Total solar eclipse · August 2, 2027

See the total eclipse over Egypt.

Nine days from Cairo to the Siwa Oasis, ending in the path of totality on Dakrour Mountain. Led by Abdul Dremali, with local Egyptologist guides.

A solar eclipse in a deep red glow, the Sun's light ringing the dark disk of the Moon.
  • Total solar eclipse, Aug 2 2027
  • 9 days, Cairo to Siwa
  • Small group, fully hosted
  • Led by Abdul Dremali
Starlight Voyages

A small-group Egypt tour, built around a total solar eclipse.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and blocks its light. On August 2, 2027, the Moon's shadow crosses Egypt, and we will be standing in it.

9 daysJuly 28 to August 5, 2027
8 nightsdeluxe hotel and a Siwa desert camp
6 minutesof totality, one of the longest this century

Egypt rewards time and good company, and an eclipse rewards a clear sky. The Western Desert gives you both. We spend the first days in Cairo and around Giza and Saqqara, then drive out to the Siwa Oasis near the Libyan border, where the desert opens up and the horizon stays clean all the way to the ground.

On the morning of August 2 we hike up Dakrour Mountain before dawn and wait for the Moon to cover the Sun. Totality lasts around six minutes, long enough to see the corona and the stars come out in the middle of the day. It is one of the longest totalities of the 21st century.

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A traveler peeking out of a niche in a temple wall covered in carved and painted hieroglyphs.
The path of totality

Where the Moon's shadow falls.

The shadow sweeps across the Mediterranean and North Africa on August 2, 2027. We watch from inside the path, in the Siwa Oasis.

Map of the August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse path of totality crossing Spain, North Africa, Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula, with the tour viewing site at Siwa, Egypt highlighted.

Path of totality, August 2, 2027. Path data: Fred Espenak, NASA/GSFC. Base map: Natural Earth.

Around 6 minutesof totality, one of the longest of the 21st century.
Near-zero cloudthe Western Desert has some of the clearest August skies on Earth.
Dakrour Mountainwe watch totality from a desert summit in the Siwa Oasis.

Eclipse geometry and path data: NationalEclipse.com.

Why travel with us

A small-group Egypt tour, handled end to end by Egyptians.

Everything is arranged, so you can focus on the country and the sky. Here is what that looks like.

A couple with decorated camels in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza.

Led by Abdul, with local Egyptologist guides

Abdul leads the group and shares his commentary, discussions and hieroglyph lessons along the way. At every major site, a local Egyptologist guide brings the history to life. You travel with a small group of like-minded people, never a tour bus.

Golden sand dunes in the Western Desert near Siwa.

Totality from the desert

The Siwa Oasis sits in the Western Desert, far from city light and almost free of August cloud. On eclipse morning we hike up Dakrour Mountain before dawn, watch the Moon cover the Sun, and stay through the full six minutes of totality.

Travelers at the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, the world's first pyramid.

Cairo, Giza and Saqqara, fully guided

Before we head into the desert, we cover the classics: the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, Memphis and the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, and the Grand Egyptian Museum, all with a private guide and driver.

A table full of Egyptian dishes shared by a small group on tour in Egypt.

Nearly all meals, and a team on the ground

Nearly all meals are included, from long Egyptian lunches to a Bedouin dinner in the desert. Our team in Cairo is reachable throughout, so help is one message away.

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Day by day

Nine days from Cairo to totality.

Cairo and the pyramids, then out to the Siwa Oasis for the eclipse. Open each day to see what is planned.

Day 1 · Arrive in Cairo

Land at Cairo airport, where VIP customs assistance and a private transfer take you to your deluxe hotel. In the evening, meet the group over an authentic grill dinner.

Day 2 · Memphis, Saqqara and the Giza Plateau

Memphis and the Mit Rahina Museum, then Saqqara with a visit inside the Pyramid of Unas. The Giza Plateau follows: the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple, a horse or camel ride to the nine-pyramid panoramic view, a papyrus museum and an ATV ride, then dinner with Abdul's family at their home.

Day 3 · Islamic Cairo, then the overnight drive to Siwa

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, the Citadel and the Muhammad Ali Mosque, then Khan el-Khalili, Al-Azhar, Al-Muizz Street and a stop at El Fishawy. A koshary lunch and a sunset felucca ride on the Nile, an evening downtown, then the private overnight transfer to Siwa.

Day 4 · Into the Siwa Oasis

Arrive in Siwa in the morning and check in to the desert camp. A desert safari with sandboarding, a soak in the hot and cold spring pools, a desert sunset, then a Bedouin dinner and party.

