From Alexandria to the Red Sea
Countries visited: Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti
Time to complete: From 25 days or longer if you wish
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Walk into the Valley of the Kings, Luxor - to avoid the masses and get a new perspective
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Camp in the Nubian Desert and meet the descendants of the Kush
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Explore amongst the Pyramids of Meroe
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Sail from one island Monastery to the next on the great Rift Valley Lake Tana
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Dive amongst the creatures of the Red Sea Archipelagos
This adventure will liven up any culture hungry traveller. We start in the port of Alexandria to walk in the footsteps of explorers, Arab Princes and soldiers, heading on to Cairo to witness the magnificence of the pyramids of Giza and the mighty Sphinx. Heading ever south towards the headwaters of the majestic Nile, this journey will take you by train, plane or by boat (your choice) via the wonders of Luxor, where we insist you beat the masses and take a donkey trail into the Valley of the Kings. On you go to Aswan and further still to the Abu Simbel and the temples of Philae. Where others would turn back, we are not daunted and we invite you to enter the country of Sudan, this time you cross the border at Whadi Halfa and continue south into the Nubian Desert where you will meet the nomads and descendants of the Kush.
Continue down the Nile to the ancient city of Dongola, on to the sacred mountain Jebel Barkal and over the Bayunda Desert to the necropolis of Meroe. A good road leads you on to Khartoum where you can arrive in time to view in awe the Sufi dancers and wander the alleys of the souk in Omdurman, later visiting the tomb of the Mahdi and the Camel market on the outskirts of town. But no great traveller will be satisfied by this and you will continue on past the confluence of the Blue and White Nile, to the border of Ethiopia where the road leads on to Bahir Dar on the shores of Lake Tana the source of the Blue Nile. Here there will be respite from the desert, comfort and the gentle lapping of water against the shore. Island monasteries stand protected by the waters and you should spend at least a day exploring these.
Heading north you will have the chance to visit the palaces of Gondar and the highland Simien Mountains, home to the Gelada baboon. On to the famous sunken churches of Lalibela by road or by plane (your choice) and into the gorges of the town that was modelled on Jerusalem and carved out of the rock, out of view. Lalibela offers a fascinating insight into the early Christian communities who were protected by angels and here myth and reality blur beautifully into one. Maybe you have time to meet the Hyaena man on the outskirts of the walled City of Harrar. However the sated Traveller will continue east to the Red Sea Port of Djibouti where relaxation and comfort beckons. Even here you can extend your adventure and sleep like a nomad, hike through a millenary forest, explore dantesque sceneries, climb volcanoes, play with some of the largest fish in the world and follow a salt caravan.
Never stop exploring.
Call Illona Cross for more information on 01285 650011