Are the rail services and accommodation guaranteed?

Yes — everything is reserved and paid in advance. Your sleeper train cabin, every hotel night and your cruise suite are all secured and settled before you travel, so nothing is left to be arranged after you book. The 2027 rail allocation and cabin categories are already held, your onboard meals are included in the fare. Only the order and timing of individual visits may shift on the day for opening hours or local conditions; the journey itself stays exactly as planned.

How long will the total solar eclipse last on this 10 days trip?

Totality on 2 August 2027 lasts up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds at Luxor - the longest total solar eclipse visible from land between 1991 and 2114. The itinerary is built so you are in position on the centerline that morning.

Where will we watch the eclipse from aboard the Nile cruise?

Eclipse viewing is from the sundeck of the Nile cruise in Luxor. A certified astronomer sails on board MS Q and MS TIA, giving lectures throughout the trip; on eclipse day itself the astronomer is stationed at the Eclipse Viewing Festival rather than on the vessel. That optional open-air festival on a private farm outside Luxor is USD 300 per person and includes round-trip transfers, barbeque lunch, hydration bar, shaded seating, and live commentary and safe-viewing guidance from the astronomer.

What is the payment schedule and cancellation policy?

30% of the total package price is due on confirmation, a further 30% by 5 February 2027, and the remaining 40% by 5 March 2027. All payments are strictly non-refundable once made, in accordance with the 2027 Eclipse Program terms.

How much does the trip cost and what is included?

Rates start from $7,997 per person sharing a double room. The price includes all transfers, accommodation, meals as listed, guided sightseeing with an Egyptologist, round-trip sleeper train tickets, all entrance fees, meet & assist, and eclipse viewing from the sundeck. Tips, drinks, optional excursions such as Abu Simbel, and personal expenses are not included.

How hot is Egypt in early August, and is it manageable?

Upper Egypt is hot and very dry in early August, typically 38-42°C by afternoon - which is precisely why the skies are reliably cloudless for the eclipse. Sightseeing is scheduled early morning and evening, transport and vessels are air-conditioned, and a hydration bar runs throughout eclipse day.

Do I need special glasses to watch the eclipse safely?

Yes. ISO 12312-2 certified solar viewing glasses are required at every stage except during the minutes of totality itself. Guests must bring their own from a reputable supplier. Safe-viewing guidance is provided on board, and the astronomer walks the group through each contact phase - during the eclipse he is based at the Eclipse Viewing Festival site.

How far in advance should I book?

Space is contracted exclusively for the 2027 Eclipse Program and is strictly limited - one departure has already sold out. Egypt is expecting tens of thousands of eclipse chasers, so vessels, trains, and Luxor hotel capacity book out well in advance of 2 August 2027.

What makes the Abydos & Luxor route different from the standard Nile cruise itineraries?

This itinerary travels by sleeper train into Upper Egypt and stops in Sohag to visit the Red Monastery and the sacred Temple of Seti I at Abydos before continuing to Luxor for the eclipse. It is ideal for travellers who want to see Egypt beyond the classic Cairo-Aswan-Luxor circuit.

What is the Luxury Eclipse Package?

The Luxury Eclipse Package upgrades your accommodation to the Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi 5★ (B&B), includes 2 nights aboard the sleeper train, and features the boutique TIA Nile Cruise on a full-board basis, while following the same 10-day Abydos, Luxor and Aswan route. Rates are $7,997 per person sharing a double room, or $9,994 for single occupancy.

Why do we travel by sleeper train for this eclipse journey?

Eclipse week puts tens of thousands of visitors on the same date in the same country, so flights and road transfers become crowded and unpredictable. The regional airports closest to totality are small, with only a handful of flights a day, so one delayed inbound can push your arrival hours late - and when those flights are full or cancelled, the fallback is landing at a larger airport and driving several hours to reach the centreline. The sleeper train avoids all of that: you board in the city, your bags stay with you, and you sleep through the distance between Cairo and Upper Egypt, waking at your next stop. Rail capacity is reserved months ahead and the schedules are fixed, which is what lets us position you for totality in Luxor on 2 August. It is also the most Egyptian way to travel: dinner and breakfast served aboard, the Nile Valley sliding past at dusk, and the option of fine dining in the VIP Club Car.

Rail & Nile EclipseLimited availability

LUXURY ECLIPSE EXPEDITION: ABYDOS TO LUXOR

Name: Total Solar Eclipse of 2 August 2027
Start: 2027-08-02T13:02:00+03:00
End: 2027-08-02T13:09:00+03:00
Location: Luxor, Egypt

Journey Through Ancient Egypt to the Path of Totality

10 Days Cairo · Sohag · Abydos · Luxor · Nile Cruise · Aswanfrom $10,347

In short

LUXURY ECLIPSE EXPEDITION: ABYDOS TO LUXOR is a 10 Days itinerary (Cairo • Sohag • Abydos • Luxor • Aswan) aboard Cairo · Sohag · Abydos · Luxor · Nile Cruise · Aswan, priced from $10,347 per person on double occupancy. It is timed around totality on Monday 2 August 2027, viewed from Luxor, Egypt, where totality lasts up to 6 minutes 23 seconds. Journey Through Ancient Egypt to the Path of Totality

