On Monday 2 August 2027 the Moon’s shadow crosses Egypt, and Luxor sits almost on its centre line. From 13:02 to 13:08 the Sun is fully covered, longer than any total eclipse seen from land until 2114. This program puts you on the sundeck of a Nile cruise ship in Luxor for those six minutes, then sails you south to Aswan past the temples of the river.

2 August 2027One departure only

6 min 22 sof totality in Luxor

5 nights1 in Luxor, 4 on the ship

On requestPrice per person, two sharing

The phases of a total solar eclipse, from the first bite out of the Sun to totality and back — From the first bite at 11:40 to totality at 13:02 and the last sliver at 14:26. Photo: NASA/Jordan Salkin

Luxor is inside the path. Aswan is not.

The total eclipse is visible only inside a band about 258 km wide. Luxor, Edfu and the whole Nile valley north to Asyut are inside it. Aswan, Hurghada and Abu Simbel see a deep partial eclipse but no totality, which is why the eclipse day of this program is spent in Luxor. For the full explanation, the exact contact times and an hour by hour eclipse day, read our guide to the 2027 total solar eclipse from a Nile cruise.

Satellite map of Egypt showing the path of the total solar eclipse of 2 August 2027 crossing the Nile at Luxor

Path of the total eclipseOur cruise, Luxor to AswanPartial eclipse only

The path of totality on 2 August 2027, with our cruise route from Luxor to Aswan.

The best seat in Luxor

Lie back and watch

At 13:00 the Sun is 82 degrees above the horizon, almost overhead. A sundeck lounger is the most comfortable way to look up for six minutes.

Shade and cool

Early August in Luxor is regularly above 40°C. Shade, a pool and air conditioning are a few steps away.

No crowds

The temples and roads will be at their busiest of the year. On board there is no traffic and no queue.

Price

5 nightsSunday 1 to Friday 6 August 2027, 1 night in Luxor and 4 on the shipOn request

Per person, based on two people sharing. There is one departure and a limited number of cabins. We quote each group with the ship and hotel confirmed for that week.

Day by day itinerary

Luxor times are Egyptian summer time.

Day 1Sunday 1 August, arrive in Luxor

We meet you at Luxor airport and drive you in a private air conditioned car to your hotel on the Nile.
Evening: Luxor Temple under the floodlights, with your Egyptologist.
Before dinner, a briefing on what will happen the next day, minute by minute, and your certified eclipse glasses.
Overnight at the hotel in Luxor.

Luxor TempleEclipse briefingHotel night

Day 2Monday 2 August, eclipse day

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
07:00: Karnak Temple, while the morning is still cool.
Late morning: we drive you and your luggage to the ship. Lunch on board is served early.
11:40: the Moon begins to cover the Sun. Glasses on.
13:02 to 13:08: totality, 6 minutes and 22 seconds, watched from a lounger on the sundeck, with the Nile and the Theban hills around you.
14:26: the Moon moves off the Sun. The rest of the afternoon is for the pool and a rest.
Evening: a talk on the Sun god Ra and what the ancient Egyptians recorded about the sky. Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor.

Karnak TempleTotal eclipseLunch and dinner

Day 3Tuesday 3 August, the West Bank, then sail

An early start for the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, ahead of the heat.
Back on board for lunch. The ship sails south and passes through the Esna lock.
Dinner and overnight on board.

Valley of the KingsHatshepsutColossi of MemnonEsna lock

Day 4Wednesday 4 August, Edfu and Kom Ombo

Morning: the temple of Horus at Edfu, reached by horse carriage.
Sailing on to Kom Ombo.
Late afternoon: the double temple of Kom Ombo above the river, at sunset.
Dinner and overnight on board.

Edfu TempleKom Ombo Temple

Day 5Thursday 5 August, Aswan

Philae Temple on its island, by motorboat.
The Unfinished Obelisk in the granite quarry.
A felucca around Elephantine Island.
Dinner and overnight on board in Aswan.

Philae TempleUnfinished ObeliskFelucca

Day 6Friday 6 August, departure

Breakfast on board.
Private transfer to Aswan airport.

Breakfast

What is included

Airport pick-up and drop-off, private air conditioned car
1 night in a Luxor hotel with breakfast
4 nights on board, full board
Every excursion in the itinerary, privately guided by a licensed Egyptologist
Entrance fees to every site in the itinerary
The carriage at Edfu and the motorboat to Philae
A felucca around Elephantine Island
Certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2) for every guest
The eclipse briefing and the evening talk on board

What is not included

International flights and the Egypt visa
Abu Simbel, the Luxor hot air balloon and the other optional trips
The separate ticket for Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings
Drinks, personal spending and tipping

Good to know

This is a summer trip. Sightseeing starts early each day and the hottest hours are spent on board.
Ordinary sunglasses are not safe for looking at the Sun. Use the certified glasses we give you for every partial phase, and take them off only during totality.
Early August skies over Luxor are clear on about 80% of days. As with every eclipse, the weather cannot be promised.
Booking terms for this departure are confirmed with your quote.

Eclipse times are for Luxor in Egyptian summer time (UTC+3), from NASA eclipse predictions by Fred Espenak: partial phase 11:40 to 14:26, totality 13:02 to 13:08. Eclipse photos: NASA/Jordan Salkin. Satellite imagery: NASA Blue Marble. The ship is confirmed at booking.

Eclipse of the Century 2027: 5 Nights, Luxor and the Nile

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