The daily glimpses of men sitting on plastic chairs in the blazing sun, enjoying their morning tea and shisha pipes, sugarcane and wheat fields, family-run farms, mud huts, kids waving as the boats go by, an illuminated minaret in dusk light – this is the Egypt that’s not on the itinerary, but would be worth taking a cruise for alone.

But of course that’s just the start of the experience. From the vivid artwork inside Valley of the Kings’ tombs to the perfectly carved hieroglyphics at Luxor Temple, all the key tour stops between Luxor and Aswan are within a short drive of the Nile’s banks.

A few years ago, these sights were constantly surrounded by busloads of tourists, but now, in fact, it is not only the best time to visit and the best way of helping Egypt get back on its feet, but the lack of crowds at these epic monuments mean it’s also incredibly rewarding.