NORTH Ancient November 11 to 21, 2021 Led by Dr. Richard Lobban, Professor of Anthropology & African Studies and First President of the Sudan Studies Association (SSA)

Optional pre-tour to South Sudan for 1 night Sudan has more than 500 ethnic groups, each with its own dialect, traditions, and dance making it the most diverse nation on the continent. The , flowing north from towards , is the link that runs through Sudan, influencing the lives of its people. Along the banks of the river and in the valley of the Sahara Desert are many interesting archaeological sites from the Egyptian and Meroitic civilizations seldom seen by the public and include more than Egypt! Come and explore magnificent monuments, tombs and temples set in a landscape of impressive natural wonders as we travel through the desert and along the Nile of Sudan’s mysterious north, an ancient land once known as Nubia. Kushite monuments display a rich combination of Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, and indigenous African traditions, two of which are UNE- SCO World Heritage Sites - Meroe and . Tall pyramids, gigantic mud-brick buildings, rock-cut painted tombs, and ornately carved temples - all are present for you to discover Ihab Zaki Managing Director, Spiekermann Travel

Thursday, Nov 11 decorated with bas-relief. After lunch, we’ll move southwards to Arrive in Khartoum the village of El Kurru where there is a necropolis of the ancient capital, . Here we can visit a tomb that was excavated in the Arrival in the evening where you will be met assisted with the visa rock under the pyramids. It is decorated with images of the Pha- process and transferred to the Corinthia Hotel or similar for check raoh, gods, and multicolor hieroglyphic inscriptions. Not far from in and overnight. here there is an interesting ancient petrified forest with hundreds of huge trunks. The sunset will be the perfect end to this perfect Note: No dinner included that night and if you arrive early day before returning to our hotel in Karima for overnight. (B,L,D) hours of Nov 11th, we’ll have to add the hotel night of Nov 10th to have an immediate check-in. Monday, Nov 15 Friday, Nov 12 Karima - Dongola - Soleb Temple - Tombos Khartoum Today we’ll continue the drive west through the Nubian Desert to the Nile, where we’ll cross over the Dongola Bridge and continue After breakfast, we’ll head out on a tour of Khartoum, a city found- north to the amazing Temple of Soleb, the most beautiful Egyp- ed in 1821, crossing the confluence between the Blue and the White Nile. See the Presidential Palace where General Gordon tian temple in all of Sudan. This temple is an evidence to the New was beheaded by the Mahdi’s troops in 1885. Explore Omdur- Kingdom of Nubia, with many walls rich in hieroglyphic inscrip- man, the old capital of Sudan, where we’ll see the Mahdi’s Tomb tions, bas-relief figures, and many columns. We’ll enjoy our lunch from outside. Next, we’ll visit the interesting Khalifa’s House, at a nearby local Nubian house. Afterwards, we’ll drive off road to which contains a small museum about the Mahdi and take a walk reach the Nile and cross it from the east where a short drive south through the Omdurman Market. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the will take us to the archaeological site at Tombos. On arrival, we’ll National Museum to see two beautiful temples rescued by UN- check-in to the Preset Camp for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) ESCO that were moved from the Lake Nasser area when it was flooded by the water, along with many other beautiful objects. Tuesday, Nov 16 Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel for our overnight. (B,L) Tombos - Wadi Sebu - - Karima Saturday, Nov 13 After breakfast, we will spend time exploring the sites in Tombos Khartoum - Old Dongola - Karima including an ancient granite quarry where the remains of a stat- ue of King was simply left some 2,800 years ago. There is This morning, we’ll start out early on the drive north, across the also an interesting Egyptian stela engraved into the rocks. We’ll Western Desert on a good paved road until we reach the Nile and then head to Wadi Sebu (Valley of the Lions), located right on cross into Ed Debba. The road continues along the Nile to the ar- the banks of the Nile where it will be possible to see one of the chaeological site of Old Dongola, the old Christian capital of the best rock engravings in all of Sudan containing hundreds of images Makuria Kingdom. After spending some time exploring the area, we’ll cross the Nubian Desert to the town of Karima late in the - from prehistoric to Egyptian times. Next, we’ll stop at the granite afternoon. Transfer to the Karima Nubian Rest House for check in, boulders of the Third Cataract of the Nile, one of the obstacles the dinner, and overnight. (B,L,D) ancient had to face when trying to sail along the Nile River. After a picnic lunch, we’ll arrive at Kerma to explore one of Sunday, Nov 14 the largest archaeological sites of ancient Nubia. This site was the Karima - Jebel Barkal - El Kurru ancient capital of the and includes the residen- tial quarters of the main city, along with thousands of graves and Located in the Nubian Desert, is the Jebel (“Mountain” in Ara- tombs. You’ll also see the defuffa, an interesting structure unique to bic) Barkal, once used by traders along the old trade route as a the Nubian culture. At the archeological museum, we’ll be able to landmark because it can be seen from far away. At the foot of see many artifacts from the Kerma site and culture including some this wonderful and isolated red sandstone mountain, considered black granite statues. Afterwards, transfer to the Karima Nubian Rest holy since ancient times, there is a big temple dedicated to the House for check-in, dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) of the New Reign and to their patron, . In addition to the temple ruins there are still several sculptured granite rams Wednesday, Nov 17 that supposedly bordered a long avenue that may have led to Karima () the pier on the Nile. On the mountain wall, there is a big room Today’s adventure takes us aboard a small motorboat for a ride along the Nile to enjoy the scenery, past beautiful sand stretches depicting the god with a lion’s head, the , noblemen and and cultivated islands along the river. A little further north there several ritual images. Very close-by there is a small and odd-look- were stunning granite rocky formations at the Fourth Cataract, ing “kiosk” with arches and columns built in Egyptian, Roman and which prevented the Nile from flowing slowly, forming many Greek styles. Also visit the Amun Temple and explore its statues rapids that obstructed navigation. In April of 2008, the Merowe of rams and beautiful gates decorated with bas-reliefs. We’ll arrive Dam was completed creating an artificial lake that inundated the in North Khartoum by late afternoon and watch a Nuba Wres- formations. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the archaeological site of tling match. After sunset, we’ll return to Khartoum and transfer to Nuri for a chance to explore the many pyramids including the Corinthia Hotel or similar for check in, and overnight. (B,L) great 7th century Tomb of Taharqa, one of Nubia’s greatest Pha- Sunday, Nov 21 raohs. After walking among those ancient pyramids, we’ll return Khartoum - USA to the rest house for our overnight. (B,L,D) Today you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the Thursday, Nov 18 US arriving home the same day Karima - Meroe

