Join Astrophysicist Professor Roger Davies on a journey through ancient Egypt to witness the eclipse of the century on 2 August 2027 from a private rooftop in Luxor, the point of greatest duration, offering over six minutes of totality. Combined with a backdrop of legendary temples and tombs, this once-in-a-lifetime event offers an unparalleled historical and celestial experience.

The location couldn’t be more apt. In ancient Egypt, astronomy infused every corner of life and death. Using instruments such as the merkhet and star groupings known as decans, Egyptians divided the night into hours and created a 365-day solar calendar as long ago as 4,000 BCE. They also used the stars and solar cycles beyond timekeeping to guide rituals and beliefs, illustrated perfectly with visits to temples such as Karnak, which was oriented to capture the first rays of the solstice sun, and Dendera, where the ceiling is vividly decorated to show constellations, planets, and celestial deities. In the Valley of the Kings, see how astronomical observations informed funerary beliefs, with several tombs depicting the sun god Ra’s journey through the night and the star-covered sky goddess Nut arching overhead. In Seti I’s tomb, a spectacular astronomical ceiling tracks the rising of specific stars over the course of the year, blending science and religion.

The tour also includes a stay in Giza to see the magnificent new Grand Egyptian Museum, and to gaze in wonder at the pyramids, built over 4,500 years ago and yet oriented to the cardinal directions with extraordinary precision. Throughout, Professor Roger Davies will provide a series of exclusive lectures about solar eclipses and the wider field of astronomical research and is on hand during the tour to answer any queries about the night sky, the formation of the universe and much more.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a private rooftop venue for our group to witness the total solar eclipse of 2027, the longest eclipse of the century
• Learn about the ancient Egyptian’s knowledge of astronomy with guided visits to sites in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan including Karnak Temple, Dendera and the tomb of Seti I.
• Enjoy a series of talks from Astronomer Professor Roger Davies, who will be on hand throughout to aid understanding of the eclipse and the formation of the universe itself

ITINERARY

The full itinerary can be found on Temple World's website.

Egypt eclipse tour