JACKSONVILLE – A new immersive King Tut experience will open on June 9 at the NoCo Center.

Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience is a one-hour tour through the life and history of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. The exhibit will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the tomb’s discovery. According to the website, guests will experience nine multi-sensory galleries, aiming to immerse them in the 3,000-year-old story of the ancient pharaoh.

During a video chat, the creative producer, director and designer of the exhibit Mark Lach said the experience is the next generation of immersive experiences.

Lach said the experience pulls from the photo and video archives of National Geographic. With the use of new technology, Lach said the progressive storyline would take guests through the tomb’s discovery all those years ago to learn more about the king himself.

“The discovery is important to this day because it still is the only intact tomb ever discovered,” Lach said.

According to the website, guests can expect to experience visual galleries, a descendant into the king’s tomb, and a look into a recreation of his burial chamber. In the final room, guests can view larger-than-life projections of King Tut’s treasures.

Lach said guests will also experience immersive rooms that feature a journey into the afterlife, the cinematic usage of Egyptian artifacts, and a trip to Egypt today.

In addition, Lach said guests can hear original music written just for the experience.

“We wanted to bring Egypt today, whether it’s a balloon ride over the pyramids, or a walk down one of the marketplaces, or the pyramids, all that surrounds you,” Lach said.

In 2005, Lach said that Egypt approached him and his team about partnering with National Geographic for their artifact exhibit. Lach said from there, the team was able to network and build a relationship, leading to collaboration on the King Tut experience.

The exhibit has made a temporary home all around the country in cities such as Boston, Washington, Los Angeles and San Diego. Lach said he hopes to bring Egypt to Jacksonville.

“When you come off the street in Jacksonville, you end up in Egypt for a bit,” Lach said.

And Lach said the general reception from around the country has been positive. He attests this to the family aspect that the exhibit brings.

“That’s what I most enjoy is watching people go through. A granddaughter is telling a grandmother something about Egypt. That kind of family experience,” Lach said.

Lach hopes that guests of all ages remove a sense of discovery from the experience.

“We all have a little bit of fascination with Egypt. So, we know a little bit. But I hope you will learn something, meaning new information. You’ll be inspired, you’ll be excited and you’ll have a journey that maybe was unexpected,” Lach said. `

The experience is open until Sept. 3.

The exhibit will operate on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The final tour entry is one hour before closing. The exhibit will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Tickets can be purchased only through the website at www.tickets.beyondkingtut.com.