9-Day El Hanem Dahabiya · Aswan to Luxor
The classic dahabiya sailing route aboard the intimate El Hanem - sister vessel to Cleo.
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 | 9 Days |
| Departure | July 27, 2027 |
| Vessel | El Hanem Dahabiya · Traditional Sailing |
| Price from | $8,997 per person, double occupancy |
| Price range | USD 8,997 – USD 13,994 per person (all cabin categories, double and single) |
| Viewing location | Sundeck in Luxor; the on-board astronomer is stationed at the optional private-farm Eclipse Viewing Festival during totality (USD 300 per person) |
| 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
Sail the Nile in intimate luxury aboard El Hanem Dahabiya on the classic 9-day route - Cairo, the sleeper train to Aswan, then four nights sailing Aswan to Luxor with the Total Solar Eclipse of 2 August 2027 viewed from the deck in Luxor. With just six cabins, traditional sail-powered charm and modern comfort, El Hanem is the quieter, more personal sister to the Cleo Dahabiya expedition.
Aboard
El Hanem Dahabiya · Traditional Sailing
Dahabiya El Hanem sailing the Nile
Mashrabiya salon with hand-painted panels
Shaded deck dining overlooking the Nile
Sun deck lounge and bar
Carved arch cabin aboard the dahabiya
Hand-tiled headboard detail
Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi lobby
Sleeper train Elite Club car dining
Boarding the sleeper train to Sohag
Day-by-day itinerary
Met & assisted at Cairo International Airport, private transfer to Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi or similar 5★ for check-in and overnight.
Accommodation
- 1 night at Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi or similar 5★ (B&B)
- 2 nights on the sleeper train (half-board)
- 4 nights aboard El Hanem Dahabiya, Luxor → Aswan (full-board)
- 1 night at Radisson Blu Hotel or similar (B&B)
Rates per person
| Category | Double room | Single room |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin | USD 8,997 | USD 10,994 |
| Suite | USD 11,997 | USD 13,994 |
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
Eclipse Viewing Festival on a Private Farm
An optional open-air totality experience on a private farm outside Luxor, with unobstructed horizon-to-horizon views of the eclipse. Round-trip transportation from and to your El Hanem Dahabiya is included.
- Round-trip transfers from/to your El Hanem Dahabiya
- Barbeque lunch buffet
- Hydration bar (water, fresh juices, soft drinks)
- Comfortable seating and shade umbrellas
- Certified astronomer on site with live commentary through each contact phase
- On-site eclipse hosts and safe-viewing guidance
Sleeper Train Club Car Meals
A hot set menu served in the VIP Restaurant Car of the sleeper train, covering both dinner and breakfast on board 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 Restaurant Car
- Hot set-menu breakfast in the VIP Restaurant Car
- Table service in the club car rather than an in-cabin tray
- Exclusive - only 20 seats available for the whole train
Abu Simbel Optional Excursion
An early-morning excursion from Aswan to the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari at Abu Simbel, the most spectacular of the Nubian monuments, returning in time to rejoin the itinerary.
- Round-trip transfers from Aswan / your vessel
- Entrance fees to the Abu Simbel temples
- Egyptologist guide throughout
Included
- All transfers as per the itinerary
- All accommodation as per each selected option
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Round-trip sightseeing tours with an Egyptologist guide
- Round-trip sleeper train tickets
- Dinner and breakfast served onboard the sleeper train in your private cabin on individual trays
- All entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Meet and assist upon arrival and departure
- Solar Eclipse viewing from the boat sundeck with safe-viewing guidance
Not included
- Tips (approx. USD 25 per person per day)
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion (USD 200 per person - see add-ons)
- Personal expenses, drinks, and extra meals
- Optional Open-Air Eclipse BBQ Festival in a stunning green-field location (USD 300 per person - see add-ons)
- Optional sleeper train club car meals (USD 90 per person - see add-ons)
Who this itinerary is for
Three vessels, one eclipse. Here is an honest read on whether El Hanem Dahabiya is the right fit for the way you like to travel.
Ideal for
- Travellers wanting the most exclusive, small-group way to see the 2027 eclipse
- Guests who prioritise privacy, sail-powered cruising and personalised service over ship facilities
- Repeat visitors to Egypt seeking the classic Aswan to Luxor dahabiya route
Perhaps not for
- Travellers on a tighter budget - MS Q covers the same eclipse from $4,690
- Guests who want a pool, gym and large-ship entertainment on board
Frequently asked questions
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Cities on the Nile route
Eclipse guides
- Saw the 2026 eclipse? How 2027 compares
- Chased the 2026 Eclipse? Your Next Total Solar Eclipse Adventure Is Egypt 2027
- 2027 Eclipse Luxor Viewing Time: Exact Contact Times & Duration
- Egypt Eclipse Tour Cost 2027: Real Prices and What's Included
- Eclipse Glasses & Photography in Egypt: 2027 Safety and Camera Guide
- August Weather in Luxor: Heat, Humidity and Eclipse-Day Cloud Odds
- The 6-Minute 2027 Solar Eclipse: A Complete Guide to the Eclipse of the Century
- Why Luxor is the Premier Viewing Location for the 2027 Eclipse
- Three Ways to Chase Totality on the Nile
- Read the Journal