Africa · Boutique

Egypt

The country that invented eternity

E gypt is crossed more than visited, and read more than seen.

The essence

Three thousand years breathing

E gypt is crossed more than visited, and read more than seen. The traveler passes between Giza, Saqqara, Luxor and Aswan, and discovers that history here is a daily conversation between the call to prayer at dawn, the desert dust, the cardamom of Cairo and the slanting light that enters through the Hypostyle Hall of Karnak. The cultural scale demands time, rhythm and a voice to accompany it. That is why what defines a good trip to Egypt is the order, the gaze and the guide who opens the sites.

5,000+ years of continuous history
3 pyramids standing in Giza
6,650 km of the Nile, the longest river in Africa
100,000+ pieces in the Grand Egyptian Museum

Regions

The 5 faces of Egypt

Cairo & Giza · Egypt 01 · Capital

3-5 nights

Cairo & Giza

Pharaonic capital

Cairo takes time to love: it is noisy, dusty, dense. On the third day the visitor stops fighting the city and begins to read it. Minarets at sunset, Khan el-Khalili smelling of cardamom, terraces with a view of the Nile.

Hotels
Marriott Mena House · Four Seasons Nile Plaza · St. Regis Cairo
Must-see
Pyramids at dawn · Grand Egyptian Museum · Khan el-Khalili
Best time
October to April · sweet spot in November
Luxor · Egypt 02 · Antiquity

3-4 nights

Luxor

Open-air museum

Luxor is the largest open-air museum in the world. This is where Thebes stood, where Hatshepsut, Ramesses II and Tutankhamun reigned. By the third sunset on a Nile terrace, Egyptian time works differently.

Hotels
Sofitel Winter Palace · Al Moudira Hotel · Hilton Luxor Resort
Must-see
Karnak with an Egyptologist · Valley of the Kings · Balloon at dawn
Best time
November to February · warm days, cool nights
Aswan & Cruise · Egypt 03 · Nile

2-3 nights

Aswan & Cruise

The slow Nile

Aswan is the most relaxed city in monumental Egypt. The Nile here is wide, calm, split by granite islands and palm trees. The sunset from a felucca, as Elephantine Island drifts past, is the image you remember years later.

Hotels
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract · Movenpick Aswan · dahabiya Sun Boat IV
Must-see
Temple of Philae · Abu Simbel at dawn · Felucca at sunset
Best time
November to February · in summer exceeds 45°C
Red Sea · Egypt 04 · Coast

3-5 nights

Red Sea

Coral and coastal design

El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay overlook one of the best-preserved coral reefs on the planet. El Gouna, planned by Samih Sawiris, is a desert Venice with canals and contemporary Mediterranean architecture.

Hotels
The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh · Casa Cook El Gouna · Steigenberger Golf Resort
Must-see
Snorkeling at Giftun · Diving on the SS Thistlegorm · Abu Tig Marina
Best time
March to May · September to November
Sinai & Dahab · Egypt 05 · Desert

2-3 nights

Sinai & Dahab

Bedouin desert

Sinai is the peninsula that separates Egypt from Israel and connects Africa with Asia. The desert drops straight to the sea, the mountains are red, the reefs begin a meter from the shore and the Bedouins are still nomads.

Hotels
Four Seasons Sharm el Sheikh · Le Méridien Dahab · Habiba Beach Lodge
Must-see
Ras Mohammed · Blue Hole · Mount Sinai · Saint Catherine
Best time
March to May · September to November

Signature experiences

Moments to remember

Private access, guides born in the place and a rhythm designed around you.

Practical

The essentials before you travel

Information verified by our travel designers, updated for 2026.

Money

Currency
Egyptian pound (EGP). Reference exchange rate 48-53 EGP per USD (check before the trip).
Pricing
Hotels and agencies quote in USD or EUR. Local cash is handy for markets and tips.
USD cash
Bring new bills issued after 2009 in denominations of 20, 50 and 100.
ATMs
Plentiful in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and resorts. Reliable for occasional withdrawals.
Exchange
Avoid street money changers: counterfeit bills circulate. Exchange at a bank or hotel.
Cards
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in tourist hotels and restaurants, less so in markets.

