4-Day Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise, Solar Eclipse 2027

The short answer

This four-day Nile cruise, organised through Discovery Tours Egypt, journeys from Aswan to Luxor via Philae, Kom Ombo and Edfu for the 2027 solar eclipse.

• Cultural
• Luxury
• Photography
• Archaeology & history

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

A 4-day, 3-night trip

Travel style

Nile cruise with a private guide

Accommodation

5-star Nile river cruiser

Operated by

Organised by Discovery Tours Egypt

Destinations

Aswan · Philae Temple · Aswan High Dam · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Esna · Luxor · Karnak Temple

Includes

Three nights on board a five-star Nile cruise boat · Full-board onboard meals, including eclipse-day lunch · Solar viewing glasses meeting ISO 12312-2 · Briefings with an astronomy escort · A private Egyptologist on visits to sites · Aswan pick-up and Luxor airport transfer · Entrance fees for the sites listed · Felucca trip and horse-drawn carriage in Edfu

Best for

Solar eclipse travellers · Nile cruise travellers · History enthusiasts · Travel with a private guide · Astronomy enthusiasts

Guide languages

Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01Watch the eclipse aboard from the sun deck – 6m 23s of totality at 12:43
• 02Remain onboard after the 09:00 checkout – your bags are stored, and the sun deck and lounges are yours to use
• 03ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses + briefing from an astronomy escort
• 04A three-night voyage from Aswan to Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna and Luxor
• 05Philae Temple, High Dam, Kom Ombo and Edfu (horse carriage); Karnak optional
• 06Transfer to Luxor airport after fourth contact

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most Nile cruise itineraries centre on standard sightseeing; this one schedules astronomy briefings and sun-deck viewing around the 2 August 2027 eclipse. Many cruise packages end with disembarkation; this itinerary allows continued access to onboard lounges and the sun deck after the stated 09:00 checkout.

Bundled in

• 🍽Full board
• ◈Private Egyptologist
• 🛎Hotel pickup
• 🚖Airport transfer
• 🎟All entry tickets
• ⛵Felucca ride

Not bundled in

• ✈Domestic flights

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   At Philae, sit on the right side of the boat for clearer first views as you approach the island.

2. 02

   Confirm the horse-drawn carriage meeting point at Edfu before leaving the vessel, especially during the heat of the day.

3. 03

   At Karnak, ask your Egyptologist to explain the alignment between the temple’s central axis and the Nile.

4. 04

   Bring a hat, water and closed shoes for exposed paths and uneven temple paving.

Tailor it

Make it yours

A Cairo to Aswan domestic flight can be arranged on request, and the optional Karnak Temple sunset visit can be added. You can also request extra nights in Aswan before the cruise or in Luxor afterwards, subject to availability and the vessel schedule.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This cruise and the associated site visits require a moderate level of mobility. Boat decks and sun decks have short flights of steps, low railings, and uneven surfaces; the sun deck is open to direct sun and can be windy. Temple entrances at Philae, Kom Ombo and Edfu involve stone steps and uneven ancient paving; Edfu includes a horse-carriage transfer that requires stepping up and down. Shore transfers use private cars with three steps to enter in some vehicles. Wheelchair users should know that full independent access at river temples is limited, and ramps are not available at all sites. We can arrange assistance for embarkation and disembarkation and recommend a travelling companion for guests with limited mobility. Please tell us about mobility needs at booking so we can plan suitable vehicles and assistance. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we coordinate local helpers, but we cannot guarantee elevator access at historic sites.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

On the ground

Your route

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Philae Temple12 km
• The High Dam at Aswan17 km
• Explore the Unfinished Obelisk2 km
• Kom Ombo Temple47 km
• Edfu Temple105 km
• Karnak Temple230 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Eclipse viewing arranged to coincide with the scheduled totality

2. 02

   A private Egyptologist accompanying every listed site visit

3. 03

   Journey from Aswan to Luxor, including carriage and felucca rides

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

We use air-conditioned minibuses and private cars for transfers between airport, quayside and sites, and the cruise relies on the local crew who run the vessel; fuel is standard diesel for these classes of river boat. We work with local suppliers in Aswan and Luxor, including Egyptologists, carriage drivers and felucca crews who are paid directly by us for each service, keeping revenue in the local economy. ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses are single-use for safety; we provide them to avoid unsafe viewing. Where possible we schedule daytime activities to reduce late-night transfers and we encourage guests to leave tips directly with guides and crew, which supports household incomes. We do not claim carbon neutrality; if you wish, we can recommend verified UK-based carbon-offsetting options at booking.

