On Monday, August 2, 2027, the Moon’s shadow will move across Egypt during one of the most anticipated total solar eclipses of the century.
But the eclipse will not happen at exactly the same time everywhere.
Travel west to Siwa and maximum eclipse occurs around 12:45 PM.
Move east to Bahariya and it happens around 12:53 PM.
Cairo reaches maximum around 12:55–12:56 PM, but never enters totality.
Continue toward Luxor and maximum eclipse arrives around 1:05 PM.
Those differences matter enormously if you’re planning:
transport,
photography,
eclipse viewing,
a desert expedition,
or simply deciding what time you need to be outside.
Even more importantly:
Cairo will experience only a partial solar eclipse.
Siwa, Bahariya and Luxor will experience totality.
Current Timeanddate calculations give approximately:
- Siwa: 5 minutes 31 seconds of totality.
- Al Bawiti / Bahariya: 6 minutes 18 seconds.
- Luxor: 6 minutes 22 seconds.
- Cairo: no totality.
Timeanddate’s Egypt-wide data shows the first partial phase beginning somewhere in Egypt at about 11:19 AM, the first totality in Egypt beginning around 12:39 PM, the final totality ending around 1:22 PM, and the last partial eclipse leaving the country around 2:39 PM.
Those are country-wide times.
Your actual schedule depends on where you’re standing.
This guide compares the eclipse minute by minute for Cairo, Bahariya Oasis, Siwa Oasis and Luxor so you can choose your destination and prepare properly.
For the full event overview, read Egypt Solar Eclipse 2027 Complete Travel Guide.
To understand exactly where the totality path crosses Egypt, use our Egypt Eclipse 2027 Map Guide.
And if you’re interested in combining totality with a Western Desert safari, explore the 2027 Egypt Solar Eclipse White Desert Tour.
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Egypt Eclipse 2027 Times at a Glance
Location | Eclipse Type | Partial Begins | Totality Begins* | Maximum | Totality Ends* | Partial Ends | Totality |
Siwa Oasis | Total | 11:22 AM | ~12:43 PM | 12:45 PM | ~12:48 PM | 2:08 PM | ~5m31–34s |
Al Bawiti / Bahariya | Total | 11:29 AM | ~12:50 PM | 12:53 PM | ~12:57 PM | 2:15 PM | ~6m18–19s |
Cairo | Partial | 11:33 AM | — | 12:55–12:56 PM | — | 2:16 PM | None |
Luxor | Total | 11:40 AM | ~1:02 PM | 1:05 PM | ~1:08 PM | 2:26 PM | ~6m22–23s |
*Exact second-by-second contact times vary slightly according to the coordinates and eclipse calculation dataset used.
Timeanddate’s location pages give headline totality durations of about 5m31s in Siwa, 6m18s in Al Bawiti and 6m22s in Luxor. A second astronomical calculator, TheSkyLive, gives approximately 5m34s, 6m19s and 6m23s respectively for its selected coordinates. Differences of a few seconds are normal because the exact GPS reference point and calculation assumptions can differ.
For travel planning, use the rounded minute schedule.
For photography and scientific timing, calculate the contacts again for your exact final GPS coordinates.
What Time Zone Are the Egypt Eclipse Times In?
All times in this guide are local Egypt time.
Under Egypt’s currently published 2027 daylight-saving schedule, clocks move forward on April 30, 2027 and return to standard time on October 29, 2027.
That means August 2 falls during:
EEST — Eastern European Summer Time
which is:
UTC+3.
This matters especially for international photographers working from NASA tables in UTC.
For example:
10:05 UTC
corresponds to approximately:
1:05 PM local Egypt summer time.
Still, civil-time laws can change.
If you’re building automated camera scripts, transport schedules or astronomical equipment around exact clock times, reconfirm Egypt’s official time-zone rules shortly before August 2, 2027.
Why Eclipse Times Change Across Egypt
The Moon’s shadow doesn’t cover Egypt all at once.
