Twilight Tours

About Twilight Tours

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**"Beyond A Shadow of A Doubt"**

Our standard for astronomical travel is firmly rooted in the vision statement quoted above.

Today, you the traveling public, have many choices when selecting with whom you entrust your time, money, and energy, when trekking thousands of miles to immerse yourself in the Moon's umbra.

YOU THE CLIENT

Twilight Tours Inc., with over 20 years of global travel experience, leaves no doubt in our clients' minds: when you elect to join our tour, you can be certain that every detail of your eclipse tour experience will be handled. From simple amenities such as providing all tour members with free Mylar^TM filter material for their optical and visual needs, to our information-packed newsletters furnished well before your tour leaves the U.S., we will take care of you. At Twilight Tours, you are not simply part of a "tour group" --- we handle our clients individually, one-by-one. We won't treat you like a number --- you don't want that, and neither do we.

SUCCESS RATE

Moreover, we have achieved an outstanding rate of seeing totality. Since our start in 1984, we have scored a 90 percent success rate of observing totality. This doesn't come as a matter of "luck" or chance. We know our business. We "do the homework" that will maximize the probability of seeing what you journeyed for: the most awe-inspiring natural event observable on Earth - a total eclipse of the Sun. A prime reason for our success? Twilight Tours is owned and operated by one of the most experienced and knowledgeable eclipse "chasers" in the world.

OUR EXPERIENCE

President and founder, Joel Harris, has been traveling throughout the world to observe solar eclipses since 1973 --- that's more than 33 years of eclipse chasing. Joel's first eclipse was as an integral part of a scientific investigation team sponsored by Harvard Observatory --- through the auspices of Educational Expeditions International (now Earthwatch Institute), and led by Dr. Donald Menzel (noted U.S. solar astronomer at Harvard Observatory) and Dr. Harold "Hal" Edgerton, famed inventor of the photographic strobe lamp. Bottom line: we have the know-how, the experience, and the expertise to get you to the eclipse, maximize the experience, and ensure that you travel in comfort and safety while on tour.

Joel Harris in 1973 (Mauritania)
Photo courtesy of David Cortner Photography.

BY THE NUMBERS

Since Twilight Tours began operations in 1984, here are some interesting metrics to think about, as you consider our eclipse tour offerings:

Total number of Twilight Tours expedition participants: 800+
Number of countries observed in: 9

New Caledonia
Indonesia
Mexico
Uruguay
Bolivia
Venezuela
Turkey (2)
Zambia (2)
Australia

Total number of air miles traveled by Twilight Tours groups: 150,000+
Accumulated duration of totality within the Moon's shadow by Twilight Tours tour members: 30.3 minutes

TESTIMONIALS

We think our record speaks for itself. But rather than take our word for it, we suggest that you read what a few of our clients (some of whom have traveled with us many times on differing tours over the years) have to say about taking a Twilight Tours trip. Our travel philosophy boils down to three words: detail, service, and communication. Together, these three cornerstones combine to leave no doubt in our clients' minds when they tour with us.

"I have chased solar eclipses six times in the past fourteen years with Twilight Tours and could not be more satisfied! Their incredible preparation, honesty and great value for the price are unsurpassed. I have traveled with other groups before on four other eclipse trips and was not half as satisfied. I am looking forward to chasing many more eclipses with Twilight Tours!" -- Gene Franklin, Kansas City, MO

"I have loved seeing the world through eclipse trips with Joel! He caters to people of science and big lenses and is always interviewed by the news. Of course I go for the big event, but there is so much more. Not only do we see all the historical places on the itinerary, but surprise stops are added along the way - including some shopping for those of us without really big lenses." -- Karen Isa, Pomona, CA

"I have been a customer of Twilight Tours since 1991, and have successfully seen six total solar eclipses in a row with Joel Harris' groups. As someone who has been involved with both amateur and professional astronomical pursuits, I appreciate the care that Joel puts into reviewing weather prospects and site selection for these time-critical events. The trips are also enjoyable for the many other repeat customers with whom I've traveled and made friends with." -- Jeffrey Schroeder, Azusa, CA

IN SUMMARY

To conclude, we invite you to consider our history, our special approach to tour operations, and our overarching vision: you are unique, you seek the "peak" experience of totality, and you want to be treated as an individual. Our tour groups are typically less than 100 persons -- ensuring that you won't get lost in an ocean of total strangers, many of whom you wouldn't get to know, as part of a huge tour group. Thanks for taking the time to visit our website, and Clear Skies to you!

Want to know what others say about us? Check us out with the Southern California Better Business Bureau.