Two new eclipse tours launched for 2026 and 2027.
Named as one of the biggest travel trends for 2021, astro-tourism’s popularity is showing no signs of slowing.
Between 2022 and 2024, the UK’s leading provider of science-inspired tours, New Scientist Discovery Tours, increased the capacity of its astronomy-inspired tours by 450% to meet rising demand. This year, total solar eclipses saw a particular surge in interest; New Scientist Discovery Tours added a third departure of its USA total solar eclipse tours in April 2024 after the first two sold out, whilst its 2026/27 tours taking guests to see the next occurrences of the phenomena has currently received over 1,600 sign ups.
With interest among the public further sparked by the rare appearance of the Northern Lights earlier this year, New Scientist Discovery Tours has created a portfolio of astronomy tours to sate everyone’s curiosity in 2024 and beyond…
Please find a selection of space-related tours from New Scientist Discovery Tours, all available to book now, below.
Just released / new for 2026 – Total Solar Eclipse 2026: Embark on a Once-In-A-Lifetime Iceland to Greenland Polar Cruise
Price from £12,405pp*, departing 7 August 2026 for 13 days (*Save 15% with Early Booking Discount for First 30 Guests)
- Accompanied by Jamie Carter, an award-winning journalist with 25 years’ experience writing about the night sky, eclipses and astronomy. As well as the onboard highly knowledgeable expedition team
- Price also includes accommodation aboard Sylvia Earle polar expedition vessel for 11 nights on full board basis, 1 night in hotel in Reykjavik on bed-and-breakfast basis, group airport transfers on specified dates
- Itinerary highlights include
Experiencing total solar eclipse in the Arctic landscape
o Journeying through the world’s longest fjord system
o Exploring Iceland’s Golden Circle
o Talks from eclipse expert Jamie Carter and New Scientist guest speakers and talks and guided activities (including all Zodiac cruising and landing activities) from onboard expedition team
This once-in-a-lifetime adventure will take guests to witness an awe-inspiring total solar eclipse in August 2026, accompanied by award-winning journalist and eclipse expert, Jamie Carter. Highlights include Zodiac boat safaris investigating coves, glaciers and local wildlife, guided hikes along pristine beaches and in the stunning wilderness and exploring Iceland’s Golden Circle including witnessing the Strokkur geyser in action.
Just released / new for 2027 – Total Solar Eclipse 2027: Nile Cruise, Egypt
Price from £5,249, departing 27 July 2027 for 10 days
- Marvel at the longest solar eclipse in our lifetime, positioned close to the central line of totality in Luxor.
- Spend 10 days aboard the MS Nile Premium from Aswan to Luxor, your home for this enchanting Nile cruise.
- Explore several amazing archaeological sites in small groups led by Egyptology leaders, including Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Temple of Edfu, Philae Temple, Tomb of Nefertari and Abu Simbel.
Watch the longest total solar eclipse of our lifetime in Luxor, Egypt, accompanied by an eclipse expert and New Scientist US Editor Chelsea Whyte. Chelsea will give talks on eclipses, astronomy, cosmology and how they both intersect with Egyptian archaeological history, as travellers cruise from Aswan to Luxor.
Price from £959, departing 30 August for three days; no single supplement
- Hosted by Stuart Clark, an astronomy journalist and fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society who has devoted his career to presenting the complex world of astronomy to the general public.
- In addition to Stuart, hear from leading astronomers, astrophysicists and cosmologists, who will teach you about galaxy formation, the latest research into black holes and what iconic telescopes have already revealed.
- Itinerary highlights include talks and demonstrations from leading astronomers, astrophysicists and cosmologists, and a tour of Jodrell Bank (a UNESCO World Heritage Site with iconic Lovell Telescope)
- Price also includes accommodation at stunning rural retreat, the Grade II-listed, 4-star De Vere Cranage Estate Hotel, including two breakfasts, two lunches, and two three-course dinners
This three-day UK-based weekender allows guests to immerse themselves in the mysteries of the universe whilst staying at a stunning rural retreat in the UK, Cheshire’s Grade II-listed, four-star De Vere Cranage Estate Hotel. Guests will experience private tours at Jodrell Bank, home to the iconic Lovell Telescope, and talks from leading astronomers, astrophysicists and cosmologists. The tour’s host, Stuart Clark, will also lead a naked-eye stargazing session (subject to weather).
New for 2024 – The science of deep time: Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), Wales
Price from £799, departing 9 September 2024 for three days
- Hosted by Richard Fisher, a senior journalist at the BBC. He will be joined by an array of leading deep time, geology and astronomy experts.
- Itinerary highlights include exploring the National Showcaves Centre for Wales accompanied by local geologists (including a private guided tour), surveying the dark skies above the Brecon Beacons with an expert-led guided stargazing session and immersing yourself in the landscapes of the Brecon Beacons with a Deep Time guided walk
- Price includes accommodation for two nights in Craig Y Nos Castle, a Grade II* listed 1840s gothic castle, that was owned by 19th-Century opera singer Adelina Patti, two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners, full touring itinerary (including all entrance fees)
Enjoy a gentle walking weekend in the Brecon Beacons, learning about the formation and geology of our earth from a range of accompanying experts, as well as how humans are impacting its future. Based in South Wales, guests will stargaze back through time, journey deep underground in caves, climb mountains, and hunt fossils with palaeontologists. This tour is designed to help guests understand the timeline involved in the formation and geology of our earth, including how humans are impacting the story.
