Egyptian Tombs Question

Understanding that I've only visited Egypt once, 4 months ago, I'll just say this: AFAIK, the Egyptian authorities are very strict about their open hours. I wouldn't count on finding a pre opening tour anywhere. The tombs and the pyramids that allow visitors have one entry. You leave the way you enter, which means going past others who are headed in the opposite direction. The pyramid access routes are especially narrow and cramped. The tombs aren't as bad, but I never went into one that wasn't very crowded with other tourists. Perhaps if you went in the depths of summer when it is too hot for 99.9% of tourists, they wouldn't be as jammed. The temples were also very crowded, but having high ceilings or open air helped a lot.

Thanks CJean, I always appreciate your responses to posts. To clarify for those reading this post, it's not some much about pre-opening or post-closing access as it is about "quite times" that avoid the big tour groups. For example, Monet's Garden outside of Paris get slammed when the tour busses arrive around 10:00 AM. If you are standing at the entrance at 8:45 AM with a pre-paid ticket you have an hour or so to enjoy the garden without the crowds. Then, you get to enjoy it with the crowds.

We were there in January on a Viking tour.. When we visited the Valley of the Kings, where most of the tombs are, we were on our own to choose which ones we wanted to enter (one day). So the crowd was dependent on how many other tourists were there, and a guide would have been unnecessary. But note that most of the tombs are empty except for Tutankhamun's so it's basically seeing the carvings on the walls. It wasn't too confined inside, but you can judge for yourself.

The temples are different story - a guide is helpful - but they are large and spacious.

You can try going first thing in the morning (before 8 AM?) to the tombs on the West Bank of Luxor, but in my experience visiting in the high season (January), they will be crowded even at an early hour. Small group tours do not have exclusive access at any time, as far as I know.

The tombs were warm in January. Guides do not accompany tourists into the tombs, and you will find many visitors just milling around or walking through the tombs taking video and somewhat oblivious of others. I am not prone to claustrophobia, but I can get salty in situations like that. Despite all that I had a wonderful time in Egypt and encourage you to visit!

We were in Egypt last January, also. The tombs have relatively high ceilings and accommodate groups of people walking in both directions. They are also well-lit. Since I'm a bit claustrophobic, too, I did not enter any pyramids because those have narrow, low passageways.

I am a bit claustrophobic myself, and was able to visit the tombs. I would say you probably wouldn't enjoy going inside any of the pyramids as those involve very narrow passageways where you climb down (and then up) a ladder. There is one you can walk in easily without going up or down any steps, and that is Saqqara, and it's also relatively open inside, so if you want to see inside a pyramid I would recommend that one.

At the Valley of the Kings, they open different tombs at different times tho I think the big ones like Tutankhamen are always open. Some are more crowded/tight spaces than others. Your guide should be able to tell you which are the more open ones and which will likely have fewer people. However, I think it's worth trying to see them even if you're a bit uncomfortable for the few minutes you are down there- if you can overcome that it is worth it.

There are quite a few Youtubers who vlog about ancient Egypt and other archaeological wonders who conduct regular tours to the Pyramids and tombs, etc. They often get special permissions to visit places not usually accessible to tourists and consequently the number of people in any group are low. They also have Egyptologists with them to explain what it is you are looking at.
If Interested, search on YouTube and any upcoming tours/expeditions will be advertised.

I have been to Egypt three times and been inside pyramids and many toombs.

The main Pyramids of Giza can be entered, and can involve some very closed spaces, however once. you go deeper, it opens up especially when you reach the site of the Pharaoh's actual tomb.

In the Valley of the Kings, I have been inside several of the tombs there and some are more closed in, but others have more open spaces. They tend to be well lit and of course, you will find other tourists inside the tombs.