A Total Solar Eclipse Is Approaching This April. These Tour Operators Will Handle Your Trip Planning.

The solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, is set to be a monumental event, with an anticipated turnout of 1 to 4 million people flocking to the path of totality. This remarkable phenomenon is not to be taken lightly—Dinogo contributor Jeff Greenwald captures the essence of the spectacle: 'For some, it’s a scientific revelation; for others, a spiritual awakening. Yet, no one who has witnessed it ever forgets the moment.'

As this year’s total solar eclipse will be the last observable from the contiguous USA until August 2044, hotel accommodations in cities along the eclipse's path, such as San Antonio, Texas, and Niagara Falls, are already booking quickly. However, if you’re not among the 31 million Americans residing within the path of totality, numerous tour operators across the continent are providing tailored experiences for those eager to witness it.

Eager to fully embrace this celestial event? Here are four tour operators that can curate your ultimate solar eclipse adventure.

(All listed prices are for double occupancy.)

1. Intrepid’s 16-day Journey Through New Mexico and Texas

For those looking to immerse themselves in the stunning skies and landscapes of New Mexico and Texas, this 16-day adventure from Intrepid Travel is worth considering. The journey begins in Albuquerque, where guests explore the Museum of Natural History and Science (with a visit to the museum's planetarium, of course) and tour an astronomical radio observatory. Along the way, travelers will visit Santa Fe, Alamogordo, and Las Cruces, escaping the city lights to enjoy darker skies, including those at White Sands National Park.

The tour wraps up in San Antonio, where you’ll witness the eclipse. To answer any space-related queries that may arise, U.K.-based astronomy expert Dr. John Mason, who has over 30 years of experience leading expeditions to observe events like annular and total solar eclipses, will be with the group throughout the journey.

2. Total Solar Eclipse Tour in Arkansas by Sunrise Tours

The path of totality for the 2024 eclipse includes part of the Ozarks, and Missouri-based Sunrise Tours provides an exciting chance to explore this region through its Total Solar Eclipse tour in Arkansas. This five-day journey features a visit to Ozark Folk Center State Park, showcasing Ozark artists with a craft village filled with pottery, copper jewelry, and other handmade treasures. Participants will also enjoy a refreshing swim in Hot Springs National Park.

The highlight of the trip occurs near the Ozark Mountains in Altus, Arkansas, where totality will last approximately 3 minutes. Following this, travelers will spend two days in Fort Smith, a town on the Oklahoma border that served as a significant military post during the country’s frontier history.

3. Holland America’s 22-Day Solar Eclipse Cruise

As April 8 approaches, areas along the path of totality are anticipated to become quite crowded—at least if you're on land. Holland America’s 22-day cruise provides a unique chance to experience a solar eclipse at sea while navigating the waters near the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Departing from Cabo San Lucas, the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam takes travelers off the Mexican coast to witness the solar eclipse on day four of the itinerary. The journey also includes stops in Mexico and Hawai‘i before concluding in British Columbia, where guests will disembark in Vancouver. Additionally, passengers can attend exclusive lectures by UC San Diego astronomy and astrophysics professor Adam Burgasser to deepen their understanding of the eclipse and create their own eclipse viewers (special eyewear that allows for safe viewing of the sun).

Holland America is also offering another 2024 solar eclipse cruise, a 14-day round-trip itinerary aboard the 1,432-passenger Zaandam, which includes eight stops in Mexico. Although this particular cruise is currently sold out, there’s a possibility that cabins may open up later due to cancellations.

4. Copper Canyon Total Solar Eclipse Tour in Mexico by TravelQuest International

This tour from TravelQuest International highlights the stunning natural landscapes of northwestern Mexico, featuring an excursion to the coast along with opportunities to delve into Indigenous culture through visits to small communities. A standout experience of this journey is a six-hour scenic train ride aboard the Chepe Express, which takes travelers from El Fuerté to Divisadero, set among the towering peaks of the Sierra Madre Occidental range.

For the April 8 eclipse, this trip offers an excellent vantage point for viewing totality. Participants will observe the eclipse in Torreón, a major economic center in the Mexican state of Coahuila, where totality is expected to last approximately 4 minutes and 4 seconds—remarkably close to the point of greatest eclipse near Nazas, located less than 50 miles away.