&Beyond has unveiled the Amazon Explorer, a luxury river expedition yacht sailing the Peruvian Amazon. Set in a unique and diverse location, this cruise is redefining South America tours for the better. Expected to sail on 29 September 2026, the vessel is currently under construction at the SIMA Shipyard in Iquitos, Peru.
Exploring the Amazon by boat can be a luxurious, ultra-intimate, focused experience. Talk to a Luxury Travel Specialist about being one of the first to sail the new &Beyond river yacht. If you’re looking to head on a South America tour this year, discover the Pure Amazon River Cruise offer here.
The Itinerary
Adventurers wanting to maximise their South America tour experience will be in awe of this itinerary. Explore the most unique corners of the Peruvian Amazon on this immersive cruise.
The &Beyond Amazon Explorer will operate from the port city of Iquitos, through the smaller town of Nauta, and into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, located in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. They will offer a selection of three and four-night itineraries, as well as a full seven-night itinerary.
Executive Chairman/CEO Joss Kent says the biological diversity of the Peruvian Amazon makes it the “ideal destination” for travellers looking at South America tours.
“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,” Kent explained.
“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 &Beyond 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 Design
Guests will notice a reflection of the location within the interiors of the ship. With materials and design referencing not only the culture, but also the history, as well as the flora and fauna of the yacht’s surroundings.
The &Beyond Amazon Explorer combines the feel of an ocean-going yacht with a small size. It will only offer 12 luxury suites, two superior suites and one deluxe suite, catering to a maximum of 32 guests. Suites will range from 33 square metres in the luxury category to over 80 square metres in the deluxe.
Furthermore, onboard, guests can enjoy a spa and gym, dining spaces which will include an interactive cooking station, an Explorer Centre and a beach club-style River Retreat with a pool deck and lounge.
Redefining South America Tours
There’s no doubt that the &Beyond luxury river yacht will be a sought after experience for many. Guests can expect a range of offshore excursions curated by &Beyond that will be redefining South America tours.
Mainly, excursions will focus on exploring the river, its tributaries and the surrounding conservation areas, using smaller boats known as skiffs. Other activities will include guided walks and night-time expeditions to discover caiman, bats, frogs, snakes and nocturnal birds.
All expeditions will be led by expert guides, selected for their operational experience and knowledge of the destination. Over the next 18 months, the &Beyond guide training team will work with these individuals to teach them the company’s particular style of guiding.
A bucket list favorite, the &Beyond Amazon Explorer transforms a classic South America tour into a more memorable, intimate, and luxurious experience.
Discuss with a Luxury Travel Specialist about how you can be one of the first to sail on &Beyond’s new river yacht.
