Customized: Magda & Travis - Dahabiya!

The couple were on a customized tour of the Land of the Pharaohs and did it in classic style, sailing the Nile on a beautiful and elegant Dahabiya.

The Dahabiya during sunset.

Backpacker Concierge uses different Dahabiyas for our programs depending upon individual tastes and timing. We opted for a motorized boat, as Magda and Travis had limited time to work with. The two were impressed with the Rihana - specifically its cleanliness and value for money.

Standard cabin on board the Dahabiya.

Our local tour guides are also able to facilitate some very unique experiences for our clients. Magda says, "When we were in Aswan we told our guide that we wanted to take a camel ride and experience local food, so he took us to a Nubian restaurant on a private island and on a boat tour around the islands. We then hopped on some camels and made our way to a local village."

Cruising the Nubian village on camelback.

It is holiday after all... Why not sit back, relax and watch the world go by on the bank of the river. It's an exceptional experience that we encourage everyone to have whilst travelling in Egypt. There's nothing quite like the old world feel and style of the Dahabiya.

Chilaxing on the Dahabiya.

Customized: Jan & Kate do Siwa

Jan & Kate contacted Backpacker Concierge when we were leading a tour through Syria. Which then led to a spur of the moment in-person meeting at the Apple store in NYC. Eventually the duo made it to Egypt and embarked on a very special customized program, featuring the amazing Adrere Amellal Ecolodge in Siwa.

As usual, there are some classic elements that must be included for any one's first visit to Egypt. There is of course the obligatory visit to the Giza Pyramids. Jan and Kate obviously have a real knack for camel photography!

The more recent Islamic history is also of great importance. Jan and Kate had a guided tour of the Islamic area of Cairo including visits to the famed Muezz el Deen Street with its many Mosques and Islamic schools.

And no trip to Cairo would be complete without a stop at the amazing, and often pleasingly chaotic, Khan al Khalili Bazaar! We're not sure what's more fun- searching the markets for hidden treasures or simply wandering the narrow medieval alleyways.

The itinerary included a stay at the incredible Adrere Amellal Ecolodge in Siwa!
Each meal at the lodge is served in a unique setting and the views are truly breathtaking...

Above: View of freshwater pool at Ecolodge, what a wonderful way to start your day!

Above: View of Adrere Amellal from the lake.

Above: View from the mountain of the magnificent Ecolodge Complex!

The pair, of course, did not spend all their time at the Ecolodge (though we wouldn't blame them if they did). They also sailed the Great Sand Sea! Whilst in the Western Desert Jan and Kate were able to experience the desert at its best. Hot springs, cold lakes and of course - sand!

Jan and Kate also spent some time exploring more of the land of the Pharaohs with a trip down the Nile! Here is an amazing photo they managed to snap at Mediant Habu Temple, one of our favorites!

All in all an amazing trip with stops at the most incredible places in Egypt!

Customized: The Faboulous 4

The gang wanted to see it all, so that's what we gave them! Kristen, Randy, Chris and Peachy traveled the Western Desert to the Eastern Desert and all which lies between! Starting with the iconic Pyramids of Giza

and the Sphinx!

They had an amazing tour of Islamic Cairo with our favorite guide!

The Fabulous Randa and the group relaxing at Khan al Khalili.

They then headed out west to Bahariya Oasis for an unforgettable experience. Their excursion to Bahariya and the Western Desert included dinner at El Bawity Ecolodge, a night camping out under the stars and a 4x4 jeep safari through the desert itself.

There's nothing like the rock formations in the White Desert. It is an alien landscape that runs away with your imagination! Sometimes it's also just nice to sit back and soak up the serenity of it all!

Before heading to the Sinai, the group took a cruise down the Nile, stopping to explore the temples of ancient Egypt along the way. Here's one of their more "artsy"photos at Edfu Temple...

Even amongst the columns of Karnak's great hall, there's always time for fun!

After what was already an amazing trip, the group said goodbye to the Nile and headed East...

In our opinion, after spending days running around the sights of ancient Egypt it's fantastic to take some time to realx and see things a bit differently.

