Egypt prepares for the 2 August 2027 total solar eclipse as tours sell out

On 2 August 2027 a total solar eclipse will cross Egypt, and both the government and international tour operators are already preparing. According to NASA’s eclipse data, the greatest duration of totality for this eclipse is 6 minutes 23 seconds, and Ahram Online reports that totality in Luxor will last from about five to more than six minutes.

Government preparations

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy formed a dedicated committee in May 2026 and chaired its first meeting on 1 September 2026, Ahram Online reported. The committee is coordinating transport, security and site preparations so that visitors can watch safely in Luxor and Siwa. Topics discussed included:

• exact eclipse timings for each governorate, set with the Meteorological Authority;
• viewing sites with basic services such as cafeterias and toilets;
• domestic flights and road transport between governorates, so that tourists already in Egypt can join as day trips or overnight stays;
• aligning visiting hours at museums and archaeological sites during the event;
• restoration of temple facilities in Luxor by the Supreme Council of Antiquities to increase visitor capacity.

The Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority and the Egyptian Tourism Federation are to create an eclipse logo and a channel for questions from foreign visitors.

Strong demand

On 27 October 2026 Ahram Online reported that eclipse tours to Egypt offered by operators in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, South Korea and Japan, were sold out or waitlisted. The newspaper noted that these listings reflect individual operators’ allocations and do not mean that all hotels or tours in Egypt are fully booked.

Planning tips

Book accommodation and domestic transport early, and remember that early August is the hottest time of year in Upper Egypt and the Western Desert. Use certified eclipse glasses for every phase except totality itself.

Sources: english.ahram.org.eg, english.ahram.org.eg, eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov.