On Monday 2 August 2027, a total solar eclipse will cross North Africa, and Egypt sits right in its path. In Luxor, totality lasts 6 minutes 23 seconds, one of the longest on land this century, so it is no surprise that Luxor has become the headline destination.
That popularity has a price. Hotel rooms in Luxor for eclipse week are already being quoted at around $1,000 per night, and round-trip flights at around $2,000. Many travelers are paying a premium for a few extra seconds of darkness.
There is another option. Siwa Oasis, in Egypt’s Western Desert near the Libyan border, is also inside the path of totality, with 5 minutes 33 seconds of total eclipse. With a road trip from Cairo through Alexandria and Marsa Matruh, you see Egypt’s Mediterranean coast on the way and arrive in Siwa in time for the big day.
Why Siwa for the 2027 eclipse
Siwa gives you more than five and a half minutes of totality, high in the sky, without the pressure on Luxor. The Sun stands about 75° above the horizon at mid-eclipse, so you can watch from almost anywhere in the oasis, as long as no building blocks the view.
| Siwa Oasis | Luxor | |
|---|---|---|
| Totality | 5 min 33 s | 6 min 23 s |
| Totality starts (Egypt time) | 12:42:34 | 13:02:05 |
| Totality ends | 12:48:07 | 13:08:28 |
| Sun altitude at maximum | 75.5° | 81.8° |
| Getting there | Road trip via Alexandria and Marsa Matruh | Domestic or international flight |
| Setting | Desert oasis, salt lakes, palm groves | Temples and Nile Valley |
Times are Egypt Summer Time (UTC+3). Partial phases in Siwa run from 11:22 to 14:08. Source: Eclipseando – Siwa, Eclipseando – Luxor.
The stops on the way are not inside the path of totality. Alexandria sees a 93% partial eclipse and Marsa Matruh about 97%, which is why the trip is timed to reach Siwa the day before.
Siwa’s other advantage is the setting. You watch the sky go dark over palm groves, salt lakes and the edge of the Great Sand Sea, far from city lights and crowds of tour buses.
Sample itinerary: Cairo, Alexandria, Marsa Matruh and Siwa
This 8-day private trip builds the drive to Siwa into the holiday, with the eclipse on day 6. Each driving leg is about 3 to 4 hours, so no day is spent entirely on the road until the return.
- Wednesday 28 July – Arrive in Cairo. Meet and assist at Cairo Airport, private transfer to your hotel.
- Thursday 29 July – Giza. The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx in the morning, the Grand Egyptian Museum in the afternoon.
- Friday 30 July – Cairo to Alexandria (about 3 hours). Afternoon in Alexandria: Qaitbay Citadel, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and a walk along the Corniche.
- Saturday 31 July – Alexandria to Marsa Matruh (about 4 hours). Morning at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and Pompey’s Pillar, then west along the coast. Late afternoon on Marsa Matruh’s white-sand beaches.
- Sunday 1 August – Marsa Matruh to Siwa (about 4 hours). Cross the desert to Siwa. Settle in, then watch the sunset from Fatnas Island over the salt lake.
- Monday 2 August – Eclipse day. Partial phase from 11:22, totality from 12:42 to 12:48, partial phase ends at 14:08. Wear certified eclipse glasses for the partial phases. Afternoon rest; evening at the Shali Fortress in the old town.
- Tuesday 3 August – Siwa. The Temple of the Oracle of Amun, Cleopatra’s Spring and the Mountain of the Dead, then a 4×4 trip into the Great Sand Sea for sandboarding and sunset.
- Wednesday 4 August – Siwa to Cairo. A long drive back (about 9 to 10 hours), or break the journey with a night in Marsa Matruh or Alexandria.
The order can be reversed, or extra days added in Cairo or on the coast. Pricing on request.
Practical tips
- Book early. Siwa has far fewer hotel rooms than Luxor, and eclipse week will fill up.
- Protect your eyes. Look at the partial phases only through eclipse glasses certified to ISO 12312-2. Take them off only during totality, and put them back on as soon as the Sun reappears.
- Prepare for the heat. Early August in the Western Desert is very hot in the middle of the day. Bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water, and find shade before and after totality.
- Carry your passport. The road to Siwa has police checkpoints where IDs are checked.
- Bring your camera, then put it down. Five and a half minutes go fast. Set up a tripod in advance and spend most of totality simply looking up.
FAQ
Is Siwa in the path of totality?
Yes. Siwa sees a total eclipse lasting 5 minutes 33 seconds on 2 August 2027.
What time is the eclipse in Siwa?
The partial eclipse starts at 11:22, totality runs from 12:42 to 12:48 and the eclipse ends at 14:08, Egypt time.
Can I see the total eclipse in Cairo or Alexandria?
No. Both see a deep partial eclipse only. Alexandria reaches about 93% coverage; you need to be inside the path, such as in Siwa or Luxor, to see totality.
Why not just go to Luxor?
Luxor has a longer totality, but eclipse-week prices for hotels and flights are very high. See our Luxor eclipse price guide. Siwa offers more than five minutes of totality with a scenic road trip and a quieter setting.
Can Amon Ra Tours arrange the whole trip?
Yes. We arrange private transport, hotels, guides and the full Cairo–Alexandria–Marsa Matruh–Siwa route. Contact us with your dates and group size for a quote, or see our Egypt solar eclipse tours.
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