SUNSET: 
Witness the longest total solar eclipse until 2114 — and explore Egypt’s spectacular antiquities — on one of Sky & Telescope’s 13 expeditions to Luxor in August 2027.
Witness the longest total solar eclipse until 2114 — and explore Egypt’s spectacular antiquities — on one of Sky & Telescope’s 13 expeditions to Luxor in August 2027.
When the Moon completely covers the Sun on August 2, 2027, it’s going to be the event of a lifetime — because this eclipse offers the longest duration of totality (6m 23s) for the next 87 years. And you’ll be able to witness this eclipse’s extra-long totality in royal style — with cold beverages, ample shade, and air conditioning close at hand — on one of eleven exciting tours offered by Sky & Telescope and Insight Cruises.
The path of totality crosses the heart of Egypt and almost directly over Luxor, the famed ancient city of Thebes that served as the great capital of Upper Egypt during the New Kingdom. Today Luxor is a thriving metropolis of more than 1.3 million that straddles the mighty Nile and serves as centrally located portal to some of the country’s most amazing archaeological treasures.
Xavier Jubier
To enrich your stay in Egypt, you can join an optional program of excursions to a choice selection of the Luxor region’s monuments, temples, and tombs. You’ll also have the option to enjoy captivating educational presentations by leading authorities on Egyptian archaeoastronomy and on the key aspects of civil engineering that made Ancient Egypt’s sophisticated civilization possible.
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 detailed below. But they are sure to sell out long before the Moon’s shadow streaks across Egypt. So don’t wait to secure your participation in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that combines a stunning spectacle in the sky with the remarkable treasures of this ancient land.
 Winter Palace |  Hamees (ship) |  Misr (ship) |  Darakum (ship) |  Sphinx (ship) |  Hilton Luxor |  Jolie Ville | |
| Status | wait list | wait list | wait list | wait list | wait list | sold out | wait list |
| Dates | 7/28 - 8/4 | 7/28 - 8/3 | 7/27 - 8/13 | 7/26 - 8/3 | 7/27 - 8/13 | 7/28 - 8/4 | (varies) |
| Nights | 7 | 6 | 17 | 8 | 17 | 7 | 7 |
| Cost per night | $325-1500 | $495 | $645-1175 | $544-1094 | $675-1175 | $650 | $295-995 |
| Taxes, fees, tips | $580 | $475 | included | $200 | included | $610 | $85/nt |
| Site excursions | $2050 | $2050 | $3850 | $2650 | $3850 | $2050 | $2050 |
| Conference | $1450 | $1450 | $1750 | $775 | $1750 | $1450 | $1450 |
| Cruise to Cairo | $7299+ | $7299+ | included | $7299+ | included | $7299+ | $7299+ |
 Steigenberger Resort Achti |  Iberotel Luxor |  River Tosca (ship) |  AmaDahlia (ship) |  Nile Commodore (ship) |  Commodore- Tosca (ships) | |
| Status | wait list | wait list | act soon! | act soon! | wait list | act soon! |
| Dates | 7/28 - 8/4 | 7/28 - 8/4 | 7/26 - 8/4 | 7/23 - 8/9 | 7/28 - 8/3 | 7/31 - 8/9 |
| Nights | 7 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 6 - 7 | 9 |
| Cost per night | $375 | $517-$547 | $825+ | $550+ | $325+ | $825-$1380 |
| Taxes, fees, tips | $785 | $200 | included | included | $575 | $575 |
| Site excursions | $2050 | $2050 | $2050 | $3850 | $2050 | $1650 |
| Conference | $1450 | $1450 | $1450 | TBD | $1450 | $1150 |
| Cruise | $7299+ | $7299+ | included | included | $7299+ | included |
Note: Information in the tables above is given on a per-person basis (assuming two people per room or cabin) and is subject to change. Costs for the site excursions, conference presentations, and cruise to Cairo are optional (unless included in the tour pricing).
| Click here to reach the Luxor 2027 portal at Insight Cruises to register for one of these options. There you’ll also find full details and slide shows for all twelve tours — or browse through the tour-by-tour summaries and pricing listed below. |
Tour 1: Sofitel Winter Palace
SORRY, THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. Waitlist bookings available — inquire here!
