The River Nile wends its way more than 4,000 miles from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea. Yet it’s the 130-mile section between Aswan and Luxor in southern Egypt that exerts the most powerful hold on the collective imagination. Here are many of the largest, most elaborate and intriguing structures built in ancient times, including the massive Temple of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Kom Ombo and the Greco-Egyptian shrine to Isis at Philae. The river and landscape themselves possess an elemental beauty; expect ruby-red sunsets over groves of palms and endless amber desert.

Whether travelling downstream from Aswan to Luxor or upstream from Luxor to Aswan (both over four nights), you’ll be immersed in more than 5,000 years’ worth of uniquely rich history. Twice-daily excursions to must-see sites in the company of an expert guide will help you get your dynasties in order. In between, there’s plenty of time to relax and enjoy the amenities of Sun Boat III, including Cleopatra’s Oasis on the Sun Deck. Naturally the bar – named in honour of the eminent Egyptologist Howard Carter – and restaurant provide highly convivial points of focus, further enlivened, on occasion, by the presence of oud musicians, belly dancers and whirling dervishes.