Copyright © Nile Travel International
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Nile Travel International is a South African based tour operator specialising in travel to all the above destinations. You can choose to join one of our scheduled tours listed below or we can customise a package for you.
Comments written by Kathy Caselli Thomson
Hyde Park High School
School Tour to Egypt in April 2006
We would like to thank you on behalf of Hyde Park High School for everything. We are only too aware of all the effort that went into getting us there even before we got on the plane and thank you for checking up all the time while we were there. We were paging through our photo album (Sam and I) and every photo brought back wonderful memories and we cannot believe all we managed to do in 10 days.
The first rest period at the hotel was so essential, our energy levels were re-established and our first introduction to the Nile and Egyptian cuisine was great. The visit to the Valley of the Kings was a wonderful start and we really appreciate your fitting the balloon ride for the 8 brave, early risers. My highlight was finally getting to see the tomb of Tut. At the moment I am reading “Tutankhamun the Untold Story” Much excitement followed when we all had to get on, and some of us fall off, the cute donkeys. They brought us sure-footedly and safely to Hatshepsut’s temple.
There is always something new each time one goes to Egypt and this has been my 4th visit. The recently reconstructed tomb entrances of the nobles in the hillsides near Hatshepsut’s temple certainly changes a hole in the ground to something more meaningful.
The touring party was truly amazed by the magnificent Karnak Temple. Our thanks to Abdullah who always added that dimension of proper understanding wherever we went. People often comment on the fact that today’s Egyptians are just custodians of the ancient Egyptian treasures but I believe that Abdullah has ancient Egyptian ancestry and that their legacy is to be respected, shared and treasured.
Our cruise boat was relaxing and luxurious and worthy of its 5 star status. We really enjoyed Edfu and Kom Ombo and travelling through the lock. Great excitement was had by all when a boat coming through the lock smashed into us. The captain did not share quite the same feeling especially when it took a whole day to repair the damage when we got to Aswan.
Aswan was fascinating as we saw the unfinished obelisk, Philae and the Aswan High Dam. Our next adventure was the motorboat ride across the Nile followed by the camel ride up to and back from the monastry of St Simeon. The camels were great and no one fell off.
In Cairo Abdullah shared his wisdom with us in the Mohammed Ali Mosque. There would certainly be peace in the world if there were more people like Abdullah. And just when we thought nothing could top our experiences so far we were booked into the fabulous Conrad Hotel. One group of girls just shrieked when they got up to their rooms. More followed with the Sound and Light show at the pyramids, the actual visit to the Giza plateau the next day and we have a group photo to remember that time. And then the Egyptian Museum: I have never seen anything as beautiful as Tut’s masks and all his other treasures and I never tire of seeing them each time I visit. Our visit to Saqqara was also really interesting and finally the Cairo market.
What made the tour really great was the variety that you offered us in terms of visits, mode of travel, Egyptian cuisine and not to forget the shopping. I hope some of the pupils don’t only remember the shopping but our many photos will make them look back over the years and remember a truly unforgettable time.
Best wishes for many more successful tours and who knows, Hyde Park might be one of those groups in the future.
Kathy Caselli Thomson (Teacher-in-charge of the tour group).
Incentive / School Trips
Previous Incentive Trips
Previous School Tours
Bespoke Corporate Incentive Tour - 19 to 26 March 2005
Bespoke Corporate Sales Incentive Tour - 19 to 26 February 2005
Hyde Park High School Tour to Egypt in April 2006
St Davids Marist Inanda School Tour in April 2004
