Totally Egypt, Total Solar Eclipse 2027

Monday 26th July 2027. Upon arrival in Cairo you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or those arriving early can opt to join our optional Backstreets of Cairo tour which departs the hotel at 10am. This evening a Welcome Meeting will be held at 7pm.

For those who wish to extend their stay with pre tour accommodation, we also offer an Alexandria Day Trip, Suez Canal Day Trip and a 4-day Alexandria & El Alamein add-on.

Begin the day with a guided visit to the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The only surviving wonder of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World, these extraordinary monuments were built for the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and have stood for over 4,500 years. We then continue to Saqqara, an ancient burial ground dominated by Djoser’s Step Pyramid, widely regarded as the world’s first pyramid. During the day, we also visit a government-approved Papyrus Museum to learn about this traditional Egyptian craft.

Cairo – Aswan. Today we explore the remarkable Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the largest archaeological museums in the world. Housing over 100,000 artefacts, many displayed for the first time, the museum offers a fascinating journey through Egypt’s ancient past. Wander through vast galleries showcasing towering statues, sarcophagi, finely restored treasures and everyday objects that bring ancient civilisation to life.

A major highlight is the extraordinary collection of King Tutankhamun, including his iconic golden mask, royal chariot, intricate jewellery and ceremonial items. After our visit, we return to the hotel to relax before boarding the overnight train to Aswan this evening.

We arrive into Aswan this morning and take a short boat ride to Agilika Island to visit the picturesque Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis. Back in the city, we visit a perfume oil emporium to discover traditional Egyptian scents. The remainder of the day is free to explore the vibrant souks or unwind along the Nile.

Today there is an optional early morning excursion by road to Abu Simbel, where the colossal rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari stand carved into a sandstone cliff. The Great Temple, guarded by four towering statues of Ramses II, is one of Egypt’s most awe-inspiring sights. The temples were relocated in the 1960s to protect them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Returning to Aswan we check-in on board our Nile Cruiser which will be home for the next three nights. The rest of the day is free to perhaps enjoy some shopping in the colourful souks and markets or simply relax in this attractive town which straddles the River Nile.

Aswan – Nile Cruise – Kom Ombo. Enjoy a relaxed morning in Aswan before we set sail north towards Kom Ombo. On arrival, we visit the unique riverside temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, the falcon-headed god. Its symmetrical layout reflects this dual dedication. Nearby, see mummified crocodiles displayed in a small museum. We then return to the ship and continue cruising along the Nile towards Luxor.

Nile Cruise – Luxor. This morning we arrive into Luxor - the world’s greatest open-air museum. Crossing over to the West Bank of the Nile we visit the legendary Valley of the Kings and see the towering 18m-high Colossi of Memnon – the last remains of the temple of Amenophis III. At the Valley of the Kings, you can visit three of the richly decorated pharaohs’ tombs, many still vividly coloured after thousands of years. Notable tombs include those of Ramses II, Seti I, Amenhotep II and of course, King Tutankhamun.

We then continue to Deir al-Bahri to visit the striking Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, where a series of terraces rise dramatically from the desert. Our day's touring ends with a visit to the beautiful Luxor Temple on the east bank of the Nile, before we enjoy our final night on board the cruiser.

Luxor - Hurghada. This morning we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak. More than a temple, Karnak is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods and to the greater glory of Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers.

Then we prepare to witness the 02 August 2027 total solar eclipse – one of the most extraordinary astronomical events of the century. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes into near-perfect alignment between the Earth and the Sun. It is a remarkable cosmic coincidence: the Sun is around 400 times larger than the Moon, but also around 400 times farther away, allowing them to appear almost exactly the same size in the sky. When this alignment occurs, the Moon completely blocks the Sun – a moment known as totality – revealing the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona, as a shimmering halo of light in near darkness.

With the Sun positioned high in the sky - almost overhead - and an estimated 80% chance of clear skies, Luxor offers one of the very best viewing locations along the eclipse path, which crosses parts of Spain, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The point of greatest duration lies just southeast of Luxor, where totality will last an exceptional 6 minutes and 23 seconds, making this the longest total solar eclipse visible from land since 1991 and the longest until 2114.

Solar eclipse glasses will be provided so you can view the event safely – these can be removed during totality for the best experience.

TOTAL ECLIPSE TIMELINE (local time)
Partial eclipse begins – 11:40
Totality begins – 13:02
Maximum eclipse – 13:05
Totality ends – 13:08
Partial eclipse ends – 14:26

After this unforgettable experience, we drive to Hurghada on the Red Sea coast.

Spend the day at leisure in Hurghada, one of Egypt's most popular Red Sea resorts. Relax by the hotel pool, spend the day at the beach or explore the local area. An optional day trip to Giftun Island is available (bookable locally), offering excellent opportunities for swimming and snorkelling in the clear waters of the Red Sea.

Wednesday 4th August 2027. Hurghada - Cairo. After breakfast at the hotel, we check-out and drive back to Cairo. We arrive at Cairo airport at 6pm, where our tour ends. Please note: Your international flight should not be depart before 9pm today. If you book post tour accommodation with us, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cairo for the evening. At the end of your post tour accommodation arrangements we include a complimentary departure transfer to Cairo airport, in time for your international flight.