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In Luxor, totality during the eclipse of Monday 2 August 2027 lasts about 6 min 20 s, from 13:02 to 13:08 local time. The partial phase runs from 11:40 to 14:26, with the Sun almost at the zenith and around 41 °C in the shade. As of 1 October 2026, 12 experiences rated 4.70 or higher are already open for booking on Viator around that date. Opening hours for the sites that day have not been published: choose a flexible option and book early.
On 2 August 2027, daylight will switch off at midday over Upper Egypt. Luxor sits almost on the eclipse’s central line, which makes it one of the best places along the path: a city with an airport, hotels, the Nile and temples more than three thousand years old. I’m publishing this guide ten months ahead because specialist tour operators are already reporting sell-outs in 2026, and the best options go early.
Let me say upfront what I don’t know. The Egyptian authorities set up a ministerial committee in May 2026 to decide on observation sites, transport and the opening hours of Luxor’s museums and sites, but they have not published anything yet. So I will never claim that a temple will be open at 1 pm that day. What I can check is what Viator already sells for that week: I checked availability from 31 July to 4 August 2027, then kept 12 experiences rated 4.70 or higher.
If you only book one, take the sunrise hot air balloon ride: it is over well before noon, it is open on all five days checked and it has more than 4,500 reviews. The rest of the list runs from temple days to Nile cruises, with the availability found for eclipse week on each card. These are prices and slots recorded on 1 October 2026, not promises for the big day.
Why Luxor for the 2 August 2027 eclipse: the Pixidia angle
Facts first, with their sources. The eclipse maximum is reached at 10:07:50 UTC, about 60 km south-east of Luxor, with a totality of 6 min 22 s at its peak (Wikipedia). In Luxor itself, ephemerides give between 6 min 20 s and 6 min 23 s: I write “about 6 min 20 s” so as not to settle a one-second gap between sources. Local time (UTC+3, Egyptian summer time): partial phase begins at 11:40, totality from 13:02 to 13:08, partial phase ends at 14:26 (Classic Holidays).
This eclipse is the second longest of the 21st century and, according to the same source, the longest totality visible from easily accessible land before 2114. The Sun will stand almost 82° high (PhotoEphemeris), so almost at the zenith, and the band of totality is 258 km wide: it takes in Luxor, Edfu and Aswan. In Aswan, totality is slightly shorter than in Luxor, as sources do not agree on the exact duration.
As for the sky, this is one of the most reliable paths in the world in August, with a residual risk of dust or thin cirrus (Eclipsewhere). The real issue is the heat: August normals in Luxor reach 41 °C, and the eclipse falls at the peak of the day (Meteoart).
To plan the rest of your stay, two of my guides complement this one: the safety briefing on Luxor and Cairo and the Grand Egyptian Museum guide.
The 12 experiences to book in Luxor and on the Nile around 2 August 2027
All prices are in euros for two adults, recorded on 1 October 2026 for the window from 31 July to 4 August 2027. They may change between now and then. The availability shown on each card is what was found on that date, not a guarantee for 2 August at 13:02.
1. Hot air balloon ride at sunrise
This is Luxor’s safe bet, and the only activity on my list that finishes very early in the morning, well before the first partial phase at 11:40. I would book it for the morning of 2 August, or for the day before if you want to keep eclipse day free. The pick-up is at night from your hotel, to be confirmed with the operator.
- About 45 minutes of flight over Karnak and the west bank
- Round-trip hotel transfer included
- The most solid rating of the lot: 4,540 reviews
2. Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and Memnon, private
The classic west bank day, with entrance tickets to the Valley of the Kings and Deir el-Medina already included. It’s the one I would choose for a first stay, as long as you decide with the guide where you will be at 13:02: under a temple in full sun or in the shade of a hotel terrace.
- Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon
- Medinet Habu and the Valley of the Queens on the programme
- Entrance tickets to the Valley of the Kings and Deir el-Medina included
3. East and west banks, Karnak included, with an Egyptologist
If you only want one big day, this one brings together the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Karnak and Luxor Temple with an Egyptologist guide. It costs more than the previous one, but it saves you a second day for the east bank. Put it on a day other than 2 August so you don’t rush between two temples at the moment of totality.
- Valley of the Kings and Queens, Hatshepsut, Karnak and Luxor Temple
- Site entrance tickets included, bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pick-up
4. Budget half-day on the west bank
It has the highest rating on the list (4.99) and is the entry-level way to see the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi. On a half-day, you can aim for the morning and be back at the hotel before the midday heat, as long as you agree the departure time with the guide.
- Private Egyptologist guide, English-speaking
- Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon
- Air-conditioned transfers and water included
5. Tailor-made private day, east and west banks
The flexible option: the price changes depending on whether you take the entrance tickets, hence the gap shown. I like it for a group that wants to set its own pace, and the 4.97 rating from 415 reviews is reassuring about guide quality.
- East and west banks of the Nile in one day
- Qualified Egyptologist guide
- Entrance tickets optional depending on the package
6. Dendera Temple, away from the crowds
Dendera is about sixty kilometres north of Luxor, and it’s my pick for the days around the eclipse if you want a temple without the queue of the Valley of the Kings. The ceiling zodiac alone is worth the trip.
- Temple of Hathor and its zodiac
- Hotel pick-up, air-conditioned vehicle
- Water and service fees included
7. Felucca at sunset
After an early afternoon at 41 °C and an eclipse, the felucca is the gentlest way to end the day on 2 August. The 2 hours are spent on the Nile, with tea on board. The price gap reflects the options offered, to be read before paying.
- Private felucca sailing on the Nile
- Hotel transfer included
- Tea served on board
8. Abu Simbel from Luxor in a small group
A 16-hour day with a night departure: book it on a day other than 2 August, otherwise you will spend totality in a minibus. The drive times are long, but lunch is included and the group stays small.
- Great Temple of Abu Simbel and its four colossi
- Lunch and professional guide included
- Pick-up from your hotel on Luxor’s east bank
9. Abu Simbel privately from Aswan
The variant for those staying in Aswan, the other city in the band of totality. The listing doesn’t name the meeting point, so I suggest asking the operator before booking.
- Private visit with an Egyptologist guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All fees and taxes included
10. 2-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor
My choice if you want to experience the eclipse from the river. The package is full board, with Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu by horse-drawn carriage, then the balloon ride in Luxor. The listing doesn’t say where the boat will be at 13:02: ask the operator before paying.
- Full board, 2 nights on board
- Stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu, balloon ride in Luxor
- Rating of 4.74 from 387 reviews
11. Private 3-day cruise with balloon ride
The private version, with its own cabin and a horse-drawn carriage in Edfu. Its 4.70 rating sits right at the floor of my selection, with only 129 reviews: I keep it because it offers a private format the other cruises don’t, but read the reviews before you decide.
- Private cruise, private cabin on board
- 5-star boat, horse-drawn carriage in Edfu
- Balloon ride in Luxor included in the programme
12. 4-day cruise with Abu Simbel
The most complete option, and also the most expensive: 3 nights on board, Abu Simbel, a balloon ride and all entrance tickets from Aswan to Luxor included. As of 1 October 2026, it opened only two of the five dates I checked, including 2 August: keep an eye on availability.
- 3 nights on a 5-star boat
- Abu Simbel and balloon ride on the programme
- Entrance tickets for all visits included
Getting ready for the trip
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See flightsPractical tips on the ground
Glasses first. You need ISO 12312-2 certified glasses during all the partial phases, that is more than 80 minutes before totality and 78 minutes after. You only take them off during the few minutes of totality, and put them back on at the first flash of Sun (CNRS Imep, ISO; both in French). Ordinary sunglasses do not protect. None of the listings on this list provide them: buy them before you leave from a certified supplier.
Decide where you will be at 13:02. For each temple day, ask the operator where you will be during totality, and whether the spot offers shade and water. I have no information on site opening hours on 2 August 2027: until they are published, plan a fallback. The safest approach is still to schedule visits in the morning, before 10 am, and be settled in by noon.
Book early, read the terms. As of 1 October 2026, a highly rated private day in Luxor already showed as sold out from 1 to 3 August 2027, and hotels have started to fill up for the week of 30 July to 5 August (Memnon Voyage, in French). Prefer options with free cancellation and check each listing’s deadline before paying.
“Eclipse” packages also exist on Viator, notably Luxor-Aswan cruises sold under that name. I did not include them, because none has enough reviews to judge its quality. If one of them interests you, read the available reviews before buying. For those torn between boat and plane for Abu Simbel, I’ve detailed the comparison from Aswan, and for a longer trip the 4-day private cruise.
Safety. Official advisories recommend caution in Egypt, with reinforced protection in Luxor and Aswan. Check the travel advice page of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (in French) before booking and again before you leave, then check local conditions (Government of Canada).
Frequently asked questions
How long does totality last in Luxor on 2 August 2027?
About 6 min 20 s in Luxor, from 13:02 to 13:08 local time. The maximum of the band, 6 min 22 s or 6 min 23 s depending on the source, is reached about 60 km south-east of the city. The partial phase lasts from 11:40 to 14:26.
What time is the 2 August 2027 eclipse in Luxor?
Totality begins at 13:02 and ends at 13:08, Egyptian local summer time (UTC+3). The maximum is at 13:05. If Egypt keeps summer time in 2027, this corresponds to 12:02 in Paris, where the offset will be one hour in August.
Do I need special glasses for the eclipse in Luxor?
Yes, ISO 12312-2 certified glasses during all the partial phases, that is more than 80 minutes before totality and 78 minutes after. You only take them off during totality. Throw away any scratched or pierced pair. The experiences on this list do not provide them.
Luxor or Aswan to see the eclipse?
Both are in the band of totality, but Luxor is almost on the central line and offers the longer totality of the two, with more hotels and an airport. Aswan remains an option, with a slightly shorter totality. If you stay there, the private Abu Simbel visit from Aswan is a good base.
Can you take a Nile cruise on eclipse day?
Yes, but the listings don’t say where the boat will be at 13:02. As of 1 October 2026, the three cruises on my list had a date open on 2 August, and one of them opens only two dates out of five. Ask the operator for the viewing location before paying, and choose a departure that puts you in Luxor or very close.
Will the temples be open on 2 August 2027?
We don’t know yet. A ministerial committee is due to set the opening hours of Luxor’s sites for the eclipse, but nothing has been published so far. Plan your visits in the morning and check official announcements before you leave.
Sources
- Solar eclipse of August 2, 2027, Wikipedia: accessed on 2026-10-01
- The 2 August 2027 Eclipse in Egypt: Times, Duration, Classic Holidays: accessed on 2026-10-01
- Total Solar Eclipse 2027, PhotoEphemeris: accessed on 2026-10-01
- Egypt prepares for 2027 solar eclipse in Luxor, Egyptian Gazette: accessed on 2026-10-01
- 2027 solar eclipse in Egypt (in French), egyptevoyages.com: accessed on 2026-10-01
- Cloud Risk Decides Your 2027 Eclipse, Eclipsewhere: accessed on 2026-10-01
- Luxor weather in August, Meteoart: accessed on 2026-10-01
- Solar eclipse in Luxor 2027 (in French), Memnon Voyage: accessed on 2026-10-01
- How to observe a solar eclipse safely (in French), CNRS Imep: accessed on 2026-10-01
- How to observe a solar eclipse safely (in French), ISO: accessed on 2026-10-01
- Travel advice and advisories for Egypt (in French), Government of Canada: accessed on 2026-10-01
- Experience prices and availability: Viator API, recorded on 1 October 2026 for the window from 31 July to 4 August 2027, for two adults.
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