First In The Door: Bunnik Tours Guests Make History At Egypt’s GEM

Travellers on a Bunnik Tours small group adventure found themselves at the centre of history on 6 November 2025, joining the very first visitors to enter Egypt’s long awaited Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).

A Bunnik Tours group was among the earliest arrivals and became the first to step into the dedicated Tutankhamun gallery. Of the first fifteen people inside the room, nine were travelling on the company’s 16 day Egyptian Discovery tour, led by senior Egyptologist Eman Bahaa.

The GEM brings together more than five thousand of the boy king’s treasures, including the famous gold death mask, now displayed in full for the first time. The opening has been described as a landmark moment in the story of Egyptology.

Eman Bahaa said the group had been determined to be first at the gallery doors.

“My plan worked — we were the first into the room. It was an incredible experience for my Bunnik Tours guests and for me personally. Seeing the museum open and Tutankhamun’s treasures shown together is a dream come true.”

Traveller Sandi Dent said the significance of the moment became clear almost immediately.

“Within an hour it was ten deep around Tutankhamun’s gold death mask. We were truly blessed that Eman made this happen.”

Set beside the Great Pyramids of Giza, the GEM has already been hailed as one of the most important cultural openings of this century. Its soaring modern design houses newly restored pieces never seen by the public, statues of Ramses II and glittering halls that chart seven thousand years of Egyptian history.

For more than thirty years Bunnik Tours has helped Australians experience the world’s great stories through small group travel. Egypt has remained one of its most loved destinations, and the debut of the GEM is expected to renew interest in journeys through the land of the pharaohs. The museum now features across the company’s Egypt itineraries to ensure guests can explore this extraordinary new attraction.

Dennis Bunnik, Joint CEO of Bunnik Tours, said the experience went far beyond a typical museum visit.

“Reading about ancient Egypt is one thing, but nothing compares to standing face to face with it. Our guests were not just touring a museum. They were witnessing history being made.
“Moments like this remind us why we travel. To stand where history unfolds and feel the connection between past and present. It is something our travellers will carry with them forever.”

With carefully designed itineraries and expert Egyptologist guides, Bunnik Tours continues to help travellers understand Egypt’s culture, history and people in meaningful ways. The opening of the GEM is set to be a major highlight for visitors in 2026 and beyond.

For details about Bunnik Tours’ Egypt small group journeys, visit bunniktours.com.au or call 1300 125 007 to speak with a travel specialist.