2026 Solar Eclipse Cruise:

Totality in The Mediterranean  

with Sarah Rugheimer

FRANCE & SPAIN

Great Music Masters of Italy: Verdi and Italian Opera

with Robert Greenberg

ITALY

ENGLAND & FRANCE

D-Day: Courage, Conflict, and History in England and France  with Ed Lengel

Great Music Masters of Vienna: The Romantics

with Robert Greenberg

Enchanted England: Folklore, Fairy Tales, and Wonder

with Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman

Revisiting World War 1 in France

with Keith Huxen

Exploring Cuba: From Trinidad 

to Havana

with Joyce Salisbury

Great British Mysteries: Conan Doyle, Christie, and More

with Maureen Corrigan

ENGLAND

ENGLAND

FRANCE

CUBA

AUSTRIA

Travel with Insight, Explore with Passion

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The Nile, and Pyramids

Luxor Temple

Eclipse Totality

Kom Ombo

The M/S Tamr

Starting at $15,495 per person

Embark on an extraordinary journey through Egypt, where ancient wonders meet celestial marvels. This immersive expedition is guided by your Great Courses Journeys Expert Dr. Kate Liszka, and seasoned local Egyptologists, offering rich historical context and scholarly insight at every turn. From the timeless majesty of the Pyramids of Giza to the sacred temples of Luxor and Aswan, you will explore the heart of pharaonic civilization. Experience six-and-a-half minutes of darkness during a total solar eclipse from the deck of a luxury Nile cruise ship—an awe-inspiring event that echoes the sky-watching traditions of ancient priests and astronomers. Along the way, delve into the astronomical alignments of temples, the mythologies of sun gods, and the role of celestial events in Egyptian culture. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a stargazer, or a lifelong learner, this journey offers a once-in-a-lifetime blend of science, story, and spectacle.

with Kate Liszka

2027 Solar Eclipse & Ancient Splendors on the Nile River

DEPARTURE DATE AND PRICING

July 29 - August 7, 2027

Starting at $15,495 Per Person

Cruise the Nile in Style, visiting legendary temples in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan, with expert Egyptologists guiding you through their celestial alignments and sacred symbolism.


Delve into Ancient Astronomy, uncovering how the stars, sun, and moon shaped Egyptian religion, architecture, and royal power—from temple design to astronomical ceilings in temples and tombs.

Experience a Total Solar Eclipse on August 2, 2027, from the deck of a luxury Nile cruise—over six minutes of totality in the path of the eclipse, surrounded by Egypt’s timeless landscape.

Explore Cairo’s Cultural Icons, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the much-anticipated new Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the full Tutankhamun collection and thousands of ancient artifacts.

Travel with Dr. Kate Liszka, your Great Courses Journeys Expert, whose expertise in desert archaeology, social history, and ancient Egyptian culture will bring ancient Egypt’s history, astronomy, and mythology vividly to life and offer a deeper understanding of the civilization beyond its monuments.

Highlights

Kate Liszka

Dr. Kate Liszka brings ancient Egypt to life through the lens of social history, identity, and desert archaeology. As Director of the Wadi el-Hudi Expedition, she leads groundbreaking research into ancient Egyptian mining communities and their interactions with Nubian populations. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Liszka combines rigorous scholarship with a passion for storytelling, revealing the human side of ancient civilizations. Her work has uncovered previously unexplored settlements and inscriptions, offering fresh insights into the lives of workers, immigrants, and officials in Egypt’s Eastern Desert. She has also served as a consultant for Disney’s Under Wraps films and cohosted Wondrium’s The Real Ancient Egypt, making her a dynamic voice in both academic and public history. With every excavation and lecture, Dr. Liszka invites learners to journey beyond the pyramids and into the vibrant, complex world of ancient Egyptian society.

Journey Expert

Kate Liszka

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Cairo

Depart from the United States and arrive in Cairo, where the shimmering Nile welcomes you to Egypt’s vibrant capital. Transfer to your elegant hotel, which offers panoramic views of the river and city skyline. Unwind and meet your fellow travelers and Professor Liszka over a warm welcome dinner as you prepare for the journey ahead.  Learn about the pyramids, sphinx, and King Tut to prepare for the adventures of days to come.


      Included Meal: Dinner

      Accommodations: Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile

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The Great Sphinx

Step into antiquity as you explore the Pyramids of Giza, marveling at their scale and precision. Stand before the Great Sphinx, whose gaze has captivated visitors for millennia. Enjoy a scenic lunch with views of these ancient wonders. In the afternoon, delve into the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, home to over 100,000 artifacts, including the full Tutankhamun collection, presented with immersive modern displays. Return to your hotel for a relaxing evening.


      Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

      Accommodations: Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile

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Khan El Khalili Bazaar

This morning, wander through the lively Khan El Khalili Bazaar, where scents of spices and sounds of haggling fill the air. In the afternoon, fly south on a chartered flight to Luxor and board the luxurious M/S Tamr, your floating home for the week. Following a safety briefing, settle into your stateroom and enjoy dinner on board as the Nile glides past.


      Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

      Accommodations: M/S Tamr

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Karnak Temple

Experience the vast Karnak Temple complex, a monumental tribute to Thebes’ ancient glory. Walk among its towering columns and sacred pools, guided by the insights of an Egyptologist. Return to the ship for a lecture from Professor Liszka, who will offer unique insight into how temple spaces reflected social hierarchies and religious practices. This evening, visit Luxor Temple under the stars, where dramatic lighting brings its ancient carvings to life.


      Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      Accommodations: M/S Tamr

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Eclipse Totality


Witness a rare celestial event as the total solar eclipse unfolds above the Nile. Positioned in the path of totality, experience nearly six-and-a-half minutes of awe as day turns to twilight. Celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event with a festive lunch. Throughout the day, there will be opportunities to hear from Professor Liszka and other Egyptologists as you explore the eclipse’s astronomical significance and learn the myths and rituals connected with the stars in ancient Egypt.


      Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      Accommodations: M/S Tamr

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Temple of Hatshepsut

Cross to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, final resting place of Egypt’s most iconic rulers. Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, a striking tribute to Egypt’s trailblazing female pharaoh. Pause at the Colossi of Memnon before returning to the ship for lunch and a discussion on women in ancient Egypt. Enjoy afternoon tea, sail through the Esna Lock, and unwind with a movie under the stars.


      Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      Accommodations: M/S Tamr

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Temple of Horus, Edfu

Journey south to Edfu to explore its remarkably preserved temple, dedicated to Horus and rich with Hellenistic symbolism. Cruise onward to Kom Ombo, where a rare double temple honors both Sobek and Horus the Elder. As the sun sets, enjoy a festive dinner on board while sailing toward Aswan.


      Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      Accommodations: M/S Tamr

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Unfinished Obelisk

Visit the Aswan High Dam, a modern marvel of engineering, designed to control flooding on the Nile. Then, explore the ancient Unfinished Obelisk, revealing secrets of ancient stonework. Those who choose can instead join an Egyptologist for an optional excursion to Abu Simbel (for an additional cost) to see Ramses II’s colossal temples. All travelers will sail a traditional felucca along the Nile this afternoon and enjoy high tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie penned Death on the Nile.


      Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      Accommodations: M/S Tamr

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Philae Temple

Visit the island sanctuary of Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and rescued from rising waters. Explore the Nubian Museum to learn about the region’s rich, pre-dynastic culture. Hear about Professor Liszka’s research on Nubians in Egypt and Aswan's unique role controlling the border. Then, enjoy a final evening in Aswan with a farewell dinner and live entertainment aboard the ship. Those who choose can visit Aswan’s colorful spice market this evening.


      Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

      Accommodations: M/S Tamr

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Return on a chartered flight to Cairo late this morning and connect independently to your international flight home, carrying with you memories of ancient wonders and celestial marvels.


      Included Meal: Breakfast

The ship will be exclusively chartered by Academic Travel Abroad. There will be other like-minded partner organizations on board, each with their own expert and a travel director. On-board lectures will be coordinated to cover a range of topics that relate to the solar eclipse and will be open to all passengers.

Download the deck plan for the M/S Tamr

The M/S Tamr

Perched along the scenic Nile Corniche, the newly opened (February 2025) Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile blends French elegance with Egyptian grandeur in the heart of Cairo. This 24-story, five-star hotel offers sweeping river views and easy access to the city’s cultural treasures. The architecture fuses sleek modern lines with subtle nods to pharaonic motifs, creating a refined yet inviting atmosphere. Guests can unwind at the expansive Sofitel Spa, featuring a Jacuzzi, sauna, and treatments inspired by ancient Egyptian wellness traditions. The hotel also boasts a rooftop infinity pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and five diverse restaurants, including the riverfront Jayda Nile Terrace. Spacious rooms are adorned in calming blue hues, rich wood accents, and luxurious touches such as soaking tubs, rainfall showers, and aromatherapy amenities.

The M/S Tamr is a deluxe Nile cruise ship offering an elegant and immersive way to explore Egypt’s timeless wonders. With spacious, beautifully appointed cabins, gourmet dining, and panoramic sundecks, the ship blends modern luxury with traditional charm. Onboard amenities include a pool, spa, and evening entertainment, ensuring relaxation between excursions. The M/S Tamr’s intimate atmosphere and attentive service create a personalized experience, making it ideal for travelers seeking both cultural enrichment and comfort while cruising the legendary Nile River.

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July 29-August 7, 2027

with Kate Liszka

Book Your Journey for 2027 Solar Eclipse & Ancient Splendors on the Nile River

Sign up to receive the latest trip updates and instant access to a digital version of our full-color 2025–2027 travel catalog. You will also have the option to share your mailing address and we’ll send a printed copy of our next catalog to your door.

Stay Updated and Receive a FREE Catalog

Request your copy of our full color travel catalog

Highlights

Uncover the dynastic ambitions and historical significance of monuments like Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat.


Experience the stony landscape of the Agafay Desert on a camel trek, culminating in a breathtaking sunset over the High Atlas Mountains.

Admire the Islamic architecture in Marrakesh, from the grand Koutoubia Mosque and intricate Bahia Palace to the serene beauty of the Ben Youssef Madrasa.


Discover the University of al-Qarawiyyin, the world’s oldest continuously operating university, and engage in a discussion on its profound influence on global scholarship.


Wander through the labyrinthine alleyways of the UNESCO-listed Medina in Fes, where vibrant stalls overflow with textiles, spices, and artisanal crafts.