2 August 2027
By rail to totality
30 July - 11 August 2027. Come for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2 August 2027; stay for an Egypt most travellers never discover.
This is our Signature Journey - a one-of-a-kind itinerary created for travellers looking beyond the classic Cairo-Luxor-Aswan route. Travel by rail into the rarely explored heart of Middle Egypt, discovering Sohag, Abydos, Dendera, Tell el-Amarna and Jabal al-Tayr before continuing south to Aswan.
Then slow the pace and journey back along the Nile aboard Q Nile Cruise, visiting Edfu and Esna before arriving in Luxor. It is an unusual combination of rail adventure, hidden archaeology, Nile landscapes and totality - brought together in a route you are unlikely to find in a conventional tour operator's brochure or guidebook.
The eclipse is once in a lifetime. We believe the journey should be too.
Day by day
Itinerary
Day 1 · July 30, 2027 (Day 1)
—
Welcome to Cairo
Arrival at Cairo International Airport, meet & assist on arrival, followed by a private transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight: Cairo 4★ Hotel (Novotel or similar).
Day 2 · July 31 (Day 2)
B
Giza Pyramids • Sphinx • Grand Egyptian Museum • Khan El Khalili
Full-day tour with an expert Egyptologist: the Giza Plateau including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the panoramic viewpoint and the Great Sphinx. Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, then to Khan El Khalili Bazaar in historic Cairo. Overnight: Cairo.
Day 3 · August 1 (Day 3)
B
Grand Egyptian Museum • Sleeper Train to Sohag
A dedicated day at the Grand Egyptian Museum before travelling into Upper Egypt. Later, transfer to the railway station and board the overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Sohag, arriving around 2:00 AM with check-in at the floating hotel expected around 3:00 AM. Overnight: Sleeper Train / Floating Hotel in Sohag.
Day 4 · August 2 (Day 4)
B
Total Solar Eclipse Day • Sohag
After the late-night arrival the morning is deliberately free for rest. Later, transfer to our specially arranged viewing location for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2 August 2027. Sohag is expected to receive far fewer international eclipse travellers than Luxor, allowing a more exclusive experience. An optional premium eclipse experience at the Temple of Khnum site is being explored, subject to special permissions and additional cost. Overnight: Floating Hotel, Sohag.
Day 5 · August 3 (Day 5)
B
Abydos & Dendera • Hidden Temples of Upper Egypt
Full-day exploration from Sohag: Abydos, one of the most sacred cities of Ancient Egypt, with the magnificent Temple of Seti I and the famous Abydos King List; then Dendera and the spectacular Temple of Hathor with its astronomical ceiling. Return to the floating hotel in Sohag.
Day 6 · August 4 (Day 6)
B
Tell el-Amarna • Jabal al-Tayr Monastery
Travel north to Tell el-Amarna, the royal capital established by Pharaoh Akhenaten, and explore remains of the Amarna Period. Continue to Jabal al-Tayr Monastery, an important Christian heritage site of Middle Egypt, before returning to Sohag. Overnight: Floating Hotel, Sohag.
Day 7 · August 5 (Day 7)
B
Red & White Monasteries • Train to Aswan
Visit the historic White Monastery and Red Monastery, outstanding monuments of Egypt's early Christian and Coptic heritage. Free time at the floating hotel, then transfer to Sohag Railway Station for the journey south to Aswan. Overnight: Train / Aswan according to final train schedule.
Day 8 · August 6 (Day 8)
B • L • D
Aswan • Embark Q Nile Cruise
Arrive in Aswan and transfer to Q Nile Cruise. Embark, settle into your cabin and begin a relaxing journey north along the Nile towards Luxor, with lunch on board as we sail towards Kom Ombo. Overnight: Q Nile Cruise.
Day 9 · August 7 (Day 9)
B • L • D
Edfu & Esna
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, enjoy Nile sailing, and continue to the Temple of Khnum at Esna. Overnight: Q Nile Cruise.
Day 10 · August 8 (Day 10)
B • L • D
Sail into Luxor
Nile sailing into Luxor, then visits to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Overnight: Q Nile Cruise, Luxor.
Day 11 · August 9 (Day 11)
B • L • D
Luxor's West Bank
Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Overnight: Luxor.
Day 12 · August 10 (Day 12)
B
Luxor • Fly to Cairo
Morning at leisure, then a domestic flight to Cairo for the final evening. Overnight: Cairo.
Day 13 · August 11 (Day 13)
B
Farewell Egypt
Breakfast, private airport transfer and international departure.
Where you stay
Accommodation
- Cairo 4★ Hotel (Novotel or similar), bed & breakfast
- Floating Hotel in Sohag, bed & breakfast
- Elite Sleeper Train cabins (Cairo - Sohag and Sohag - Aswan)
- 3 nights aboard Q Nile Cruise, Aswan to Luxor (full board)
What's inside
Inclusions
What's Included
- Meet & assist on arrival and departure, with private transfers throughout
- Accommodation in 4★ hotels (Cairo & Luxor) and the floating hotel in Sohag, as specified
- Elite sleeper train journeys: Cairo to Sohag and Sohag to Aswan
- 3-night Q Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor, full board
- Domestic flight Luxor to Cairo
- Qualified English-speaking Egyptologist/guide during included sightseeing
- Entrance fees to all listed sites, including Giza, GEM, Abydos, Dendera, Tell el-Amarna, Jabal al-Tayr, Red & White Monasteries, Edfu, Esna, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon
- Admission to the standard organised Total Solar Eclipse viewing experience in Sohag with transfers and local assistance
- Daily breakfast at hotels; full board aboard Q Nile Cruise
Not Included
- International flights to/from Egypt
- Egyptian entry visa and visa-related charges
- Optional premium eclipse experience at the Temple of Khnum site (subject to permissions and additional cost)
- Optional excursions and activities not listed as included
- Entrance inside the Great Pyramid or other pyramid interiors
- Special-entry tombs in the Valley of the Kings requiring separate tickets
- Meals and beverages not specifically mentioned; alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses, travel & medical insurance
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, cruise crew and service staff
- Early check-in / late check-out unless confirmed
Rates per person
Prices & payment schedule
| Category | Double | Single |
|---|---|---|
| Per person in a double room/cabin | USD 6,990 | - |
| Per person in a single room/cabin | - | USD 9,990 |
Payment schedule: 30% of the total package price due on confirmation, 30% due by 5 February 2027 and the remaining 40% due by 5 March 2027. All payments are non-refundable once made, in accordance with the 2027 Eclipse Programme terms.