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. After the eclipse, you’ll have the option of spending five nights cruising northward along the Nile, stopping for visits to ancient sites along the way, and four nights in Cairo.
About the Sofitel Winter Palace: Discover the sumptuous history of a hotel that’s hosted royalty and celebrities: the 5-star Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor (official site; video walking tour). Built in 1907 and surrounded by century-old Royal Gardens, the hotel overlooks the Nile and the West Bank Necropolis. It’s an oasis of tranquillity — and a gateway to the splendors of pharaonic times. Come and bask in an atmosphere steeped in history, romance, and adventure — all while enjoying the modern conveniences only a 5-star hotel can provide.
Main tour: 7 nights accommodation, including virtually all meals, starting at $2,275 ; Site-visit package: $2,050; Lecture package: $1,450; Optional Nile-to-Cairo cruise (Aug 3–11, 2027): starting at $7,299. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here to download a 26-page brochure with full details & pricing.
Tour 2: Aboard the ms Hamees
SORRY, THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. Waitlist bookings available — inquire here!
If you’re a fan of cruising, spend a week aboard the splendid ms Hamees, which will be docked directly in front of the Sofitel Winter Palace by day but embark on scenic cruises on the Nile each evening during dinner. After the eclipse you’ll have the option to stay two nights at the hotel or stay aboard the ms Hamees for nine more adventurous days and nights (five on the Nile and and four in Cairo).
About the ms Hamees: Mövenpick’s ms Hamees has a comfortable, contemporary design and is among the largest and best-appointed craft cruising on the Nile. It offers 70 spacious cabins with relaxing soft cream colors. Enjoy a truly memorable, 5-star experience while in Luxor and (optionally) on the ship’s post-eclipse journey to Cairo. While on board you’ll experience some of Egypt’s most scenic and historical sights with top facilities and attentive staff.
Main tour: 6 nights accommodation on ms Hamees, 2 nights in Sofitel Winter Palace, including virtually all meals, starting at $2,950 ; Site-visit package: $2,050; Lecture package: $1,450; Optional Nile-to-Cairo cruise (Aug 3–11, 2027): starting at $7,299. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here to download a 26-page brochure with full details & pricing.
Tour 3: Aboard the ss Misr
SORRY, THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. Waitlist bookings available — inquire here!
Begin your 2½-week journey in Aswan, which has served as a gateway and cultural crossroad since antiquity. Then board the ss Misr — King Farouk’s opulent yacht — for a 15-day Nile cruise that stops in Luxor for the eclipse before continuing northward to Cairo.
About the ss Misr: Explore the wonders of the ancient Egyptian world in luxury and historic charm. Originally built by the British Royal Navy in 1918 and later converted into a luxury Nile steamer for King Farouk, the ss Misr is a true time capsule that rekindles the nostalgia of a golden age, with luxurious, 5-star accommodations, cuisine, and service. (Pronounced miss her, Misr means “frontier” and is the Arabic name for Egypt.) It offers 16 cabins and eight suites, and it’s considered the most luxurious cruise ship sailing the Nile between Cairo and Aswan.
Main tour: 17 nights accommodation, including virtually all meals, starting at $10,965; Site-visit package: $3,850; Lecture package: $1,750. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here to download a 29-page brochure with full details & pricing.
Tour 4: Aboard the ms Darakum
SORRY, THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. Waitlist bookings available — inquire here!
Your immersion in Egyptian culture begins with a two-night stay at the legendary, 5-star Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, near ancient Egypt’s southern frontier. You’ll visit Abu Simbel, then board the ms Darakum for a six-night, 130-mile-long venture down the Nile to Luxor, the spiritual center of the kingdom. After arriving in Luxor, you’ll have the option of viewing the total solar eclipse from aboard the ship or from the renowned gardens of Luxor’s historic Winter Palace Hotel — just steps away from the dock.
About the ms Darakum: With 52 spacious cabins, the ms Darakum is one of the largest vessels cruising the Nile River between Cairo and Aswan. Its opulent, Moroccan-inspired design will offer an unforgettable journey as you cruising through 7,000 years of history. A variety of recreational activities are available onboard, including a swimming pool, sun deck with recreational area, and a gym.