Today we cross a bridge over the Nile to enter the Bayuda Desert, “We reserve the right to change the order of activities or places an area bounded by bend at the Nile between the Fourth and visited due to unforeseen schedule conflicts or in order to Sixth Cataracts and characterized by sharp black basalt moun- make the itinerary run smoothly” tains, most of them volcanic and typically cone-shaped. There is a chance we’ll meet the isolated Bisharin Nomads, who live in familiar groups in small huts made of intertwined branches close Tour Remarks: Some of the sites visited are remote and tourist to the rare water wells with their caravans and herds of camels accommodations do not exist in the area. In order to visit them, and donkeys. Along the way, we’ll stop to explore the Monastery a simple but comfortable camp is utilized (Meroe). For the over- of Ghazali archaeological site. This medieval Christian monastery night at Tombos it is in a preset camp with shared portable toilets was founded sometime in the late 7th or early 8th century and and showers. Sometimes on the tour, you may encounter insects, later abandoned during the 13th century. We’ll then board a pon- as well as, mosquitos are also in season especially near the Nile ton, a local ferry and cross the Nile again. These ferries are a hive valley hence you need to take your precautions. During the best of colorful activities and we may find ourselves sharing space time visiting Sudan (Nov-Feb) temperature will be around up- with people, donkeys, camels, and goats. Then suddenly, many per 80’s to mid-90’s in the sun. Visa process is currently simple ancient , some of them perfectly preserved, & straight forward as it will be obtainable and paid for upon ar- come into view. These were the burial site for the kings and rival in Khartoum (subject to change). Rates are based on today’s queens of the Merotic Kingdom between 800 BC and 350 AD. (July2020) exchange rate (Vs. Euro) and if it fluctuates, you will be From here, we’ll transfer to Meroe Camp, located nearby for check billed for the difference. in, dinner, and overnight. (B,L,D)

