Nile Cruise Package · Aswan → Luxor · 4 days · 3 nights
4-Day Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise, Solar Eclipse 2027
Watch 6 minutes 23 seconds of totality at 12:43 with ISO 12312-2 glasses and astronomy briefings onboard
The short answer
2027 Solar Eclipse Nile Cruise is a 4-day, 3-night trip to Luxor and Aswan: 3 nights on a Nile cruise. It includes an Egyptologist guide and transfers. Prices start at $2,591 per person, two sharing (Classic).
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation.
| Comfort level | Per person | Choose |
|---|---|---|
| Classicfrom $2,5915★ hotels | $2,591 |
Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan · Philae Temple · Aswan High Dam · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Esna
- 1
On arrival at Aswan Airport, our driver takes you to your Aswan departure point for the Nile cruise. Your guide then introduces the city’s southern landmarks during an afternoon visit to the High Dam, completed in 1970, and the Unfinished Obelisk, which remains attached to its granite bedrock.
A boat carries you to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, where your Egyptologist explains the sanctuary’s dedication to Isis and its relocation during the construction of the High Dam. The sightseeing schedule may vary with your arrival time.
- 2
Your Egyptologist guides today’s Nile cruise sightseeing between two Ptolemaic-era temples. At Kom Ombo, explore the unusual temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, with views over the riverbank. Continue toward Edfu, where the Temple of Horus preserves one of Egypt’s best-complete monumental gateways and carved reliefs.
Your guide explains the temple’s religious symbolism, construction, and later use as you walk across the ancient stone courtyards.
- 3
Your guide leads a morning visit to Luxor Temple on Luxor’s east bank, where the Avenue of Sphinxes once connected the temple with Karnak. Continue to Karnak Temples, Egypt’s largest ancient religious complex, and see the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 columns. The visit includes the Sacred Lake, which supplied water for temple rituals.
In the afternoon, return to the Nile cruise schedule and enjoy time on board as the vessel continues its planned journey.
- 4
Begin with a morning visit to the Valley of the Kings, where your guide explains the royal tombs cut into Luxor’s Theban hills. The visit includes three tombs. Continue to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, known for its three broad terraces beneath the cliffs. At the Colossi of Memnon, see the two quartzite statues that once guarded Amenhotep III’s memorial temple.
Later, our driver provides your departure transfer from downtown Luxor to Luxor Airport.
02Overview
A first look
By late morning on August 2, 2027, the Nile will be bright beyond the sun deck, then the light will change as totality begins at 12:43. From the river, you can watch the landscape darken, hear the deck fall quiet, and share the 6 minutes 23 seconds of scheduled totality with an astronomy escort nearby.
Between eclipse viewing, our Egyptologists lead you through Philae Temple, Kom Ombo and Edfu, while sailing brings changing views of the riverbank and villages. We arrange the viewing glasses, site visits, transfers, and post-checkout lounge access, so your attention stays on the sky and the river.
What lingers
- 01Eclipse onboard from the sun deck – 6m 23s totality at 12:43
- 02Stay onboard after 09:00 checkout – bags stored, sun deck and lounges yours
- 03ISO 12312-2 viewing glasses + astronomy escort briefing
- 04Three nights sailing Aswan → Kom Ombo → Edfu → Esna → Luxor
- 05Philae Temple, High Dam, Kom Ombo, Edfu (horse-carriage), Karnak optional
- 06Luxor airport transfer after fourth contact
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 isn't
Included
- 3 nights onboard a 5★ Nile cruiser, Full Board basis
- Eclipse onboard from sun deck · ISO 12312-2 viewing glasses included
- Astronomy escort briefing on Day 3 + Day 4 morning
- Private Egyptologist guide at every site visit
- Aswan airport (or hotel) pick-up + Luxor airport transfer
- All temple entrances (Philae, High Dam, Kom Ombo, Edfu, optional Karnak)
- Horse-drawn carriage at Edfu, felucca at Aswan
- Full Board onboard meals + chef-plated eclipse-day lunch
- All Egyptian government taxes and VAT
Not included
- International flights to/from Egypt
- Domestic flight Cairo→Aswan (we can book on request)
- Drinks during meals + soft/alcoholic bar tabs
- Egypt visa (US$30 e-Visa online, or US$36 on arrival)
- Gratuities for ship crew, guide, drivers
- Personal expenses, optional Karnak-at-sunset add-on
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Philae, sit on the right side of the boat for clearer first views of the island approach.
- 02
At Edfu, confirm the carriage meeting point before leaving the vessel to avoid walking in midday heat.
