Customized: Harvard Business School

Sand dunes

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.

Sandboarding in Egypt!

On the way to the dunes 60km outside of Cairo

Sandboarding

Getting ready for the first run down a dune much higher than you’d imagine…

Giza Pyramids

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.

Private cocktail party

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

Private cocktail party

Stephanie took it one step further and tried her hand at the oud!
(Abdallah was totally rocking the Micky mouse t-shirt)

Drinks on the balcony

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.

Bike ride in Luxor

Getting fitted for bikes on Luxor’s West Bank

Colossi of Memnon

Dinner in Luxor

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.

Private Dahabiya

The 7-room Dahabiya with a staff of 10

Private Dahabiya

Relaxing on the Dahabiya’s rooftop deck

Edfu

Local color in Edfu, one of the stops

Kom Ombo

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

Drinks on the Dahabiya

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

Drinks on the Dahabiya

Dahabiya

Aboard the Dahabiya with Khalid

Dessert!

Khalid presenting a delicious cake courtesy of Backpacker Concierge!

Local child from Aswan

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

Aswan

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.

Khan al Khalili Bazaar