Day 5 · The oasis, temples and salt lakes

The Oracle Temple, the Temple of Umm Ubayd, the Mountain of the Dead and the Shali Fortress. Then the salt lakes and Cleopatra Spring, a Fatnas Island sunset, and dinner at a local Siwi restaurant.

Day 6 · Eclipse day on Dakrour Mountain

A sunrise hike up Dakrour Mountain, right in front of camp, to watch totality from the summit. After the eclipse, time in town for dates, natural cosmetics, carpets and Siwi crafts, lunch, then the transfer back to Cairo in the afternoon.

Day 7 · The Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum: the Grand Staircase, the Hanging Obelisk, the Tutankhamen treasures, the Colossal Ramses and the Solar Boat, followed by lunch.

Day 8 · A day on the water

A day-use yacht trip on the Red Sea coast, with dolphins, swimming and lunch included, then the drive back to Cairo for the final evening.

Day 9 · Depart

Check out of your deluxe hotel and head home, with a private transfer to the airport.

A working plan. The eclipse is fixed: August 2, 2027, out in the Western Desert. The days around it are the shape we are building toward, and a few details, hotel choices and the order of a morning or two, firm up closer to the date. You will have the final day-by-day schedule well before you fly, and our team is on the ground with you the whole way.

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Signature experiences

Moments guests remember.

A few of the experiences built into this small-group eclipse tour.

The Great Sphinx in front of a pyramid on the Giza plateau.
The Sphinx and the Great Pyramid
Travelers with colorfully decorated camels on the Giza plateau, the pyramids behind them.
Ride camels around the pyramids
A rider on horseback heading toward two pyramids at Giza.
Ride horses or camels by the pyramids
A camel with colorful decorative tack at the Giza plateau, the pyramids blurred behind.
See the Giza plateau up close
Painted hieroglyphs on an Egyptian temple wall.
Learn to read basic hieroglyphs
A carved stone relief panel with ancient Egyptian figures.
Ancient carvings up close
A traveler looking out the window of a private car toward the pyramids at Giza.
Private transfers throughout
Palm trees along the edge of a salt lake in the Siwa Oasis.
Palm groves and the Siwa lakes
The old mud-brick Shali Fortress rising above the Siwa Oasis.
The old Shali Fortress in Siwa
Two travelers floating in a salt pool in the Siwa Oasis.
Float in a Siwa salt pool
Abdul explaining hieroglyphs to a group at an Egyptian temple.
Abdul explains the history
A local Egyptologist guide with the group at the Giza plateau.
Guided by local Egyptologists
What you get

What is included, and what is not.

What is included
  • Nine days and eight nights, July 28 to August 5, 2027
  • Deluxe hotel in Cairo and a desert camp in the Siwa Oasis
  • Nearly all meals
  • Private transportation throughout, including the overnight transfer to and from Siwa
  • VIP airport customs assistance and private airport transfers
  • Local Egyptologist guides at every major site
  • Abdul's commentary, discussions and hieroglyph lessons
  • Eclipse viewing from Dakrour Mountain
  • Entry tickets to the included sites
  • Photography coaching
What is not included
  • International flights to and from Cairo
  • Travel insurance (mandatory for all travelers)
  • Visas, if required
  • Drinks, souvenirs and personal expenses
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Anything not listed in the itinerary
Current flight prices to Cairo

Flights are booked separately. Here is what airfare to Cairo looks like right now from major US airports for these tour dates.

    See all airports and dates
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    Where you will stay

    A deluxe Cairo hotel and a Siwa desert camp.

    Five nights in a deluxe five-star hotel in Cairo, and two nights at a desert camp in the Siwa Oasis with private rooms and its own hot and cold spring pools.

    A hotel pool glowing at dusk, one of the premium stays we arrange in Egypt.

    Comfortable, well-located stays

    Your nights in Cairo are in a deluxe five-star hotel, and your nights in Siwa are at a desert camp with private rooms and bathrooms. Rooms are comfortable and chosen for the group, steps from everything on the itinerary.

    Reviews

    What past travelers say.

    Past travelers started calling themselves the Abdul family. Here is what a few of them said.

    Emily S. · Egypt 2026

    A solo traveler, in good hands

    "Visiting Egypt had been on my bucket list forever, but as a solo female traveler I felt intimidated to book a trip alone. I jumped at the chance to visit with Abdul and Anna, because I knew with their travel experience, local knowledge, and passion for Egyptian history I was in the best possible hands. ... What I didn't expect was how lovely the group of people attending were. I've created friendships with such considerate caring people on this trip that I hope to stay in touch with forever."