Key facts

Eclipse date	Monday 2 August 2027
Totality at Luxor	Up to 6 minutes 23 seconds - the longest totality visible from land between 1991 and 2114
Totality begins (Luxor)	Approx. 12:37 local time (EEST), maximum eclipse approx. 12:40
Trip length	10 Days
Departure	July 30, 2027
Route	Cairo · Sohag · Abydos · Luxor · Nile Cruise · Aswan
Rates per person	CategoryDouble roomSingle roomSuite$10,347$12,643Cabin$8,278$10,114
Viewing location	Included with your journey - the exact viewing arrangement is described in the day-by-day itinerary and What's Included.
Included	All transfers, accommodation, meals as listed, Egyptologist-guided sightseeing, round-trip sleeper train, all entrance fees, meet & assist, eclipse viewing
Not included	International flights, tips, drinks, optional excursions (e.g. Abu Simbel), personal expenses
Payment schedule	30% on confirmation · 30% by 5 February 2027 · 40% by 5 March 2027 (non-refundable)
Operator	Middle East Travel Alliance (Eclipse.Travel), Cairo, Egypt

Trip overview

Travel beyond the traditional tourist route on an extraordinary journey through Egypt to witness the Total Solar Eclipse of 2 August 2027 in Luxor. Rather than simply flying directly to Luxor, this carefully designed itinerary takes you by rail into the heart of Upper Egypt, stopping in Sohag to discover the sacred Temple of Abydos before continuing south to Luxor and the path of totality. After witnessing one of nature's rarest spectacles, continue your adventure aboard a four-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, visiting the legendary temples and archaeological treasures lining the Nile.

Route

Cairo - Sohag by Sleeper - Sohag - Abydos Luxor by ; Luxor-Aswan on Board MS TIA

Day-by-day itinerary

Accommodation

2 nights at Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi 5★ (B&B)
2 nights sleeper train
1 night in Sohag aboard a floating hotel on the Nile - Coral 1
4 nights MS TIA Nile Cruise - Full Board

Compare your stay

Cabins and rates

Cabin	Category	Double room	Single room	What's included
	Suite	$10,347	$12,643	Suite accommodation 2 nights at Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi 5★ (B&B) 2 nights aboard sleeper trains
	Cabin	$8,278	$10,114	Cabin accommodation 1 night in Sohag aboard a floating hotel on the Nile - Coral 1 2 nights at Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi 5★ (B&B) 2 nights aboard sleeper trains

Suite

Double: $10,347
Single: $12,643

What's included

Suite accommodation
2 nights at Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi 5★ (B&B)
2 nights aboard sleeper trains

Cabin

Double: $8,278
Single: $10,114

What's included

Cabin accommodation
1 night in Sohag aboard a floating hotel on the Nile - Coral 1
2 nights at Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi 5★ (B&B)
2 nights aboard sleeper trains

Payment schedule: 30% of the total package price due on confirmation · 30% due by 5 February 2027 · remaining 40% balance due by 5 March 2027. All payments are strictly non-refundable once made, in accordance with the 2027 Eclipse Program terms.

Optional add-ons

Add-on

USD 90 per person

Fine dining in the VIP Club Car (one way)

A hot set-menu dinner and breakfast served in the VIP Club Car for one overnight train journey instead of the standard tray service in your cabin. Strictly limited to 20 guests for the entire train, so it is allocated on a first-confirmed basis.

Hot set-menu dinner in the VIP Club Car
Hot set-menu breakfast in the VIP Club Car
Table service in the club car rather than an in-cabin tray
One overnight train journey

Add to my request

Add-on

USD 180 per person

Fine dining in the VIP Club Car (both ways)

The VIP Club Car fine-dining experience on both overnight train journeys, with freshly prepared dinner and breakfast served at seated dining tables instead of the standard in-cabin tray service.

Hot set-menu dinner and breakfast on the outbound journey
Hot set-menu dinner and breakfast on the return journey
Table service in the club car rather than an in-cabin tray
Exclusive - only 20 seats available for the whole train

Add to my request

Add-on

USD 200 per person

Abu Simbel Optional Excursion

Journey south through the desert to discover the monumental temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel.

Round-trip transfers from Aswan / your vessel
Entrance fees to the Abu Simbel temples
Egyptologist guide throughout

Add to my request

Add-on

USD 300 per person

Open-Air Eclipse Experience

Upgrade your eclipse day with a specially arranged land-based viewing experience including dedicated viewing location, shuttle transfers, comfortable seating and shade, refreshments, and a special eclipse viewing setup.

