2027 Total Solar Eclipse in Luxor with Nile Cruise
A short description and itinerary are coming soon.
DAY 01 >> JULY 30.2027 >>> CAIRO (- / - / -) Be warmly welcomed on arrival in Cairo by your NĀRAT representative. Receive assistance with immigration and then transfer to your hotel to relax after your flight. Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 02 >> JUL. 31.2027 >>> CAIRO (B / - / D) Today, we have a full day tour of Cairo’s highlights. We depart after breakfast by chartered coach, visiting the Egyptian Museum, Pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx, and Papyrus Institute. If you like, mount a camel by the pyramids and take a soft soled journey into the surrounding desert. Welcome Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. Over the course of the tour, take advantage of countless opportunities for Milky Way photography. Take a once-in-a-lifetime snapshot of the night sky as it overlooks the iconic pyramids. Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 03 >> AUG.1.2027 >>> CAIRO – LUXOR (B / L / D) A morning flight takes us from Cairo to Luxor. Arrive in Luxor with assistance from our representative. We will board the ship and settle in, enjoying lunch on board. In Luxor, we visit the East Bank, home to some of Egypt’s most significant monuments. Karnak Temple Complex, commonly known as Karnak, comprises a vast mix of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings. Construction at the complex began during the reign of Senusret I in the Middle Kingdom. It continued into the Ptolemaic period, although most of the extant buildings date from the New Kingdom. The area around Karnak was the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut and the main place of worship of the eighteenth dynasty, Theban Triad, with the god Amun as its head. The Karnak complex gives its name to the nearby and partly surrounded modern village of El-Karnak, 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) north of Luxor; we visit the Luxor Temple, a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile River and was constructed in approximately 1400 BCE. In the Egyptian language it is known as Ipet-isut,- the southern sanctuary. Like Karnak, it is one of the primary temples on the east bank. Enjoy dinner on board in the evening and a traditional Belly Dance Show. If you like, capture even more memories of your journey with continued photography of the stunning Milky Way Galaxy. Take the time to rest and prepare for another day of sightseeing Egypt’s most captivating landmarks. Overnight on board.
DAY 04 >> AUG.2.2027 >>> LUXOR – EDFU (B / L / D) After having breakfast, we visit the West Bank, home to the Valley of the Kings, Deir El Bahari and Colossi of Memnon. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile , opposite Luxor, within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. The wadi consists of two valleys: East Valley (where a majority of the royal tombs are situated) and West Valley. Look up at the vast skies of Egypt to witness a miraculous phenomenon unlike any other in the world: experience a total solar eclipse from the exotic sands of Luxor, an occurrence visible only once every eighteen months, and one that will only cross the same place every 375 years. During the eclipse, immerse yourself in a truly unique celestial display as the world goes dark around you, leaving almost nothing between you and the astonishing vast skies. The solar eclipse will commence at 11:40, and gradually reach totality at 13:05. The entire process will conclude at 14:26, leaving a generous space to marvel at the astral spectacle. Equipment must be set up two hours prior to the peak of the eclipse. During its progression, keep your eyes out for sightings of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mercury, Sirius, and more- we may even see stars like Aldebaran, Rigel, or Capella. We have lunch on board in the afternoon and sail to Edfu via Esna. Enjoy a cup of afternoon tea and a welcome reception cocktail party as you relax on the cruise. Dinner is served after cocktails, allowing you to truly unwind in preparation for another exciting day. Overnight on board.
DAY 05 >> AUG.3.2027 >>> EDFU – KOM OMBO – ASWAN (B / L / D) We start the day exploring Edfu. The Temple of Edfu is an ancient Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile. The city was known in Greco-Roman times as Apollonopolis Magna, after the chief god Horus-Apollo. It is one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt. The temple was built in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BC. The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth, and religion during the Greco-Roman period in ancient Egypt. Enjoy lunch and afternoon tea on board.