The group spotted some camels on the beach in Dahab, our favorite Red Sea getaway!

There's nothing better in Dahab than that which comes from the sea! The group feasted on the freshest seafood around!

Time to head home, these guys even make a taxi ride fun!

Edna and Thomas (also from NYC) make an appearance in this shot. We teamed them up during the cruise and sightseeing to make things a bit more economical.

Egypt is an amazing destination! And what better way to see it than on a tour that is fully tailored to your specifications? (With the added touches that can only come from the experience of our team, living and working in the Middle East).

Customized: Janet & Family from USA

As part of a multi-day customized program, Backpacker Concierge brought one of its most popular excursions to life for Janet & Family - an overnight felucca sailtrek on a private felucca. Starting in Aswan, the trio headed north for Kom Ombo - what a relaxing and authentic way to travel the Nile!

Some post-felucca words from Janet:

The felucca trip was exactly what we had hoped - a fully relaxing day sailing with the breeze to cool us as we soaked up some sun. The crew was great and prepared better meals than I ever have camping! Drifting to sleep as the moon rose over the Nile is one of my best memories of the trip.

http://www.backpackerconcierge.com

We're Shortlisted for Travelmole Award!

Backpacker Concierge was shortlisted for the 'Travel Agent' category of this year's Travelmole Web Awards. Votes were cast over a one-month period and now it's the panel's decision who is the ultimate winner. The awards ceremony will be held at Canada House in London on June 24th. Thank you to everyone who voted for us!

http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1136891.php

June 17, 2009 - The shortlist for the 2009 Travelmole Web Awards has been unveiled today.

The companies, voted for by Travelmole susbscribers, will now be judged by an independent panel. In total, the awards received over 300 nominations and more than 15,000 votes were cast.

The panel consists of Peter Healey, founder and chief executive of The Vertical Group, former Teletext MD Matt Cheevers, now MD of consultancy business Smooth Direction, Helena Beard, marketing director at KBC PR and Marketing, Jérôme Moisan, Travelport general manager UK & Ireland, and Liz Craig, founder of Oneglobe Network, a boutique digital agency.

The winners will be announced at a lunchtime ceremony on Wednesday June 24 at Canada House, London.

http://www.backpackerconcierge.com/

Customized: Ayesha from Vancouver

Ayesha was in Cairo for business and decided to book something a little adventurous during her time off. Backpacker Concierge arranged their signature 1-night White Desert Safari with their friend Waheed. Check out Ayesha's experience in words at the end of the post.

www.backpackerconcierge.com

A view from Waheed's house

Atop the chalk formations in the White Desert

The famous "Chicken + Mushroom"

Waheed and Ayesha

Ayesha even got to test out her driving skills in the desert!

The AMAZING Black Desert

Ayesha's re-cap:

I came to Egypt for work, on a week tour into Cairo and then down the Nile River. I decided that I wanted to do something a little different after the tour and on my own. Ever since I saw pictures of the White desert I've wanted to go and see it for myself, so that's what I did, I mean I might as well, since I was all the way over there. I contacted Backpacker Concierge and they helped me arrange a private 2 day tour out to the White Desert. They had arranged for me to take the local bus to save a little money out to Bahariya Oasis, the starting point to get into the desert. The tickets were purchased and dropped off at the hotel for me in Cairo and the following morning I made my own way to the bus station to board the 5 hour unairconditioned bus journey. This ride was long but neat to see such vasted as you drive away from such an overcrowed city like Cairo. Everything worked out perfect; and the bus was on time and uncrowed and didn't break down...

Upon arrival in Bahariya, I was greeted by my guide Waheed, who picked me out as soon as I arrived, being a single girl. He threw my bags in the jeep and we went to his family's house for a nice home cooked lunch before we left. After lunch we picked up a few necessities, water, gas, beer etc... and drove out to the HOT desert, we passed a few check points and answered a few qustions, but my guide seems to know them all and they were excited to know that my name was also Arabic. we stopped at the springs for mint tea at the Bedoiun village, the black desert, and the crystal moutian before we really got into the White Desert, the landscape started to look like we were entering another planet. We dropped off from the miles of the long flat stretch of paved road and ontop the sand when the 4X4 came into use. We drove down these huge sand dunes and Waheed even let me drive the truck, which was pretty cool and raced along beside his friend Zachy that we met up with.

