The Western Desert eclipse
The 2027 eclipse from Siwa Oasis
In short
Siwa Oasis sits near the northern edge of the 2 August 2027 path of totality, so the eclipse over the oasis itself is deep but brief. Our two 8-day Western Desert eclipse journeys pair Cairo, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Pyramids with Alexandria and Siwa, and watch the eclipse from a specially arranged viewing location in the Siwa region, confirmed closer to departure. Departures start from USD 2,369 per person sharing.
The Siwa eclipse at a glance
| Eclipse date | Monday 2 August 2027 |
|---|---|
| Maximum eclipse near Siwa | Around 12:30 local time (UTC+3) |
| Siwa's position | Northern edge of the path of totality |
| Viewing site | Specially arranged viewing location in the Siwa region, open horizon |
| Eclipse day setup | Shade, seating and refreshments at the viewing site, confirmed closer to departure |
| Longest totality in Egypt | 6 min 23 sec near Luxor, on our Nile itineraries |
| Journeys | Two 8-day / 7-night Siwa itineraries, plus a 15-day Nile cruise journey |
| Price from | USD 2,369 per person, double/twin occupancy |
Why watch the eclipse from Siwa
Siwa is the Egypt that most visitors never reach: a Berber-speaking oasis hundreds of kilometres into the Western Desert, ringed by the dunes of the Great Sand Sea, salt lakes the colour of glass and groves of date palms. Alexander the Great crossed the desert to consult its Oracle. On eclipse week you add the rarest sky event of the century to that journey.
Because Siwa sits near the edge of the path, totality there is much shorter than in Luxor. That is the honest trade. What you get in return is a viewing site with no crowds, an unbroken desert horizon in every direction, and four days of oasis life around it: the Temple of the Oracle, the mud-brick ruins of Shali Fortress, Cleopatra's Spring, the tombs of the Mountain of the Dead and a 4x4 safari across the Great Sand Sea.
If maximum duration matters more, read why Luxor is the premier viewing location and the full 2027 eclipse in Egypt guide. If the desert is the point, this is the itinerary.
The Siwa eclipse journey
Choose the Siwa by Train journey, which reaches the oasis by first-class Talgo train and private road transport, or the original Siwa Classic journey with four-star Cairo and Alexandria stays and private road transport back to Cairo. The 15-day Grand Eclipse Express – Siwa & Q Nile Cruise journey adds a Nile voyage between Luxor and Aswan.
Siwa ClassicNewEgypt & Siwa Oasis Total Solar Eclipse 2027
from $2,369
Cairo • Alexandria • Siwa Oasis
Beyond the NileNewEclipse Express – Siwa by Train | 8 Days
from $2,990
Cairo • Marsa Matrouh • Siwa • Alexandria • Cairo
Rail & Nile EclipseNewCairo • Marsa Matrouh • Siwa • Alexandria • Aswan • Kom Ombo • Edfu • Esna • Luxor • Cairo
Siwa eclipse questions, answered
- Does Siwa Oasis see the 2027 total solar eclipse?
- Siwa lies near the northern edge of the path of totality. From the oasis itself the eclipse is very deep but brief, so our itinerary arranges viewing at a site in the Siwa region selected for its open horizon; the final location is confirmed closer to departure.
- Why choose Siwa instead of Luxor for the 2027 eclipse?
- Luxor gets the longest totality on Earth, up to 6 minutes 23 seconds. Siwa trades duration for atmosphere: palm groves, salt lakes, the Great Sand Sea and almost no crowds, combined with the Temple of the Oracle, Shali Fortress and Cleopatra's Spring. It suits travellers who want a desert journey rather than a Nile cruise.
- When exactly is the eclipse over Siwa?
- Monday 2 August 2027, around midday local time (UTC+3). The partial phases run for roughly two and a half hours, with the moment of maximum eclipse near 12:30.
- How do you get to Siwa for the eclipse?
- Both 8-day journeys reach Siwa overland. The Eclipse Express – Siwa by Train journey rides the first-class Talgo train from Cairo towards Alexandria and continues by private road transport to the oasis. The Siwa Classic journey travels to Alexandria by first-class train, then by private road transport across the desert to Siwa. The return to Cairo is by private road transport and first-class train.
- How much does the Siwa eclipse tour cost?
- There are two 8-day journeys. The Siwa Classic journey runs 28 July to 4 August 2027 from USD 2,369 per person sharing. The Eclipse Express – Siwa by Train journey runs 29 July to 5 August 2027 from USD 2,990 per person sharing, reaching the oasis by first-class Talgo train and private road transport. A longer 15-day journey pairs Siwa with a Nile cruise from USD 6,990 per person sharing.
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