A rare and spectacular event—a total solar eclipse—is coming to Mexico, the U.S. and Canada next April 8, 2024. Since the path of totality stretches through Mexico, Texas and 13 other US states on its way to Canada, there is bound to be a lot of last-minute travel being organised in the days and weeks beforehand.
After all, this could be the most watched event ever with as many as 50 million people desperate for a naked-eye glimpse at the sun’s corona.
To do that you must be in the 1115 miles wide path of totality:
However, the savvy eclipse-chaser makes a plan well in advance and many trips to see this very special eclipse are already full.
There are some cabins left on cruise ships in the path, but here are some packages and accommodation opportunities that still have spaces:
1. Torreón, Mexico With Astro Trails
One of the most experienced reliable eclipse tour operators around, Astro Trails is offering several tours of Mexico that meet in Torreón in Coahuila, Mexico for the eclipse. The five trips being offered —all with limited availability—vary from a basic seven-day package that includes Mexico City and Mazatlan (from $2,245) to a 15-day tour that also takes in highlights of the Yucatan Peninsula (from $3,245). However, the chief attraction is Torreón itself, which has the highest chance of clear skies of anywhere in the path of totality and the longest duration of totality. The observation site is the campus of The Regional University Unit for Arid Zones of the Chapingo Autonomous University just north of the city, from where totality will last 4 minutes 27.8 seconds.
2. Commodore Perry Estate, Texas With Black Tomato
Eclipse-chasing is a great way to see the world and to give a journey real meaning. So why not make your trip all about Texas? U.K.-based Black Tomato’s bespoke eclipse travel packages include the well-timed Texas: Ranches and Rock’n’Roll itinerary ($16,000/£12,500). This Texas road-trip in a classic Mustang includes Dallas, two nights of cowboy living at Wildcatter Ranch and a three-night stay at the Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, an elegant 1920s Italianate Mansion whose vast landscaped gardens will be graced by totality on April 8 for 1 minute 55 seconds.
3. Mazatlán, Mexico With Sirius Travel
Sirius Travel, which has been taking customers to see solar eclipses since 1999, has one trip to see the total solar eclipse. Just a handful of spaces remain on this short trip (April 6-10, 2024, from $2,150) to Mazatlán, Mexico on the Pacific Ocean, which will experience 4 minutes 16 seconds totality. Accomodation is in two beachfront resorts and experiences in the days either side can include taking a catamaran to snorkel in the clear waters off the coast.
4. Hotel Vin and Blackland Distillery, Texas
A 2 minute 44 seconds totality and a limited-edition Eclipse Bourbon from Blackland Distillery awaits travelers at Hotel Vin, Autograph Collection in Grapevine near Fort Worth, Texas. From the weekend of April 5, Hotel Vin will be hosting a bourbon-pairing dinner, a black glass wine tasting and a wine deprivation dinner, culminating in an an eclipse viewing party on April 8. It’s now open for bookings and rooms are going from $2,664.
5. Eclipse Over Texas: Live from Waco With Lowell Observatory
The Discovery Channel will broadcast the eclipse live from this pbserving-only event in Waco, Texas. Organized by Arizona’s Lowell Observatory, the Discovery Network and Baylor University, this long-planned event in McLane Stadium will include food trucks, science talks, telescopes, free solar eclipse glasses and guided eclipse viewing by expert solar astronomers. The city of Waco—sure to be busy for the eclipse weekend—will also host concerts, stargazing tours, 5K runs and laser shows. The observation site gets 4 minutes 13 seconds totality. Tickets cost $20, but you’ll need to organize your own accomodation.
6. Astronomy in the Southwest US with Astro Trails
Astronomy fans will salivate at the prospect of this itinerary ($3,175) that’s designed as an add-on to a seven-day tour of Mexico ($2,245) with eclipse-viewing in Torreón or a seven-day tour of Texas (from $1,525) with eclipse-viewing in Waco. The nine-day add-on tour of the astronomical highlights of the Southwest US includes the likes of the Very Large Array, Meteor Crater, Grand Canyon and Kitt Peak National Observatory during a journey from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Tucson, Arizona. However, the highlight for many will be the chance to visit and use telescopes at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona—its staff just back from hosting its own huge eclipse-viewing event in Waco, Texas.
Disclaimer: I am the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of “The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024.”
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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