It moves rapidly from west to east.
So western destinations see maximum eclipse first.
That’s why:
Siwa → 12:45 PM
comes before:
Bahariya → 12:53 PM
then:
Cairo → 12:55 PM
and finally:
Luxor → 1:05 PM.
Think of the eclipse as a moving shadow crossing the country.
This is also why you cannot copy one city’s schedule into another city’s itinerary.
Ten minutes may not sound like much.
On Eclipse Day, it is enormous.
What Do C1, C2, Maximum, C3 and C4 Mean?
When you start researching eclipse times, you’ll encounter five labels.
Understanding them makes every timing table much easier.
C1 — First Contact
The Moon first begins covering the Sun.
This marks the start of the partial eclipse.
You need eclipse glasses.
C2 — Second Contact
The final bright portion of the Sun disappears.
This marks the beginning of totality.
Only locations inside the path of totality have a true C2.
Maximum Eclipse
The Moon and Sun are most closely aligned from your location.
This occurs roughly halfway through totality for total-eclipse destinations.
C3 — Third Contact
The bright Sun begins reappearing.
Totality is over.
Eye protection must immediately go back on.
C4 — Fourth Contact
The Moon completely leaves the Sun.
The eclipse ends.
Cairo Eclipse 2027 Time
Let’s start with the destination most travelers will already know.
Cairo will NOT experience totality.
That point deserves emphasis.
The global event is a total solar eclipse.
But from Cairo, the local event is only partial.
Timeanddate currently gives Cairo:
Partial begins: about 11:33 AM
Maximum: about 12:55 PM
Partial ends: about 2:16 PM
Magnitude: approximately 0.947.
TheSkyLive’s coordinate-based calculation gives slightly more precise values:
C1: 11:33:11 AM
Maximum: 12:55:52 PM
C4: 2:16:15 PM.
It calculates approximately 94.72% of the solar disc obscured at maximum.
Cairo Eclipse 2027 Timeline
Phase | Cairo Time |
Partial begins | 11:33 AM |
Maximum eclipse | 12:55–12:56 PM |
Partial ends | 2:16 PM |
Totality begins | Never |
Totality ends | Never |
The entire visible event lasts around 2 hours 43 minutes.
What Will Cairo Look Like at 12:55 PM?
A huge portion of the Sun will be covered.
That will make the eclipse dramatic.
But it will not create the same experience as totality.
There will still be exposed solar photosphere.
That means:
no true total phase,
no safe naked-eye viewing,
and no moment when you can simply remove your eclipse glasses.
This distinction is crucial.
A 95% partial eclipse sounds mathematically very close to 100%.
Visually?
It isn’t the same event.
Do You Need Eclipse Glasses in Cairo the Entire Time?
Yes.
Because Cairo never reaches totality.
NASA states that during a partial solar eclipse, there is no safe naked-eye phase. Proper solar viewing protection must remain in use whenever looking directly at the Sun. Ordinary sunglasses are not safe.
So in Cairo:
11:33 AM → glasses.
12:55 PM → glasses.
2:00 PM → still glasses.
Until the eclipse ends.
Should Eclipse Travelers Stay in Cairo?
If you’re simply curious and already in Cairo:
the partial eclipse will be impressive.
If you’re traveling internationally specifically for August 2, 2027?
Go inside the path of totality.
That’s the whole point.
Bahariya, Siwa and Luxor all offer true totality.
Bahariya Oasis Eclipse 2027 Time
Bahariya is dramatically different.
Al Bawiti, the principal town in Bahariya Oasis, lies inside the path of totality.
Timeanddate currently gives Al Bawiti:
Partial begins: 11:29 AM
Maximum: 12:53 PM
Partial ends: 2:15 PM
Totality: approximately 6 minutes 18 seconds
Magnitude: approximately 1.034.
That already makes Bahariya one of Egypt’s outstanding eclipse destinations.
