Tipping in Egypt: A Traveler’s Guide Tipping in Egypt is more than just a kind gesture—it’s an important…
“Discover the most breathtaking destinations where adventure, history, and beauty come together to create unforgettable experiences.”
Explore egypt
Founded by a veteran of the global travel industry, Dunes Egypt delivers unforgettable tour experiences rooted in quality, adventure, and authenticity. Whether you’re seeking luxury glamping under desert stars or a classic journey through ancient temples and pyramids, our tailor-made tours invite you to discover Egypt as few ever do.
We serve travelers from the USA, Europe, and around the world with expert planning, trusted local connections, and warm Egyptian hospitality.
Our founder, Sherif Khalil, spent over a decade managing VIP clients and quality control for a global travel brand.
We introduced the luxury glamping safari experience to Egypt—and still lead the way.
We combine international service with authentic Egyptian hospitality.
Transparent packages with no hidden costs.
Airport pickup, 24/7 support, trusted guides & licensed operations.
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“Discover the most breathtaking destinations where adventure, history, and beauty come together to create unforgettable experiences.”
Tipping in Egypt: A Traveler’s Guide Tipping in Egypt is more than just a kind gesture—it’s an important…
Egypt is one of the world’s most captivating destinations — a place where history, culture, and natural beauty…
FAQ
We offer a wide range of Egypt travel packages, including:
– Cultural and historical tours (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Nile cruises)
– Desert safaris and luxury glamping adventures
– Private tailor-made itineraries
– Family-friendly and affordable group tours
👉 Traveling with more than 6 people? Contact us for custom group rates.
Absolutely! You can use our “Customize Your Trip” form to tell us your travel preferences, or contact us directly for a fully tailored itinerary
Booking is simple. You can:
– Choose a ready-made tour and send us an inquiry
– Use the “Customize Your Trip” option
– Or contact us via email, phone, or WhatsApp — we’ll reply within 24 hours to help you plan and confirm your trip
We accept:
– Bank transfers
– Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard)
– Secure online payment platforms
Details will be provided once your tour is confirmed.
Yes, it is. All payments are handled through secure, encrypted gateways to protect your personal and financial information.
Yes, a deposit is required to confirm your tour. The remaining balance can be paid either before arrival or upon arrival, depending on the package and the agreement.
Included:
– Accommodation
– Domestic flights (if any)
– Guided tours and entrance fees
– Private transportation and airport transfers
– Some meals (as per itinerary)
Excluded:
– International flights
– Visa fees
– Travel insurance
– Tips and personal expenses
Yes, all standard entrance fees to sites listed in the itinerary are included in your package price.
The best time is from October to April, when the weather is cooler and ideal for sightseeing.
– December–February: Peak season (early booking recommended)
– May–September: Hot, but great for Red Sea destinations with fewer crowds and better deals
Yes. Most nationalities, including travelers from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and EU countries, can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Egyptian airports for USD 25, or apply online for an e-Visa before traveling.
If you don’t see your nationality listed or are unsure about the process, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us — we’ll be happy to assist you in checking the requirements and helping you obtain the appropriate visa.
Travel insurance is not required, but highly recommended to cover medical emergencies, cancellations, or baggage issues.
The local currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP).
– Cash is widely accepted
– Credit/debit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops
– ATMs are easily accessible in cities and tourist areas
Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas. All of our guides speak fluent English.
Dress modestly, especially in religious or rural areas:
– Lightweight, breathable clothes
– Shoulders and knees covered in public areas
– Women may need a headscarf when entering mosques
– Comfortable shoes for tours
Yes, most hotels and Nile cruises offer Wi-Fi, and you can purchase local SIM cards with data for reliable mobile internet.
Egypt uses 220V power and Type C or F plugs (European style). Travelers from other regions may need an adapter.
Yes, Egypt is generally a safe country for tourists, especially in major destinations like Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea resorts. Tourist areas are well-protected, and the government places high importance on visitor safety.
At Dunes Egypt, your security is our top priority. We arrange all tours with licensed guides, private transportation, and 24/7 local support to ensure your comfort and peace of mind throughout your journey.
Yes, with prior notice we can arrange wheelchair-friendly hotels, vehicles, and custom itineraries suited to your needs.
No mandatory vaccinations are required. However, it’s a good idea to be up to date on routine vaccines (tetanus, hepatitis A, etc.). Consult your doctor for specific advice.
