Luxor to Aswan Solar Eclipse 2027 Nile Cruise

The short answer

This is an 8-day, deluxe Nile cruise package from Luxor to Aswan with reserved 2027 total solar eclipse viewing, arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt through a third-party vessel operator.

• ◌Small group

• Luxury
• Budget
• Cultural
• Adventure
• Archaeology & history
• Photography

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

7 nights / 8 days

Travel style

Guided Nile Cruise Package with Solar Eclipse Viewing

Accommodation

Deluxe Nile cruise cabin; Standard, Deluxe and Suite categories subject to availability

Operated by

Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt; the Nile vessel is operated by a third-party cruise supplier.

Destinations

Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut Temple · Colossi of Memnon · Karnak Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple · Aswan High Dam · Aswan Bazaar

Includes

Seven nights in a Nile cruise cabin allocated to you · Full-board dining, from lunch on embarkation day through to breakfast on disembarkation day · Included shore excursions led by an Egyptologist · Transport for shore excursions included in the package · Reserved sun deck viewing of the 2027 total solar eclipse in Luxor · Help with boarding in Luxor · Assistance when leaving the vessel, plus a transfer to Aswan Airport

Best for

Solar eclipse travellers · Ancient history enthusiasts · First-time Egypt visitors · Couples and families comfortable with walking · Travellers seeking a Luxor-to-Aswan cruise

Guide languages

Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01Sun deck viewing for the 2027 solar eclipse on Day 3, moored in Luxor after a morning at Karnak Temple
• 02Egyptologist-guided visits to the West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon), Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
• 03Optional add-on excursions to Dendera and Abu Simbel
• 04Full board dining throughout the 7-night sailing aboard Nefertiti Cruise

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a standard Luxor-to-Aswan cruise, this itinerary remains moored in Luxor for reserved viewing of the 2027 total solar eclipse on Day 3. It combines scheduled Egyptologist-guided sightseeing with leisure time on board and optional land excursions to Dendera and Abu Simbel at additional cost.

Bundled in

• 🍽Full board
• ◈Group Egyptologist

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   Use eclipse glasses meeting the relevant safety standard; never look directly at the Sun without proper protection, except during confirmed totality.

2. 02

   Take a light layer for time on the open deck, where wind can make evenings feel cooler than on shore.

3. 03

   Carry small Egyptian-pound notes for market purchases and restroom charges, and agree prices before buying.

4. 04

   Pack shoes with a firm grip for uneven stone surfaces at archaeological sites.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The package can be arranged with Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabin categories, subject to availability, with selected cabins offering panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies. Optional paid excursions include Dendera by bus and Abu Simbel by road, while private arrangements, additional hotel nights and tailored transfers may be requested.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This Nile cruise and its shore programme require regular walking over uneven ancient paving, sand, stone surfaces and sloped gangways. The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Philae include steps, ramps or uneven ground, with limited shade at some sites. Boarding usually involves a gangway, and some vessel decks may only be reached by stairs. Wheelchair access can be restricted on the vessel, at archaeological sites and in excursion vehicles. Please contact us before booking so we can check the assigned vessel, cabin position, vehicle access and possible sightseeing adjustments.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where

Luxor International Airport, ArrivalsMap

On the ground

Your route

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Karnak Temple3 km
• Luxor Temple1 km
• The Kings’ Valley6 km
• Hatshepsut Temple8 km
• Memnon’s Colossi4 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Reserved sun deck access during the Luxor eclipse

2. 02

   Shore visits guided by an Egyptologist

3. 03

   Choose from three cabin categories, subject to availability

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

We arrange transport with local Egyptian drivers and excursion vehicles for the included visits between Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. The cruise vessel, navigation, meals and onboard services are supplied by a local Egyptian partner. Our Egyptologists, drivers, boat staff and site-service providers are based in Egypt, so trip spending supports businesses along the Nile. Bring a refillable water bottle where practical and take all rubbish away from archaeological sites. We do not describe this journey as carbon neutral because no verified emissions calculation or offset programme has been supplied.

• 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 Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise with solar eclipse viewing?

   The itinerary lasts eight days, with seven nights in a cruise cabin between Luxor and Aswan. The programme begins in Luxor and ends in Aswan after breakfast on Day 8. Sailing between shore visits gives the trip a slower pace than a road-based itinerary, though some site visits involve early starts and substantial walking.
2. 02Where does the cruise start, and how do airport transfers work?

   The trip starts in Luxor, with an arrival transfer from Luxor Airport arranged for you. At the end, a transfer to Aswan International Airport is included after disembarkation. The exact collection time depends on your flight schedule, so share your arrival and departure details when confirming the arrangements.
3. 03What is included in the cruise and shore programme?

   The package includes full-board meals from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day, an Egyptologist for the listed shore visits and transport for those excursions. It also includes reserved sun deck access for the eclipse and use of the vessel’s shared areas. The named cruise vessel is assigned at booking.
4. 04Are temple entrance fees, drinks and gratuities included?

   No, monument entrance and sightseeing fees, drinks outside meals, alcoholic beverages and crew gratuities are excluded. The stated minimum crew gratuity is €18 per person per day. International flights, visas, travel insurance, personal expenses and VAT are also not included. Optional Dendera and Abu Simbel trips carry separate charges.
5. 05Is this Nile cruise suitable for travellers with limited mobility?

   The cruise’s shore visits require walking on uneven ancient stone and sandy paths, and some monuments have steps. Access conditions differ between sites, including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple and Philae Temple. Tell us about any mobility needs before booking so we can discuss the specific route and what may not be manageable.
6. 06Can children join the solar eclipse cruise?

   Children can travel on the cruise, but no age limit or child-specific facilities are stated for this package. The itinerary includes long visits at archaeological sites and a scheduled eclipse observation. For the viewing, children must follow the Egyptologist’s safety guidance and use certified eclipse glasses; never look directly at the Sun.
7. 07What should I wear and bring for the temple visits and eclipse?

   Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sun protection, water and a hat for exposed archaeological sites in Upper Egypt. Choose modest clothing covering shoulders and knees when visiting temples. Certified eclipse glasses are required for solar viewing; follow the safety instructions given by your guide and do not look directly at the Sun.
8. 08Can I take photographs during the cruise and at the temples?

   Photography rules vary by site, and the information supplied for this itinerary does not confirm which monuments allow cameras or charge a photography fee. Ask your Egyptologist before taking photographs, especially inside tombs such as those in the Valley of the Kings. Follow any signs and staff instructions at each site.
9. 09When is the best time to take this cruise?

   This departure is tied to the scheduled total solar eclipse in Luxor on Day 3, so its timing is fixed rather than seasonal. Luxor and Aswan can be very hot, particularly around midday, and several visits take place outdoors. Follow your guide’s advice on sun protection and bring certified eclipse glasses for the observation.
10. 10What can I see at Abu Simbel or Dendera during the cruise?

    Abu Simbel and Dendera are optional excursions, not part of the included shore programme. The Abu Simbel road journey takes about three to four hours each way from Aswan and includes the temples commissioned by Ramesses II and the temple of Queen Nefertari. Dendera is about 60 kilometres north of Luxor; both trips have separate charges.

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