Best of the Nile: Total Solar Eclipse

Upon arrival in Cairo you will be transferred to your hotel for a comfortable overnight stay, preparing for the adventure ahead.

ACCOMMODATION: 4* Novotel Cairo or similar

Today, after breakfast, you will begin your adventure with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum – a landmark project that took Egypt over ten years to complete. It houses the largest collection of Pharaonic treasures in the world, including the magnificent artefacts of Tutankhamun.

Later, you will head to the Giza Plateau to enjoy lunch with spectacular views of the iconic Pyramids. Afterwards, explore the Pyramids themselves and admire the enigmatic Sphinx.

In the evening, you will transfer to the railway station to board the overnight Egyptian sleeper train to Aswan. Dinner will be served in your cabin, airline-style, as you travel south along the Nile Valley.

ACCOMMODATION: Overnight train from Cairo to Sohag
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Your journey begins as you arrive at Sohag Railway Station and transfer directly to your floating hotel on the Nile. After enjoying breakfast onboard, set out on a full day excursion into the heart of Upper Egypt’s spiritual heritage.

Visit the atmospheric Red Monastery, with its vivid frescoes that still glow with colour after more than a thousand years. Continue onwards to the sacred Temple of Abydos, built by Seti I and revered as the holy centre of Osiris worship.

After a day steeped in legend and history, return to your hotel for lunch and dinner, spending the night moored in Sohag.

ACCOMMODATION: MS Coral I or similar
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, travel by private bus to Luxor, the city of pharaohs and legends. Here, a once in a lifetime moment awaits as you witness the Total Solar Eclipse from the deck of your Nile Cruise.

Alternatively, you may choose to join an optional open-air BBQ experience (at an additional cost), set in a stunning green field location. Shuttle transfers are included, and the site offers comfortable seating with umbrellas, refreshments, and a unique viewing setup for this extraordinary event.

In the evening, settle into your cruise and step ashore to explore the illuminated Luxor Temple, glowing with history under the night sky. Return onboard for dinner and spend the night moored in Luxor.

ACCOMMODATION: MS Coral II or similar
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Rise early to cross the Nile to Luxor’s fabled West Bank, where the Valley of the Kings reveals the tombs of Egypt’s mighty pharaohs.

Continue to the elegant Temple of Hatshepsut, a masterpiece of terraces rising from the desert cliffs, and pause before the towering Colossi of Memnon, silent guardians of the Theban necropolis. Returning to the East Bank, explore the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex of the ancient world.

In the afternoon, your cruise sets sail southward, gliding along the timeless river towards Edfu, where you spend the night onboard.

ACCOMMODATION: MS Coral II or similar
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, step ashore in Edfu to explore the grand Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved sanctuaries in all of Egypt, where towering columns and intricate carvings still honour the falcon god.

As your ship continues its graceful journey along the Nile, you arrive at Kom Ombo, home to the remarkable twin temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the falcon god. Later, sail onwards to Aswan, where your cruise moors for the night beneath the southern skies.

ACCOMMODATION: MS Coral II or similar
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Begin the day in Aswan, where modern engineering meets ancient history.

Visit the monumental High Dam, before continuing to the vast quarries to see the Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in the rock as though its carvers had just stepped away.

Then sail to the enchanting island of Philae, where the Temple of Isis rises gracefully from the waters. In the afternoon, relax aboard a traditional felucca, under the golden Aswan sun.

ACCOMMODATION: MS Coral II or similar
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Rise before dawn for an optional but unforgettable journey to the awe-inspiring temples of Abu Simbel (at an additional cost), carved by Ramses II and guarded for eternity by colossal statues gazing over the desert. This is one of Egypt’s most magnificent monuments, and witnessing it is an experience not to be missed. In the evening, bid farewell to Aswan as you transfer to the station and board the sleeper train, settling in for an overnight journey back to Cairo.

ACCOMMODATION: Overnight train from Aswan to Cairo
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After an early breakfast, you will arrive in Cairo, where you will be met at the railway station and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Al-Muizz Street, famous for its stunning mosques and Islamic architecture. The tour will conclude with your final shopping stop at the vibrant Khan El Khalili Bazaar.

In the evening, you will have the option to enjoy an authentic dinner at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant (at an additional cost), named after the Nobel Prize-winning novelist and inspired by his famous work Zuqaq al-Midaq (Midaq Alley).

ACCOMMODATION: 4* Novotel Cairo or similar
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight back home to the UK.

As you leave Egypt behind, carry with you not just souvenirs but a lifetime of memories – from standing in awe beneath the shadow of the total solar eclipse, to wandering among temples that have stood for millennia, to sailing the timeless waters of the Nile.

MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast

Eclipse glasses are not included in your tour package. We recommend bringing your own pair of certified solar eclipse glasses to safely enjoy this rare celestial event.

Looking directly at the sun - even during a partial eclipse - can cause serious and permanent eye damage, including retinal burns. Only ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses provide the proper protection to safely view the eclipse.

To secure your place on this once-in-a-lifetime journey, the full balance is required at the time of booking.

We understand that flexibility is important when planning a special trip.

10% of the value of your holiday secures your spot and is non-refundable.

From 1st February 2026 you will receive a 75% refund if you need to cancel.

From 1st February 2027, the holiday become non-refundable, as final preparations for this exclusive experience will be underway.

We recommend securing comprehensive travel insurance to protect your investment and provide peace of mind.

The Ultimate Eclipse Experience is an optional open-air eclipse viewing barbecue. Guests will enjoy a specially arranged greenfield setting with chairs and umbrellas for comfort, along with refreshments and a barbecue lunch. This provides a relaxed and scenic way to watch the eclipse while enjoying good food and company.

For all guided excursions on this trip, the maximum group size will be 35 people to ensure a comfortable and personalized experience. Please note that while on the Nile cruise, the number of guests on board will naturally be higher, but excursions and activities off the boat will adhere to this maximum limit.

British passport holders require a visa for travel to Egypt.

You can apply online for an e-visa, which is valid for up to 3 months, or you can obtain a visa on arrival at the airport before immigration. A visa on arrival costs $25 USD and exact change is required. Alternatively, our representative can provide a full visa service and assistance for $30 USD per person (only available at Cairo International Airport). Please note that your passport should also be valid for at least 6 months from arrival into Egypt. Please check the FCDO website for more information.

Please note that there are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter Egypt. However, we recommend consulting your GP or a travel health clinic before you travel to ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date and to receive any personalised health advice.

Sources of information include: www.fco.gov.uk,www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

While tipping isn’t mandatory, it’s a thoughtful way to show appreciation, especially considering the modest wages many workers receive. A small gesture can go a long way, so setting aside a little extra for porters, guides, and drivers is always appreciated. Leaving some spare change at restaurants is also a kind way to recognise good service.

For Nile Cruises, tips are set at $5 USD per person, per day, and will be collected at check-out.

Throughout the itinerary, there will be some stops at local shops. If you’d prefer not to participate, please let your guide know. While these shops may be slightly more expensive, they offer the reassurance of guaranteed returns, even after you’ve returned home.

This tour is suitable for most people with a good level of fitness and normal mobility. It includes activities such as climbing steep stairs, walking on uneven ground during excursions, and getting on and off coaches, vehicles, and boats.

The official currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP), but USD is widely accepted. We recommend exchanging some currency before leaving the UK for convenience. However, cash machines are readily available in all major cities, allowing you to withdraw money in the local currency if needed.