Observe a total solar eclipse on a river cruise through Egypt, this special departure combines the highlights of Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor in an 11-day, action-packed adventure. The total solar eclipse on 2 August 2027 will be the longest of the century, offering over six minutes of totality and we'll observe it from the deck of our boat anchored in Luxor. After the remarkable spectacle our adventure continues as we sail to Aswan, a picturesque city in Southern Egypt, renowned for its numerous ancient temples, stunning Nile views and vibrant Nubian culture.
Breakfast: 10
Lunch: 4
Dinner: 6
Explore Tour Leader
Astronomer
Bus
Boat
Train
4 nights comfortable boat
5 nights comfortable hotel
1 nights comfortable overnight train
Moderate
Trip maximum 16 Explore average 11
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Our tour begins today in Cairo, Egypt's bustling capital on the banks of the River Nile. This sprawling metropolis is a fascinating mix of modern buildings, ancient landmarks and maze-like streets, home to some of the best Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic sites in the country.
There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to arrive in Cairo at any time. If you\ d like an airport transfer, please arrange to arrive at Cairo International Airport (CAI); it's around a 30 to 45-minute drive to the hotel. At 6pm, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception for a welcome meeting, with the option to head out for dinner together afterwards. If you arrive later, your tour leader will catch up with you once you\ ve settled in.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to catch your first glimpse of the mighty Nile, visit the medieval market of Khan el Khalili or cross the river for a stroll along the Nile promenade. Egyptians are famously warm and welcoming, so wherever you wander, you\ re sure to enjoy an authentic first taste of the country
Novotel Cairo El Borg (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
This morning, we'll make our way to Giza, where we'll see the pyramids and sphinx; among the most impressive man-made spectacles in the world. We'll explore the pyramid complex, which includes the sphinx, a crouching lion with a human head carved from solid rock and the splendid Granite Temple, with a local guide.
We'll then head to the spectacular new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza; a repository of over 100,000 items encompassing all aspects of ancient Egyptian life, including ornate jewellery, caskets and towering granite statues and mummified remains. At the time of writing there are twelve galleries open including the remarkable golden treasures of Tutankhamun. The Grand Egyptian Museum is a wonderful destination in itself, its sheer size and beautiful architectural design have deservedly drawn acclaim worldwide. After our tour, there is time to have lunch in one of the many restaurants in the museum.
Returning to our hotel in the city centre, there will be time to take a stroll to visit the capital's medieval market at Khan el Khalili, have a dip in the pool or relax on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Nile.
Today is free for optional trips in the capital. This morning there is the opportunity take a trip to Islamic Cairo to visit the illustrious Citadel, one of Saladin's many strongholds during the Crusades.
There will also be the chance to enter one or more of the medieval mosques of Cairo. Please note, you'll need to dress modestly with looser fitting clothing that covers the arms and legs. Shorts or sleeveless shirts are not permitted. See the Budgeting & packing section for more details.
This evening, we'll depart for Luxor on an overnight train. We use the best available sleeper compartments, with two-berth cabins, each containing a bench seat which converts into bunk beds. Whilst the service is designated as first class, the standard is not comparable with European first-class train travel. Dinner and breakfast are delivered to you by the carriage steward but it's also worth purchasing some snacks before you board.
The train is scheduled to depart at 7.20pm, arriving in Luxor at 5.35am the following morning.
Overnight Train: Cairo/Luxor
Grade: Comfortable Overnight Train
Upon arriving in Luxor, we'll travel to our home for the next four nights, the MS Caprice, anchored on the banks of the Nile. The location couldn't be more perfect for our once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse experience. We are fortunate to have exclusive access to part of the boat's outside deck, giving us unobstructed views as the eclipse begins, and this morning we will be joined by a local astronomer from the University of Cairo who will explain in greater detail about this celestial spectacle.
The partial phase is expected to start at 11.40am, with totality commencing at 1.05pm and lasting up to six minutes and 22 seconds. The partial eclipse will then conclude around 2.26pm.
As direct viewing of the sun, even during a partial eclipse, is not recommended, eclipse glasses will be provided so everyone can safely enjoy this extraordinary event. August is the hottest month in Egypt, so we'll make sure you're comfortable and well protected from the sun with multiple canopies and shaded areas. Drinks and snacks will also be available, and we'll enjoy lunch on board before driving to Karnak Temple, the largest ancient religious complex in the world. Here, we'll explore centuries of history, as the temple served as the main place of worship and features sacred lakes, obelisks, and statues.