- 03
For Karnak, ask your Egyptologist to point out the alignment between the central axis and the Nile.
- 04
Bring a refillable water bottle, hat, 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. Travelers can also request pre-cruise Aswan nights, post-cruise Luxor nights, or additional sightseeing, subject to availability and the vessel schedule.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This suits couples, solo travelers, and families with older children who want the August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse combined with Egypt’s classic Aswan to Luxor route. It fits travelers who value organized sightseeing, full-board cruising, and a private Egyptologist rather than planning each visit independently.
Maybe not, if
- It is not suited to travelers who need step-free access, quiet sightseeing away from crowds, or cooler weather, because ancient sites involve uneven surfaces and August is very hot. Travelers seeking a flexible schedule should choose a land-based private tour instead.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Eclipse viewing is planned around 6 minutes 23 seconds of totality
- Private Egyptologist accompanies visits to major ancient sites
- Classic route includes Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor
- Full-board dining reduces meal planning during the cruise
- Edfu carriage ride and Aswan felucca add varied transport experiences
Things to Consider
- August heat can exceed 40°C around Luxor and Aswan
- Early site visits and fixed sailing schedules limit flexibility
- Ancient stone, sand and temple steps require steady walking
- Drinks, gratuities and Egypt visa costs are extra
Where it fits
Best placed after a Cairo visit and before additional Luxor sightseeing, using the cruise to connect Upper Egypt’s major temples in one south-to-north route. Add Abu Simbel from Aswan if your schedule allows an extra day.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most operators do standard sightseeing during a Nile cruise. We structure this sailing around the August 2, 2027 eclipse, with scheduled astronomy briefings and viewing from the sun deck. Most cruise packages treat the final morning as a simple disembarkation. We include continued access to onboard lounges and the sun deck after the stated 09:00 checkout.
Compare
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On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Private Guided Nile Cruise
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Nile Cruiser
- Destinations
- Aswan · Philae Temple · Aswan High Dam · Kom Ombo · Edfu · Esna · Luxor · Karnak Temple
- Includes
- 3 nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruiser · Full-board onboard meals · Solar eclipse viewing glasses · Astronomy escort briefings · Private Egyptologist at site visits · Aswan pickup and Luxor airport transfer · Listed site entrance fees · Felucca ride and Edfu carriage
- Best for
- Solar eclipse travelers · Nile cruise travelers · History enthusiasts · Private guided travel · Astronomy enthusiasts
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Aswan International Airport — ArrivalsMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and required travel documents
- Solar eclipse viewing glasses supplied for the tour
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen SPF50+, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat
- Refillable water bottle
- Insect repellent for evening deck time
- Small day bag for site visits
- Any required prescription medicines
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Comfortable walking shoes with secure straps
- A light layer for early mornings and the evening deck
- Covered shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- Swimwear with a cover-up for onboard areas
- Hat and sunglasses for sun exposure
Children & families
Children may join, but the minimum age and child fare depend on the cruise provider and the child’s age at travel. Please request the applicable rate before booking, as infant and child pricing is not automatically the same as adult pricing. Strollers are generally impractical at Philae Temple, Kom Ombo and Edfu because of boat access, steps, uneven surfaces, and carriage boarding. High-chair availability should be requested in advance and is subject to confirmation onboard.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This tour involves boarding and leaving a Nile cruiser, walking on uneven surfaces, steps, and transfers between the vessel and archaeological sites. Philae Temple requires a boat transfer, and the High Dam, Kom Ombo and Edfu visits include outdoor walking over hard or uneven ground. Edfu includes a horse-drawn carriage, but boarding and disembarking require assistance. A wheelchair may be usable onboard only if the assigned cruiser has suitable access, which must be confirmed before booking. Please tell us about mobility, balance, or stair requirements so our licensed Egyptian tour operator can assess the arrangements.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The itinerary uses road transfers arranged with local Egyptian transport providers, a Nile cruiser, a traditional felucca at Aswan, and a horse-drawn carriage at Edfu. These local services keep spending with Egyptian boat crews, drivers, carriage owners, guides, and site staff. We arrange sightseeing with a private Egyptologist rather than combining guests into a large group, which can reduce unnecessary vehicle movements at the sites. Felucca and carriage operations depend on local conditions and animal welfare standards. We do not claim that the cruise or vehicles are carbon-neutral. Guests should follow onboard water and energy guidance and avoid leaving waste at archaeological sites.
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
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Last updated Product ID: TOU-LUX-331180