Visa

Latin America + Spain
Most passports require a tourist visa to enter Egypt.
e-visa
Obtained online at visa2egypt.gov.eg at least seven days in advance.
On arrival
Also available at Cairo airport. Reference cost 25 USD.
Validity
Visa valid for 30 days. Passport valid for at least 6 months on entry.
Documents
Voucher for the first accommodation, international insurance and a return flight.

Vaccines

Egypt in general
No mandatory vaccines are required for entry from most countries.
Yellow fever
Certificate mandatory only if you arrive from an endemic country, including much of Colombian territory.
Recommended
Hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever and tetanus up to date.
Insurance
Minimum coverage of USD 100,000 in medical expenses, with repatriation included.
Water
Always bottled, even for brushing your teeth. Conservative for the first two days.

Transport

Domestic flights
EgyptAir for long distances. Cairo-Luxor 1h · Cairo-Aswan 1h 20.
Night train
Watania between Cairo and the south in a private cabin, a romantic option.
Car with driver
The CocoVolare standard for urban routes and travel between sites.
Apps
Uber and Careem work in Cairo and Alexandria.
Car rental
Not advised: Cairo traffic is chaotic and signage is irregular.

Language

Official
Modern Standard Arabic. The Egyptian dialect is the most widely understood in the Arab world.
English
Functional, sometimes fluent, among guides, receptions and tourist restaurants.
Spanish
Rare but growing among guides specializing in the Latin market.
Vocabulary
Shukran (thank you) · salam aleikum (hello) · la (no) · naam (yes) · bakhshish (tip).
Detail
Learning ten words of Arabic completely changes the welcome you receive.

Etiquette

Dress
In urban areas, shoulders and knees covered for both sexes.
Mosques
Women cover their hair (a scarf is provided). Shoes off in temples and mosques.
Right hand
Used for eating and serving. The left is considered impure.
Tips
The bakhshish is structural: for guardians, drivers, guides and porters.
Photography
Do not photograph people, especially women, without asking permission.
Public affection
Discretion is advised outside resorts and tourist areas.

Climate

When to travel and why

Egypt is best experienced from October to April. Our chart shows the twelve months with estimated cost, temperature and the iconic festivals. Marked in gold, the seasons when we recommend experiencing Egypt with us · not for price, but for the experience.

Most recommended month November · the most balanced of the year
Best price · experience ratio March · shoulder season
A once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event 22 Feb and 22 Oct · Abu Simbel alignment

The climate, month by month · Cairo

Reference city: Cairo Best season Temperature °C Relative rainfall
15° 25° 35° Jan: 9° – 19°C · 5 mm 19° Jan: 5 mm Jan Feb: 10° – 21°C · 4 mm 21° Feb: 4 mm Feb Mar: 12° – 24°C · 4 mm 24° Mar: 4 mm Mar Apr: 15° – 29°C · 1 mm 29° Apr: 1 mm Apr May: 18° – 33°C · 0 mm 33° May: 0 mm May Jun: 21° – 35°C · 0 mm 35° Jun: 0 mm Jun Jul: 22° – 35°C · 0 mm 35° Jul: 0 mm Jul Aug: 22° – 35°C · 0 mm 35° Aug: 0 mm Aug Sep: 21° – 33°C · 0 mm 33° Sep: 0 mm Sep Oct: 18° – 30°C · 1 mm 30° Oct: 1 mm Oct Nov: 14° – 25°C · 3 mm 25° Nov: 3 mm Nov Dec: 11° – 21°C · 5 mm 21° Dec: 5 mm Dec

Highlights of the year: Feb · Abu Simbel sunJul · Extreme heatAug · Extreme heatOct · Abu Simbel sun

Cairo is a desert beside a river: it almost never rains and heat is what defines the seasons. From October to April the days are golden and the nights cool; from June to August the southern temples climb past 40 °C.

