Overview
While daytime visits to Karnak highlight the architectural scale of pharaonic construction, the evening Sound and Light Show offers an immersive historical narrative through light projections, dramatic acoustics, and guided movement across the site. Operating under the official management of Misr Company for Sound, Light & Cinema, the performance leads audience members through the Avenue of Sphinxes, across the Great Court, and into the Great Hypostyle Hall while detailing the reign of pharaonic builders including Amenhotep III, Seti I, and Ramesses II. The show concludes with a seated viewing phase overlooking the illuminated Sacred Lake and the outer pylons. Private air-conditioned transfers ensure seamless transport to and from East Bank accommodations or Nile Cruise ships. Trip information Duration: Half Day Schedule: Daily Tour location: Luxor Pickup location: Your hotel or Nile cruise in Luxor Tour type: Private
Why You Will Love This Trip
- Walk through the illuminated Great Hypostyle Hall at night during the walking phase of the performance.
- Hear historical accounts of pharaonic rulers, construction phases, and ancient religious festivals of Thebes.
- Watch laser light projections illuminate ancient hieroglyphic reliefs, obelisks, and colossal statues.
- Enjoy a seated view overlooking the illuminated Sacred Lake during the show’s second act.
- Access language-specific shows (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, etc.) or use audio headset translation systems.
- Benefit from private air-conditioned door-to-door hotel or Nile Cruise transfers.
Detailed Itinerary
Stop 1: Evening pickup (18:30)
Collection from your hotel or moored Nile cruise in Luxor, timed to the performance in your chosen language. Start times move with the season, earlier in winter and later in summer.
Stop 2: Arrival at Karnak (19:00)
The complex after dark is a completely different place: lit, largely empty, and without the daytime heat that shortens most visits here.
Stop 3: The processional walk (19:30)
Unlike most sound and light shows, this one moves. You walk from the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes through the first pylon and into the Great Hypostyle Hall while the narration follows you, with the lighting picking out columns and reliefs as they are mentioned.
Stop 4: The Great Hypostyle Hall (19:50)
The 134 columns lit from below, which is the single most striking thing the show does. In daylight the hall is impressive; lit at night the scale reads differently.
Stop 5: The sacred lake grandstand (20:10)
The final act is seated at the lake, with the temple reflected in the water and the story closing on the pharaohs who built and extended Karnak over two thousand years.
Stop 6: Return transfer (20:45)
Back to your hotel or cruise. Performances run in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic on a fixed weekly rota, so tell us your language and we will confirm which nights are available.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Hotel or Nile Cruise pick-up and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Official entry ticket to the Karnak Sound and Light Show.
- Coordination for preferred language show times or translation headset arrangements.
- Driver waiting service throughout the duration of the performance.
- All mandatory government taxes, ticketing surcharges, and service fees.
- The tour price includes all standard admission tickets required for the visits and activities listed in this itinerary. Optional visits and special-access upgrades outside the listed itinerary cost extra.
Excluded
- Audio translation headset rental fees if attending a non-native language slot (approx. $3–$5 USD equivalent).
- Personal expenses and souvenirs.
- Gratuities for the driver and local representative (baksheesh).
- Domestic and international airline tickets are not included.
Prices by Group Size
Every amount is the USD price for one traveler, not the total booking price. Choose the row that matches your group size.
| Travelers | Price per traveler |
|---|---|
| 1 Traveler | $69 per travelerTotal for 1 traveler: $69 |
| 2 Travelers | $55 per travelerTotal for 2 travelers: $110 |
| 3 Travelers | $50 per travelerTotal for 3 travelers: $150 |
| 4 Travelers | $45 per travelerTotal for 4 travelers: $180 |
| 5 Travelers | $45 per travelerTotal for 5 travelers: $225 |
| 6 or More Travelers | $45 per travelerFrom $270 total for 6 travelers |
We will confirm the date, availability and final price by email or WhatsApp before booking.
Pricing Information
The final price depends on travel date, availability, category and traveler count. Currency conversions are estimates updated from the central rate setting.
Children Policy
Child rates depend on age, room occupancy and the hotel or cruise policy. Send each child age for a confirmed quote.
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