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
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
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