• Licensed Egyptologist guides

  State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years

• Fair wages on the ground

  Drivers + guides paid above market

• Site preservation

  We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs

• Local teams, real help

  Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh

·In summary

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long is the Aswan → Luxor Eclipse Cruise?

   The cruise lasts four days and three nights, Aswan to Luxor. Board in Aswan on Friday 30 July 2027; the ship sails Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna before docking at Luxor on the morning of 2 August. You remain onboard through the eclipse at 12:43 (6 minutes 23 seconds totality) before transfer to Luxor airport.
2. 02What time do we check out and how does eclipse-on-disembarkation work?

   You check out at 09:00 but remain onboard for the eclipse. At 09:00 bags go into secure onboard storage; the sun deck, lounges and dining room remain available. We choose the Aswan→Luxor direction so the ship is already moored at Luxor during totality and does not sail during the partial phases. ISO 12312-2 glasses and an astronomy escort briefing are provided; transfer to Luxor airport follows fourth contact.
3. 03What is included and what is excluded on this cruise?

   The cruise includes three nights on a 5★ cruiser, Full Board and all listed temple entrances. Included highlights: ISO 12312-2 viewing glasses; astronomy escort briefings; our Egyptologists at every site; Aswan airport (or hotel) meet-and-assist; Luxor airport transfer; felucca at Aswan; Edfu horse-carriage; chef-plated eclipse lunch; all Egyptian taxes and VAT. Excluded: international flights, Cairo→Aswan domestic flight (we can book), drinks during meals/bar tabs, visa fee, gratuities, personal expenses and optional Karnak-at-sunset add-on.
4. 04How do I get to Aswan to embark – domestic flights and transfers?

   We provide Aswan airport or hotel meet-and-assist for embarkation; Cairo→Aswan domestic flights are not included. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can book the domestic flight on request; we recommend arriving in Aswan at least the day before embarkation to avoid same-day connection risk. If you need a pre-embarkation hotel we can arrange it.
5. 05Are children allowed on the cruise and is it family-friendly?

   Children are welcome aboard; parents are responsible for supervision during excursions and the eclipse. ISO 12312-2 glasses are provided for every guest, but supervising eye safety during partial phases is essential. Many shore sites have uneven stone, steps and standing; tell us children’s ages when you book so we can advise cabin bedding and excursion suitability.
6. 06What should I bring and wear for eclipse day and temple visits?

   Bring strong sun protection and modest clothing for temple visits. Pack a wide-brim hat, SPF50 sunscreen, lightweight long sleeves, closed shoes for temples, a refillable water bottle, prescription medication and a small daypack. We supply one pair of ISO 12312-2 viewing glasses per guest; bring a spare pair if you rely on them and carry cash for gratuities and personal purchases.
7. 07How accessible is the ship and the shore excursions for limited mobility?

   Mobility needs vary: the ship has accessible public areas but many shore sites present steps and uneven stone. Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Kom Ombo involve stairs, low passages and uneven surfaces; felucca and horse-carriage boarding require stepping. Wheelchair access ashore is limited. Please tell us mobility requirements before booking so we can assess gangway details and arrange extra assistance where possible.
8. 08Can I take photographs during totality and are special glasses provided?

   You may photograph the eclipse; do not view the Sun through an optical viewfinder while wearing eclipse glasses. ISO 12312-2 glasses are for naked-eye viewing only and should not be used on camera viewfinders. Our astronomy escort will advise camera filters and exposure settings; mobile phones on a small tripod or a camera with a solar filter work best for partial phases, while totality is safe to photograph without solar filters.
9. 09Which temples and sites will we visit on the Aswan → Luxor route?

   Visits include Philae Temple, the High Dam, Kom Ombo, Edfu (horse-carriage) and optional Karnak. Our Egyptologists lead private visits and all standard temple entrances listed are included; Karnak-at-sunset is an optional add-on. The itinerary gives proper time at Kom Ombo and Edfu rather than the rushed calls typical of many cruise shuttle schedules; felucca at Aswan is included on embarkation day.
10. 10How hot will it be in August and how do you manage the heat during the eclipse?

    August temperatures in Upper Egypt commonly exceed 40°C in shade. Eclipse day partial phases start around 11:20 and totality is at 12:43, so much activity coincides with peak heat. We keep you on the ship through the eclipse with shaded sun-deck areas, cold drinks and air-conditioned lounges. Downsides: high heat, limited shade ashore and walking on hot stone at some sites.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms