In October 2025, the tomb of Amenhotep III reopened after a 20-year renovation project. While not yet opened for general visits, Big Five remains steadfast in our commitment to spotlighting local archaeologists who are a wealth of knowledge yet are not given the proper due credit. Though the televisions cameras don’t see them, we do.
It was in 2024, when we made a commitment to highlight local archeologists in order to create a fair opportunity for them to showcase their work for our guests. You can read about that initiative here: Big Five Tours & Expeditions Adds New Initiative in Egypt
Well, our work with the local community of the brightest minds, and the new tomb of Amenhotep III converged like two worlds into one amazing experience in Luxor when four local archeologists in charge of the restoration project personally led us through. I read about this article in the Associated Press just two months earlier with unabashed excitement and challenged our team to find a way to be among the first to enter this tomb. Traveling with this year’s amazing group of archaeologists, we proceeded with the short walk up the dirt hill.
Unlocking the gate at the entry was an experience you see in Hollywood movies, a padlock preventing access, being removed by a colleague with a ring full of keys so large, it would make a facilities manager proud. Down the stairs we went, so silent you could hear your heartbeat and a pin drop at the same time. No lines here, no tourists thinking they are the next Peter Lik, it was just us.
As I glanced back at the group descending, their eyes were wide with curiosity, yet no one spoke. Even our Egyptologist, deeply experienced in the field of archaeology, was visibly awed and grateful for another rare firsthand encounter. I then looked to our country manager, a second father to me, and he said the words he always does when he knows I’m left speechless: “You’re welcome.”
You can also read about this opening here: Pharoah’s tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings reopens to the public after 2-decade renovation
Enjoy the second video in our two-part dispatch.
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