Most international mobile phones (including US and European models) work in Egypt if international roaming is activated. However, roaming charges can be high, so we recommend:
– Checking rates with your provider before travel
– Purchasing a local SIM card (available at the airport or mobile shops) for affordable calls and data
Tap water is not recommended for drinking. It’s best to use bottled water, which is widely available and inexpensive. Always check that the bottle seal is intact before opening.
Yes, Egypt has many vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes, such as:
– Falafel (taameya), lentil soup, koshari, grilled vegetables, and bean stews (ful medames)
Most restaurants and hotels offer vegetarian options, and specialized vegan spots are available in major cities like Cairo and Alexandria.
We do not recommend swimming in the Nile, especially in urban or unmonitored areas, due to:
– Strong currents
– Water quality concerns
– Possible wildlife (such as parasites or reptiles)
If you’d like to swim, choose designated areas or opt for a Red Sea beach resort where the water is clean and safe for swimming and snorkeling.
Egypt has a desert climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters:
– Summer (May–September): Hot, especially in Upper Egypt (Luxor, Aswan), with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F)
– Winter (October–April): Pleasant and ideal for travel, with cooler nights and daytime highs around 20–25°C (68–77°F)
The Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts are more moderate year-round. Always bring sunscreen, a hat, and light layers.
Yes, tipping (known as ‘baksheesh’) is customary and appreciated in Egypt. While not mandatory, it is common to tip:
– Hotel staff and porters
– Tour guides and drivers
– Restaurant waiters (10–15%)
Many workers in the tourism sector rely on tips as a part of their income. We recommend keeping small change handy for this purpose.
EXCELLENT Based on 81 reviews Rohini K2025-06-12Verified Unforgettable Egypt experience Our Nile River Cruise and journey through Egypt was a truly unforgettable experience, and we are so grateful to Dunes & Beyond for making it all happen. From airport pickup to hotel transfers, everything ran smoothly and stress-free.The historical sites in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan were thoughtfully planned, with enough downtime built into each day, which we really appreciated.We had private tours with just the two of us, a driver, and a knowledgeable guide — it was personal, relaxed, and allowed us to enjoy the experience at our own pace.When our flight to Cairo was unexpectedly cancelled, the team quickly rearranged our itinerary so we didn’t miss any highlights.Special thanks to our coordinator, who went above and beyond with care and attention to detail.Overall, we had an incredible time and would gladly recommend Dunes & Beyond to anyone exploring Egypt. We’re already looking forward to our next trip. Sujata H2025-02-26Verified Unforgettable Cairo & Giza: Exceptional Guides, Rich History, and Amazing Cuisine Our trip to Cairo and Giza was amazing! Soha, Amir (our guide), the driver, and Ahmed (airport coordinator) provided exceptional service. Soha tailored the experience to our needs, and Amir’s deep knowledge of Egypt made the journey unforgettable. The restaurant recommendations were fantastic, giving us a true taste of Egyptian cuisine. We highly recommend this company and will definitely book with them again! Darion2024-12-19Verified The best travel agency for Egypt! My second time hiring Dunes and Beyond to visit Egypt, this time with my Mother who has a lifelong dream of seeing the top sights. They once again managed the whole trip flawlessly and made it an easy, safe, fun experience where all logistics were handled. Our private drivers and guides were top notch and we moved through sites at our own pace and learned a lot. Highly recommended for a perfect visit! Amanda M2024-11-04Verified Trip of a lifetime! This was the trip of a lifetime! Egypt can be overwhelming & intimidating as a travel destination, but this trip went so smoothly! Every single guide, airport rep, and driver were friendly and helpful. We enjoyed all of our time with Lina, Ussefer, Ali and everyone else who helped us along the way. Service all around was top notch. We loved visiting all of the big sites. I was also surprised by the small side stops made along the way like the carpet school and alabaster shop. They were also able to get us reservations for lunch at a restaurant next to the Pyramids of Giza! It’s the best view I’ve ever had for a meal. If you’re considering a visit to Egypt, I highly recommend! It’s a beautiful country with so much rich amazing history! elizabeth m2024-11-03Verified Dunes and More was an amazing way to see Egypt!! An amazing way to see Egypt!! Sherif Khalil organized everything we asked for! Recommend A+ Fabulous country! The history is