Main tour: 8 nights accommodation (two in Aswan and six aboard the ship), including virtually all meals, starting at $4,350; Site-visit package: $2,650; Lecture package: $775. Optional Nile-to-Cairo cruise (Aug 3–11, 2027): starting at $7,299. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here to download a 34-page brochure with full details & pricing.
Tour 5: Aboard the ss Sphinx
SORRY, THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. Waitlist bookings available — inquire here!
This itinerary is identical to that of Tour 3, which has already sold out. Begin your 2½-week journey in Aswan, which has served as a gateway and cultural crossroad since antiquity. Then board the ss Sphinx for a 15-day Nile cruise that stops in Luxor for the eclipse before continuing northward to Cairo. After arriving in Luxor, you’ll have the option of viewing the total solar eclipse from aboard the ship or from the renowned gardens of Luxor’s historic Winter Palace Hotel — just steps away from the dock.
About the ss Sphinx: You can look forward to an authentically immersive onboard experience, with bespoke decor by local artisans and materials sourced regionally — such as fine Egyptian cottons, marble, and hand-carved blonde wood — to highlight Egyptian craftsmanship. All 42 of the gorgeously appointed staterooms and suites have French balconies.
Main tour: 17 nights accommodation, including virtually all meals, starting at $16,575 . Site-visit package: $3,850; Lecture package: $1,750. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here to download a 29-page brochure with full details & pricing.
Tour 6: Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
SORRY, THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. No waitlist available
Imagine watching the convergence of Moon and Sun overhead as traditional felucca sailboats drift past your spectacular viewing site along the largest Nile waterfront in Luxor. After the eclipse, you’ll have the option of spending five nights cruising northward along the Nile, stopping for visits to ancient sites along the way, and four nights in Cairo.
About the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa: This spacious 5-star resort boasts a contemporary Arabic design and glorious, unobstructed views of the Nile and its West Bank. Situated less than 4 miles from central Luxor via shuttle, it’s the ideal base from which to explore the rich and ancient culture of the Nile Valley. The resort offers traditional felucca sailing as well as horseback and camelback tours of the riverbanks, with both Karnak and Luxor temples within 2½ miles. Perks include three restaurants, five stylish bars, two infinity pools, a holistic spa,and a kids’ corner. Winner of a 2023 Traveler’s Choice Award from Tripadvisor.
Main tour: 7 nights accommodation, including virtually all meals, starting at $2,275; Site-visit package: $2,050; Lecture package: $1,450; Optional Nile-to-Cairo cruise (Aug 3–11, 2027): starting at $7,299. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here to download a 36-page brochure with full details & pricing.
Tour 7: Jolie Ville Hotel & Spa (Kings Island)
SORRY, THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. Waitlist bookings available — inquire here!
If you’re dying to see the 2027 eclipse but are looking for flexible-duration accommodations or perhaps something suitable for your entire family, then this will be an attractive choice. Tailor your stay with a variety of room options: Choose a classically furnished standard room with Nile or garden view — or perhaps you’ll snag a deluxe room sized for two adults and two kids or a suite large enough to sleep six. After the eclipse, you’ll have the option of spending five nights cruising northward along the Nile, stopping for visits to ancient sites along the way, and four nights in Cairo.
About the Jolie Ville Hotel & Spa: Surrounded by 150 acres of spacious gardens and expansive landscape overlooking the magnificent Nile River, this 5-star oasis of unblemished beauty and tranquility nestled on the exclusive paradise known as “Kings Island.” The island has a huge variety of trees and plantation vegetation, and you can relax in the soothing waters of the resort’s infinity pool, oasis pool with waterfall, an adults-only pool, or splashing children’s pool.
Main tour: 3 to 7 nights accommodation (3-night minimum), starting at $295 per night. Site-visit package: $2,050; Lecture package: $1,450; Optional Nile-to-Cairo cruise (Aug 3–11, 2027): starting at $7,299. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here to download a 36-page brochure with full details & pricing.
Tour 8: Steigenberger Resort Achti
SORRY, THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. Waitlist bookings available — inquire here!