Dedicated viewing location
Shuttle transfers
Comfortable seating and shade
Refreshments
Special eclipse viewing setup

Add to my request

Included

2 nights at Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi 5★ (B&B)
2 nights aboard sleeper trains
1 night in Sohag aboard a floating hotel
4 nights aboard MS TIA Nile Cruise - Full Board
Total Solar Eclipse viewing from the Nile cruise
Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx
Grand Egyptian Museum
Red Monastery
Temple of Seti I at Abydos
Luxor Temple
Valley of the Kings
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Colossi of Memnon
Karnak Temple
Edfu Temple
Kom Ombo Temple
Aswan High Dam
Unfinished Obelisk
Philae Temple
Felucca experience
Al-Muizz Street & Khan El Khalili
Entrance fees for included sightseeing
English-speaking expert tour guide
Transfers as specified in the itinerary
Meals as indicated

Not included

International flights
Egypt entry visa
Tips (approx. USD 25 per person per day)
Optional Abu Simbel excursion (USD 200 per person - see add-ons)
Optional Open-Air Eclipse Experience (USD 300 per person - see add-ons)
Optional Fine dining in the VIP Club Car: one way USD 90 or both ways USD 180 per person - see add-ons
Personal expenses, drinks, and extra meals
Travel insurance

Who this itinerary is for

Three vessels, one eclipse. Here is an honest read on whether Cairo is the right fit for the way you like to travel.

Ideal for

Travellers who want to see Egypt beyond the standard tourist route
History enthusiasts drawn to Abydos, the Red Monastery and Sohag
Rail lovers who enjoy overnight sleeper-train journeys through the Nile Valley
Eclipse chasers who want totality in Luxor combined with a four-night Nile cruise

Perhaps not for

Guests who want the shortest possible route to Luxor - consider flying directly to a Nile cruise
Travellers who prefer not to take overnight trains
Anyone unable to manage early-morning starts or August desert heat

Frequently asked questions

From

from $10,347

Limited availability

Book now

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LUXURY ECLIPSE EXPEDITION: ABYDOS TO LUXOR

In short

Key facts

Trip overview

Cairo - Sohag by Sleeper - Sohag - Abydos Luxor by ; Luxor-Aswan on Board MS TIA

Day-by-day itinerary

1July 30, 2027July 30, 2027Welcome to Cairo

Welcome to Cairo

2July 31July 31Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum & Sleeper Train

Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum & Sleeper Train

3August 1August 1Sohag, Red Monastery & Sacred Abydos

Sohag, Red Monastery & Sacred Abydos

4August 2August 2Luxor & Total Solar EclipseEclipse day

Luxor & Total Solar Eclipse

5August 3August 3Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Karnak

Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Karnak

6August 4August 4Edfu & Kom Ombo

Edfu & Kom Ombo

7August 5August 5Aswan Highlights

Aswan Highlights

8August 6August 6Optional Abu Simbel & Sleeper Train to Cairo

Optional Abu Simbel & Sleeper Train to Cairo

9August 7August 7Historic Cairo & Khan El Khalili

Historic Cairo & Khan El Khalili

10August 8August 8Farewell Egypt

Farewell Egypt

Accommodation

Cabins and rates

Suite

Cabin

Optional add-ons

Fine dining in the VIP Club Car (one way)

Fine dining in the VIP Club Car (both ways)

Abu Simbel Optional Excursion

Open-Air Eclipse Experience

Included

Not included

Who this itinerary is for

Ideal for

Perhaps not for

Frequently asked questions

Are the rail services and accommodation guaranteed?

Are the rail services and accommodation guaranteed?

How long will the total solar eclipse last on this 10 days trip?

How long will the total solar eclipse last on this 10 days trip?

Where will we watch the eclipse from aboard the Nile cruise?

Where will we watch the eclipse from aboard the Nile cruise?

What is the payment schedule and cancellation policy?

What is the payment schedule and cancellation policy?

How much does the trip cost and what is included?

How much does the trip cost and what is included?

How hot is Egypt in early August, and is it manageable?

How hot is Egypt in early August, and is it manageable?

Do I need special glasses to watch the eclipse safely?

Do I need special glasses to watch the eclipse safely?

How far in advance should I book?

How far in advance should I book?

What makes the Abydos & Luxor route different from the standard Nile cruise itineraries?

What makes the Abydos & Luxor route different from the standard Nile cruise itineraries?

What is the Luxury Eclipse Package?

What is the Luxury Eclipse Package?

Why do we travel by sleeper train for this eclipse journey?

Why do we travel by sleeper train for this eclipse journey?

Other 2027 itineraries

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9-Day Nile Eclipse Odyssey · MS TIA

9-Day Cleo Dahabiya · Luxor to Aswan Classic

10-Day Cleo Dahabiya · Sohag & Abydos Extended

9-Day El Hanem Dahabiya · Aswan to Luxor

Egypt & Siwa Oasis Total Solar Eclipse 2027

Eclipse Express – Siwa by Train | 8 Days

Grand Eclipse Express – Siwa & Q Nile Cruise | 15 Days

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10-Day Nile to Totality Dahabiya Expedition

Saudi Arabia Total Solar Eclipse 2027

Abela X Amisol Eclipse Express I

Abela X Amisol Eclipse Express II

13-Day Eclipse Express Signature Journey 2027

Abela X Amisol Eclipse Express III

Abela X Amisol Eclipse Express IV