NEW YORK (October 6, 2005) – On March 29, 2006, a total solar eclipse will be visible in a narrow corridor extending through northern Africa and central Asia. Absolute Asia, the leading provider of custom-designed, luxury travel experiences, today announced a series of trips to enable travelers to view this exciting natural phenomenon in Egypt, Turkey, or West Africa as part of a deluxe private luxury tour. With the rich history of these regions as a backdrop to the big event, Absolute Asia feels confident that the solar eclipse tours are perfect options for those who think they have “seen everything.”
The Turkey Eclipse Tour is a 13-night private trip with a recommended arrival date of March 18. The trip begins in Istanbul and includes Turkey’s most notable cities, including Cappadocia, Ankara, Izmir, Ephesus, Bodrum, and Antalya. Between guided tours of landmarks like the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Apollo Temple, guests will have opportunities to browse local markets, enjoy traditional Turkish cuisine in local restaurants, and spend time learning about Turkey’s modern and ancient history. The total solar eclipse will be observed from Antalya; the event will be followed by a celebratory lunch at a local restaurant. The cost per person, based on double occupancy, starts at $5,630.
On the Egypt Eclipse Tour, with a recommended arrival date of March 24, guests will take in the sights of Cairo and Alexandria (including, of course, the Great Pyramids) before heading to Siwa for the solar eclipse viewing. After enjoying the natural phenomenon from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, guests will continue to Bahariya, an oasis town, and then take in the inselbergs of the Farafra Depression in the White Desert, the temples at Kharga, and the magnificent Temple of Karnak in Luxor. The trip concludes back in Cairo on April 10; the cost per person, based on double occupancy, starts at $9,485.
Guests on the West Africa Eclipse Tour can expect to be “in the dark” for approximately 3 minutes during the eclipse; they will be watching the historic event from the deck of a private boat on Lake Volta, sipping champagne as they sail the smooth waters of the lake created by the Akosombo Dam. This trip, with a recommended arrival date of March 23, begins in Accra, Ghana, before exploring the Cape Coast region and then continuing into neighboring Togo and Benin. Along the way, guests on the private tour will visit important sites from the Kingdom of Ashanti; visit Ouidah, the “voodoo capital of the world;” and have numerous opportunities to visit villages and learn about the culture and history of this under-appreciated but fascinating region. The cost per person, based on double occupancy, starts at $7,960.
All of the eclipse tours are private, and the departure date and itinerary can be customized to address the traveler’s interests, schedule, and budget. For more information on Absolute Asia, luxury travel, and custom-designed travel experiences, visit: www.absoluteasia.com or call (800) 736-8187.
For more on Turkey at ITKT