I loved that we set up camp under the open sky that night beside those huge white chalk rock formation. At night we saw lots of foxes come right up close to our camp around the fire, the whole thing was a unique experience. Waheed was a great guide, and very caring when I accidentally stepped bare foot into the hot coals and burned my foot…oops, silly tourist, too much mint tea inthe desert I guess!!

We ate a delicious vegetarian meal that was jsut wipped together as I sure he has doen this a million times, as his sister did back at their house the next day.

Waheed, arranged my bus ticket back and made sure that I left with a box of fresh dates and then waved good bye as the bus pulled away. My only regret is not staying longer as I wish I could have experienced more and gotten further into the desert.

Even though it was far to go, it was well worth it! Overall I had a great trip to Egypt, I saw so much, learned so much and met so many great, humorous people but the overnight into the white desert with a private guide was by far a highlight!! I can’t wait to come back and stay longer.

Customized: Harvard Business School

After the success of Columbia University's custom program in March 2008, a group of 16 Harvard Business School students decided to embark on an amazing 9-day program with Backpacker Concierge. Traversing the Nile from north to south, the group experienced Egypt like no other!

Instead of starting the program with a museum or temple, we went sandboarding!! Our tour leader Siobhan and our associates at Dune Raider took awesome care of the group - sandboards, frisbees, snacks, and tons of drinks were provided to keep everyone happy and healthy in the heat.

On the way to the dunes 60km outside of Cairo

Getting ready for the first run down a dune much higher than you'd imagine...

View from afar

After sandboarding, the group was escorted to the Giza Plateau to meet our Egyptologist Randa. They had the opportunity to venture inside the Great Pyramid and take the requisite pictures.

After sightseeing, we treated the group to a private cocktail party in our associate's renovated colonial area flat. It was a catered affair with plenty of booze and live music.

Abdallah and his friend played traditional Sudanese songs on the oud

Stephanie took it one step further and tried her hand at the oud!

(Abdallah was totally rocking the Micky mouse t-shirt)

Enjoying drinks on the balcony overlooking downtown Cairo

The following morning, the HBS students flew down to Luxor. They visited Karnak Temple upon arrival and had some free time to enjoy the hotel pool and amazing views of the River Nile. In the afternoon, they embarked on a bicycle ride around Luxor's West Bank before enjoying dinner at one of our favorite roof-top restaurants.

Getting fitted for bikes on Luxor's West Bank

Backdrop: Colossi of Memnon

A delicious family-style meal overlooking Luxor's East Bank

Valley of the Kings (home to King Tut's tomb) was the first stop the following morning. After the visit, the group was transferred to Esna where they met their private Dahabiya. Yes, a completely private Dahabiya! Their home for the next three nights.

The 7-room Dahabiya with a staff of 10

Relaxing on the Dahabiya's rooftop deck

Local color in Edfu, one of the stops

The friendliest children are usually found in the Nubian enclave of Kom Ombo. After visiting the temple in town, Jake poses for a picture.

No Dahabiya trip is complete without a little chugging from the Obelisk wine bottle!

Aboard the Dahabiya with Khalid

Khalid presenting a delicious cake courtesy of Backpacker Concierge!

On Day 4 of the Dahabiya journey, the group arrives in Aswan, where a local child surrenders to the groups antics!

Inside the memorial to the Soviet-Egypt partnership in building the Aswan High Dam

After a day of camel riding, sailboat trekking, and relaxation at the Movenpick pool, the group left Aswan for Cairo. One last day of sightseeing in the City Victorious rounded out their trip.

Collins in Khan al Khalili Bazaar

The ladies at Al Azhar Mosque

www.backpackerconcierge.com