    Shannon · Egypt 2026

    A family meal, and a family feeling

    "One evening we enjoyed a delicious home cooked meal with Abdul's family. It was one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. The love & care I felt from his family & from him throughout the trip was amazing. I'll dream of his Aunt's Basbousa for the rest of my life. Could not recommend traveling with Abdul more. ... Abdul family for life."

    Rob · Egypt 2026

    Photos, pyramids and koshary

    "Egypt is like no other place I've visited. What a beautiful country with a mix of ancient beauty and modern chaos. I took so many photos... This first set has photos and video from my trip to the Great Pyramids, camel riding, going inside the Saqqara and Ounas pyramids and some really cool artifacts from the Grand Egyptian Museum. Plus, a homemade meal from Abdul's adorable family and a taste of the national dish, koshary!"

    Book nowLimited spots.
    Reserve your spot

    Book your spot on the August 2027 eclipse tour.

    Limited spots. All rooms are private. Choose the option that fits you, then book through our secure checkout.

    Bookings are non-refundable. Payments due in full by February 28, 2027.

    Prefer to travel on your own dates or with your own group?Plan private

    Private Itineraries, Built Around You

    We plan and run custom private journeys for couples, families, and private circles. You choose the dates, the pace, and the focus.

    • Your own private team: Dedicated air-conditioned transport and licensed local guides.
    • No set group dates: Designed entirely around your schedule and season.
    • Families welcome: All ages welcome on private departures (group tours are 18+).
    • Hosted or independent: Personally hosted by Abdul and Anna, or privately run by our vetted local team.

    Looking for sample private itineraries first? Explore Egypt Your Way →
    Good to know

    Questions about the August 2027 eclipse tour.

    Last reviewed October 2026
    When and where is the total solar eclipse?

    The total solar eclipse is on Sunday, August 2, 2027. We watch it from Dakrour Mountain in the Siwa Oasis, inside the path of totality in Egypt's Western Desert.

    How long does totality last?

    Around six minutes of totality, one of the longest totalities of the 21st century. Most eclipses give two or three minutes. This one gives more than double that.

    Is eclipse viewing guaranteed?

    No. Viewing a total eclipse is weather dependent. The Western Desert has near-zero August cloud cover, but we cannot control the weather. If clouds interfere, the rest of the itinerary goes ahead as planned.

    What is the weather like in August?

    Very hot. Daytime highs in Cairo and Siwa in August can pass 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with strong sun. Pack light, breathable layers, a hat and sunscreen you will reapply. Mornings and evenings are cooler.

    Do I need special glasses for the eclipse?

    Yes. You must use ISO-certified eclipse glasses for the partial phases. Looking at the partially eclipsed Sun with the naked eye can damage your eyes. We will share guidance before eclipse day.

    Do I need a visa for Egypt?

    Most visitors do. Many nationalities can get an e-visa online or a visa on arrival, but the rules change, so confirm with Egypt's official visa portal and your own government before you book.

    Are flights included?

    International flights are not included. Private transportation within Egypt is included, including the overnight transfer between Cairo and Siwa, so no domestic flight is needed on this tour.

    What is included in the price?

    Nine days and eight nights, a deluxe Cairo hotel and a Siwa desert camp, nearly all meals, private transportation and VIP customs, local Egyptologist guides, entry tickets, and eclipse viewing from Dakrour Mountain.

    What is not included?

    International flights, travel insurance, visas, drinks, souvenirs, tips and personal expenses. Travel insurance is mandatory for all travelers and is not included.

    Is there a Nile cruise on this tour?

    No. This tour focuses on Cairo, Giza, Saqqara and the Siwa Oasis in the Western Desert, timed around the eclipse. There is no Nile cruise or Luxor on this itinerary.

    Who leads the tour?

    Abdul Dremali leads the group and shares his commentary, discussions and hieroglyph lessons. At every major site, a local Egyptologist guide brings the history to life.

    What are the cancellation terms?

    Bookings are non-refundable. Payments are due in full by February 28, 2027. Review the terms carefully before you book, and contact us with any questions.

    Can I book a private Egypt trip instead?

    Yes. If you prefer your own dates, pace and itinerary, we plan fully private Egypt trips around you. See our private Egypt page to start planning.

    Book nowLimited spots.
    Keep exploring

    More ways to see Egypt.

    This eclipse tour is one of two Egypt departures open for 2027. We also run a February small-group tour and plan fully private Egypt trips around your dates.

    Your Egypt

    Stand in the Moon's shadow.

    Limited spots. Book through our secure checkout, or see current flight prices to Cairo.

    Book now