Exact Al Bawiti Eclipse Contact Times
TheSkyLive calculates the following for its Al Bawiti coordinates:
Contact | Time |
C1 — Partial begins | 11:29:34 AM |
C2 — Totality begins | 12:50:19 PM |
Maximum | 12:53:29 PM |
C3 — Totality ends | 12:56:39 PM |
C4 — Partial ends | 2:15:33 PM |
That calculator gives a total phase of approximately 6 minutes 19 seconds and places the Sun roughly 79° above the horizon at maximum.
Again, Timeanddate’s selected reference coordinate gives approximately 6:18.
For travel content, call it:
approximately 6 minutes 18–19 seconds in Al Bawiti.
The Most Important Bahariya Time
If you’re watching totality from an Al Bawiti-like location, the critical window is roughly:
12:50 PM to 12:57 PM.
That’s the part of the day that controls the entire itinerary.
Everything else should be planned around it.
Not lunch.
Not sightseeing.
Not hotel check-in.
Not Crystal Mountain.
Not a photo stop.
Eclipse Day revolves around C2.
When Should You Reach the Bahariya Viewing Site?
Do not arrive at 12:40 PM.
A sensible organized eclipse trip should reach its selected location hours earlier.
The partial eclipse begins around 11:29 AM.
Ideally, by then the group is already:
parked,
settled,
hydrated,
briefed,
and equipped.
Photographers should already have:
tripods,
solar filters,
cameras,
batteries,
and exposure plans
ready before C1.
Our Bahariya Oasis Solar Eclipse 2027 Guide covers the destination in detail.
What About the Black Desert Eclipse Time?
This requires precision.
Do not automatically use the Al Bawiti times for every Black Desert location.
The Black Desert is a large region, not one GPS coordinate.
Move toward or away from the eclipse centerline and:
C2 changes,
maximum changes,
C3 changes,
and totality duration changes.
Some suitable Bahariya/Black Desert-area coordinates may approach around 6 minutes 21–22 seconds.
That is why your final Eclipse Day briefing should list:
the exact GPS point
and
its exact contact times.
For choosing the site, use our Black Desert Solar Eclipse 2027 Viewing Guide.
Can You Watch Totality from the White Desert at the Same Bahariya Time?
Do not assume so.
This is one of the most important warnings in the entire content cluster.
The White Desert is a broad landscape associated strongly with Farafra.
Farafra itself lies outside totality.
So you should not take:
12:50–12:57 PM Bahariya totality
and publish it as:
White Desert totality time.
A White Desert eclipse itinerary should use:
a confirmed viewing location inside the total path
plus
White Desert exploration before or after.
Different jobs.
Different coordinates.
Siwa Oasis Eclipse 2027 Time
Siwa is the westernmost of our four comparison destinations.
So the eclipse arrives there earlier.
Timeanddate currently gives Siwa Oasis:
Partial begins: 11:22 AM
Maximum: 12:45 PM
Partial ends: 2:08 PM
Totality: approximately 5 minutes 31 seconds
Magnitude: about 1.020.
That’s less totality than Bahariya or Luxor.
But more than five and a half minutes is still extraordinary.
Exact Siwa Eclipse Contact Times
TheSkyLive currently calculates:
Contact | Time |
C1 — Partial begins | 11:22:11 AM |
C2 — Totality begins | 12:42:34 PM |
Maximum | 12:45:19 PM |
C3 — Totality ends | 12:48:07 PM |
C4 — Partial ends | 2:08:06 PM |
Its selected coordinates give totality of approximately 5 minutes 34 seconds, with the Sun around 76° above the horizon at maximum.
Timeanddate gives 5:31 for its location reference, so it is best to communicate:
roughly 5½ minutes of totality in Siwa.
Siwa Eclipse Day Critical Window
Your true total phase is approximately:
12:43 PM to 12:48 PM.
That’s earlier than Bahariya by roughly eight minutes.
The entire partial event also begins earlier.
So if two friends are calling each other from Siwa and Luxor?
The person in Siwa will already have experienced totality before Luxor reaches its own total phase.