After arrival, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, an unusual double temple in the town of Kom Ombo in Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt. It was constructed during the Ptolemaic dynasty, 180–47 BC. The building is unique because its 'double' design means that courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms were duplicated for two sets of gods. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, the god of fertility and creator of the world, along with Hathor and Khonsu. Meanwhile, the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris, also known as Horus the Elder, along "with Tasenetnofret (the Good Sister, a special form of Hathor or Tefnet/Tefnut) and Panebtawy (Lord of the Two Lands)”. The temple is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis. Return from your day spent in Edfu and have dinner, followed by a Galabia party aboard the cruise. The skies will make for great Milky Way photography once again. Overnight on board.
DAY 06 >> AUG.4.2027 >>> ASWAN (B / L / D) Enjoy a leisurely morning on board, and after having lunch, sail on the Nile by traditional Felucca, a must-do activity that takes you along a dreamy, scenic route. Disembark to immerse yourself in the beauty of the gorgeous botanical gardens Egypt has to offer, home to countless exotic birds and plants. Enjoy dinner on board and relax after a day of seeing some of Egypt’s most beautiful sights. Overnight on board.
DAY 07 >> AUG.5.2027 >>> ASWAN (B / - / - ) Check out after breakfast to enjoy your day in Aswan. In the morning, visit the Aswan High Dam, an embankment dam built across the Nile. Its significance largely eclipsed the previous Aswan Low Dam initially completed in 1902 downstream. Construction of the High Dam became a key objective of the government following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952; with its ability to control flooding better, provide increased water storage for irrigation and generate hydroelectricity the dam was seen as pivotal to Egypt's planned industrialization and has since had a significant effect on the economy and culture of Egypt. Afterwards, soak in the gorgeous sights of the Temple of Philae, located on an island in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam. Philae was originally located near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile and was the site of an Egyptian temple complex. These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. The temple complex was later dismantled and relocated to nearby Agilkia Island as part of the UNESCO Nubia Campaign project, protecting this and other complexes before the 1970 completion of the Aswan High Dam. As nightfall approaches, it presents the perfect opportunity for an exclusive Group Tour Star Party, a captivating exhibition that will take you through some of the most spectacular views in all the galaxy. Some potential sightings include the Andromeda Galaxy, the Owl Cluster, and the Eagle and Omega nebulae. We check into our hotel and enjoy the resort this evening. Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 08 >> AUG.6.2027 >>> ASWAN (B / - / - ) Have breakfast in the morning to prepare for your visit to Nubian Village, a vibrant community on the west bank of the Nile. The village hosts an array of colorful buildings and small markets, promising fascination no matter which way you turn. Tonight, the moon settles in the sky at only 24% illumination, providing the perfect chance for remarkable nightscape photography. Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 09 >> AUG.7.2027 >>> ASWAN – ABU SIMBEL ( B / - / - ) After a leisurely breakfast, we board our flight to Abu Simbel. The main temples at Abu Simbel were rescued and meticulously moved piece by piece to avoid being swallowed up by water created from the creation of the High Dam. While these temples were lucky to be saved, other archaeological relics were not as lucky, and lie beneath the sprawling lake created by the dam. The great Sun Temple, created to revere the mighty pharaonic ruler King Ramses II, with its gargantuan rock-cut façade, is awe-inspiring. Guarding the entrance to the temple (built between 1290 and 1224 BC) hewn into the side of a mountain are four famous colossal statues of the pharaoh himself, which sit majestically staring out across the desert, seemingly since time began. Over the centuries, the desert sands imperceptibly shifted until the temple was all but lost to humanity. It was rediscovered by chance in 1813 by a Swiss explorer called John Lewis Burkhardt. Only one of the heads of the pharaohs was showing and only a small part of the rest of the colossal temple peeked above the desert sands. It wasn’t until the British happened upon Abu Simbel and starting excavating, that the full glory of the temple of Abu Simbel was revealed to the modern world. The temple was dedicated to the deified Pharaoh, King Ramses II, known also as the great builder and the gods Amun-Re, Re-Herakhte and Ptah. Ramses II had the entire temple carefully angled and oriented in order that the sun’s rays would align twice a year on his date of his ascension to the throne (21 February) and on his birthday (21 October) and illuminate the inner sanctum of the temple. This incredible natural phenomenon provides for a most spectacular sight, which has come to be referred to as the Sun Festival of King Ramses II.
