Why book the Egypt Eclipse Adventure 2027 (B) tour?
This 11-day tour is built around one of nature's rarest spectacles: a total solar eclipse with over 6 minutes of totality as seen from Luxor, one of the longest totality windows of the event. You travel on a 5-star Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan and back, staying at the Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort in Cairo for three nights and spending seven nights aboard the Royal Signature Nile Cruise. A dedicated astronomy lecture by Dr. Sarah Rugheimer prepares you for the eclipse. Includes domestic flights Cairo to Luxor and return.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Egypt?
Yes. The itinerary covers Cairo and the Pyramids, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, giving you a thorough introduction to Egypt's ancient heritage alongside the eclipse experience. The 5-star hotels and Nile cruise make this a comfortable introduction to the country.
What is the difference between this and your other eclipse tours?
Egypt Eclipse Adventure 2027 (B) offers over 6 minutes of totality from Luxor and the full Nile cruise experience. The Tunisia Eclipse Explorer 2027 (9 days) offers up to 5 minutes 39 seconds of totality from Chaffar Beach near Sfax, in a very different setting combining Sahara, Star Wars locations and the ancient city of Carthage. Morocco Eclipse Adventure (11 days) is a third option. The key difference is location, duration of totality and the ancillary travel experience around the eclipse itself.
What is the best time of year to travel to Egypt?
This tour is specifically timed around the eclipse and departs on a fixed date. Outside eclipse season, Egypt's cooler months from October to April are the most comfortable for sightseeing. Upper Egypt around Luxor and Aswan is hot year-round but the spring period of this tour has pleasant conditions for the Nile cruise.
Why does this tour cost what it does?
We get it, you can find cheaper Egypt tours. But this is not a standard Egypt tour. Securing 5-star accommodation, the Royal Signature Nile Cruise and a prime Luxor viewing site for a total solar eclipse requires contracts and commitments placed years in advance. The astronomy lecture with Dr. Sarah Rugheimer, eclipse glasses, domestic flights and a maximum group size of 30 are all part of what you are paying for. Eclipse tours at quality accommodation sell out globally, and early booking is rewarded.
What is actually included in the price?
Included: all accommodation (3 nights Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort Cairo, 7 nights Royal Signature Nile Cruise), all transport and transfers, domestic flights Cairo to Luxor and Luxor to Cairo, all meals as listed in the itinerary (10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners), services of a tour leader throughout, astronomy lecture by Dr. Sarah Rugheimer, eclipse glasses, and prime Luxor eclipse viewing site with over 6 minutes of totality.
What is NOT included and how much extra should I budget?
International flights, entrance fees to sites visited (budget for multiple sites throughout the itinerary), a tipping kitty for local guides and service staff, and tips for your tour guide are not included. Your guide will brief current amounts for the tipping kitty and site entrance fees at the start of the tour.
What is the deposit and payment schedule?
Due to the constraints of securing 5-star accommodation and eclipse-specific logistics, the payment structure for this tour differs from our standard tours. An initial non-refundable deposit is required at booking. An interim payment is due by 31 July 2026. The balance is due by 31 January 2027. Full details are provided at the time of booking.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, within the structured payment schedule. You pay an initial deposit, a mid-stage interim payment by 31 July 2026, and the final balance by 31 January 2027. All deposits for this tour are non-refundable due to the non-cancellable nature of the eclipse accommodation contracts.
How physically demanding is this tour?
This is a comfortable touring holiday, not a physically demanding expedition. Days involve guided sightseeing at ancient sites (walking on uneven ground), boarding and exiting a Nile cruise boat, and transfers by coach. The pace is manageable for most ages and fitness levels. Good walking ability is needed for temple and tomb visits.
What if I am older than the rest of the group?
This tour is popular with mature travellers. The 5-star cruise and hotel standard, the guided sightseeing format and the comfortable transport make it an excellent choice for older travellers. The group cap of 30 is larger than most of our tours but the high service standard compensates.
What if I have mobility issues or a medical condition?
Many of Egypt's ancient sites have uneven stone surfaces, steps and areas without handrails. The Nile cruise involves steps between decks. If you have significant mobility limitations, contact us before booking to discuss which sites present challenges. Egypt is generally accessible for travellers who walk slowly or use a stick.
How do I prepare for the eclipse itself?
Dr. Sarah Rugheimer gives a dedicated astronomy lecture on Day 2 in Cairo covering eclipse science, what to expect during totality and how to safely observe it. Eclipse glasses are provided. Your viewing site near Luxor is selected for clear sightlines. The lecturer and guide brief the group on the day.
Is Egypt safe to visit?
The areas covered by this tour, Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, are Egypt's main international tourism zones and are visited by millions of travellers annually. We operate these routes continuously and monitor official government travel advisories. Our guides and local partners work in these areas every day.
Is it safe for women travelling solo?
Yes. The 5-star tour format, escorted nature of all sightseeing and the group environment make this tour very comfortable for solo women travellers. Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees at religious sites) and accept that street attention is more persistent in Egypt than in Europe, but the guided context largely filters this out.
What happens if I get sick on tour?
Your guide has first-aid training and knows the local private hospitals in Cairo and Luxor. The 5-star hotels have access to doctors. Travel insurance is compulsory and must cover emergency medical treatment and repatriation. The Nile cruise has a medical kit on board.
Will I be hassled by vendors at the ancient sites?
Yes, vendors, touts and souvenir sellers are a feature of visiting Egypt's major sites, particularly the Pyramids and Karnak. They can be persistent. A polite but firm refusal works. Your guide manages the group through busy areas and advises on how to handle approaches.
