Seven Unique Tours For 2027's Six-Minute Total Solar Eclipse
It will plunge southern Spain, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula into totality for six minutes and is, therefore, being touted as the 'eclipse of the century.' In truth, how long totality lasts during a total solar eclipse not only varies according to exactly where you are within the narrow path of totality (in this case, 160 miles/275 kilometers wide), but where you are along it, too. After all, it stretches for 9,462 miles (15,227 kilometers) across the globe.
Where To Experience The 2027 Total Solar Eclipse
Since the moon's shadow is projected onto the sphere of Earth, one location will be closest to the moon — and, therefore, have its shadow move across it at its slowest. That location on Aug. 2, 2027, is close to Luxor, Egypt — home to the Valley of the Kings and the temples of Karnak, Luxor and Hatshepsut — where totality will last for six minutes and 20 seconds. Do eclipse chasers need to go to Luxor? If they want to boast about being in totality for the longest this century, yes. If that's not a concern, there are trips to all kinds of other places along the path — all with a five minutes or more of totality — from Spain, Morocco and Algeria to Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and even Somalia at the Horn of Africa. Here's a sample of some of the most unusual trips to see the 2027 total solar eclipse:
M'Sila Forest, Algeria
If you're after an exciting and unusual adventure, Untamed Borders (which runs trips to some of the most challenging and remote countries in the world) is offering a seven-day trip to Algeria to coincide with the eclipse. Beginning in the Kasbah of Algiers, the trip will travel west along the Mediterranean coastline to see Roman remains at Tipaza and Cherchell, taking in totality for five minutes 3 seconds at M'Sila Forest just south of the city of Oran. After a visit to see Tlemcen's Moorish architecture, the adventure comes to an end in Algiers.
Aten City, Egypt
Akhenaten, a pharaoh in ancient Egypt's 18th Dynasty, was — like eclispe chasers — something of a sun-worshipper. The father of Tutankhamun, he promoted worship of the sun's disk, Aten, and built a city called Aten close to Luxor. This lost golden city was discovered in 2021, and Archaeological Paths is running a tour to experience the eclipse in this fitting location. Famed Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, Aten City's discoverer, is the tour guide. Totality will last 6 minutes and 20 seconds.
Red Sea, Egypt
This seven-day tour from AstroTrails, beginning Jul. 30, swerves Luxor for the eclipse in favor of the southern part of Egypt's Red Sea coast. Beginning and ending in Cairo, it's largely based at the Wadi Lahmy Azur Resort, where totality will last for 6 minutes 13 seconds (only seven seconds less than Luxor). Expect awesome stargazing, opportunities, too.
The Horn Of Africa, Puntland (Somalia)
Puntland — an autonomous region in northeastern Somalia on the Horn of Africa — is not where most eclipse chasers will be heading. In fact, Puntland is not internationally recognized as an independent country. Untamed Borders is running a seven-day eclipse tour beginning in Bosaso, taking in Xaafun on the Indian Ocean Coast to experience a five-minute and 25-second totality at the easternmost point of continental Africa. The tour of the Horn of Africa then continues to beaches and historic fishing villages, visiting an Italian colonial lighthouse at the tip of the Horn.
Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia
The easiest way to see a total solar eclipse is often by cruise ship — partly because most paths of totality occur mainly over the ocean. That's true for the 2027 eclipse, yet there are plenty of opportunities for cruises because the path crosses the Mediterranean Sea. However, many cruise ships will be close to Spain and in the sometimes cloudy Straits of Gibraltar. Holland America's 14-day round-trip cruise from Athens, Greece via stops in Tunisia, Malta and Italy will observe the eclipse off Tunisia, where clear skies are almost guaranteed — and totality will last around five minutes and 45 seconds. It also includes a visit to the Royal Malta Observatory.
Sfax, Tunisia
Cooler and less prone to dust storms, Tunisia has some advantages over Egypt. This trip from TravelQuest aims for a laid-back eclipse experience, traveling from the capital, Tunis, to explore ancient Carthage, the Great Mosque of Kairouan, artisans' markets and the Douz — not forgetting Tozeur, which doubled as Tatooine in Star Wars. The eclipse will be experienced at a specially selected site in or near Sfax on the coast, where totality will last for five minutes and 42 seconds.
Nile Cruise, Egypt
Perhaps the default way to experience this eclipse — and its maximum totality — is to be on the Nile in Luxor. There are myriad options, all selling out very quickly. One example comes from Smithsonian Journeys, whose itinerary includes tours to the ancient temples of Luxor, with talks on board ship from Smithsonian Journeys Experts and Egyptologists. Not a unique tour, but it promises a very special experience.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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