Highlights and personal moments from our 2025 small-group journey
By Laura Ranieri Roy
This past October-November, with a group of 12 intrepid travellers, we truly did it all.
Was it life-changing?
Yes, I think for some it was!
At times it was exhausting… but it was also exhilarating: a chance to connect , meet archaeologists, eat extraordinary food in unforgettable settings, and experience both modern and ancient Egypt—from the shores of the Mediterranean in Alexandria to the desert edges of Nubia. It offered moments to rethink the world, and life, in a fresh light.
Here are six memorable highlights from our 2025 journey—shared in words and images.
1. At Remote Sites — Right as History Reveals Itself
Before the main tour even began, a few adventurous guests joined me for a pre-tour into Egypt’s rarely visited Delta sites. First stop: Bubastis (Per-Bast), temple centre of the feline goddess Bastet and capital during the 22nd Dynasty. When I last visited in 2011, it was largely a field of ruins. This time, we explored a partially reconstructed hypostyle hall and a new, beautifully presented museum.
Another 2.5 hours northeast brought us to Tanis—known to many from Indiana Jones but, in truth, one of Egypt’s most extraordinary archaeological landscapes. Here, in 1939, Pierre Montet uncovered intact royal tombs with gold and silver mummies to rival Tutankhamun. World War II overshadowed the discovery, and Tanis never received proper fame.
Today, the French–Egyptian mission is slowly reassembling its story. As we arrived, something remarkable had just happened. While the team could not officially disclose details, whispers reached us from the inspector:
225 ushabtis belonging to King Shoshenq III had just been found—in pristine context, buried for almost 3,000 years beneath layers of Nile silt.
We met Dr. Frédéric Payraudeau of the Sorbonne on site—a genuine thrill—and even peered into the chamber of Osorkon II where the discovery occurred. To stand there as history was surfacing was unforgettable.
- Alexandria Alive — and a Stunning New Museum
Another optional pre-tour took us north to Alexandria with our wonderful guide, Saleeb. We stopped at the serene Syrian Monastery of Wadi Natrun, descended into the haunting Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs, and visited the Serapeum and its towering (and misnamed) “Pompey’s Pillar,” which in fact honours Diocletian.
Saleeb reminded us that layers of Alexandria’s ancient past remain hidden under modern streets, awaiting political will and funding to uncover.
A favourite moment was stepping inside the newly reopened Greco-Roman Museum, filled with exquisite pieces from this later era of Egyptian civilization. And of course—wine on the balconies of the historic Cecil Hotel, overlooking the Mediterranean where Alexander once dreamed his new city into being.
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Inside Kom el Shoqafa catacombs
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Greco Roman Museum
- Giza Plateau Reimagined — and Inside Menkaure for the First Time
I’ve visited Giza many times, but never like this. The plateau has been transformed: a new visitor centre, interpretive displays, a 3D map, clearly defined routes, and electric buses connecting each monument.
We entered the Great Pyramid—always a highlight. But some of us also purchased a modest $9 USD ticket to explore the rarely visited Pyramid of Menkaure. Atmospheric, accessible, and full of unexpected features, it added a whole new dimension to Giza for many in the group.
- A Riverboat to Ourselves — An Intimate Cruise on the Acamar
Despite record crowds in Egypt for the Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening, our Nile cruise was remarkably peaceful. Our boat, the Acamar, was almost entirely ours—aside from one small group.
We enjoyed the rare feeling of a private yacht experience: drifting past palm groves and villages, visiting elegant Ptolemaic temples with our wonderful guide Nabil, and on November 1, gathering in the lounge to watch President el-Sisi and dignitaries inaugurate the Grand Egyptian Museum. Champagne flowed. It felt surreal to witness this historic moment from the calm of the Nile.
- A Western Valley First — Into the Tomb of Amenhotep III
Through great effort—and thanks to our determined operators—we secured a private permit to visit the newly restored tomb of Amenhotep III, located in the Western Valley (sometimes called the Valley of the Monkeys).
Closed for decades and reopened only by special permission in October 2025, it welcomed us on November 2. The tomb is long, deep, and richly decorated in early 18th-dynasty colours—vibrant blues and Amarna-style yellows—and houses the reconstructed sarcophagus of one of Egypt’s greatest kings.
Standing there, just our small group surrounded by guards and officials, was an extraordinary privilege.
- The Grand Egyptian Museum — First In
After years of anticipation, the Grand Egyptian Museum’s full opening finally arrived. I had visited four times before—watching it evolve from empty courtyards to towering staircases to expansive galleries. But this was the moment everyone had awaited: entry into the Tutankhamun Halls.
Four days after the official opening, we joined tens of thousands of Egyptians eager to honour their young king. The halls were packed, but the experience was extraordinary.
5,300 objects from Tutankhamun’s tomb, reunited for the first time in history, displayed in carefully designed cases—though signage and wayfinding remain in development and will surely improve over time.
Khufu’s Boat Hall, housed in a separate building, impressed as well, even as restoration of the second boat continues behind the scenes.
To be among the first to witness these treasures in their new home was breathtaking, chaotic, and entirely unforgettable.
A Journey to Remember
All in all, this was one of my favourite tours—filled with rare access, new experiences, convivial travellers, brilliant guides, and constant surprises. Even after nearly 20 visits, Egypt continues to astonish and delight.
The truth is:
Every journey feels like the first time.
If this glimpse of our adventure has you dreaming of Egypt, perhaps 2026 or 2027 is your year. Explore our upcoming small-group tours here: ancientegyptalive.com/travel
You’re always welcome to contact us directly—whether to ask questions, discuss dates, or consider a custom itinerary. We’d be delighted to travel with you.