What is the accommodation actually like?
You stay 3 nights at the Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort in Cairo, a large 5-star resort hotel with pools, restaurants and direct views of the Pyramids. The 7 nights on board the Royal Signature Nile Cruise are on a 5-star floating hotel travelling between Luxor and Aswan. Cabins have en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning and Nile-facing windows or balconies. All accommodation is 5-star throughout.
What is the Nile cruise like?
The Royal Signature Nile Cruise is a 5-star river cruiser travelling the classic Luxor to Aswan route. You have a private en-suite cabin with air conditioning. The ship has a restaurant serving all meals, a sun deck for watching the Nile, and a comfortable lounge. Docking at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan gives you easy access to the temples. The eclipse viewing takes place from the Luxor bank, where the ship is positioned for the event.
Will I have Wi-Fi?
The Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort in Cairo has Wi-Fi throughout. The Nile cruise provides Wi-Fi on board, though connectivity on the river between cities can be variable.
Can I upgrade?
A single room supplement is available for solo travellers who want their own cabin on the cruise and private room in Cairo. Contact us about availability.
What kind of food will we eat?
Meals at the Hilton are from a full international and Egyptian menu. On the Nile cruise, the ship's restaurant serves a buffet combining Egyptian and international dishes: mezze, grilled meats and fish, fresh salads, fresh bread, rice and vegetable dishes. Egyptian breakfasts typically include ful medames (spiced fava beans), eggs, cheese, olives and flatbreads.
Can you cater for vegetarian
vegan or gluten-free diets?
Is it safe to drink the water?
Do not drink tap water in Egypt. The hotels and Nile cruise provide safe drinking water. Bring a Water-to-Go filter bottle to reduce plastic waste during your stay.
Is this trip good for solo travellers?
Yes. The group format and structured itinerary make this an excellent solo trip. Eclipse events are naturally sociable experiences and the shared excitement of totality creates strong group bonds.
Do I have to share a room?
Pricing is based on twin or double share. A single supplement is available for solo travellers who want their own cabin on the cruise and hotel room in Cairo.
What is the group size and who else will be on the trip?
The group has a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 30 travellers. Expect a mix of astronomy enthusiasts, Egypt first-timers and travellers for whom the eclipse itself is the primary motivation.
Can I book this as a private tour?
Private departures are possible. Contact us to discuss customised options around the eclipse date.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Cairo airport or in advance via the online e-Visa portal. Check current requirements and fees on the Egyptian e-Visa website before booking.
What should I pack?
Lightweight, modest clothing for sightseeing (shoulders and knees covered for temple and mosque visits), a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and sunglasses for outdoor sites, comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket for air-conditioned interiors and cool Nile evenings. Eclipse glasses are provided. Do not bring your own unless you are certain they are ISO-certified.
Are any vaccinations required?
Consult your GP or travel clinic for current recommendations. Generally recommended for Egypt: Hepatitis A, Typhoid and up-to-date routine vaccinations. No Yellow Fever certificate is required for Egypt unless arriving from an endemic country.
Do I need to book international flights through you?
No. Fly into Cairo International Airport (CAI). Domestic flights between Cairo and Luxor are included in the tour price. We can help with international flight suggestions on request.
What about tipping?
Egypt has a strong tipping culture. A tipping kitty covers routine tips during the tour. Your tour guide's tips are given separately at the end of the tour based on your satisfaction. Your guide will brief the group on current norms at the start.
Can I add a hot air balloon over Luxor?
Yes. A hot air balloon flight over the Luxor temples and Valley of the Kings at sunrise is available as a paid optional extra and is one of Egypt's most memorable experiences. Book in advance as spaces are limited.
Can I add Abu Simbel?
Yes. An Abu Simbel overland excursion is available as a paid optional extra from Aswan. The twin temples of Ramesses II are one of Egypt's most extraordinary monuments. Book in advance.
Can I add an Alexandria day trip?
Yes. An Alexandria day trip is available as a paid optional extra from Cairo. The Mediterranean city's Greco-Roman heritage, including the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, can be added to your Cairo days.
Can I extend my time in Egypt?
Yes. The Siwa Oasis Extension (3 nights) adds a remote desert oasis to the start or end of your tour. Extra nights in Cairo are also available. Contact us for details.
How far ahead should I book?
Eclipse tours book out very early. 5-star accommodation along the eclipse path is extremely limited globally. Book as soon as you know you want to travel. Waiting until a year before departure risks missing out entirely.
How does booking work?
Complete the online reservation form and pay an initial non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Subsequent payments are due by 31 July 2026 and 31 January 2027. Full booking details will be provided on confirmation.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, travel insurance is compulsory. Your policy must cover medical emergencies, repatriation and cancellation. Note that the initial deposit is non-refundable due to eclipse accommodation contracts, so cancellation cover is particularly important for this tour. We recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance.
What is your cancellation policy?
Due to the non-cancellable nature of the eclipse accommodation and logistics contracts, the initial deposit on this tour is non-refundable. A sliding-scale cancellation policy applies to subsequent payments. Full terms are in our booking conditions. Funds are financially protected through Trust My Travel.
What if my dates are sold out?
If Egypt Eclipse Adventure 2027 (B) is full, our Tunisia Eclipse Explorer 2027 (9 days) offers up to 5 minutes 39 seconds of totality from Chaffar Beach in a completely different setting. Morocco Eclipse Adventure (11 days) is a third option. Contact us to check current availability across all eclipse tours.