Specialist operator andBeyond launches Amazon expedition yacht

Specialist operator andBeyond is set to launch a “progressively designed” expedition river yacht based in the Peruvian Amazon.

 

The Amazon Explorer will begin sailing on September 29, 2026, offering three, four and seven-night itineraries.

 

It will depart from the port city of Iquito before travelling through the town of Nauta and into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

 

The 32-passenger yacht will feature 12 Luxury Suites, two Superior Suites and one Deluxe Suite.

 

There will also be a spa, gym and leisure area known as the River Retreat with a pool deck and lounge.

Dining venues will include interactive cooking stations for demonstrations and classes.

 

The Explorer Centre will offer informative talks with guides and briefings before excursions, while off-ship experiences will focus on exploring the river, its tributaries and surrounding conservation areas using small boats such as skiffs or kayaks. Guests will also have the chance to discover local wildlife during guided hikes.

 

Executive chairman and chief executive, Joss Kent, said: “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.”

 

He added: “We have deliberately chosen this 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. The river here is [more] narrow than further downstream in Brazil and there is less 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 the river, but that remains small enough to access the key most 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.”

 

To ensure tourism has a positive impact on the surrounding areas, the operator plans to support various community-led conservation projects, including one aimed at boosting the population of native river turtle species.

 

The company is also looking to establish a scholarship programme for local students and take part in an initiative to advance educational opportunities for Indigenous communities.

 

Kent said: “With the Amazon known as the lungs of the world and in view of the increasing threats that it is facing, its protection aligns very strongly with our impact initiative and goals.

 

“We believe that we can bring tourism to this extraordinary area in a responsible way that highlights its beauty and diversity while still protecting it.”

 

The launch of the Amazon Explorer marks andBeyond’s second expedition yacht in South America, following the Galapagos Explorer which made its debut last year.