Description: Just about every major site in Egypt has this compulsion to put on a sound and light show, which begins at sundown. It involves the monument being illuminated by coloured floodlights while a recorded voice narrates snippets of history and mythology. The narration leaves a lot to be desired, but it is worthwhile going just to revisit some of Egypt's sights by moonlight.
The entire programme, lasting about an hour, gives a rather simplified but overdramatised version of Egypt's history. The commentary may not be impressive, but it is rather entertaining when re-told by the Sphinx in its booming, albeit accented voice, which sounds suspiciously British.
Having seen the pyramids during a day tour, I was very much looking forward to seeing them at night, and I have to say, I was not disappointed. So call me cheesy, but I was dazzled (and a bit impressed) by the misty, multi-coloured lighting effects, and during the hour-long show, laser hieroglyphic images were projected onto the side of the pyramid.
It is performed three times nightly in three different languages: English, French, and Japanese. It would be a good idea to call ahead to check the timing of the performance in your preferred language. Other languages can be arranged for groups.
Be sure to bring along a thick sweater or blanket, as you won't want to be freezing like I was! It can get especially cold during the winter out in the open desert with chilling winds.
Performance times during winter: 6:30pm, 7:30pm, and 8:30pm every evening.
During summer: 8:30pm, 9:30pm, and 10:30pm nightly.
If you miss the one at the Giza, you might want to consider the one at the Karnak Temple if you do get a chance to visit Luxor. The Sound and Light Show at the Karnak Temple Complex is a little better. However, it can get a bit too popular with big crowds attending the nightly shows, especially the English one at 8pm, and may become difficult to catch the narration, but it is more interactive as the voices lead you through the complex whilst the story unfolds. No laser lights are involved in this show, but the monuments around the complex are each lit up as the narration relates the events surrounding the building of the complex and the many pharaohs involved in its construction at each point. A cast of characters, including Rameses II and III and Nefertari, appear.
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