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Ecuador is one of South America’s smallest but most bio-diverse countries – home to rainforests teeming with wildlife.

In the mighty Amazon basin Saga guests can sail along the River Napo on a thrilling adventure to explore the rainforest and meet indigenous peoples.

The new Amazon, Tribes and Volcanoes holiday features a four-night cruise on MV Manatee Amazon Explorer and every morning guests wake up to the rich sounds of the tropical rainforest before setting off on daily adventures.

Accompanied by expert guides there are opportunities to watch for the elusive pink river dolphin, anaconda, sloth, Amazon turtles, squirrel monkeys and macaws, as well as discovering abundant plant life.

During the sailing along the Ecuador/Peru border there are calls to the aptly named Piranha Lake, canoe trips along the Napo’s tributaries, hikes and an evening walk to experience the sights and sounds of rainforest’s nocturnal creatures as well a rare opportunity to visit the home of a Quichua family.

Exploring the rainforest is hungry work and guests enjoy flavoursome Ecuadorian cuisine on board the 14-cabin MV Manatee Amazon Explorer; the chef also runs a cookery class for those that want to be able to continue to experience the tastes of Equador when they return home.

Before arriving in Coca to the join the ship, the holiday starts high in the Andes, 3,000 metres above sea level, in the capital Quito. Here, guests can acclimatise at the Hilton Colon Hotel (4Q) and tour the UNESCO-listed old city, built on the foundations of an ancient Incan city.

A memorable day is spent visiting the mountain town of Otavalo, known for its huge market where charming indigenous people sell colourful handmade crafts and textiles. After some delightful retail therapy watch a demonstration on how pan flutes are made and later see a shaman ritual. There’s also time to visit a rose farm to learn about one of Ecuador’s important exports before transferring to the beautiful mountain setting of SachaJi Wellness Ecolodge (4Q) in Imbabura for three nights.

During the stay board the Liberty Train from Ibarra for a journey through the Andean countryside to Salinas to meet members of Ecuador’s Afro-Ecuadorian community, whose ancestors were forced into slavery by 16^th century Conquistadors.

For details call free on 0800 056 0464 or visit saga.co.uk/ecuador

11 nights from £3,299 departing on September 12, November 14, 2018 and January 16, March 13, May 8 and June 12, 2019. Price is per person based on two people sharing on September 12 2018 and includes VIP door-to-door travel service, return flights from Heathrow to Quito (via Bogota), transfers, four nights on MV Manatee Amazon Explorer, one night in the Hilton Hotel Colon, Quito, three nights in the SachaJi Wellness Ecolodge, Imbabura, two nights in flight, most meals (nine breakfasts, seven lunches and nine dinners), porterage, local expert guide, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights or a discount if passenger has own insurance.