To meet the high demand for convenient yet uncompromising accommodations for the eclipse, our team has secured rooms at Steigenberger Resort Achti, conveniently located alongside the Nile in the heart of Luxor. From here you’ll experience over six minutes of totality in Luxor, the heart of ancient Egypt — with cold beverages, ample shade, and air conditioning right at hand. You can watch the eclipse from the resort grounds, or take one of our private shuttle buses to the gardens at Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel, one of the world’s iconic travel destinations.
About the Steigenberger Resort Achti: This resort is superbly located in the heart of Luxor, yet quiet and secluded, amidst eight acres of lush tropical gardens. Directly on the east bank of the Nile, only about 7 miles from the airport and within walking distance of the city center, it’s the ideal starting point to discover the Nile as well as the surrounding countryside. Warm, relaxed rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges; some include whirlpool tubs, and/or terraces with Nile River views. Elegant suites add lounge areas and dining rooms; some feature extra bathrooms and kitchenettes. There’s a cocktail bar, a cafe and 3 restaurants serving international cuisine, as well as three outdoor pools (one for kids only) and a hot tub.
Main tour: 7 nights accommodation, including virtually all meals, starting at $2,625 ; Site-visit package: $2,050; Lecture package: $1,450; Optional Nile-to-Cairo cruise (Aug 3–11, 2027): starting at $7,299. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here to get full details & pricing.
Tour 9: Iberotel Luxor
SORRY, THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. Waitlist bookings available — inquire here!
Try an affordable, European-style resort to anchor your Luxor eclipse experience. Iberotel Luxor is centrally located, a few minutes away from our main conference area at the Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel and a 10-minute walk from the Luxor Palace. You can watch the eclipse from the resort grounds, or take one of our private shuttle buses to the gardens at Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel.
About the Iberotel Luxor: Winner of a 2024 Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award, Iberotel Luxor offers comfortable, casual surroundings, breezy terraces, and a spacious lawn where you can take in Nile views. The hotel has a unique “floating swimming pool” surrounded by the Nile and is close to the action in central Luxor. The generous breakfast includes cereals, yogurt, omelettes, grilled vegetables, and freshly baked pastries. Meanwhile, Guests can savor Egyptian, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, while enjoying views of the Nile.
Main tour: 7 nights accommodation, including virtually all meals, starting at $2,625 ; Site-visit package: $2,050; Lecture package: $1,450; Optional Nile-to-Cairo cruise (Aug 3–11, 2027): starting at $7,299. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here to get full details & pricing.
Tour 10: Aboard the ms River Tosca
Along the way to totality — which you’ll watch onboard or disembark and watch from the Sofitel Winter Palace’s (Wikipedia) century-old Royal Gardens (slide show) — layer on insights into ancient Egypt and astronomy through your LECTURES program. Dr. Denise Doxey, Egyptologist and Curator of Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, provides cultural and historical context, fueling your Aha! moments up and down the Nile. While Dr. Kevin Marvel, astronomer and Executive Officer of American Astronomical Society, talks eclipses and ancient Egyptian constellation spotting.
If you savor travel with a bit of flair and adventures, you’ll find both aboard Uniworld’s 41-cabin ms River Tosca (slide show). Enter the heart of Abu Simbel and explore unique examples of Greco-Roman Era temples studding the Upper Nile Valley. Take in the essentials of Luxor and bask in eclipse ambience. Experience all this along the Tosca’s journey from Aswan to Cairo, and still have time for optional visits to Cairo or Petra.
About the 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. This all-suite ship is elegantly designed with wood finishes and cozy public spaces. From the sprawling Sun Deck with shaded cabanas and a swimming pool, to the stylish lounge decorated with local wares, every space is inspired by the region in which it sails.
Main tour: 9 nights accommodation, including virtually all meals, starting at $7,425; Site-visit package: $2,650; Lecture package: $775. Optional Nile-to-Cairo cruise (Aug 3–11, 2027): starting at $7,299. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here for full details & pricing.
