The total solar eclipse on August 2nd, 2027, promises to be the astronomical event of the century, with a maximum duration of totality of 6 minutes and 23 seconds. This is the longest total solar eclipse until June 3rd, 2114. What makes this eclipse even more extraordinary is that the point of maximum totality is located in the desert, between the Red Sea and Luxor.
Furthermore, the statistical probability of a completely cloud-free sky in this area in August is approximately 82%, offering ideal conditions for observing this unique astronomical phenomenon. You shall observe the solar eclipse at prime locations, which we shall provide exclusively to our guests.
We offer you the opportunity to experience the solar eclipse as part of a cultural tour, a Nile cruise, or a trip to the Red Sea.
Why Egypt for the 2027 Solar Eclipse?
- Longest Totality: Experience up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds of complete darkness.
- Prime Location: The path of totality crosses directly over Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes.
- Favorable Weather: High probability of clear skies in August.
- Rich History: Combine eclipse viewing with exploration of ancient Egyptian sites.
Cultural Tours and Nile Cruises
The focus of our cultural tours is the city of Luxor with its world-famous pharaonic antiquities and a duration of the total phase that is only 3 seconds shorter than the maximum of totality in the desert. The southern coastal region of the Red Sea, which is located in the totality zone, also offers excellent opportunities to experience the solar eclipse of the century.
Combinations of Luxor with visits to Cairo or to Aswan are also possible, as are combinations with the oases of the Western Desert, where the length of the total phase at Bahareya Oasis, for example, is a spectacular 6 minutes & 22 seconds. Depending on the location, the duration of the total phase there shall be between 5 minutes and 12 seconds (north of Marsa Alam) and 6 minutes and 20 seconds (in the far south near Berenice).
Read also: Egyptian Adventure
In this context, we offer you the opportunity to combine high-quality diving or snorkeling from land or on board a liveaboard with a beach vacation and, of course, with the solar eclipse.
Featured Tours and Experiences
Witness the star-aligned temples and star charts that adorn temple ceilings and walls. Steeped in the region’s astronomical history, arrive in Luxor, where from a private rooftop overlooking the mountainous Temple of Hatshepsut, you savor the eclipse. Here are some of the highlights you can expect:
- Experience a total solar eclipse over Luxor's Valley of the Kings and Queens.
- Trace Egypt’s rich cosmic legacy in the company of a private astronomer.
- Gain exclusive access to village life along the Nile while aboard a four-night dahabeya cruise.
- Optional Cairo extension: Experience the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum and the pyramid fields from Saqqara to Giza.
9 Days Egypt Solar Eclipse tour with Nile Cruise for American guests will create a golden road of living miracles while cruising the nile river and explore all the wonders of Egypt, which include the Giza Pyramids Complex, Grand Egyptian museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, Muizz street, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut temple, Karnak temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu temple, Philae temple, temples of Abu Simbel, and many more.
Your solar eclipse Egyptian adventure begins with a warm welcome at Cairo International Airport. Then, in the evening, everyone will experience the enchanting Sound & Light Show at the Giza Pyramids, where the rich history of ancient Egypt is vividly brought to life.
Where Will the 2027 Solar Eclipse Be Visible? | Profiles in Politics
Iconic Sites and Historical Significance
The Giza Pyramids Complex, which is home to some of Egypt’s most epic wonders, showcases the architectural brilliance of the ancient civilization. The Pyramid of Khufu or the Great Pyramid is a colossal structure of mystery as it is the largest and oldest of the three pyramids at Giza.
Read also: Learn Arabic in Egypt: Guide
Designed by the architect Hemiunu for Pharaoh Khufu (2609 BC - 2584 BC), it was originally 147 meters tall and was constructed as a tomb for Khufu around 2570 BC. The Great Sphinx is a golden monumental statue built during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre (2558 BC - 2532 BC), which is one of the most iconic symbols of Egypt. With the body of a lion and the face of the pharaoh, which has stood guard over the Giza Plateau for millennia.
The Valley Temple of Khafre, built in 2700 BC, is a crucial structure within the Giza complex. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization that houses over 100,000 artifacts over 480,000 square meters, including the complete collection from King Tutankhamun's tomb.
