Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show in Luxor

See the temple's history told through light and sound as you walk the grounds and sit by the Great Sacred Lake.

The Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show in Luxor is an evening activity where you watch a 75-minute narrated performance that brings the temple's ancient history to life through projected lights and storytelling. Hotel or cruise ship pickup is included, along with a live guide and private air-conditioned transport to and from the site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Attend Luxor Sound and Light Show

• Pickup from hotel or Nile cruise
• Transfer to Karnak Temples
• Attend 75-minute Sound and Light Show
• Experience history narration at Great Sacred Lake

The Experience

Pickup happens at 6 p.m. from your hotel or Nile cruise, and a tour representative drives you by private vehicle to Karnak Temple. The show itself unfolds in two parts: first you walk the temple grounds while lights and narration guide you through the stories of the pharaohs, the gods Amon, Mut and Khonsu, and the temple's construction from the Middle Kingdom through the Greco-Roman period. The final act plays while you're seated along the Great Sacred Lake, where the performance reaches its climax.

The whole experience runs about two hours. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, German or Arabic depending on the option you choose at checkout, so the narration stays clear whether you're following along in real time or reading the captions. All fees and taxes are covered, and the air-conditioned transport means you're not walking back to the hotel in the heat after dark.

What’s included

• Local guide in your choice of English, Spanish, German or Arabic.
• hotel or cruise ship pickup and drop-off.
• private air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• all entry fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Emo Tours Egypt

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the temple's history told through sight and sound rather than a daytime walking tour—the narration and lights make the ancient stories vivid without requiring you to arrange your own way there or back.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens during the Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show?

The show tells the temple's history through 75 minutes of narrated storytelling and projected lights. You walk the temple grounds during the first part, then sit by the Great Sacred Lake for the final act, hearing tales of the pharaohs and the gods the temple was built to honor.

Does the show include transport from my hotel?

Yes, pickup from your Luxor hotel or Nile cruise is included at 6 p.m., and you're driven back by private air-conditioned vehicle after the performance ends.

What language is the guide in?

You can choose English, Spanish, German or Arabic when you book, and your live guide delivers the narration in that language throughout the show.

How long does the entire experience take?

The show itself is 75 minutes, and the full experience including pickup, transport and drop-off is about two hours from start to finish.

Is the Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show suitable for people with mobility concerns?

The show includes walking the temple grounds during the first part and then sitting by the lake for the second part. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, but it's suitable for all other fitness levels.