Tour Description

SOLD OUT
Total Solar Eclipse Tour
Cairo to Luxor | 27 July – 4 August 2027
Join Pink Lotus Tours for a once-in-a-lifetime celestial and cultural journey across Egypt.
From the marvels of Ancient Cairo to a private Dahabeya cruise along the Nile, and culminating in the breathtaking Total Solar Eclipse over Luxor, this luxurious experience is led by a professional Egyptologist
On August 2, 2027, Luxor, Egypt, will experience a total solar eclipse, with the moon completely obscuring the sun for several minutes.
The eclipse will create a surreal, twilight-like atmosphere over the ancient city, casting a shadow across the Nile and iconic monuments like Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
The sky will darken, temperatures will drop, and stars may briefly appear.
This awe-inspiring celestial event, set against Luxor's ancient history, offers a rare opportunity to witness the wonders of both nature and Egypt's timeless heritage in one unforgettable moment.

ACCOMMODATION
Marriott Mena House - Garden View Room - 3 Nights
Private Dahabeya - Air-conditioned & ensuited cabin - 5 Nights
Twin-share only available
Travel with a loved one or we will match you with another solo traveller.
Due to limited availability of accommodation for this once in a lifetime event, we will only be offering twin-share/double rooms/cabins
Maximum Group size 28
Suite Supplement (4 available) in Queen Bed USD500 per person
Deposit Terms:
USD1500 per person to secure space (refundable until 1st August 2026) then non-refundable
USD1500 progress payment 1st August 2026
Balance 1st February 2027

Tour Highlights

2027 Total Solar Eclipse in Luxor
Grand Egyptian Museum
Museum of Egyptian Civilisation
Pyramids of Giza
Karnak Temple
Luxor Temple

Day 1: Arrival to Cairo

Tuesday 27 July 2027

• VIP arrival assistance at Cairo International Airport

• Fast-track through visa, baggage, and customs

• Private transfer to your Cairo hotel

• Relax, settle in, and enjoy the hotel’s facilities

Welcome Dinner:
Meet your Egyptologist and fellow travellers over a traditional Egyptian meal.
Receive your detailed welcome pack and a briefing on the days ahead.

Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Marriott Mena House
*Optional upgrade to Pyramid View Room may be available at extra cost, please enquire when booking

Day 2: Saqqara Step Pyramid and Serapeum

Wednesday 28 July 2027

• Breakfast at hotel

• Explore the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, a vast burial ground over 5,000 years old

• Stand before the Step Pyramid of Djoser, history’s first monumental stone structure

• Go underground into the Serapeum, a network of tunnels and massive granite tombs for sacred bulls

• Learn about Imhotep, the genius behind pyramid design and the deified architect of the ancient world

Lunch at a countryside restaurant specializing in Egyptian BBQ (kebabs, kofta, salads, and fresh bread)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Marriott Mena House, Garden View Room (optional upgrade to Pyramid View available at additional cost)

Day 3: Giza Pyramids - Sphinx

Day 3 – Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & GEM
Thursday 29 July 2027

• Breakfast at hotel

• Explore the iconic Pyramids of Giza with your Egyptologist: learn how the pyramids aligned to the stars and their cultural significance

• Snap photos at the Panoramic Viewpoint with all three pyramids in view

• Visit the Sphinx, with insights into theories behind its construction and mysterious symbolism

• Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant

• Afternoon visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum: highlights include the full collection of Tutankhamun, royal mummies, and a 30-foot statue of Ramses II

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Marriott Mena House

Day 4: National Museum & Flight to Luxor

Friday 30 July 2027

• Breakfast at hotel then checkout

• Morning visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, with a deep dive into Egypt’s evolution through tools, fabrics, jewellery, and royal mummies

• Free time to explore or shop at the museum’s boutique

• Transfer to Cairo Airport for a short domestic flight to Luxor

• Upon arrival, board your private Dahabeya—an elegant, wind-powered Nile cruise ship with en-suite cabins and panoramic views

• Settle into your cabin and enjoy sunset on deck with welcome drinks

Your Floating Sanctuary: The Egyptian Dahabeya

Step aboard your private Dahabeya, a beautifully handcrafted sailing vessel that captures the elegance and romance of 19th-century Nile travel—once reserved for royals, nobles, and early explorers.

This will be our floating hotel for 5 Nights, docked locally in Luxor.

Unlike large cruise ships, our Private Dahabeya offers an intimate, tranquil, and refined river experience, gliding silently along the Nile powered by the wind.

With just a small number of cabins, every guest receives personalized attention, five-star service, and front-row views of Egypt’s timeless landscapes.