The museum's design blends modern architecture with ancient Egyptian elements, offering immersive exhibits on Egypt’s history, art, daily life, and royal mummies. The Saqqara step pyramid, constructed in 2670 BC for Pharaoh Djoser (2649 BC - 2611 BC), revolutionized Egyptian architecture.
The Aswan High Dam was a groundbreaking achievement in modern engineering, completed in 1970 AD. It was designed to control the annual flooding of the Nile River and generate hydroelectric power. The dam led to the creation of Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes.
The Unfinished Obelisk is a marvel that never reached its full potential, dating back to the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut (1508-1458 BC), and offers a unique look into ancient Egyptian stone-carving techniques. Originally intended to be the largest obelisk ever built, it was left incomplete when a crack appeared during its carving process.
Read also: Clothing in Ancient Egypt
Philae temple is a symbol of grace and sacrifice, which is located on Philae Island, which was relocated to Agilkia Island in the 1960s to safeguard it from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Built during the Ptolemaic era in the 7th or 6th century BC, the temple is famous for its elaborate reliefs and inscriptions, which depict the mythological stories of Osiris, Isis, and Horus.
The Temples of Abu Simbel are gigantic creations of greatness which were carved into the cliffs by Pharaoh Ramses II in 1200 B.C. These enduring masterpieces of ancient Egyptian architecture were built to honor Ramses II (1279-1213 BCE) and his beloved queen Nefertari. Notably, the massive statues of Ramses II align with the sun during the biannual Sun Festival, which occurs every year on the 22nd of October and February.
The Edfu temple is a living embodiment of victory, which was dedicated to the falcon god Horus, and is one of Egypt's most well-preserved temples. Edfu was built between 237 BC and 57 BC, which sheds light on one of the greatest battles in Egyptian mythology, where Horus fought against the chaos god, Set.
Kom Ombo Temple is a unique piece of art and architecture in the history of ancient Egypt, which is dedicated to two gods: Horus the Elder and Sobek, the crocodile god. This remarkable temple was built between 237 BC and 57 BC on the banks of the Nile.
The Valley of the Kings is hidden at the inner belly of ben-ben hill, which acts as a golden burial ground of New Kingdom pharaohs (1570 - 1050 BC), houses 63 royal tombs, including those of the legendary Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great.
Hatshepsut Temple is an architectural living miracle of wonder which was built in the 15th century BC to honor the reign of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut (1507-1458 BC). The Colossi of Memnon are two massive statues that were rebuilt various times which standing at 60 feet tall, which once guarded the entrance to the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1386 - 1349 BC).
Karnak temples Complex is one of the most important and expansive religious complexes in ancient Egypt and the entire world, which was built between 2000 BC and 30 BC. This place of legends and faith, covering 247 acres, was primarily dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.
Luxor Temple is a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture that holds great meaning and significance, built in 1400 BC by Amenhotep III and then expanded by Ramses II. The temple, dedicated to the Theban Triad, is renowned for its epic avenue of sphinxes and its historical significance during the Opet Festival, which celebrated the renewal of the pharaoh’s divine kingship.
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is home to the world’s oldest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts and offers an extensive look into the grandeur of Egypt's ancient civilization. The Hanging Church is one of Egypt’s oldest Christian churches, which was built in the 5th century AD. Suspended above a Roman gatehouse of the Babylon palace.
The Khan El-Khalili Bazaar is a vibrant and historic market established between 1382 and 1389 AD, which became a highly important shopping center since the time of its creation. Al-Muizz Street is one of Cairo’s oldest streets that have the appearance of massive labrinth, which was created in the 10th century AD.
Tour Options and Accommodations
Witness the longest total solar eclipse until 2114 and explore Egypt’s spectacular antiquities on one of Sky & Telescope’s expeditions to Luxor in August 2027. No future eclipse will offer this much totality until 2114.
If you’ve dreamed of visiting Egypt for this very long total solar eclipse, you’ll have a challenging time choosing from among the eleven tantalizing opportunities. They are sure to sell out long before the Moon’s shadow streaks across Egypt.
You’ll enjoy views of the magnificent Nile from our base at the luxurious and legendary Sofitel Winter Palace, one of the world’s iconic travel destinations. Other accommodation options include:
- Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor: Built in 1907 and surrounded by century-old Royal Gardens, the hotel overlooks the Nile and the West Bank Necropolis.
