Grand Egyptian Museum Update

In light of recent regional developments, and in alignment with ongoing strategic considerations, the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum — initially scheduled for July 3rd, 2025 — has now been postponed to the last quarter of the year. This adjustment reflects the Egyptian authorities’ continued commitment to unveiling this monumental cultural landmark at the highest possible standard.

In the meantime, Akorn Egypt will continue to offer guests access to soft-opening visits of the Grand Egyptian Museum, as previously conducted. These curated visits allow travelers the opportunity to experience key galleries and exhibitions ahead of the museum’s official grand opening. Please note that the soft-opening phase does not yet include the much-anticipated King Tutankhamun galleries and treasures, which will be unveiled during the official inauguration later this year.

Akorn remains fully operational across Egypt, delivering exceptional experiences with the safety, comfort, and enrichment that define our legacy. The destination continues to operate smoothly, with all historical sites, luxury hotels, Nile cruises, tours, and activities running as scheduled across the entire country. We continue to welcome guests with the same care and precision that have made Akorn the trusted choice for luxury travel across the region.

We look forward to the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum later this year, which promises to be a global celebration of Egypt’s heritage — one well worth the wait.

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The Grand Egyptian Museum Opens: A Historic Milestone for Akorn Egypt and the World

After more than two decades of planning, construction and anticipation, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has officially opened — marking a defining cultural moment for Egypt and a transformative development for global heritage travel. The museum’s official opening ceremony took place on November 1, followed by public opening on November 4, instantly establishing GEM as one of the most important cultural institutions of the century.

Located just one kilometer from the Pyramids of Giza, the museum spans roughly 470,000 square meters, making it the largest archaeological museum in the world devoted to a single civilization. Originally conceptualized in the 1990s, with construction commencing in 2005, the $1-billion project now stands as a symbol of Egypt’s long-term commitment to preserving and interpreting its unparalleled heritage.

The inauguration drew heads of state, dignitaries, global media and cultural leaders. The evening featured sophisticated laser shows, fireworks and artistic performances set against the museum’s striking façade. Akorn Egypt was honored to be present, with Managing Director Amr Badr personally welcoming Manfredi Lefebvre, Executive Chairman of A&K Travel Group. During his visit, Mr. Lefebvre met with leading broadcasters and offered interviews highlighting GEM’s cultural and economic significance.

“This is another leg to the success of Egypt as a leading destination for travellers. The museum is a good way to attract people to understand current Egypt. By loving the past, you can understand and love the future of a country,” he said, speaking to MBC Masr. 

“The importance that the government has given the inauguration of the museum marks a turning point. This is a new phase: Egypt 2.0, bringing more wealth and jobs to the country,” Lefebvre added. “I believe it is the beginning of a new era. You have so much to offer in this country, and are doing everything to fulfil that.”

Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by the vast Atrium — anchored by the towering 11-meter, 83-ton statue of Ramesses II, dramatically lit beneath GEM’s geometric roofline. From there, twelve major galleries guide guests through Egypt’s civilization chronologically, using immersive design, advanced conservation technology and masterful curation.

One of the museum’s greatest achievements is the unveiling of the entire Tutankhamun collection — more than 5,000 artifacts displayed together for the first time since their discovery. These treasures, many never before shown publicly, are presented in climate-controlled halls that narrate the life, death and legacy of the young pharaoh.

Equally significant is the new home of King Khufu’s Solar Boat, one of the world’s oldest and most extraordinary wooden vessels. Its dedicated gallery allows visitors to appreciate the full scale and engineering complexity of this 4,600-year-old masterpiece.

For Egypt’s tourism landscape, GEM’s opening represents a turning point. A&K Egypt is already seeing heightened demand, with a marked increase in bookings and interest from travelers eager to experience this long-awaited landmark.

To meet this enthusiasm, Akorn Egypt has launched a series of exclusive private-access experiences at GEM. These privileged tours include entry to the Tutankhamun galleries, the Solar Boat halls, the signature gallery circuit, and the behind-the-scenes Conservation Center. Led by Egypt’s most respected Egyptologists, these experiences bring unmatched depth, storytelling and scholarly insight to the museum visit.

With its opening, the Grand Egyptian Museum is not only redefining how ancient Egypt is presented — it is reshaping how the world engages with history. For advisors, partners and travellers, GEM marks the beginning of a new era, and Akorn Egypt is proud to lead guests through this extraordinary cultural milestone.

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