That’s how quickly the shadow moves across Egypt.
Why Choose Siwa if Totality Is Shorter?
Because travel isn’t only a stopwatch.
Siwa offers:
salt lakes,
Shali Fortress,
springs,
Amazigh heritage,
palm groves,
and the Great Sand Sea.
So for some travelers:
5½ minutes + Siwa
is more appealing than:
6¼ minutes somewhere else.
The correct choice depends on the trip you want around totality.
Luxor Eclipse 2027 Time
Luxor receives some of the longest totality of any major tourism city.
Timeanddate currently gives:
Partial begins: 11:40 AM
Maximum: 1:05 PM
Partial ends: 2:26 PM
Totality: approximately 6 minutes 22 seconds
Magnitude: approximately 1.035.
That combination explains why Luxor will receive huge attention in 2027.
Exact Luxor Eclipse Contact Times
TheSkyLive gives:
Contact | Time |
C1 — Partial begins | 11:40:15 AM |
C2 — Totality begins | 1:02:06 PM |
Maximum | 1:05:16 PM |
C3 — Totality ends | 1:08:28 PM |
C4 — Partial ends | 2:26:35 PM |
Its calculation gives about 6 minutes 23 seconds of totality and places the Sun roughly 82° above the horizon at maximum.
Timeanddate gives 6:22.
So a safe visitor-facing summary is:
approximately 6 minutes 22–23 seconds in Luxor.
Luxor's Critical Window
For Luxor, totality is approximately:
1:02 PM to 1:08 PM.
That’s around:
12 minutes later than Bahariya C2
and
roughly 19 minutes later than Siwa C2.
This is the eastward movement of the Moon’s shadow in action.
Which City Gets the Longest Totality?
Among the four locations compared here:
Luxor — ~6m22–23s
then:
Bahariya / Al Bawiti — ~6m18–19s
then:
Siwa — ~5m31–34s
then:
Cairo — zero totality.
So Luxor wins on raw duration.
But not by much compared with Bahariya.
The difference between Luxor and Al Bawiti is only a few seconds.
That’s why choosing an eclipse location purely by totality duration isn’t always sensible.
Bahariya vs Luxor Eclipse Times
Detail | Bahariya / Al Bawiti | Luxor |
Partial begins | 11:29 AM | 11:40 AM |
Totality starts | ~12:50 PM | ~1:02 PM |
Maximum | 12:53 PM | 1:05 PM |
Totality ends | ~12:57 PM | ~1:08 PM |
Partial ends | 2:15 PM | 2:26 PM |
Totality | ~6m18–19s | ~6m22–23s |
The totality difference is tiny.
The travel experience is not.
Choose Luxor for:
ancient temples, tombs, hotels and major tourism infrastructure.
Choose Bahariya for:
Western Desert expedition, Black Desert, 4×4 travel and White Desert exploration.
For us, that’s the real comparison.
Bahariya vs Siwa Eclipse Times
Detail | Bahariya | Siwa |
Maximum | 12:53 PM | 12:45 PM |
Totality | ~6m18–19s | ~5m31–34s |
Difference | — | ~45–47 sec shorter |
Bahariya gets noticeably longer totality.
Siwa offers a completely different oasis experience.
Again:
astronomy gives you the numbers.
Travel gives them meaning.
Cairo vs Bahariya Eclipse Times
This is the comparison that matters most for Cairo-based travelers.
At maximum:
Cairo
12:55 PM — partial.
Bahariya
12:53 PM — total.
The maximum times are only about two minutes apart.
Yet the experience is radically different.
Why?
Location.
Not time.
Bahariya sits inside the Moon’s umbral shadow.
Cairo does not.
Can You Leave Cairo on Eclipse Morning for Bahariya?
Don’t build the trip that way.
Bahariya is hundreds of kilometers from Cairo.
Even on an ordinary day, that transfer takes hours.
On the morning of a once-in-a-generation eclipse, you’re adding:
traffic uncertainty,
checkpoints,
vehicle issues,
group logistics,
and a completely unforgiving astronomical deadline.