In the late afternoon, we'll return to the boat in time for the captain's cocktails, followed by a sit-down dinner.
MS Caprice (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Boat
This morning we'll have an early start to visit the world-famous Valley of the Kings, most famous for being the burial site of Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922 by British Egyptology Howard Carter, along with another 62 royal tombs. Our visit includes entrance to three of the tombs which will be decided on the day, as many are periodically closed for resting and renovation to protect them. After the three, there will be an option to pay a supplement to visit Tutankhamun's tomb.
Our next stop is the Temple of Hatshepsut. Pharaoh Hatshepsut is believed to be the most successful reigning female power of Egypt, no mean feat during Ancient Egyptian times, and was buried alongside her male counterparts in the Valley of the Kings. Historians throughout modern history offer contrasting information about her reign but walking into the shadow of Hatshepsut's immense temple, which is built into the limestone rock face on Luxor's West Bank, is a key symbol of her achievements. The structure is unexpectedly modern by design and was once linked directly with Karnak Temple on the East Bank.
Continuing our exploration of the West Bank, we'll visit the striking Habu temple, one of the less visited sites on the West Bank and very much underrated. The temple complex is dominated by the highly decorated and well-preserved funeral temple of Ramses III depicting scenes of conquests and famous battles.
We'll arrive back at our boat around noon in time for lunch before we will cast anchor and start our water journey towards Edfu via the historic Esna Lock.
The afternoon is at your own leisure in the evening we'll once again enjoy our gourmet dinner onboard.
After breakfast, we'll visit the mythical Horus Temple, dedicated to not one but two gods: Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god. This part of the Nile was once home to a large crocodile population, which explains the dedication to Sobek. Horus, usually depicted as a falcon or a man with a falcon head, is primarily known as the god of the sky, kingship, and protection.
In the early afternoon, we'll return to the comfort of our boat and continue our journey south towards Aswan.
In the evening, guests have the option to join the on-board gallabiyah party, a traditional Egyptian-themed event. Attendees are encouraged to wear a kaftan or traditional Arabic robe while enjoying local music, dance, and song
Today we arrive at Aswan, Egypt's most southerly city, traditionally regarded as the frontier post of Upper Egypt. Sited on the east bank, it stands just below the First Cataract and is the meeting point of Arab culture with Nubia and black Africa.
We won't disembark for another day but we will spend time exploring Aswan and the surrounding area.
Our early arrival gives us time to take an excursion to the Philae Temple, marooned on a picturesque island - having been relocated when the original site was flooded following the completion of the Aswan dam. The temple is adorned with beautifully carved pylons containing some of Egypt's finest carvings. We'll travel to the island and back on a small motorboat.
Returning to our boat around lunchtime, the afternoon is free to relax, make use of the facilities on board before dinner in the restaurant.
This morning, we'll disembark very early for our visit to Abu Simbel. We'll board our private bus for the journey to the fabulous rock-hewn temple of Abu Simbel. Cut into the rock face, this enormous structure was raised 61 metres to save it from floods created by the Aswan High Dam. The 20-metre high statues represent Ramses II, known as the great builder. We'll have a few hours to explore the famous site before returning to Aswan where we'll check into our hotel.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to head out sightseeing by yourself, or to simply relax at the hotel. This evening there will be the opportunity to take a motorboat journey to a traditional Nubian village for a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Obelisk Nile Hotel Aswan (or similar)
We'll start our morning with a visit to the local Aswan Market, a short walk from our hotel. It hosts many unusual stalls, including perfume shops and a papyrus institute and we will have sufficient time to properly get under the skin of this fascinating bazaar.
After lunch, we board our traditional feluccas and glide quietly along the Nile, exploring Nubian villages and small riverside beaches as we drift past palm-lined islands, taking in the river at its most peaceful.
We'll return to Aswan after few hours, and will head towards the airport for our evening flight back to Cairo.
Upon arrival in Cairo, we'll be transferred to our hotel where we'll hopefully get a good night's sleep before our final full day exploring Cairo tomorrow.
Aracan Eatabe Luxor Hotel (or similar)
After a lazy morning, we'll travel to the outskirts of Cairo for our visit to two of the more unknown, but very significant archaeological sites in Egypt; Sakkara and Memphis.
Once the capital of ancient Egypt, Memphis today is a quiet open-air museum scattered with reminders of its former power. The colossal statue of Ramses II is the clear highlight, its immense scale giving a real sense of the authority these pharaohs commanded. Nearby, fragments of temples and statues lie peacefully among palm trees and fields, making it easy to imagine the city as it stood more than 4,000 years ago.
