What you will learn

Ancient aromatic ingredients: Discover the plants, resins, woods, flowers, spices and oils that formed the foundation of ancient Egypt’s olfactory culture. We will work with materials such as frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon, cardamom, cedar, juniper and rose, to learn about and recognise their aromas as ancient artisans did.

Hands-on creation: Learn ancient formulas and create your own blends of classic Egyptian perfumes, ointments, and the famous Kyphi incense. Rather than simply observing, you will grind, measure, macerate, and blend natural raw materials as part of the weekend experience.

Rituals, symbolism, and fragrance in daily life: Understand the reasons behind the use of fragrances, how Egyptians used incense to honor the gods, how perfumes influenced healing practices, and how scent was woven into both the everyday and the mystical aspects of life.

What you will create and take home

• Your own handmade incense, perfume, and ointment.

• A deep understanding of botanical materials.

• A comprehensive resource dossier with formulas and reading recommendations.

• Confidence in working with natural aromas.

Full Program and Practical Details

Day 1: Saturday 25 July, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Introduction to the aromatic culture of ancient Egypt: sources of information, deities associated with perfume, and the significance of perfumes and incense in daily life and on special occasions.

• Aromatic ingredients used in ancient Egypt: plants, flowers, roots, spices, resins and oils.

• Preparation of the Mendesian perfume.

• Preparation of an aromatic unguent.

Day 2: Sunday 26 July, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Formulas for the most popular perfumes and incenses of ancient Egypt.

• Preparation of Egypt’s most famous aromatic blend, Kyphi.

• Preparation of an adapted formula of the perfume Susinon.

All materials are included in the course fee.

Refreshments will be provided during the morning and afternoon breaks. For lunch, there are several local dining options nearby.

IMPORTANT: Your registration and payment imply acceptance of our Terms and Conditions. Please make sure to read them here: TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Please note that this is not a traditional perfumery course. If you wish to learn the fundamentals of natural perfumery, we recommend that you first take our Introduction to Natural Perfumery course.