- ms Hamees: Offers 70 spacious cabins with relaxing soft cream colors.
- ss Misr: Originally built by the British Royal Navy in 1918 and later converted into a luxury Nile steamer for King Farouk.
- ms Darakum: With 52 spacious cabins, the ms Darakum is one of the largest vessels cruising the Nile River between Cairo and Aswan.
- ss Sphinx: Authentically immersive onboard experience, with bespoke decor by local artisans and materials sourced regionally.
- Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa: Boasts a contemporary Arabic design and glorious, unobstructed views of the Nile and its West Bank.
- Jolie Ville Hotel & Spa: Surrounded by 150 acres of spacious gardens and expansive landscape overlooking the magnificent Nile River.
- Steigenberger Resort Achti: Superbly located in the heart of Luxor, yet quiet and secluded, amidst eight acres of lush tropical gardens.
- Iberotel Luxor: Offers comfortable, casual surroundings, breezy terraces, and a spacious lawn where you can take in Nile views.
- ms River Tosca: With a maximum capacity of 82 guests and a staff to guest ratio of almost 1:1, a cruise on the River Tosca is about as intimate and indulgent as it gets.
- ms AmaDahlia: This stunning 72-passenger ship offers 36 staterooms, including 16 magnificent suites with a wealth of amenities.
- ms Nile Commodore: The 77-cabin ms Nile Commodore is a gracious and crisply elegant hub for your exploration of Luxor’s ancient gems.
Sample Itinerary: Egypt Solar Eclipse Tour 2027
Here's a glimpse of what a typical tour might include:
- Day 1: Arrival in Cairo - Meet and greet at Cairo International Airport, transfer to your hotel.
- Day 2: Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum - Explore the Giza Plateau, Sphinx, Valley Temple, and the New Grand Egyptian Museum.
- Day 3: Fly to Aswan - Visit Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- Day 4: Abu Simbel - Day trip to the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari.
- Day 5: Nile Cruise - Kom Ombo & Edfu - Sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, then continue to Edfu to explore the Temple of Horus.
- Day 6: Luxor's West Bank - Visit the Valley of the Kings and the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
- Day 7: Solar Eclipse at Karnak Temples - Experience the total solar eclipse at the Karnak Temples.
- Day 8: National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Old Cairo - Explore the National Museum and Old Cairo.
- Day 9: Departure - Transfer to Cairo Airport for your departure.
Pricing and Inclusions
Group Trip: From $22,250 based on double occupancy.
Inclusions:
- All handpicked accommodations, ground transportation, and airport transfers
- All guided sightseeing, events, and experiences
- Premier Astronomer and Egyptologist Trip Leaders and top-tier local guides
- Most meals
- All gratuities, excluding Egyptologist
- Emergency evacuation services and secondary medical expense insurance
- Dedicated support from GeoEx’s travel experts and in-house air reservations team
| Tour Type | Accommodation | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Main Tour (7 Nights) | Sofitel Winter Palace | $2,275 |
| Main Tour (6 Nights on ms Hamees, 2 in Sofitel Winter Palace) | ms Hamees & Sofitel Winter Palace | $2,950 |
| Main Tour (17 Nights) | ss Misr | $10,965 |
| Main Tour (8 Nights) | ms Darakum | $4,350 |
| Main Tour (17 Nights) | ss Sphinx | $16,575 |
| Main Tour (7 Nights) | Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa | $2,275 |
| Main Tour (3-7 Nights) | Jolie Ville Hotel & Spa | $295/night |
| Main Tour (7 Nights) | Steigenberger Resort Achti | $2,625 |
| Main Tour (7 Nights) | Iberotel Luxor | $2,625 |
| Main Tour (9 Nights) | ms River Tosca | $7,425 |
| Main Tour (17 Nights) | ms AmaDahlia | $7,425 |
| Main Tour (6 Nights) | ms Nile Commodore | $1,950 |
| Main Tour (9 Nights) | ms Nile Commodore & ms River Tosca | $7,425 or $12,425 |
Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the longest total solar eclipse of the century while exploring the wonders of ancient Egypt! Hint: You can share your thoughts about adding or removing any tours from your tour itinerary to be able to accommodate your requirements and fulfill your needs.
Popular articles:
tags: #Egypt
