On Monday 2 August 2027, Upper Egypt will experience one of the longest total solar eclipses of the century. If you are planning to be in Egypt for it, or simply want to understand what will happen minute by minute, here is the full picture: the expected timings over Luxor, how long totality will last, what you will actually see, and how to watch it safely.
Eclipse timings for Luxor, 2 August 2027
Based on current astronomical calculations, the eclipse unfolds over the Luxor area on the following approximate local timings, which will be refined nearer the time:
| Stage | Approximate local time |
|---|---|
| Partial eclipse begins | 11:40 |
| Totality begins | 13:02 |
| Maximum eclipse | 13:05 |
| Totality ends | 13:08 |
| Partial eclipse ends | 14:26 |
The whole event, from first contact to last, spans almost three hours, with the unforgettable part, totality itself, arriving shortly after one o’clock in the afternoon.
How long does totality last, and why so long?
Totality over Luxor is expected to last approximately six minutes and 22 seconds. That figure is remarkable: most total eclipses offer two or three minutes, and the celebrated American eclipse of 2017 peaked at about two minutes and 40 seconds.
The 2027 eclipse is exceptional because of a rare alignment of favourable circumstances: the Moon is close to its nearest point to Earth, so its shadow is unusually wide, and the shadow crosses Egypt near the point of greatest eclipse, the spot on the path where totality reaches its maximum. A total eclipse of this duration will not happen again anywhere on Earth until 2114.
What you will see during totality
In the final minutes before totality, the light thins in a way that photographs struggle to capture: shadows sharpen, colours mute and the temperature falls noticeably. The last brilliant point of sunlight flares briefly into the diamond ring, often preceded by Baily’s beads, the broken points of light created as the Sun shines through valleys on the Moon’s edge.
Then totality. The corona, the Sun’s outer atmosphere, appears as a white crown around the black disc of the Moon. Bright stars and planets emerge in a daytime sky. The horizon glows in every direction with sunset colours. Birds fall quiet. For a little over six minutes, the ordinary rules of daytime are suspended, and then the diamond ring flashes again on the opposite side and daylight floods back.
Watching safely
During every partial phase, before and after totality, the Sun must never be viewed without proper eye protection, and ordinary sunglasses are not protection. Certified eclipse viewers or filters are essential. Only during the few minutes of totality itself, when the Sun’s disc is completely covered, is it safe to look directly.
If you travel with us, full eclipse information and safety guidance is provided to every guest before departure.
Where our guests will be
Classic Holidays’ Grand Egypt Solar Eclipse Tour 2027 places guests in the Luxor area for eclipse day, close to the point of greatest eclipse, at the climax of a 14-night journey that includes Cairo, a seven-night full-board cruise aboard the MS Royal Princess and four nights on the Red Sea. One special departure on 23 July 2027, from London Heathrow or Manchester, ABTA and ATOL protected, from £6,995 per person sharing.
Questions about eclipse day? Call our Egypt specialists free on 0800 041 8400, or explore the full itinerary and prices.