Friday, Nov 19 Meroe

We’ll explore the pyramids of the Royal Necropolis, located about two miles from the Nile. Many of the pyramids stand out with their sharp shapes against the clear sky. Each one has its own funerary chapel with walls fully decorated with bas-reliefs depict- ing the Kings’ life and offerings to the gods. We’ll stop at the village of Kabushia for a coffee break, and then continue along the Nile to explore the nearby Abu Erteila site where Dr. Lobban has been excavating for 12 years and can enjoy some tea in the house of a local villager then enjoy a stunning sunset view from the Pyramids. We’ll return to the camp for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) Saturday, Nov 20 Meroe - Naga - Khartoum After breakfast, we’ll continue the journey south to the site of Musawwarat, located in a beautiful valley crowned by hills. Here we’ll explore the ruins of a very big temple, dedicated to the lion god, Apedemak. Nearby is the 3rd century BC “Great Enclosure” a large labyrinth structure that surrounds a temple. We then travel to Naga, one of the two centers that was developed during the Meroitic period. Set among a typical Saharan environment with rocks and sand, we’ll find atemple dedicated to Apedemak (1st century AD) - a wonderful building with bas-relief decorations About your Lecturer, Dr. Richard A Lob- ban Jr.… Dr. Lobban was Chair and a Pro- Tour cost (Land Only): $6,995.00 fessor of Anthropology and African Stud- per person sharing in double occupancy ies at Rhode Island College wheretaught Single Supplement: $995.00 for thirty-six years. He has also taught at the University of Khartoum, American Uni- Price based on group size minimum of versity in Cairo and conducted research in 6 participants and maximum of 12 participants Tunis, Egypt and Sudan and was also the Executive Director of the Sudan Studies Trip Grade: III Lodging Level: *-*** Association. He has published scores of articles, reviews, book chapters and encyclopedia entries, and a number of books on the Middle East includ- ing reference books on Sudan, on Middle Eastern Women. Among other things he specializes on urban and complex societies as well as gender, ethnicity, race and class, especially in the Middle East. His most recent books are The Historical Dic- tionaries of Ancient and Medieval Nubia and of Sudan as well as a translation from French of the 19th century account by Pierre Tremaux who traveled in the region. He traveled to Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia often over the last four decades. He was co-director of archaeological excavation in northern Sudan and used to teach African studies at the Naval War College, when not leading tours or giving talks and lectures. In May 2016 he was invited to give a paper on the History of Eritrea. He is a founder and first President of the Sudan Studies Association. Our clients who have been with Richard on past tours have said that he is the BEST lecturer they ever had on a scholarly-led voyage!

Tour includes: Tour does not include:

• Airport transfers (if arriving/departing on scheduled flights) • Round trip airfare NYC/Khartoum/NYC. by private motor coach. • Visa for Sudan (Currently $150.00 and subject to • Transport with 4x4 vehicles outside Khartoum change) payable cash upon arrival. Your passport must & Minibus in Khartoum. not include any Israeli stamps. • Deluxe hotel in Khartoum, nice rest house in Karima, • Video camera permits $20.00 per site. permanent comfortable tented camp in Meroe & 1 night • Trip surcharge to operate below required minimum in reasonable tented camp or a Nubian home. participants. • English-speaking native guide throughout the trip. • Dayrooms or extra hotel overnights or transfers in • All meals as specified in the itinerary and bottled water. Khartoum if necessary. • All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to • Expenses of a personal nature such as: beverages with all sites mentioned and still-camera fees to all sites. meals, telephone, email, laundry bills, etc. • All archeological sites’ entry fees. • Any additional nights due to airline schedule changes • Visa approval authorization permit. or arrivals on different airlines from the one we use. • Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters and hotel staff. • Travel protection Insurance (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).

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 hu- midity, presence of insects. You may have simple picnic lunches, prim- itive bathroom facilities along the road and remoteness from modern towns or cities Lodging Level: * Simple: One night will be spent in a basic tent on mattress but with shared bathroom facilities (showers & toilets’ stalls)

*** Superior: Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined service and comfort level acceptable to western standards. (5, 4 & 3 stars). .

Spiekermann Travel Service, Inc. 18421 East Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021 Phone: 1-800-645-3233 Fax: 586-775-9556 www.mideasttrvl.com [email protected]