When to go · season & budget

Seasons & estimated cost CocoVolare recommends High Mid Low
Jan: High season · ≈$780 per person/day $780Jan Feb: High season · ≈$750 per person/day $750Feb Mar: High season · ≈$720 per person/day $720Mar Apr: High season · ≈$690 per person/day $690Apr May: Mid season · ≈$570 per person/day May Jun: Low season · ≈$480 per person/day Jun Jul: Low season · ≈$470 per person/day Jul Aug: Low season · ≈$480 per person/day Aug Sep: Mid season · ≈$570 per person/day Sep Oct: High season · ≈$690 per person/day $690Oct Nov: High season · ≈$720 per person/day $720Nov Dec: High season · ≈$810 per person/day $810Dec

In our recommended dates, the estimated cost ranges from $690 to $810 per person/day (Premium level, international flights not included).

Investment

What it costs, no fine print

Egypt is one of the destinations where luxury stretches furthest: the difference between a mass-market cruise and a private dahabiya on the Nile costs less than you would think and transforms the entire trip.

Experience levels · guide budget

Egyptian pound (EGP) · 1 USD ≈ 49 EGP USD · per person/day
Boutique essential Boutique essential: $350 USD · per person/day $350 Characterful 4-5★ hotels, an Egyptologist at the key sites, domestic flights and curated meals. Egypt done properly, without excess. Premium Premium: $600 USD · per person/day $600 Mena House facing the pyramids, a boutique Nile cruise, early access to the temples and a private driver in every city. Signature Signature: $1,100 USD · per person/day $1,100 A private few-cabin dahabiya, exclusive openings, a private dinner facing Giza and a dedicated 24/7 concierge.
Private Egyptologist, full day USD 130-180Dahabiya on the Nile, 4 nights per person from USD 1,800Domestic flight Cairo–Aswan USD 120-180Sunrise hot-air balloon over Luxor USD 120-160Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) entrance USD 30Dinner with a view of the pyramids USD 60-100

Indicative 2026 values per person, excluding international flights. Every CocoVolare quote is tailored to your season, hotel category and pace of travel.

Signature itineraries

Egypt

Zero templates: every itinerary is rewritten 100% to your measure. Prices per person in double occupancy, boutique category, international flights not included.

5 days · 4 nights · Capital and pyramids

Essence of Cairo and Giza

Cairo → Giza → Saqqara → Dahshur

Five thousand years of history without leaving the capital

  • Pyramids of Giza with a private Egyptologist, entering through the Sphinx gate at first light
  • The Grand Egyptian Museum and Tutankhamun's treasures with curated access
  • Saqqara and Dahshur: the step pyramid and the red pyramid, without the crowds

FromUSD 2,200

8 days · 7 nights · Capital and river

Classic Nile Cruise

Cairo → Aswan → Nile Cruise → Luxor

The journey that invented journeys, tailored to you

  • Cairo and Giza in depth with a private Egyptologist before the cruise
  • Four nights sailing from Aswan to Luxor with stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu
  • Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple with early access

FromUSD 3,400

11 days · 10 nights · History and sea

Nile and Red Sea

Cairo → Nile Cruise → Luxor → El Gouna

Temples at dawn, coral reefs by afternoon

  • The full classic program of Cairo, Giza and the complete Nile cruise
  • Hot-air balloon over the Valley of the Kings at sunrise
  • Three nights in El Gouna or Hurghada at a reef-front resort

FromUSD 4,800

12 days · 11 nights · The whole country

Deep Egypt

Cairo → Abu Simbel → Aswan → Cruise → Luxor → White Desert

Beyond the postcard: the Egypt few ever get to see

  • Abu Simbel on the first flight of the day, with the temple nearly empty
  • A private few-cabin dahabiya sailing the Nile under canvas
  • A night in a luxury camp among the formations of the White Desert

FromUSD 6,200

14 days · 13 nights · End to end

Grand Egyptian Circuit

Cairo → Alexandria → Aswan → Nile Cruise → Luxor → Red Sea

From Alexandria's Greek Mediterranean to the corals of the Red Sea

  • Alexandria by private rail: the Bibliotheca, the catacombs and seafood on the corniche
  • Historic, Coptic and Islamic Cairo with a historian for each quarter
  • The complete boutique cruise from Aswan to Luxor with an Egyptologist on board

FromUSD 8,500

None of them fits? We design your own. WhatsApp →

Gastronomy

The flavors of Egypt

From street koshary to a tasting menu with a Michelin star. Egyptian cuisine blends the Mediterranean, the Levant and sub-Saharan Africa. Where Egyptian cooking becomes memory.