Features:

- Luxuriously appointed en-suite cabins with panoramic windows and plush linens

- Spacious sundeck with shaded lounges and open-air dining

- Gourmet cuisine freshly prepared by an onboard chef, featuring Egyptian and international dishes

- Indoor salon & bar area for relaxation, reading, or socializing

- Attentive crew providing butler-style service with genuine Egyptian hospitality

Silent sailing—no engines while cruising, creating a serene, eco-conscious journey

- Each day offers the pleasure of waking up to desert breezes, watching life on the river bank, and dining under the stars.

- The Dahabeya is a floating boutique hotel, a private retreat, and a front-row seat to Egypt’s eternal river of life.

• Dinner onboard

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Onboard Dahabeya – Luxor

Day 5: Karnak Temples

Saturday 31 July 2027

• Depart early to witness Karnak Temple at opening—see the sunrise illuminate the forest of pillars in the Great Hypostyle Hall

• Visit sacred shrines, obelisks, and the lake where priests once purified before rituals

• Return to the Dahabeya for a generous brunch

• Afternoon at leisure: enjoy sunbathing on deck, or use a day pass at a local hotel to swim, spa, or nap

• Sunset onboard followed by dinner

Meals: Light snacks, Brunch, Dinner
Overnight: Onboard Dahabeya

Day 6: Valley of the Kings

Sunday 1 August 2027

• Optional: Early morning hot air balloon ride over Luxor for breathtaking views of ancient temples and tombs

• Explore the Valley of the Kings: enter select royal tombs adorned with vivid murals and hieroglyphs

• Visit Queen Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple, carved into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari

• Gourmet lunch at local Luxor hotel.

• Afternoon spa or swim session at local hotel

• Evening Eclipse Briefing:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Onboard Dahabeya

Day 7: Total Solar Eclipse

Monday 2 August 2027
• Enjoy a relaxed morning and breakfast onboard
When the Sun Bows to Shadow
In the heart of Egypt, where temples sleep and the Nile remembers every god’s name, the sky will pause—
and darkness will bloom in daylight.
A hush will fall.
Birdsong will still.
And above the sands of Luxor, the sun will surrender to the moon, if only for a moment.

Stars will awaken in the midday blue, and you’ll stand there—not watching, but witnessing—a wonder once charted by ancient priests and now revealed to you,
wrapped in silence, bathed in shadow, blessed by light.

• PLEASE NOTE: Cameras or viewing equipment are your own responsibility.
• Travel to our exclusive eclipse viewing site near Luxor, selected for optimal sun angle, visibility, and minimal light pollution
• Receive your ISO 12312 2 certified eclipse glasses
• Enjoy refreshments and snacks as the sky darkens and stars emerge in daytime
• Witness the total eclipse—a few minutes of celestial perfection
• Return to Dahabeya and begin sailing north toward Qena, reflecting on a day you’ll never forget

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner
Overnight: Onboard Dahabeya

Day 8: Dendera Temple and Sailing Time

Tuesday 3 August 2027

• Morning visit to the Temple of Dendera, one of Egypt’s most complete and vibrant temples

• See ancient carvings of zodiac symbols, Hathor’s rituals, and astrological ceilings

• Lunch onboard as you sail back to Luxor

• Farewell dinner onboard celebrating your journey

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Onboard Dahabeya

Day 9: Departure from Luxor

Wednesday 4 August 2027

• Final breakfast onboard, followed by goodbyes to the crew

• Transfer to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo

• Connection to international flight or optional additional night in Cairo (extra cost)

Meals: Breakfast

Package Includes

Meet and greet service tour representatives at Cairo airport.
All transfers to/from airport and hotel by a private air-conditioned vehicle.
Permits and permissions for access to viewing area on 2nd August
5 Star Luxury Accommodation as described including breakfast.
Internal Flights x 2
Welcome Dinner on arrival
Breakfast included at Marriott Mena House
Lunches in Cairo
Breakfast, Lunch Dinner Soft drinks onboard Dahabeya
All sightseeing tours in Cairo/Luxor as mentioned in the itinerary.
Entrance fees to all sites as indicated on the itinerary.
ISO 12312 2 certified eclipse glasses
English-speaking tour guide during your tours.
Tips for services. Hotel staff, porters etc Distribution throughout the tour will be managed by your guide
Bottled water during your tour and transfers.

Package Excludes

International Airfare Travel Insurance.
Telescopes, cameras or any kind of viewing equipment
Entry Visa to Egypt.
Any optional tours.
Pre or post tour accommodation.
Personal spending.
Hot Air Balloon.
Tip for our tour guide. Industry standard, USD10 per person per day, however tipping is a personal choice and relative to how much you enjoyed the tour.