Private Opening of the Temple of Ptah at Karnak

Early, during non-opening hours, A Private Driver and Expert Guide will pick you up at your hotel or Nile cruise ship. Your own Egyptologist, a top specialist chosen for their vast knowledge of Karnak’s history and mythology, will greet you. During the short trip, your guide will give you an interesting introduction to the creator deity Ptah, his furious wife Sekhmet, and how their temple fits into the bigger picture of Karnak.

The Gates of Karnak: Early Morning Access Only. You will get to the gates of Karnak Temple, which will only be open for you. You enter the world’s biggest ancient holy site as the eastern sky starts to brighten with the first signs of dawn. The deep silence, which is only disturbed by your footsteps and the morning breeze, is a very emotional experience.

 The Path of the Gods: A Lonely Trip to the Northern Precinct. Your guide will take you down a special path that is away from the main axis, which will later be full of people. You will go around parts of the Great Hypostyle Hall and see its forest of 134 huge columns catch the first soft rays of light. This is something you can’t see during regular hours. The trek itself is part of the thrill, and as you get closer to the northern perimeter wall where the Temple of Ptah stands, your excitement grows. 

A Private Meeting in the Temple of Ptah. You come at the simple entrance of the Temple of Ptah, which was built and expanded by pharaohs from Thutmose III to the Ptolemaic kings. Inside, you have your own private space. The Courtyard and the Sanctuaries: Your Egyptologist will translate the hieroglyphs and tell you about the ceremonies and gifts that have been made here for more than a thousand years. The Ptah Sanctuary: You will be taken into the main sanctuary to see the restored statue of the creator god. The Sanctuary of Sekhmet: The real heart of this event is still to come. You will step inside a dark room where there is a life-sized granite statue of the lioness goddess Sekhmet. The goddess’s strong features will be shown off with a well-placed light source. People say that the monument has a special vibe, and you will have plenty of time to think about yourself, take pictures, or just stand in front of this ancient holy force.

The Emergence: Karnak in the Golden Hour. When you leave the temple, the sun will be rising, giving Karnak the ideal “golden hour” light. Because the complex is still peaceful before the main wave of visitors, your guide can take you to other adjacent marvels like the Sacred Lake or the Great Festival Hall of Thutmose III. This gives you the chance to take amazing pictures and feel like you’re discovering something new. 

A Refreshing End:  After seeing the spiritual heart of Karnak, your private car will be waiting for you. You will be driven to a peaceful, beautiful place on the banks of the Nile for a modest breakfast. While you talk about what you did that morning with your guide and watch the life of Luxor wake up, you can drink cold hibiscus tea (karkade), fresh juices, and a variety of Egyptian sweets. Go back to your home. Your driver will take you back to your hotel or Nile cruise, leaving you with the rest of the day to unwind and think about a morning that few people have ever had.

Please be advised that private access to the Temple of Ptah requires special permissions from the Egyptian government and must be arranged well in advance. Pyramids Trip Company will manage all the procedures to obtain the necessary permits. The duration for this private tour inside the temple complex will be two hours.