If you’re viewing from Bahariya:
sleep in Bahariya or nearby before August 2.
Totality will not wait because your bus got stuck leaving Cairo.
How Early Should You Be at the Eclipse Site?
A good target for serious eclipse travelers is:
several hours before totality.
That doesn’t mean staring at the Sun for three hours.
It means removing last-minute problems.
Arrive.
Park.
Set up shade.
Drink water.
Check equipment.
Brief the group.
Test your camera.
Then relax.
Once C1 begins, you’re ready.
Recommended Viewing-Site Arrival Times
These aren’t astronomical contact times.
They’re practical targets.
Siwa
Aim to be completely established by around 10:00 AM or earlier.
Bahariya
Around 10:00 AM is also sensible for a dedicated expedition.
Luxor
Even though totality arrives later, large eclipse crowds may make early positioning extremely valuable.
Cairo
If you’re watching the partial eclipse locally, be ready before 11:30 AM.
The exact plan depends on the site and group.
What Happens Between C1 and Totality?
At first?
Not much.
A tiny section of the Sun disappears.
Then the Moon gradually covers more.
Over more than an hour, the scene changes.
You may notice:
changing light,
sharper shadows,
falling temperature,
and increasing excitement.
But the defining visual change happens in the final minutes before C2.
That is why you should not exhaust yourself staring continuously through eclipse glasses for the whole partial phase.
What Happens in the Last Minute Before Totality?
This is when everything accelerates.
The remaining solar crescent becomes extremely thin.
The light can become strange.
Shadows change.
Depending on conditions, observers may notice phenomena such as:
Baily’s beads,
diamond-ring effects,
or shadow bands.
Then the last bright portion disappears.
C2.
Totality.
What Happens During Totality?
Inside Bahariya, Siwa or Luxor:
the bright photosphere disappears.
The corona becomes visible.
The sky darkens.
The horizon may look like twilight.
Bright planets or stars may become visible.
The temperature may drop.
And for several minutes, the entire environment changes.
NASA describes totality as the brief phase when the Moon fully blocks the Sun’s bright face, making it the only period of a total solar eclipse when direct naked-eye viewing is permitted.
Then C3 arrives.
Sunlight returns.
Glasses immediately go back on.
Solar Eclipse Safety Timing
This is where knowing C2 and C3 becomes more than trivia.
It tells you when eye-protection rules change.
During partial phases
Use proper eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer.
NASA and the American Astronomical Society recommend viewers that comply with ISO 12312-2.
Ordinary sunglasses are not sufficient.
During true totality
Only when the bright photosphere is completely covered may you view the eclipsed Sun directly with your unaided eyes.
At C3
As soon as bright sunlight begins returning:
eclipse glasses back on immediately.
Cairo Has No Safe Naked-Eye Phase
This deserves its own heading.
If you’re watching from Cairo:
there is no C2.
There is no C3.
There is no totality.
Therefore:
there is no moment during the eclipse when direct naked-eye solar viewing becomes safe.
Keep appropriate protection on whenever looking toward the Sun.
Camera Timing Is Different
Photographers need to plan around all five contacts.
During partial phases:
proper solar filtration must remain over the front of the camera lens.
Eclipse glasses worn over your eyes do not make an unfiltered telephoto lens safe.
NASA specifically warns against viewing the bright Sun through unfiltered:
cameras,
binoculars,
or telescopes,
and says filters for magnifying optics must be securely mounted on the front.
Example Bahariya Photography Schedule
Using Al Bawiti timings as an approximate reference:
Before 11:00 AM
Complete equipment setup.
11:29 AM
C1.
Start partial-phase photography.
Noon
Monitor exposure and solar filter.
12:40 PM
Stop messing around.
Everything should be ready.
~12:50 PM
C2.
Totality begins.
12:53 PM
Maximum.
~12:57 PM
C3.
Solar filter returns.
2:15 PM
C4.
