The maximum duration of the total phase of the solar eclipse on August 2nd, 2027 will be an extraordinary 6 minutes & 23 seconds and will be located only about 60 kilometers southeast of Luxor, in the middle of the desert. In the city of Luxor itself, the duration of the total phase will be just under 3 seconds shorter than in the desert, and just 15 kilometers downstream from Luxor, directly on the central line of the totality zone, the duration of the total phase will be just one second shorter. Perfect conditions to enjoy the eclipse of the century in truly pharaonic fashion. Especially as the statistical probability of a completely cloud-free sky in this region in August is approx. 82%.
Luxor is the site of the ancient Egyptian royal metropolis of Thebes, and if you translate the name of the city, it means "the city of palaces", and this is exactly what characterizes Luxor: Here you discover Egypt as it once was. Travelers can admire beautiful chapels, numerous temples, archaeological sites and much more in what is probably the largest open-air museum in the world.
The city of Luxor has around a third of the world's antiquities! There is virtually no place in Luxor that is lacking in attractions or landmarks that bear witness to the high culture of the ancient Egyptians. Located on the northern edge of the city is the Karnak Temple with its monumental columned halls. It was the religious center of Egypt for almost 2000 years. The imposing Luxor Temple is practically in the middle of the city. A visit to the Luxor Museum and the unique Mummification Museum is also highly recommended. And if you fancy a lively, oriental hustle and bustle, we recommend a visit to the bazaar. The west side of the Nile was dedicated to the cult of the dead. There you will find the Valley of the Kings with its world-famous tombs, the Valley of the Queens, the colorful tombs of the nobles and the Village of the Workers with some beautiful small tombs. Nearby are the numerous mortuary temples of the pharaonic rulers. The temples of Hatshepsut, Ramses III in Medinet Habu and Ramses II (the Ramesseum) deserve special mention.
