Eclipse 2027 Private Charters — Your Own Dahabiya or Nile Ship for 2 August 2027
Overview
The eclipse of the century, from your own boat on the Nile
On 2 August 2027, Luxor will see about 6 minutes and 19 seconds of total darkness at around 13:02 local time. Instead of sharing the moment with crowds, your group can experience it from its own Dahabiya or Nile ship, with a programme designed only for you: the route, the pace, the viewing plan and the guides.
Who our eclipse charters are for
- Travel agencies and tour operators building an eclipse departure for their clients
- Astronomy societies, planetariums and science groups
- University alumni, museum and cultural travel programmes
- Corporate incentive groups and large families
What we arrange for your group
- A private Dahabiya or Nile ship for your group, matched to your size and style, confirmed by name in your proposal
- An eclipse-day plan in Luxor built around the 13:02 maximum
- Licensed Egyptologist guides in English or Spanish
- Optional extensions: Cairo and the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Abu Simbel, the Red Sea
- Domestic flights and transfers between Cairo and Upper Egypt, planned around eclipse-week demand
- One dedicated contact for your group, before and during the trip
How it works
- Send your brief: group size, number of cabins, preferred dates, budget range and travel style.
- Receive your proposal: vessel options, itinerary and price, usually within 48 hours.
- Hold your charter: a written agreement and deposit secure the boat for your dates.
- Finalise together: rooming list, flights, extensions and eclipse-day details.
What to include in your request
| Group | Number of travellers and cabins, single rooms needed |
| Dates | Arrival and departure, nights on board |
| Style | Dahabiya or ship, comfort level, special interests |
| Budget | Range per person or for the whole charter |
| You | Agency or organisation name, country, decision deadline |
Why agencies work with Egypt For Travel
- Egyptian Tourism Authority licence No. 1947, Category A, since 2010
- Egypt For Travel LLC, registered in New Mexico, USA
- Part of the Egypt Today Travel group, with our Nile cruise specialist brand Best Nile Cruises
- Guides in English and Spanish, and a team that answers personally
Charter terms in brief
Each charter has its own written agreement: a deposit to secure the boat, staged payments before travel, and clear cancellation terms. Trade commission for agencies is included in our proposal. The eclipse is a natural event: the programme runs as planned whatever the weather, and cloud cover is not a reason for refund.
Request your charter proposal
Eclipse-week boats are limited. Send your brief through the form on this page, or contact us directly:
Email: [email protected] · WhatsApp: +20 155 555 2466
| Duration: Tailor-made | Type: Private charter | Run: On request — eclipse week, 2 August 2027 |
Included
- Defined in your written charter proposal
- Typically: private Dahabiya or Nile ship for your group, full board on board, licensed Egyptologist guide, sightseeing and entrance fees on the Nile route, eclipse-day plan in Luxor, transfers in Egypt
Excluded
- International flights
- Egypt entry visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
- Any service not listed in your charter proposal
Itinerary:
Prices:
Notes:
Charter terms for eclipse week 2027
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Boats | Private dahabiyas (small sailing boats, about 6–12 cabins) and private Nile cruise ships, chartered whole for your group |
| Dates | Tailor-made around Monday 2 August 2027, with the boat in Luxor on eclipse day |
| Route | Luxor ⇄ Aswan or Luxor round trip, 3 to 7 nights, planned with you |
| Who books | Travel agencies, tour operators, eclipse and astronomy groups, companies, families and friends |
| Price | Quoted per charter, by boat, nights and services; agencies receive net rates |
| Proposal | A written proposal with boat options, route and price, normally within 48 hours of your request |
Who plans your charter
Your charter is planned by the Egypt For Travel operations team in Cairo, licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism since 2010. We hold the boat, arrange guides, domestic travel and hotel nights before and after the cruise, and stay with your group in Upper Egypt through eclipse week.
Payment schedule (eclipse dates)
| Payment | Amount | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | 50% of the total price | At booking |
| Second payment | 25% of the total price | By 1 February 2027 |
| Final payment | 25% of the total price | By 1 April 2027 |
| Booked 1 February – 31 March 2027 | 75% at booking, 25% by 1 April 2027 | — |
| Booked from 1 April 2027 | 100% of the total price | At booking |
Bank transfer or card (Visa, Mastercard). USD, EUR and GBP accepted. Hotels, Nile cruises and domestic transport for August 2027 are paid to suppliers months in advance, which is why eclipse terms differ from our standard terms.
Cancellation policy (eclipse dates)
| Cancellation received | Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 31 January 2027 | 25% of the total price |
| 1 February – 31 March 2027 | 50% of the total price |
| From 1 April 2027 | 100%, non-refundable |
- Name changes: free until 30 days before arrival; a replacement traveller keeps the full value of the booking.
- Domestic flights and train tickets: once issued, they follow the carrier's rules and are non-refundable.
- Weather and access: the eclipse cannot be guaranteed against cloud, and changes to monument access ordered by the authorities on eclipse day are not grounds for a refund. Affected visits are rescheduled.
- All cancellations must be sent in writing to [email protected]. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended.
Eclipse day: good to know
- Times are approximate: the partial phase begins at about 11:40, totality at about 13:02 for more than six minutes, and the partial phase ends at about 14:26 (Luxor local time).
- Your tour manager chooses where the group watches on the day, on board or ashore in Luxor, according to conditions.
- Never look at the Sun without certified solar eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2), except during totality itself. Bring your own or ask us when you book.
- Early August in Luxor is hot, around 40 °C at midday: bring light clothing, a hat and sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance with medical and cancellation cover is strongly recommended for every traveller. Egypt For Travel does not sell insurance, but we can advise at booking.
How this program compares with our other 2027 eclipse programs
| Program | Dates | Eclipse watched from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo, Red Sea & Nile Cruise | 11 days · 29 Jul – 8 Aug | Luxor, joining the cruise on eclipse day | Travellers and families who want beach time and a full 4-night cruise |
| Cairo & Nile Cruise | 7 days · 28 Jul – 3 Aug | Luxor, with the ship docked | Travellers with limited time, company trips |
| Nile Cruise Luxor to Aswan, 4 nights | 5 days · 2 – 6 Aug | Luxor, on boarding day | Groups already in Egypt, agencies building their own package |
| Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor, 3 nights | 4 days · 30 Jul – 2 Aug | Luxor, with the ship docked | Ending a Nile cruise with the eclipse |
| Private Dahabiya or Nile ship charter (this page) | Tailor-made dates | Your own boat in Luxor | Groups who want the boat to themselves |
About Egypt For Travel
Egypt For Travel — ETA licence No. 1947 (issued 19 May 2010) — Egypt For Travel LLC, New Mexico, USA (Reg. No. 0008123538). Office: 39 Zohair Sabry St., Villa Al Rayes, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt. WhatsApp +20 155 555 2466 · [email protected]. More than 10,000 travellers from over 30 countries since 2010.
Request your charter proposal
Send us your group size, preferred dates, number of nights and the boat type you prefer (dahabiya or ship), using the form on this page or WhatsApp +20 155 555 2466 · [email protected]. Boats for eclipse week are limited and are allocated in the order confirmed requests are received.