Tour 11: Aboard the ms AmaDahlia
Untether from daily life and sail into eclipse adventure in the heart of Egypt aboard AmaWaterways’ 64-passenger ms AmaDahlia. The ship is a great starting and ending point for your days of exploring Egypt’s millennia-long array of culture, history, and tradition. From Cairo to the Giza Pyramids to Abu Simbel, our 17-night AmaDahlia voyage will give you a transformative view of the essence of Egypt. Enjoy the Along the way to totality — which you’ll watch onboard or disembark and watch from the Sofitel Winter Palace — our expert lecturers will layer on insights into ancient Egypt and astronomy.
About the ms AmaDahlia: This stunning 72-passenger ship offers 36 staterooms, including 16 magnificent suites with a wealth of amenities that will surprise and delight you, including a heated sun-deck swimming pool and bar, The Chef’s Al Fresco Restaurant, hair and nail salon and two massage rooms. Marvel at scenic Nile River views in luxury, enjoy regionally inspired entertainment, and savor the flavors of both local and Western cuisine on board.
Main tour: 17 nights accommodation, including virtually all meals, starting at $7,425; Site-visit package: $2,650; Lecture package: $775. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here for full details & pricing.
Tour 12: Aboard the ms Nile Commodore
SORRY, THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. Waitlist bookings available — inquire here!
Select the ms Nile Commodore as your eclipse event home, and enjoy the fun, simplicity, and convenience of being docked near the Jolie Ville Hotel & Spa in the heart of Luxor. During the day, you can come and go as you please — then each evening climb aboard for a 2-hour dinner cruise along the Nile. And when eclipse day arrives, you can watch from the beautiful lawn in front of our ship, or take a 5-minute shuttle over to the Jolie Ville or shuttle to any of our other Luxor hotels. Regardless of where you watch, you’re going to be in Luxor, one of the world’s iconic travel destinations, immersing yourself in the archaeological riches of the Luxor region.
About the ms Nile Commodore: The 77-cabin ms Nile Commodore is a gracious and crisply elegant hub for your exploration of Luxor’s ancient gems. There are 26 double cabins and three single cabins on the main deck, 18 double cabins and one single cabin on the upper deck, and 28 double cabins and 1 single cabin on the lower deck. All cabins are tastefully decorated and fully air conditioned and equipped with en-suite bathroom, TV, mini-bar, telephone and safety deposit box.
Main tour: $1,950 for 6 nights accommodation; add an addition night for $325. Site-visit package: $2,050; Lecture package: $1,450; Optional Nile-to-Cairo cruise (Aug 3–11, 2027): starting at $7,299. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.)
Click here for full details & pricing.
Here’s a chance to absorb the wonder of the Luxor Eclipse and connect with the vitality of Abu Simbel on a nine-night cruise on the Nile River. Your adventure begins in Luxor, where you’ll spend four nights aboard the stylish m.s. Nile Commodore. This will be your base for exploring the ancient city and, of course, for experiencing the total solar eclipse. Then sail “up” the Nile to Aswan — against the flow of the river and traveling south! ) — in great comfort aboard the luxurious m.s. River Tosca.
After leaving Luxor, with its ancient religious and commercial history, you’ll see a sampling of the culture, archaeology, communities, and daily rhythms of Upper (Southern) Egypt. On a 5-night 125-mile cruise to Aswan, you’ll find Egypt’s timeless fields and cliffs, and additional ancient temples, and monuments. Enrich your days with an optional lecture program featuring Egyptologist Dr. Julia Troche.
About the ms Nile Commodore: The 77-cabin ms Nile Commodore is a gracious and crisply elegant hub for your exploration of Luxor’s ancient gems. There are 26 double cabins and three single cabins on the main deck, 18 double cabins and one single cabin on the upper deck, and 28 double cabins and 1 single cabin on the lower deck. All cabins are tastefully decorated, fully air conditioned, and equipped with en-suite bathroom, TV, mini-bar, telephone and safety deposit box.
About the 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. This all-suite ship is elegantly designed with wood finishes and cozy public spaces. From the sprawling Sun Deck with shaded cabanas and a swimming pool, to the stylish lounge decorated with local wares, every space is inspired by the region in which it sails.
Main tour: $7,425 or $12,425 for 9 nights’ accommodation. Site-visit package: $1,650; Lecture package: $1,150. (All prices are per person based on double occupancy.) Also available are optional 1-, 2-, and 3-day “Best of Cairo” tour extensions.
Click here for full details & pricing.
