As many of you are aware, the next total solar eclipse is due on 1 August 2008, with an 'arc of darkness' stretching from northern Canada, across Eurasia and into China. In the trail of our recent sell-out tours, we're over the moon (sorry!) to unveil our brand new stargazer programme for 2008 - with a must-be-there date in Spain with the Perseids on 13th August.

The best locations for the eclipse have been chosen by our specialist team, with some camps especially set up for the occasion. Beyond experiencing the excitement of the eclipse as it changes progresses through its various stages, you can also look forward to a thorough à-la-Explore discovery of the surrounding regions. Our expert astronomers, Dr Francisco Diego and Prof. Paul Murdin, will accompany two of the tours.

Request your special 2007/8 Eclipse Holiday brochure here .

For details of our 2008 eclipse holiday tours, click on the individual links below:

Along the Yangtse & Eclipse
Imperial Journey & Eclipse
Kashgar & Eclipse
Yangtse Discoverer & Eclipse
Beijing to Hong Kong & Eclipse
China Highlights & Eclipse
Orient Express & Eclipse
Silk Road & Eclipse

On the 22nd July 2009 a total eclipse of the sun will be visible from a narrow corridor across the Earth. We have selected some of the best viewing locations in Asia, so you will have the opportunity to combine a unique celestial event with an exploration of a fascinating region of the world where lands of ancient cities and beautiful scenery are populated by diverse and ancient cultures. The 2009 eclipse is especially exciting as it will offer the chance to experience some of the longest durations of totality possible; up to almost 6 minutes on our tours in China and around 4 minutes on our tours to Japan.

Browse 2009 Solar Eclipse Holidays

We are pleased once again to have Dr Francisco Diego on board as our consultant astronomer to this project and he will be accompanying our Cultural Treasures and Eclipse Trip.

We also have Professor Paul Murdin returning to accompany our China Discovery and Eclipse Trip.

A new addition for 2009 will be Andrew Green who with over 30 years experience in the field of astronomy will be joining our Shanghai to Hong Kong & Eclipse Trip.

Why is the 2009 eclipse an event not to be missed event? Eclipses run in cycles with very similar eclipses occurring every 18 years, the 2009 eclipse represents the type casting the longest duration of totality on the earth. Maximum duration near the Chinese coast will be just under 6 minutes, extending to approx 6 minutes 20 seconds over the Tokararetto islands of Southern Japan.

Waiting for 2010 Solar Eclipse?

In 2010 the Solar Eclipse will be across the South Pacific and into South America. We are planning to offer tours to view the Eclipse on Easter island. If you would like to be sent information when it becomes available then please pre-register your interest.

Pre-register for 2010 Solar Eclipse tours information

• Solar eclipses occur at new moon, when the moon is between the earth and the sun.
• A total eclipse of the sun is when the moon appears the same size as the sun, and completely blocks the light.
• An annular eclipse is when the moon appears slightly smaller than the sun, creating an intense brilliant ring or annulus.
• A partial eclipse is when the moon passes in front of the sun, but never completely covers it.
• Lunar eclipses occur at full moon, when the earth is between the sun and the moon.
  On average there is a total solar eclipse somewhere in the world about every 18 months.

We get into the path of totality allowing plenty of time to set up any photographic equipment. Even simple cameras, when fitted with a solar filter, can get surprisingly good shots of an eclipse. Soon after first contact we can see the moon slowly edging across the sun, through our special solar glasses.

It can take up to an hour for the moon to cover the sun completely, so we have plenty of time to witness the natural changes happening around us. Usual daytime noise of birds and other wildlife gradually becomes quieter, as the strength of the sun slowly reduces and it can even feel quite cool. Even before second contact, the major stars can be observed as the sky starts to blacken.

The anticipation of a total eclipse is electric in the final few minutes before the moon fully covers the sun. Totality can be over six minutes, depending on location, and is a truly awe-inspiring event and something that everyone should witness at least once in their lives, the intensity even reducing some people to tears at the sheer beauty. Even at midday, the sky is jet black and full of stars, with the bursting corona like a halo in the heavens. All around the horizon for 360degrees, the sky is a surreal mixture of yellows, reds and greens as we look across to areas that are not in the zone of totality.

At third contact and precisely on time, the first pinprick of sunrays break out from behind the uneven surface of the moon, causing the effect known as Baily's Beads, and the shadow of the moon shoots past us at 700 metres per second. Just as slowly, the earth starts to heat up again, and the wildlife realise that it wasn't nightfall and quickly become active again.

• Solar glasses are required for all eclipse viewing except during totality.
• Check the likely weather.
• What time of day does the eclipse occur?
• Terrain, hilly or flat, built up or rural?
• Prepare your camera for eclipse photography and test well beforehand.
• Check to see where the next eclipses are.

An eclipse may happen on a regular Explore tour anyway, but be sure to book up early. Working with our local agents we can often offer several extra tours, many on itineraries that will never be repeated. In rural areas this could well mean camping, to be sure of our overnight stops - especially as small towns can be stretched with extra visitors.