day 5
- Bahir Dar
- Day 6
- Awra Amba
- Day 7
- Lalibela
- Day 8
- Lalibela
- Day 9
- Lalibela
- Day 10
- Mekele
- Day 11
- Danakil Depression
- Day 12
- Mekele
- Day 13
- Axum
- Day 14
- Axum
- Day 15
- Debark
- ...
- ..................
- Day 34
- Aswan
- Day 35
- Nile Felucca
- Day 36
- Luxor
- Day 37
- Luxor
- Day 38
- Luxor
- Day 39
- Marsa Alam
- Day 40
- Marsa Alam
- Day 41
- Marsa Alam
- Day 42
- El Quseir
- Day 43
- Zafarana
- Day 44
- Port Said
- Day 45
- Alexandria
- Day 46
- Alexandria
- Day 47
- Cairo
- Day 48
- Cairo
- Day 49
- Cairo
Travel Countries (3): Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan
Travel Cities (11): Abu Simbel, Addis Abeba, Alexandria, Aswan, Axum, Bahir Dar, Cairo, Gondar, Khartoum, Lalibela, Luxor
Details
Absolutely, if you love discovery and are prepared to get out of your comfort zone and to go way off the beaten track across the Sudanese deserts and mountains of Ethiopia. A very well paced journey with loads of time to explore and a great mix of hotels, hostels and camping. Be prepared that some of the accommodation can be fairly basic.