Khufu's by Alain Ducasse

Pyramids Complex · Giza

A Michelin star since 2024. Contemporary Egyptian cuisine with French technique signed by Mostafa Seif and a direct view of the Pyramid of Khafre.

Abou El Sid

26th of July Street · Zamalek · Cairo

Traditional Egyptian cuisine in an Ottoman-salon setting: mahshi, molokhia, hamam mahshi, fattah. Almost 30 years of service.

Abou Tarek

Champollion · Downtown · Cairo

A temple of koshary since 1950: rice, lentils, macaroni, chickpeas, spiced tomato sauce and crispy onion.

1886 Restaurant

Sofitel Winter Palace · Luxor

Franco-Egyptian cuisine in a Victorian gala hall with original tableware. Dress code required. Dinner with the atmosphere of a colonial novel over the Nile.

1902 Restaurant

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract · Aswan

A Moorish art deco hall where Agatha Christie was inspired, with a live orchestra and a terrace at sunset.

Kadoura

Bahari · Alexandria

Mediterranean fish on ice, choose your piece, grilled with tahini and Alexandrian mezze. The best seafood table in the country.

Calendar

Dates worth traveling for

A well-chosen date turns a trip into a memory. We design your itinerary around the moment that matters most to you.

Coptic Christmas · 7 January

An official holiday. Masses at the Hanging Church and processions in old Coptic Cairo.

Abu Simbel solar event · 22 Feb · 22 Oct

The sun penetrates the corridor of the great temple and illuminates the statues of the inner sanctuary at dawn, calculated 3,300 years ago.

Sham el-Nessim · April

A spring festival with pharaonic roots, celebrated by Egyptians of all religions with picnics and painted eggs.

Ramadan · Feb-Mar

The Muslim month of fasting. The cities come alive at sunset with the iftar dinner and continue until dawn.

Mawlid of Tanta · October

The largest Sufi festival in Egypt, in Tanta. Processions, music and whirling dervishes with local accompaniment.

Cairo Film Festival · November

The oldest film festival in the Arab world (1976). Screenings, a red carpet, panels and film personalities.

El Gouna Film Festival · October

A young festival since 2017 with independent cinema from the Arab world and beyond, combined with a seaside holiday.

Hot Air Balloon Festival · February

One week a year in Luxor with formation flights and a night-time balloon show over the Valley of the Kings.

CocoVolare recommends

What we would tell a friend

Advice from our travel designers: what we book first, what we avoid, and the details that turn a good trip into an unforgettable one.

01

Visa on arrival for Colombians

Colombian passport holders get a visa on arrival in Cairo for 25 USD in cash (a crisp, new bill) or an e-Visa in advance through the official portal. Your passport needs six months of validity; we handle the paperwork before you land.

02

The dahabiya books out half a year ahead

Boutique sailing vessels of 6 to 12 cabins are the finest way to travel the Nile and sell out 4 to 6 months in advance for October-April. Ask for an upper-deck cabin: the breeze and the view are worth it.

03

Abu Simbel, early and by plane

Fly from Aswan on the first flight of the day: you arrive before 8:00, ahead of the heat and the buses that take three hours by road. If you can, aim for February 22 or October 22, when the sun aligns with the inner sanctuary.

04

Baksheesh is managed, not suffered

Egypt runs on constant tipping: the temple guardian, the bellboy, the driver. Keep small EGP notes at hand at all times. On our trips we solve it with a pre-paid tipping fund, so you never have to think about it.

05

Giza at 8:00, the GEM in the afternoon

Enter the pyramid plateau first thing through the Sphinx gate and save the Grand Egyptian Museum for the afternoon, when the sun is punishing. The classic nine-pyramid shot is taken from the southern viewpoint of the plateau.

