Jon Baines Tours Jon Baines Tours Jon Baines Tours

History of Medicine along the Nile

15 - 27 Nov 2019
  • Medical & Professional Tours
The great pyramids of Giza Feluccas on the River Nile Hieroglyphics at Kom Ombo Temple Abu Simbel Temple Of Luxor El Alamein Desert (extension) The great port of Alexandria (extension)

About the tour

Cruise in comfort to Egypt’s most fascinating destinations in the company of intelligent, like-minded people. Hear about the history of medicine from respected Egyptologists as you progress along the River Nile aboard the elegant MS Mayfair Nile Cruise, and stay in the historic Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor.

Listen to lectures by Professor Rosalie David, a renowned authority on the medicine of Ancient Egypt, as well as by Dr Carole Reeves, an expert on the history of medicine, specifically Egyptian, both of whom will accompany you on shore visits.

This tour includes guided private shore visits to sites of medical historical interest, as well as the wonders of ancient Egypt. There is an optional 3-night extension to the great city of Alexandria and the battlefield of El Alamein after the tour.

The elegant 5-star MS Mayfair Nile Cruise provides spacious and comfortable cabins, all with French balconies opening onto the Nile. Facilities include a spa with steam and sauna, swimming pool and Jacuzzi, pool bar, lounge bar and library, and restaurant.

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Your tour leader

Picture of JBT tour leader, Dr Carol Reeves

Dr Carol Reeves

Carole Reeves has a PhD in the History of Medicine (University of London). She has worked as a medical illustrator, and as a writer/director, communicating medicine and science to specialist and public audiences through film and television. She has travelled the world for work and pleasure. She was appointed Outreach Historian to the Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine (2006), and Senior Lecturer in Science and Technology Studies, University College London (2013). She is a Fellow of the Institute of Medical Illustrators, and a Fellow of the British Institute of Professional Photographers. 

Her public engagement projects include a history of medicine for HistoryWorld, which won the New Statesman New Media Award (2003) for the UK's best educational web site; and ‘The Children of Craig-y-nos’, a public history project that recorded the memories of people who were child patients in a tuberculosis sanatorium in the Swansea Valley. This was shortlisted for the Medical Journalists’ Association General Readership Book Award (2010). 

Carole’s interest in Ancient Egypt developed in childhood. She has travelled throughout Egypt and has worked with UCL’s Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology on events which bring aspects of Egyptian health and healing to a public audience. She is the author of ‘Egyptian Medicine’ (2001), and ‘Health and Healing in Ancient Egypt’ for BBC History Magazine’s ‘The Story of Medicine’ (2017).

Need more information?

  • Tel: (Toll Free) 1-8777-398-764
  • Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
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Itinerary at a glance

  • 15 Nov (Fri) Giza: Arrive and transfer to the hotel
  • 16 Nov (Sat) Giza: Explore the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Visit the Gayer-Anderson Museum and Ib Tulun Mosque
  • 17 Nov (Sun) Giza: Drive to Sakkara Step Pyramid, the Tomb of Ankhmahor and the Imhotep Museum. Visit Giza Pyramids and the Solar Boat Museum. Dinner on a boat on the Nile
  • 18 Nov (Mon) Giza / Luxor: Morning flight to Luxor. Transfer to the ship, check into cabins. Afternoon talk: ‘Ancient Egyptian Civilisation: Historical Background, the Significance
  • of the Nile, the Beginnings of Civilisation’ Rosalie David (RD)
  • 19 Nov (Tues) Luxor / Esna / Edfu: Drive to the ancient city of Thebes.Visit the temples of Luxor and Karnak. Sail to Edfu and cross Esna Lock. Talk: ‘Mummies - A Resource for Studying Disease, Treatment and Lifestyle’ RD
  • 20 Nov (Wed) Edfu / Aswan: Guided tour of the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Sail to Kom Ombo. Arrive into Aswan Talk: ‘Introduction to Ancient Egyptian Medicine’ Prof. Rosalie David
  • 21 Nov (Thurs) Aswan: Visit the Temple of Philae and Aswan High Dam. Talk: ‘The Great Dam –Before and After’ by guide.
  • 22 Nov (Fri) Aswan: Optional morning visit to Abu Simbel. Felucca sailing boat trip to visit Kitchener Island. Explore the island. CPD dental talk.
  • 23 Nov (Sat) Aswan / Kom Ombo / Edfu / Luxor: Sail to Kom Ombo. Visit Kom Om Temple. Guided tour and talk: ‘The Temples as Centres of Healing’ RD
  • 24 Nov (Sun) Luxor: Arrive Luxor and visit the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatchepsut at Dier El Bahari, Dier El Madina and the Temple of Ramesses II. Talk:‘The Ancient Egyptian Contribution toGraeco-Roman and Later Medicine’ RD
  • 25 Nov (Mon) Luxor: Drive to Dendara to visit the temple. Proceed to Abydos to visit the temples of Sethi Ist Temple I with its magnificent wall paintings and bas-reliefs. Transfer to the Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel and dinner
  • 26 Nov (Tues) Luxor: Day at leisure or optional activities. Dental lectures. Farewell dinner in Winter Palace Hotel
  • 27 Nov (Wed) Luxor: Fly to Cairo or take extension to Alexandria.

Alexandria Extension

  • 27 Nov (Wed) Luxor / Alexandria: Flight from Luxor to Cairo. Drive via Wadi Natrun Coptic monasteries to Alexandria
  • 28 Nov (Thurs) Alexandria: Guided visit of the National Museum and the Catacombs. City orientation tour and visit Alexandria Library
  • 29 Nov (Fri) Alexandria: Visit El Alamein and the cemeteries. Return to Alexandria
  • 30 Nov (Sat) Alexandria: Transfer to Cairo airport to connect with departure flight

Tour cost

Cost of the cruise and tour (excluding international flights and transfers) is US $4,057 pp sharing (cabin upgrades available)

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