Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Sahami.
Hi Victoria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m an astronomer, and in 1998 I witnessed my first total solar eclipse, a moment that impacted me deeply. Standing under the moon’s shadow in Venezuela, I realized I’d found the perfect way to fuse my two great passions: astronomy and travel. After that awe-inspiring experience, I launched a business dedicated to leading eclipse-chasing tours around the world. My first venture took 50 travelers to Turkey for the 1999 eclipse and since that time I’ve proudly operated Sirius Travel Inc. as a woman-owned business, guiding fellow sky-watchers to some of the most extraordinary celestial events on Earth.
Over the years, Sirius Travel has built a reputation as one of the premier eclipse and astronomy tour companies in the world. What began with eclipse expeditions has grown to include a diverse lineup of annual astronomy-inspired journeys—from chasing the Northern Lights across Iceland, to exploring Scotland’s ancient standing stones, to gazing at the southern skies of Easter Island in the company of the Moai.
We’re continuing to expand our offerings, with new tours in development: tracing the life of Galileo through Italy, uncovering England’s megalithic mysteries, observing the southern skies from Patagonia in Argentina, and exploring France’s remarkable Carnac standing stones. Every itinerary is thoughtfully designed to be traveler-friendly, rich in cultural discovery, and grounded in authentic astronomical wonder.
Our eclipse tours have become extraordinarily popular, so much so that our 2026 Iceland expedition and our 2027 Egypt journey are already waitlist-only. We’re proud of our exceptional eclipse-viewing record, which we credit to our meticulous attention to site selection and long-range planning.
Each eclipse tour begins a full five years before the event, with detailed research and scouting woven into every stage of preparation. We secure hotel accommodations years in advance, long before a single booking is opened to the public. Because of this careful groundwork, our tours typically sell out two years ahead of departure, with robust waitlists ready to fill any openings that arise.
One of the things that truly sets Sirius Travel apart is our commitment to using scientists as our tour guides, working side-by-side with the expert local guides included on every trip. While most of our guides are astronomers, our team also includes geologists, atmospheric scientists, and archaeologists—each bringing their own deep knowledge and enthusiasm to the experience.
As a scientist myself, I’m fortunate to have a wide network of colleagues, and after years of leading tours, I’ve learned exactly what qualities make a scientist a great guide. Today, our roster includes more than 50 scientist-guides whom we can invite to join our journeys, ensuring that every tour is enriched with genuine expertise and engaging, accessible interpretation.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The past 26 years have brought their share of ups and downs. In the beginning, I ran the tours alongside my full-time job, simply hoping they would pay for themselves and not require anything more from me financially. As an astronomer, I wasn’t trained in business or finance, so mastering the financial side of tour operations came with a steep learning curve.
But year after year, experience has taught me where the true challenges of eclipse tours lie. Because each eclipse is a one-time event in a completely different country or region, every tour demands an enormous amount of fresh planning—planning that can’t simply be recycled unless we later choose to return as part of an annual itinerary. Through this process, I’ve learned how to anticipate trouble spots, manage risks, and build tours that are both sustainable and exceptional.
Over the years, we’ve learned that even the most carefully planned eclipse tour can throw unexpected curveballs—sometimes at the very last minute. A few memorable examples:
1999 – Turkey: When we arrived at our hotel two days before the eclipse, we discovered the staff actively giving away our fully prepaid rooms. Their explanation? “Americans never come here—we didn’t think you would arrive.” It was an unforgettable introduction to the world of international logistics.
2009 – China: Three months before arrival, we suddenly lost one of our two mountaintop hotels after a competing tour operator offered the property triple the price we had already contracted and prepaid. There was no refund or replacement, so we were forced to double up passengers in the remaining rooms. Thankfully, our travelers handled the change with remarkable grace.
2017 – United States: After the eclipse in Wyoming, the return trip turned into a 12-hour crawl instead of a 3-hour ride. Our 17 bus drivers, bound by strict drive-time limits, refused to continue past their eight-hour cap. We had to coordinate a full team of replacement drivers—while stuck in traffic, without a cell signal, and with no services in sight.
2020 – Argentina: And then there was COVID. We went from more than 100 registered guests in January to just 5 who were still willing (and able) to travel by December. Financially, it was one of our hardest hits—but logistically and emotionally, it remains one of our greatest triumphs. Reaching Argentina mid-pandemic at all felt like a victory.
2023 – Australia: Less than 24 hours before the eclipse, we had to pay for an entire second charter flight. A sudden influx of last-minute private jets carrying high-profile passengers—politicians and movie stars among them—overwhelmed the small airport and forced changes to parking permissions. Our original plane had to return to Perth, pick up a new crew, and fly back to fetch us. It was a scramble, but we worked it out and learned a valuable lesson.
Today, we plan as thoroughly as possible for the unpredictable—building in buffers for unexpected challenges and expenses—and we’ve learned to approach every situation with flexibility, persistence, and a steady, unflappable attitude.
As you know, we’re big fans of Sirius Travel Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Sirius Travel is a luxury tour company specializing in astronomy-focused travel, from large, one-time eclipse expeditions to intimate annual journeys. We maximize each traveler’s chances of successful eclipse viewing through deep research, years-ahead planning, and a scientific understanding of every factor that influences an observation. Our team evaluates atmospheric conditions, long-term weather statistics, path geometry, geopolitical considerations, safety, accessibility, and countless other variables to ensure the best possible experience.
We’ve become known both for our exceptional eclipse-viewing success rate and for our dedication to astronomy-centered exploration. Our tours naturally attract like-minded travelers—scientists, physicians, educators, and curious adventurers—many of whom bring their families and return again and again.
Three core elements truly set us apart in this niche:
1. Scientists as guides who genuinely engage. Our guides aren’t just experts; they’re warm, approachable, and part of the group. While other companies may include a scientist who remains separate from guests, our model ensures every scientist is accessible, personable, and eager to connect.
2.Tours designed by scientists. Science isn’t an add-on for us—it’s woven through every itinerary. Because our planners are scientists, we know precisely what to highlight at each site and how to build meaningful learning into the journey.
3. A fun, relaxed approach to science. We take the science seriously, but not ourselves. Our tours are lively, friendly, and far from stuffy.
One of the things I’m most proud of is our exceptionally high percentage of repeat travelers—often as many as 75% on a given tour. That loyalty transforms our trips into reunions, where long-time guests reconnect and new travelers quickly feel at home. Thinking about it still makes me smile. We truly have a wonderful time together.
At the heart of it, we want readers to know that our tours are both educational and efficiently paced—perfect for seeing a lot in a short time—and that we make every step of the journey meaningful, memorable, and fun.
What are your plans for the future?
We’re excited to be expanding our lineup of annual tours! Keep an eye out, several new and inspiring itineraries will be rolling out over the next few years.
And, of course, we’re always hard at work planning future eclipse expeditions. Our team is already deep into preparations for the 2030 eclipse in Australia, and we expect to release that tour for booking in 2026 or 2027. Stay tuned, there’s so much more to come!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://siriustravel.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siriustravelinc
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sirius-travel-inc.
Image Credits
Sirius Travel Inc.