Eclipse complete.
For serious photographers, the final GPS coordinates should be loaded into eclipse-planning software before the event.
Why We Give Approximate and Exact Times
You may have noticed this article gives both.
That’s intentional.
A traveler needs:
simple schedule
“Totality around 12:50–12:57.”
A photographer may need:
exact contact
“12:50:19.”
But seconds depend on the precise location.
Move several kilometers and your contact times change.
That’s why putting a second-by-second Black Desert time on every tour brochure today would be misleading.
Exact timings should be finalized once the observation coordinates are finalized.
Why Timeanddate and Other Eclipse Calculators Differ by a Few Seconds
This is normal.
Different services can use:
slightly different GPS coordinates,
different numerical models,
and different assumptions such as Delta T.
For example:
Timeanddate gives about 6m18s for Al Bawiti.
TheSkyLive gives about 6m19s for its coordinates.
That doesn’t mean one source thinks the eclipse happens on Tuesday.
It means you’re looking at second-level astronomical calculations.
For travel planning:
a few seconds don’t matter.
For scientific/photographic automation:
use one precise dataset for your exact coordinates.
Does the Time Change Inside Bahariya?
Yes.
“Bahariya Oasis” is not one point.
Al Bawiti has one set of coordinates.
Another desert site 20, 30 or 50 km away has another.
The same applies to:
Black Desert,
Siwa’s surrounding dunes,
and the Luxor region.
That’s why our Egypt Eclipse 2027 Map Guide and timing guide work together.
The map answers:
Where?
This article answers:
When?
What About Farafra Eclipse Time?
Farafra reaches maximum eclipse around 12:53 PM, similar to Bahariya in clock time.
But it is outside totality.
This perfectly demonstrates why the time alone tells you nothing about whether a place experiences a total eclipse.
Two locations can reach maximum at approximately the same time:
one gets six minutes of totality,
the other gets only a deep partial eclipse.
Always check:
eclipse type + time.
Not time alone.
Which Eclipse Destination Has the Most Convenient Time?
All of them happen around midday or early afternoon.
That is both good and challenging.
Good because:
you aren’t waking up at 4 AM.
Challenging because:
August midday heat in Egypt is serious.
The Sun is also extremely high.
TheSkyLive estimates the Sun around:
76° high in Siwa,
79° in Al Bawiti,
and
82° in Luxor
at maximum eclipse.
That’s close to overhead.
Shade matters.
Don't Plan Around the Eclipse for Only Six Minutes
The total phase is brief.
The viewing day is not.
You could be outside from:
9 or 10 AM
until:
2 or 3 PM.
That means you need:
water,
shade,
food,
seating,
sun protection,
and bathroom arrangements.
NASA also recommends sunscreen, hats and protective clothing because observers may spend hours outside during the partial phases.
The eclipse might last six minutes.
Your desert day lasts much longer.
Best Time to Arrive in Egypt Before the Eclipse
Don’t fly into Cairo on August 1 at midnight and assume everything will work.
For Bahariya or Siwa especially, build buffer time into the journey.
Ideally:
arrive in Egypt several days before the eclipse,
reach your selected eclipse destination at least one day beforehand,
and use August 1 for preparation.
This reduces dependence on:
flight delays,
baggage delays,
road issues,
or equipment problems.
A total eclipse rewards boring logistics.
When Should You Test Eclipse Glasses and Cameras?
Before August 2.
Not during C1.
Photographers should rehearse:
focus,
solar filter attachment,
camera settings,
tripod position,
interval timing,
and filter removal/replacement.
Observers should inspect eclipse glasses beforehand.
The American Astronomical Society recommends discarding viewers that are scratched, punctured, torn or otherwise damaged.
Egypt Eclipse 2027 Timeline from West to East
The sequence across our four locations looks roughly like this:
11:22 AM
Partial eclipse begins in Siwa.
11:29 AM
Partial begins in Al Bawiti.
11:33 AM
Partial begins in Cairo.
