Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple from Luxor: 75-minute immersive experience

Watch the temple's history told in light across the Great Sacred Lake.

A sound and light show at Karnak Temple in Luxor runs 75 minutes across the temple grounds and along the Great Sacred Lake, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and bottled water included. The show recounts the ancient history of one of the world's largest religious temples, built in the 12th dynasty. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and five other languages. Entrance fees are not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening Sound and Light Show

• Pick up from hotel in Luxor
• Travel to Karnak Temple
• Explore temple grounds during first act
• Sit by Great Sacred Lake
• Watch 75-minute Sound and Light Show

The Experience

The show lasts about 75 minutes and unfolds in two parts. The first act takes you around the temple grounds on foot, then you settle into a seat along the Great Sacred Lake for the second half, where the light and sound performance plays across the water and the ancient stone. Hotel pickup happens in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the driver brings you back when the show ends.

Karnak Temple is one of the largest religious temples in the world, built during the 12th dynasty. The sound and light concept recounts the extreme history of the site—the dynasties, the rituals, the scale of what stood here. The show is designed to move through the temple's layout rather than keep you in one spot, so you walk the grounds first and then settle to watch the performance from the lakeside.

You can book with an English-speaking tour guide or with a private driver only; both options include the vehicle and pickup from your hotel. Bottled water comes with the ticket. Entrance fees to the temple are separate and paid on arrival. The site is wheelchair accessible, and strollers are welcome for infants and small children.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• access to the sound and light show across the temple grounds and Great Sacred Lake.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or five other languages (depending on your option).

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ancient Egypt Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the tour guide option if you want the history and context of what you're watching; pick the driver-only option if you prefer to experience the show at your own pace without narration.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

How long is the sound and light show at Karnak Temple?

The show runs about 75 minutes total. The first act takes you walking around the temple grounds, then you sit along the Great Sacred Lake for the second half of the performance.

What's included in the pickup from my hotel?

Hotel pickup includes an air-conditioned vehicle and return transport after the show ends. Bottled water is provided during the evening.

Can I book with a guide or just a driver?

You choose between a car with an English tour guide or a private car with a driver only. Both include the vehicle and hotel pickup.

Do I need to pay for entrance to Karnak Temple separately?

Yes, entrance fees to the temple are not included in the show ticket and are paid when you arrive.

Is the show accessible for people using wheelchairs or traveling with young children?

Karnak Temple is fully wheelchair accessible, and all surfaces and areas are accessible. Strollers are welcome for infants and small children, and infants can sit on an adult's lap during the seated portion of the show.