One of the methods for powder synthesis that is both cost and time effective is the self-propagating room temperature synthesis. We applied this method to synthesize rare earth doped ceria nanopowders. Since they exhibit very high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures these compositions are attractive for a new generation of nanostructured ceramics applicable in solid oxide fuel cells as electrolytes. In this paper we paid our attention to the reaction based on methathetical pathway, whereby solid solution nanopowders of rare earth elements with ceria were obtained at room temperature. Compositions of Ce1-xRexO2-delta (Re = Y, Nd) were synthesized with x ranging from 0 to 0.20. The reaction course is discussed and the properties of the obtained powders are presented.