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Egypt
An Out-of-this-World
Vip experience in Egypt
By Robin Esrock
Ancient Egypt captures the imagination like no other place on Earth. The pyramids, the tombs, the gods and the golden treasures of the pharaohs—many discovered, others yet waiting to see the light. And in 2021 came a discovery that stunned the world: the ruins of a vast lost city surfaced from the sands on the west bank of Luxor—the largest ever unearthed in Egypt.
Dated to the reign of the powerful pharaoh Amenhotep III who ruled in the 1300s BC, the “Lost Golden City” made international headlines as the find of the century. It has also been closed to the public, until now.
In August 2027, Archaeological Paths is offering three tours with exclusive and unprecedented access to the Lost Golden City. The summer timing is no accident. Approaching noon on August 2nd, the bright skies of Luxor will turn dark during the total solar eclipse that will last 6 minutes and 22 seconds. Sitting directly on the eclipse’s central path, one would have to wait 87 years to experience another eclipse of that duration. As for the opportunity to view totality from the Lost Golden City—where ancient Egyptians worshipped the sun for millennia—it is quite literally an out-of-this-world experience and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The eclipse will attract tourists from around the globe, flocking to Egypt to gaze skywards from hotels and cruise ships. A lucky handful will take it to the next level. Archaeological Paths’ 8-, 10- and 14-day Egypt Solar Eclipse tours have special permission from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to take guests inside the Lost Golden City, guided by Dr. Zahi Hawass, the world’s most famous Egyptologist and the very man who uncovered this remarkable ancient site. There will also be a private lecture from Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Egypt’s first minister of Tourism and Antiquities, other experts in Egyptology, and guidance from an astronomer to get the most out of this rare and stunning celestial event.
But this tour is not only about the eclipse. You’ll have exclusive access to the Giza Plateau to enjoy crowd-free private entry into the Great Pyramid, including special access into the Queen’s Chamber and Subterranean Chamber, which are closed to the public. You’ll even stand between the paws of the Sphinx—a privilege usually reserved for heads of state and royals.
Next, you’ll travel south to tombs, temples, and rock-cut wonders across Egypt: Tuna el-Gebel, Beni Hasan, Abydos, and Dendera. Then, to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings where the rulers of Ancient Egypt were laid to rest in hidden tombs cut into the mountainside.
Afterward, explore the mighty Karnak Temple, the Avenue of Sphinxes, and Luxor Temple by night. Add a luxury cruise down the Nile River, stays at historic and carefully selected hotels, gourmet meals, and a VIP tour of the mind-blowing new Grand Egyptian Museum (see sidebar)—and this becomes more than a tour. It becomes a story you’ll tell for the rest of your life.
Each site offers something unique. Towering pillars. Colossal statues. Vivid hieroglyphs preserved by dust, time and reverence. And at the heart of it all: a front-row seat to the most anticipated celestial event of our lifetime.
Everything Leads to the Lost Golden City
Experience the solar eclipse in the very place where ancient Egyptians worshipped the sun over 3,000 years ago. Surrounded by ruins untouched by tourists, guided by the world’s greatest Egyptologists, you’ll witness an event few will see, and none will forget.
A Gem Of A Museum
Built over two decades at a cost of over US$1 billion, the new Grand Egyptian Museum, houses the world’s greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, preserving 7,000 years of Egyptian history. The museum’s highlight is the spectacular Pharaoh Tutankhamun collection, displayed in its entirety for the first time.
Travel Planner
Reservations are limited for the 2027 Solar Eclipse Egypt Tours of the Century. To ensure a spot for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s best to book early. For reservations and more information, visit archaeologicalpaths.com/solar-eclipse
