24th March to 5th April 2009

This etapa is dominated by two natural wonders that have entirely shaped the landscape, the vast Sahara Desert and the mighty River Nile. Along the way you will pass by both modern and ancient wonders of the world.

Khartoum itself is the capital for a strict Islamic government, so be particularly careful when you are here to abide by the dress code and be sensitive to the cultural differences. Alcohol is forbidden but you will be able to enjoy plenty of the local sweet black tea, or the delicious Hibiscus tea as well as the famous Sudanese coffee. The Omdurman area of the city, founded by Mahdi contains a spectacular Souq and the camel market, Souq Moowaileh is an added treat. If you have time the National Museum contains excellent stone carvings from the time of the Pharaohs, as well as a collection of stunning frescoes from the Christian Nubian tribe. 

You can travel north following the winding course of the Nile, or venture further east through the Nubian Desert. Either is a journey of adventure and discovery with extreme contrasts in both people and landscape. The Christian Nubian tribe graze their herds in the mountainous regions of the desert while the Arab tribes of the river delta cultivate the fertile land and trade along the Nile. Close to Kabushiya are the ancient Nubian Pyramids, earlier than their cousins in Egypt they recall the ancient civilisation of the Meroe and remain delightfully unspoilt.

Lake Nasser lies on the border between the two countries, at its head is the Aswan Dam whose completion in 1968 led to the flooding of the lake. On the western shore at Abu Simbel you will discover the enormous Temple of Ramses II. The entrance is guarded by four colossal statues of the Pharaoh, carved in the 13th century and intended to provide a potent warning to anyone approaching Egypt from the South. The temple itself and the neighbouring Temple of Nefertari, were saved only by the intervention of UNESCO, an indication of the continuing balance between ancient and modern that exists here.   

Luxor is home to the incomparable Karnak Temple. Whatever you have seen or read about the temple, you will still be left gasping at the sheer size and scale of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh´s quest for immortality. Visit early in the morning and then walk back to Luxor itself along the Avenue of Sphinxes which used to link the two temples of Karnak and Luxor, truly a walk among giants. The Valley of the Kings to the north contains yet more ancient wonders with long decorated corridors leading down to the Tombs of the Pharaohs, including that of the legendary Tutankhamun.
The Sphinx and The Pyramids at Giza are the sole survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and again will take your breath away before you catch sight of a more modern wonder, the Suez Canal. Control of the canal has played an important part in history from World War II to the subsequent Suez crisis in 1956.

Finally you will arrive in Cairo. Africa´s largest city was founded in 969BC and is a bustling, noisy rush of activity. The Egyptian Museum is almost a wonder in itself and contains stunning displays including Tutankhamun´s Treasure and the Mummies of the Pharaohs.