overwhelming!! DebbieTn2024-03-07Verified Egypt and Jordan We wanted to go to Eygpt and Jordan. I researched and found Sherif at Dunes & Beyond. I started talking with Sherif almost 2 years before departure. From our first conversations I felt I was in good hands. He was always quick to return my calls always prepared with answers.Sherif is a tour coordinator from planning until you board your plane for home. We have traveled the world and I must say Sherif is the best! A shout out to all the Guides and Drivers through out our month long journey of Egypt and Jordan, they were the absolute best and we feel we have made some genuine friends. We would not have meet these wonderful people without Sherif. Do not miss Egypt and Jordan it is Incredible !!!! Sourabh P2024-01-07Verified An exceptional way to see Egypt We just finished an exceptional 9 day private tour of sights in Egypt with Dunes & Beyond. We first contacted Sherif in August to start planning the trip and since then till the end of the trip at Cairo Airport, the experience has been amazing. A special appreciation for Sherif who was always ready to listen to our needs, ideas, and plans and he always gave his honest opinion and made the tour as flexible as possible for us. This is priceless as we were traveling with 2 kids. The entire team - from Airport Meet & Greet staff to drivers to all guides - were caring, professional and took a great care of us while showing the amazing sights in the country. Special thanks to Mohammed, Ahmed, Ms. Lina, and Moataz who are all great souls. We will never forget our lunch in Aswan on the banks of Nile in the Nubian guest house with Moataz. Thank you all for a memorable one week that is now forever itched in our memories. We will use services of Dunes & Beyond in a heartbeat in the future. Dan M2023-12-14Verified KimKim and Dunes and Beyond deliver the wonder of Ancient Egypt Our trip to Egypt far exceeded our already high expectations. Sherif, Dunes and Beyond, was the perfect partner for planning the trip. He was always open to our many ideas, and focused on helping us include these ideas rather than telling us to drop them. Sherif truly was superb…he made our trip the success that it was.Our guides were amazing. Lena, our guide in the Cairo area, was excellent. She accommodated our needs fully, including some mobility issues of one member of our trio. She had great passion for the ancient wonders of her homeland. She enabled us to go into the Pyramids and to see historic sights, such as Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo. She was most patient for our deliberate pace in Cairo’s wondrous museums.In Luxor (ancient Thebes) AlluhDin was our guide. An expert Egyptologist, he was without equal in enabling us to experience the wonders of Ancient Egypt; his passion was contagious. He never tired of our endless questions, and his answers reflected his deep knowledge and insight. He stayed with us throughout our visits to Thebes (home of the Temples of Karnak, the greatest manmade monument that I have ever seen in my extensive travels around the world), during our four/day Nile cruise and the historic sights along the way, and during our several- day stay in Aswan. He was the key to the success of our grand tour of Ancient Egypt. We could not have asked for more. Thank you to AlluhDin and KimKim and Sherif for giving him to us as our guide…that is what made all the difference.Our 11-day visit (3 full days in Cairo, nearly 3 days in Luxor, the stops along the way during our cruise to Aswan, our 3 days in Aswan, and our flight and stop in Abu Simbel) was just right for a fulfilling introduction to and emotional engagement with the magnificence of Ancient Egypt.I recommend buying the extra experiences along the way such as going into the Pyramids, taking in the panoramic view at Philae Temple, and adding the tombs of Seth 1 and Ramses V and VI in the Valley of the Kings. The experiences are well worth the added cost.My only suggestion for improving the experience is to upgrade the cruise ship. The SemiRamses II was clean, but the meals were pedestrian at best. Getting into the bathtub/shower was a dangerous and frightful experience for both my wife and me.Thank you, Dunes & Beyond, Sherif, Lena and, most especially, AlluhDin for this grand experience, truly a highlight of our lives. Travel135352126172023-12-14Verified They took us to many amazing places in Egypt! The guides were amazing and knowledgeable. They were more then willing to adjust to focus on areas of interest. As well as adapting to changes in our travel plans. One of us has mobility difficulties and they worked with us so that we could see everything we wanted! From Alexandria to Abu Simbel. Craig L2023-10-12Verified Very good. Excellent and timely communication. Great guide Excellent service, excellent guide. The daily program was well organized, the company offered advice and suggestions for free time too.
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