Famously, the temple was re-located in a multi-million-dollar operation in 1972, further up from the shoreline of Lake Nasser, which had threatened to erode the foundations of this monolithic temple complex. For this reason, the sun now strikes a day later than Ramses had originally planned. It’s an early morning but well worth the effort. Look inside the smaller Temple of Hathor, then take a break at a local tea house. In the afternoon, we take a flight back to Cairo. Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 10 >> AUG.8.2027 >>> CAIRO (B / - / D) After breakfast, we journey by private coach to the old city of Cairo, where minarets, ancient bazaars, veiled women, and unfamiliar scents create an exotic ambience that is not duplicated in the West. In Islamic Cairo we visit Mosque of Ibn Tulun, which is one of Egypt’s largest and oldest mosques. It was built in the 9 th century AD by a governor sent from Baghdad and is often overlooked by tourists. A local guides us through the different neighborhoods to see everyday life in Cairo, including ancient houses, mosques, and gates of the city. At the market, marvel at the array of goods and people bartering for everything from gold to goats. There are many teahouses in the old city. We take a break at one of them while watching urban life go by. In the afternoon we visit Coptic Cairo, which has some of the most ancient churches in the world. Of special note is ‘The Hanging Church’ from the 4 th century AD. Architectural and art buffs will marvel at the detail of the workmanship in the mosaics, carvings, and icons. Tonight, we dine in the El Azhar area in Central Cairo, followed by a special cultural show by the renowned Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe. Late this evening, say goodbye to Cairo and check in at the airport to board the return flight home. Take back with you treasured memories of your visit to Egypt! - END OF YOUR TOUR
EGYPTIAN CELESTIAL ODYSSEY TOUR INFORMATION Tour Dates: July 30 – August 08, 2027 City Deluxe Category Luxury Category Cairo Movenpick Media City Steigenberger Pyramids Nile River Cruise Nile Cruise M/S Princess Sarah M/S Sun Goddess Nile Cruise Aswan Movenpick Island Resort Aswan Per Person in Double Room $6,950 $10,750 Per Person in Single Room $7,950 $12,750 Tour Program Includes:
• Meeting and assistance on arrival and departure by NĀRAT representative.
• Comprehensive touring program in deluxe A/C coach.
• Hotel accommodation on twin share basis on bed and breakfast basis
• 5 day / 4 night full board deluxe Nile cruise • Meals as per itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
• Services of English-speaking Egyptologist guides during the sightseeing tours
• All Entrance Fee for visit as per the programme
• All currently applicable taxes, including service tax
• Domestic flights Cairo / Luxor, Aswan / Abu Simbel, Abu Simbel / Cairo Tour
Program Excludes:
• Visas, Gratuity, expenses of a personal nature and any other services not mentioned.
• Meals not noted on the itinerary and Drinks with meals (water, alcohol)
International flights Important: Regarding the non-availability of indicated accommodations, similar category accommodations would be provided. NĀRAT General Tour Terms and Conditions apply
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*Other departure gateways are available; a supplement fee may apply. An all-inclusive package including meals, deluxe accommodations in Iberostar Paraiso Maya Hotel, economy flights & Astrotourism activity in private services. ( Equinox, observatory visit & private star party). *Applicable taxes extra.
Do you have questions or need assistance in planning your once-in-a-lifetime astrotourism trip? Fill out our form and one of our agents will contact you.
Tour services provided by NARAT Inc.719-250 Consumers Rd.Toronto, ONM2J 4V61-877-BY-NARATCelestialJourneys@narat.orgTICO#50015192
Astronomy experience provided by Cliff Valley Astronomy Adventures, a division of Cliff Valley Astronomy Corp.adventures@cliffvalleyastronomy.com(506) 988-STAR (7827)
