Purveyor of ultra-luxury experiences in Egypt, Kemetale, has scheduled a small-group Nile sailing timed to the total solar eclipse crossing Luxor on Aug. 2, 2027, positioning your clients on the eclipse centerline aboard a private dahabeya for the six minutes of totality.
Kemetale News
The sailing coincides with two other developments in Luxor that year. Kemetale is launching its second vessel, the Deshret, which will carry a maximalist interior design and an onboard spa. Separately, the Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace is scheduled to reopen in Luxor following a full restoration of the historic property.
The Eclipse Journey itinerary includes an Egyptologist-led talk on the sun in ancient Egyptian culture, a dedicated on-deck viewing setup during totality, a post-eclipse gathering with local musicians and healers, and a themed dinner, with a menu potentially created by Chef Atef for the occasion.
Pricing runs from $5,980 to $13,400 per booking, depending on suite category and guest count. Rates include accommodations, meals (excluding alcohol), excursions and an Egyptologist for the full sailing.
Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace Restoration
The hotel opened Jan. 19, 1907, under the Upper Egypt Hotels Co., a venture backed by Thomas Cook and Son. It operated for decades as the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor under Accor. Management transferred from Accor to Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in early 2026, and the property closed for restoration ahead of a planned July 2027 reopening under the Mandarin Oriental name.
The hotel is located on the Nile, just south of Luxor Temple, and has 86 guestrooms and 6 suites. Its guest history includes Lord Carnarvon, who financed Howard Carter’s 1922 discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. The property is part of a broader Mandarin Oriental expansion in Egypt that includes the Mandarin Oriental Shepheard in Cairo and the group’s first Nile River cruise, offering 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries between Luxor and Aswan.
For more information, visit kemetale.com.
