Luxury adventure operator andBeyond is expanding its South American portfolio with an innovative river expedition yacht designed for the Peruvian Amazon. The andBeyond Amazon Explorer, currently under construction at the SIMA Shipyard in Iquitos, Peru, will commence operations on Sept. 29, 2026.
“As we expand our portfolio in South America, the biological diversity of the Peruvian Amazon makes it the ideal destination for our brand of sustainable luxury tourism. We believe that it is our duty to protect and preserve the world’s biodiversity hotspots, and this progressively designed new river expedition yacht will allow us to introduce our guests to this incredibly important habitat in a way that is both sensitive and yet truly immersive,” said andBeyond Executive Chairman & CEO Joss Kent in a press statement. “We look forward to bringing our trademark brand of hospitality and interpretive guiding to the Peruvian Amazon.”
andBeyond Heads Off the Beaten Path
The vessel will operate from Iquitos through Nauta and into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, situated in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Guests can select from flexible itinerary options, including 3-night, 4-night, or comprehensive 7-night journeys exploring this biodiverse region.
“We have very deliberately chosen this site as our base of operations since the upper reaches of the Amazon River are best suited to the kind of expeditionary cruise that we are planning to provide for our guests,” explained Kent in the press statement. “The river here is narrower than further downstream in Brazil and there is less river traffic. We have deliberately designed a yacht that is sleeker and more graceful than most of the other barge-style boats found this far up on the river, but that remains small enough to access the key navigable channels. With the andBeyond Amazon Explorer as a base and using light skiffs for excursions, we are able to curate an intimate river experience that delves deep into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, a massive conservation area of five million acres.”
The vessel combines sophisticated yacht design elements with an intimate scale. The Amazon Explorer will accommodate just 32 guests across 15 suites in three categories: 12 luxury suites measuring 355 sq. ft., two superior suites and one large deluxe suite spanning over 860 sq. ft.
The interior design incorporates elements of local Shipibo-Conibo culture and features Kene art touchpoints. Materials and design references connect guests to the local heritage, wildlife and natural surroundings.
Beyond the accommodations, andBeyond’s new yacht offers generous spa and gym facilities, dining areas with an interactive cooking station for demonstrations and classes and an Explorer Centre where guests can participate in informative talks by expert guides. A dedicated pre-expeditionary area provides space for briefings before excursions.
The vessel also features a River Retreat—a leisure area comprising a pool deck and lounge where travelers can relax while absorbing the surrounding Amazon landscape.
The expedition program centers on exploring the river system and adjacent conservation areas. Your clients will venture into remote sections of rainforest using skiffs and kayaks. Activities include guided walks to spot sloths, piranha fishing, birdwatching and nighttime excursions searching for caiman, bats, frogs, snakes and nocturnal birds.
andBeyond is also implementing an 18-month training program to develop local experts in the company’s distinctive guiding approach, ensuring knowledgeable leadership for all expeditions.
The project also incorporates andBeyond’s conservation ethos. The company is researching community-led conservation initiatives, including efforts to boost native river turtle populations. Additional plans include establishing a scholarship program for local students and supporting educational opportunities for Indigenous communities in the region.
For more information, visit andbeyond.com.