11:40 AM
Partial begins in Luxor.
~12:43 PM
Siwa totality begins.
12:45 PM
Siwa maximum.
~12:48 PM
Siwa totality ends.
~12:50 PM
Bahariya totality begins.
12:53 PM
Bahariya maximum.
~12:57 PM
Bahariya totality ends.
12:55–12:56 PM
Cairo reaches maximum partial eclipse.
~1:02 PM
Luxor totality begins.
1:05 PM
Luxor maximum.
~1:08 PM
Luxor totality ends.
2:08 PM
Siwa partial eclipse ends.
2:15 PM
Bahariya ends.
2:16 PM
Cairo ends.
2:26 PM
Luxor ends.
That progression makes the Moon’s shadow almost feel like a traveler moving across Egypt.
Which Time Should You Put in Your Calendar?
If you’re traveling to:
Cairo
Block 11:15 AM–2:30 PM.
Siwa
Block at least 10:00 AM–2:30 PM.
Bahariya
Block at least 10:00 AM–2:30 PM.
Luxor
Block roughly 10:30 AM–3:00 PM, potentially earlier depending on the venue.
For organized expeditions, expect a much larger operational window.
Should You Book Lunch During the Eclipse?
Please don’t schedule your once-in-a-generation totality around a restaurant reservation.
Eat before.
Bring food.
Eat after.
At 12:53 PM in Bahariya?
You should be watching the sky.
Not asking where your fries are.
Best Eclipse Time for Bahariya & White Desert Travelers
For our Western Desert travelers, memorize this:
Around 12:50–12:57 PM on August 2, 2027.
That is the approximate Al Bawiti totality window.
But your final desert observation site may have slightly different contacts.
The final coordinates should therefore be confirmed and recalculated before the trip.
The White Desert portion of the itinerary should then be planned around Eclipse Day rather than interfering with it.
Explore the 2027 Egypt Solar Eclipse White Desert Tour for the full concept.
Best Overall Eclipse Time in Egypt: Final Comparison
If your only question is:
When does the 2027 eclipse happen in Egypt?
Here is the shortest useful answer.
Siwa Oasis
Partial starts around 11:22 AM.
Totality around 12:43–12:48 PM.
Maximum around 12:45 PM.
Bahariya / Al Bawiti
Partial starts around 11:29 AM.
Totality around 12:50–12:57 PM.
Maximum around 12:53 PM.
Cairo
Partial starts around 11:33 AM.
Maximum around 12:55–12:56 PM.
No totality.
Ends around 2:16 PM.
Luxor
Partial starts around 11:40 AM.
Totality around 1:02–1:08 PM.
Maximum around 1:05 PM.
The important question isn’t simply:
What time?
It is:
What time at my exact coordinates, and am I inside totality?
That’s the difference between seeing an impressive partial eclipse and experiencing more than six minutes beneath the Moon’s shadow.
For the complete path, read Egypt Eclipse 2027 Map: Path of Totality, Cities & Desert Viewing Areas.
For Bahariya planning, use Bahariya Oasis Solar Eclipse 2027.
For Black Desert site selection, read Black Desert Solar Eclipse 2027 Viewing Guide.
And for the complete Western Desert eclipse experience, explore Egypt Desert Dunes 2027 Eclipse Tour.
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3-Day Private Camping Tour of White Desert from Cairo
Spend three days exploring the Western Desert, including the Black Desert, Crystal Mountain, Aqabat area and White Desert, with two nights of private desert camping.
Siwa Oasis Trip with Cairo Pick Up
Travel from Cairo to legendary Siwa Oasis on a private four-day journey exploring Siwan culture, desert landscapes, Lake Siwa, traditional sites and some of the oasis's most distinctive attractions.
Explore Egypt's Desert with Egypt Desert Dunes
From a one-night White Desert camping adventure to extended Western Desert and Siwa Oasis experiences, choose the itinerary that matches your travel style and complete your booking through Viator.
