Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show Luxor: Evening Performance

Karnak's Nighttime Story: Pharaohs & Temples Lit Up

You arrive by private car, walk through Karnak Temple as a sound and light show narrates three dynasties of pharaohs, and return to your hotel with entry and transport already paid. The show runs three times nightly in rotating languages. Book ahead to request yours, though group scheduling can shift it without notice. Plan for an evening commitment. The performance and walking takes time, and you'll want to be there before the lights start.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening visit to Karnak Temple

• Arrive at Karnak Temple
• Enjoy sound and light show
• Learn history of Pharaohs
• Stroll through temple and sacred lake

The experience

You're standing at Karnak Temple as the sun drops behind the pylons and the first lights come on. The show runs three times each night in different languages, so you pick the one that works for you: English, Arabic, Spanish, or whatever's scheduled that evening (the operator asks you to book ahead to lock in your preference, though last-minute group changes can shift the language without notice). A headset is available if the live narration isn't in your language, so you're not left guessing what the dramatic voice is saying.

The story unfolds as you walk through the temple grounds toward the sacred lake. It's the arc of power across two dynasties: the Thutmose family, then the heretic pharaoh Akhenaton, his famous son Tutankhamen, and the military rise of Ramses. The sound design is timed to the architecture, so when the narrator talks about conquest, the lights hit a wall of carvings. When it's about ritual, they soften on the lake. You're not sitting in bleachers. You're moving through the actual temple, which means the story happens around you instead of in front of you.

Private transportation picks you up from your hotel and brings you back, so you don't navigate Luxor's evening traffic or negotiate a taxi fare. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters when you're walking around stone and waiting for the show to start. All entry fees are included, so there's no separate ticket line. The whole thing is wheelchair accessible, and if you're traveling with infants or small children, strollers work fine on the temple paths.

What’s included

• Private hotel pickup and return in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• entry to Karnak Temple.
• the sound and light show performance.
• all fees and taxes.
• translation headsets if needed.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 18:00 and 19:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (under 11)

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by EgBride Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the Karnak Temple story told with production value and don't want to arrange your own transport or figure out entry on the evening: the fixed schedule and included pickup mean you show up and the rest is handled.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 11).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What languages is the show performed in?

Three different languages rotate through the three nightly performances. English, Arabic, and Spanish are standard options. Book in advance to request your preferred language, though if a large group books a different language, yours may shift without advance notice. Translation headsets are available if the live narration isn't in your chosen language.

Is the Karnak Temple sound and light show wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation is wheelchair accessible as well. The temple paths are navigable for wheelchairs, and you can arrange specialized seating or assistance when you book.

What time does the show start?

The show runs three times per night. Exact start times depend on the season and sunset, so confirm the specific time for your date when you book. Private pickup from your hotel is included, so the driver will collect you at the right time.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation from your hotel, entry to Karnak Temple, the sound and light show, and all fees and taxes. The vehicle is air-conditioned. Translation headsets are available if needed.

How long does the experience take?

The show itself is the main event, and you'll walk through the temple grounds during the performance. Plan for an evening commitment. The exact duration depends on the performance length and your pace through the temple.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Karnak?

No. Private transportation is included: pickup and return from your hotel. You don't need to arrange a taxi or navigate getting there yourself.

What if I don't speak the language of the show on my date?

Translation headsets are available. If the language shifts due to group bookings, you can use a headset to follow the narration in English or another language.