Price from £2,139pp, departing 15 September 2024 for six days
- Accompanied by Martin Griffiths, astronomer, historian and fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society who will give talks and walking seminars, and local guides
- Itinerary highlights include visiting the world’s oldest astronomical clock, Klementinum astronomical tower, Stefanik Observatory, Kutna Hora (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Prague Castle
- Price also includes accommodation on bed and breakfast basis at the four-star K+K Hotel Central, one of the oldest Art Nouveau buildings in the city, and three dinners at local restaurants, full touring itinerary (including group airport transfers, all sightseeing and entrance fees etc.)
Accompanied by astronomer and historian Martin Griffiths, this 6-day tour gives guests the opportunity to unlock a new level of understanding into Renaissance history and astronomy by retracing the footsteps of the astronomers Johannes Kepler and Tycho Brahe in Prague.
New for 2024 – From volcanic vineyards to Europe’s most important astronomy site: Explore history and space in the Canary Islands, Spain
Price from £2,739pp, departing 28 November 2024 for 7 days
- Accompanied by Stuart Clark, an astronomy journalist and fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society who has devoted his career to presenting the complex world of astronomy to the general public, who will give three evening talks
- Itinerary highlights include private tours of the Llano del Jable and Mount Teide observatories, expert-led stargazing sessions and visiting rare sub-tropical rainforests
- Price also includes accommodation at Parador de La Palma (4 nights) and Parador Las Cañadas del Teide (3 nights) (both of which have a swimming pool), breakfast daily, seven evening meals, full touring itinerary (including group airport transfers, all sightseeing and entrance fees etc.)
Explore La Palma, a volcanic island with exceptional conditions for astronomy (which is UNESCO’s first ‘Starlight Reserve’ and Europe’s most important astronomy site), and Tenerife’s Mount Teide National Park on this week-long expedition to the Canary Islands. Guests will be able to step back in time with visits to ancient sub-tropical rainforests and cave petroglyphs whilst also enjoying the night skies of the beautiful Canary Islands with private tours of the Llano del Jable and Mount Teide observatories as well as expert-led stargazing sessions. Other highlights include walking through recently formed lava tubes and visiting volcanic vineyards for wine tasting.
New for 2025 – Northern lights and ice-cold nights: Discover the science of astronomy and ice in Sweden
Price from £3,299pp, departing 23 March 2025 for 4 days
- Accompanied throughout by Jamie Carter, an award-winning journalist with 25 years’ experience writing about the night sky, eclipses and astronomy
- Itinerary highlights include visiting Abisko National Park, learning about the northern lights at the Aurora Sky Station and a private tour of the Icehotel
- Price also includes accommodation for 1 night at the Abisko Turiststation, 2 nights in the Icehotel (1 night in a cold room, 1 night in a warm room), breakfast daily, full touring itinerary (including group airport transfers, entrance to sites etc.)
The tour will take guests to visit the Aurora Sky Station, known as one of the best places to view the Aurora Borealis, where experts will unlock a world of insights surrounding the northern lights. Other highlights include ‘sleeping on ice’ at the Icehotel, spending a night at SFT Abisko Turistation in Abisko National Park – which, located 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle, was established in 1909 by scientists who wished to preserve the area for scientific research – and exploring the mining town of Kiruna.
Head to Chile, the world capital of astronomy, for a fascinating journey of discovery in space
Price from £10,999pp, departing 27 March 2025 for 13 days
- Accompanied by Martin Griffiths, astronomer, historian and fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society who will provide guests with talks, walking seminars and stargazing sessions, and local guides
- Itinerary highlights include visits to several observatories including the world leading ALMA and Paranal, traversing the Atacama Desert, and the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere
- Price also includes 12 nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, 10 lunches, 11 dinners, and full touring itinerary (including observatory entrance fees, services of local tour leader astronomist, internal coach/internal flight transport etc.)
This 13-day tour takes guests on a journey of discovery to the world capital of astronomy: Chile. Home to 70% of the world’s telescopes, the tour includes visits to several observatories including the world-leading ALMA and Paranal, exploring the Mars-like terrain of the Atacama Desert (where the NASA Mars Rover was recently tested), watching the sunrise over the southern hemisphere’s largest geyser field, and enjoying the rich culture of the capital, Santiago. Each guest’s understanding will be further enhanced by astronomer and historian Martin Griffiths, who will provide guests with talks, walking seminars and stargazing sessions, and offering expert insights into all things space.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Research includes: 1https://www.cntraveller.com/article/travel-trends-2024
For further press information, please contact:
Tilly Everard | Hannah Carlisle | Emma Arthurs
Rooster.
T: +44 (0)203 440 8930
E: [email protected]
About New Scientist Discovery Tours
New Scientist Discovery Tours offers science-inspired tours, expeditions, weekend breaks and cruises, creating carefully curated itineraries to the world’s most fascinating destinations. Designed for curious minds, tours are tailored for guests with an appetite for expanding their knowledge while travelling.
As part of New Scientist, the world’s leading science and technology magazine, the tour provider has an expansive network of editors, science specialists, academics and authors, who lead its experiential and exploratory trips.
Launched in 2015, New Scientist Discovery Tours currently offers over 55 tours and experiences worldwide to a committed audience of travellers. New Scientist Discovery Tours help travellers discover science through the joy of travel with minimal environmental impact, in a way that doesn’t harm the environment, people, cultures or wildlife.
In May 2024, New Scientist Discovery Tours was shortlisted in the 2024 PPA Award’s ‘Innovation of the Year’ category. Winners will be announced on 26 June 2024.
For more information on the itinerary and to book, visit newscientist.com/tours or email [email protected] to speak to a New Scientist Discovery Tours agent.