Book a Tour or Create Your Own Egypt Experience
Choose one of our ready-made tours or customize your own private journey. Select your destinations, duration and travel style, then send your request directly to Egypt Desert Dunes on WhatsApp.
Book Your Desert Tour
Select your preferred itinerary and send us your travel details. Our team will reply on WhatsApp with availability and the final quote.
Create Your Own Private Egypt Tour
Combine Cairo, Giza, Fayoum, the Western Desert and Siwa in one custom itinerary. Choose the destinations and experiences you want and our team will recommend the best route based on your available days.
What Our Guests Say on Tripadvisor
Real experiences from travelers who explored Egypt’s deserts, oases, and cultural landmarks with Egypt Desert Dunes. Read their Tripadvisor reviews and discover why guests choose us for private desert safaris, camping adventures, and unforgettable Egypt tours.
FAQ — Egypt Eclipse 2027 Times
What date is the total solar eclipse in Egypt?
The eclipse occurs on Monday, August 2, 2027.
What time is the 2027 eclipse in Egypt?
The exact time depends on location. Maximum eclipse occurs around 12:45 PM in Siwa, 12:53 PM in Bahariya, 12:55–12:56 PM in Cairo and 1:05 PM in Luxor.
What time does the eclipse start in Cairo?
The partial eclipse begins around 11:33 AM local time in Cairo.
What time is maximum eclipse in Cairo?
Maximum eclipse occurs around 12:55–12:56 PM local time.
Will Cairo experience totality?
No. Cairo remains outside the path of totality and experiences only a partial solar eclipse.
What time does totality begin in Bahariya Oasis?
For Al Bawiti, totality begins at approximately 12:50 PM, depending on the exact coordinates and calculation source.
What time is maximum eclipse in Bahariya?
Maximum eclipse in Al Bawiti occurs around 12:53 PM.
How long does totality last in Bahariya?
Current calculations give approximately 6 minutes 18–19 seconds for Al Bawiti.
What time does totality end in Bahariya?
For the Al Bawiti reference point, totality ends at approximately 12:57 PM.
What time does the eclipse start in Siwa?
The partial phase begins around 11:22 AM.
What time is totality in Siwa?
Totality occurs approximately between 12:43 PM and 12:48 PM, with maximum around 12:45 PM.
How long does totality last in Siwa?
Current astronomical calculators give roughly 5 minutes 31–34 seconds depending on the exact coordinates and calculation model.
What time is the eclipse in Luxor?
The partial eclipse starts around 11:40 AM, totality begins around 1:02 PM, maximum occurs around 1:05 PM and totality ends around 1:08 PM.
How long is totality in Luxor?
Current calculations give approximately 6 minutes 22–23 seconds in Luxor.
Which has longer totality: Bahariya or Luxor?
Luxor has several seconds more totality, but both locations receive more than six minutes.
Which sees the eclipse first: Siwa or Luxor?
Siwa. The Moon's shadow travels eastward across Egypt, so Siwa reaches maximum around 12:45 PM while Luxor reaches maximum around 1:05 PM.
Are the eclipse times in Egypt local time?
Yes. Published local schedules currently use EEST, UTC+3, for August 2, 2027 under Egypt's current daylight-saving rules.
Can Egypt's eclipse times change?
Astronomical contact times do not meaningfully change, but published clock times could be affected if Egypt changes its official time-zone or daylight-saving rules before August 2027. Exact seconds also vary slightly according to the precise viewing coordinates and calculation model.
Do I need eclipse glasses during totality?
During the partial phases, yes. At a location inside the path of totality, glasses may be removed only while the Moon completely covers the Sun's bright face. They must be replaced immediately when sunlight returns.
Do I need eclipse glasses in Cairo?
Yes, throughout the entire eclipse because Cairo never reaches totality.
Should I arrive at the viewing site before the partial eclipse begins?
Yes. For a dedicated eclipse trip, reaching the site several hours before totality gives you time to set up equipment, arrange shade and water and solve any problems before the critical phase.