A short drive away, Saqqara feels even more atmospheric. This vast necropolis was used for thousands of years, and its centrepiece, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, is a true milestone in human history. As the world's oldest large scale stone structure, it marks the moment Egyptian architecture moved from simple mastaba tombs to the pyramids that would follow. Walking through the surrounding complex, with its courtyards, reliefs and lesser known tombs, gives a strong sense of experimentation and innovation at the dawn of pyramid building.
We'll return to Cairo for our farewell dinner, a home-cooked local meal to properly celebrate and say our goodbyes.
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Cairo.
There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Cairo at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Cairo International Airport (CAI); it's around a 30 to 45-minute drive from the hotel.
Egypt's climate is hot and dry, typical of a desert environment. In summer it can be very hot and remains hot overnight whereas winter days are milder by comparison and temperatures can drop considerably at night. The mildest area is along the Mediterranean coast with temperatures ranging from 23-31°C in summer and 10-17°C in winter. In the desert region temperatures fluctuate in summer dropping as low as 7°C at night and up to 40°C during the day and in winter it can vary from 0°C at night to 18°C in the day. Aswan is one of the hottest cities with Cairo and Alexandria generally slightly cooler. Egypt receives very little rainfall annually and rainfall in summer is very rare.
+2
2 Pin Round
Islamic, Christian
Arabic
A selection of optional activities are listed below to help you budget for your Egyptian adventure. Whilst the basic tour price you pay before you travel includes a great selection of highlights, we have also built in free time to allow you the flexibility to choose from a carefully selected range of additional excursions and activities or take time to relax, the choice is yours. At certain destinations along the way there may be several options to choose from and it may not be possible to fit all the activities in; your Explore Leader will be able to give advice on this. All prices are based on a minimum of 4 participants, except for museum entrance tickets and the sound and light show. Cairo: Saqqara and Unas Pyramids $30 USD per person including transportation Half day Islamic Cairo $40 USD per person including transportation Aswan Aswan High Dam and unfinished obelisk including a guided tour, transportation and boat transfers $ 25 USD per person Felucca cruise $10 USD per person (includes a stop to botanical gardens) Luxor: Entry to Tutankhamun's Tomb in the Valley of the Kings 700LE per person (entrance ticket only) Entry to Tomb of Seti I (KV17) in the Valley of the Kings 2000LE per person (entrance ticket only) Karnak Sound and Light Show $20 USD per person (entrance ticket only, transport not included) Luxor Museum 475LE per person Luxor Mummification Museum 220LE per person Hot Air Balloon $ 120.00 USD per person (all year long). Cameras are prohibited in the basket but phones are allowed. Activity is subject to weather conditions. Payment by card is possible and will attract a 3% bank service fee. Please refer to your trip notes to check which days you will be waking up in Luxor and therefore able to do this excursion. This balloon excursion does not form part of your included Explore holiday package. We recommend you ask your tour leader to request a representative of the company come to the boat so you can book and pay directly with them. Please note that all optionals prices are in either US Dollars or in a small number of cases, LE Egyptian
20Kg
One main piece of baggage and daypack. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
Bring a water bottle, insect repellent, sunglasses and a small torch for evenings. You may want to bring wet-wipes and water-free hand sanitiser will be an invaluable addition to your daypack.
Bus, Boat, Train
Throughout our eclipse tour of Egypt, we stay in comfortable-grade hotels with a number of nights onboard a comfortable river boat. Comfortable-grade accommodation is usually three-star with good amenities such as air-conditioning, WiFi and en-suite rooms. Occasionally hotels will have extra facilities such as a swimming pool or restaurant.
Can you drink the water? The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip.
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page. If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page. The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
Egypt: An entry visa is required by all nationalities. UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at the airport for the current cost of 25USD. Please note, you must purchase a visa stamp at one of the nearby banks before proceeding to the immigration desk. Alternatively an online e-visa can be obtained at https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/Home IMPORTANT INFORMATION: We have had reports of zoom cameras, camera lenses over 50mm and binoculars being confiscated by the immigration officials in Taba and Cairo and Luxor. Drones are also prohibited. Please make sure you are fully aware of what equipment is permissible to be brought into Egypt. Please also ensure you read the FCO advice if you are travelling with prescribed medication.
If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom. Read more information about what travel insurance is required.
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
Nothing compulsory but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. Though malaria does exist in Egypt it is not normally found in the areas in which we travel. Please note that all travellers aged over 9 months old will be required to supply a yellow fever certificate if you have travelled from or have transited via a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.