06

Dress with judgement, not fear

Shoulders and knees covered in mosques and traditional quarters; at hotels, on cruises and by the Red Sea the code is relaxed. During Ramadan, tourist and hotel restaurants operate normally, and the iftar evenings are a spectacle of their own.

In motion

Egypt, live

Testimonials

What our travelers say

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“We arrived at the pyramids before they opened to the public. There was no one. Only the wind, the dust and the light rising from the east above Cheops. Five years later I still cannot find the words.”

Mariana Restrepo

Bogotá · Honeymoon · 10 nights

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“I thought I knew what to expect from Egypt. I had read everything. And then the guide opened a tomb closed to the public in the Valley of the Nobles and I understood that the trip was not what I had read. It was what CocoVolare had imagined for us.”

Javier Mendoza

Mexico City · Trip as a couple · 12 nights

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“The Old Cataract at sunset, a felucca passing slowly, hibiscus tea in hand. My wife looked at me and said: this is what we were going to look for in the Maldives. It was here.”

Andrés Lozano

Medellín · Extended honeymoon · 14 nights

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to enter Egypt?

Yes. Most Latin American passports and the Spanish one require a tourist visa. It is obtained online at visa2egypt.gov.eg at least seven days in advance, or on arrival at Cairo airport. Cost 25 USD, valid for 30 days, passport valid for at least 6 months.

Is it safe to travel to Egypt in 2026?

Yes, on the usual tourist routes: Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, El Gouna, Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab and Alexandria. Areas to avoid: northern Sinai, the border with Libya and the western desert without an authorized operator.

How should I dress in Egypt?

In urban areas, shoulders and knees covered for both sexes. In mosques, women cover their hair (a scarf is provided). In resorts and tourist areas there is complete freedom. Light cotton or linen clothing, long sleeves for sun and mosques.

What currency is used in Egypt?

The Egyptian pound (EGP). Reference exchange rate 48-53 EGP per USD. Hotels and agencies quote in USD or EUR. Bring new USD bills in denominations of 20, 50 and 100 (issued after 2009).

What is the best time to travel to Egypt?

From October to April. November and March offer the best balance between weather and absence of crowding. December and January are the peak months with the highest prices. Avoid July and August: the heat in Luxor and Aswan exceeds 42 degrees.

What scams should I avoid?

Taxis without a meter (use Uber), street money changers with counterfeit bills, drivers who offer to take you to shops with commissions of 30-40%, and fake guides at the pyramids. Book everything through your boutique hotel.

Is street food safe?

Yes, with judgment. Choose stalls with high turnover, food cooked to order, avoid raw salads and always drink bottled water. For the first two days it is wise to be conservative.

Can I drink the tap water?

No. Always drink bottled water, even for brushing your teeth in three-star hotels or Nile cruises. In urban five-star hotels it improves, but the recommendation stands.

Is Spanish or English spoken in Egypt?

English is spoken well in hotels, by guides and in tourist restaurants. Spanish is rare but growing among guides specializing in the Latin market. Learning ten words of Arabic changes how you are treated.

What is internal transport like?

Domestic EgyptAir flights for long distances (Cairo-Luxor 1 hour). The Watania night train with a private cabin. Uber and Careem in Cairo and Alexandria. A car with a driver is the CocoVolare standard.

Can I take photos at archaeological sites?

Yes in general, with a surcharge in some premium tombs. Do not photograph people, especially women, without asking permission. In mosques, do not photograph people praying.

How much should I tip?

The baksheesh system is structural. Budget 8-12% of the total. An Egyptologist guide 200-400 EGP per person/day, a driver 100-200 EGP, a cruise crew 10-15 USD per person/night.

Is it very hot in Egypt?

It depends on the month and the region. From October to April the weather is pleasant (18-28°C in Cairo). From June to August the south exceeds 45°C at midday. The Red Sea stays warm all year.

Is it safe for a woman to travel alone?

Yes, with precautions. Conservative clothing, transport by Uber or private driver, accommodation in boutique hotels. Travelling with a private guide almost completely neutralizes verbal harassment.

Egypt

No molds, made to measure

Tell us what excites you and we will design a tailor-made proposal in under 24 hours, with a dedicated travel designer.