For most travellers, the Amazon is defined by what might be seen: a pink river dolphin breaking the surface, a scarlet macaw passing overhead or, if fortune intervenes, the fleeting appearance of a jaguar.
andBeyond is proposing a different way to experience it. Setting sail in December 2026, the new andBeyond Amazon Explorer will take up to 32 guests into the Peruvian Amazon, bringing the company’s safari philosophy to the river for the first time.
The 74m expedition yacht is designed around a simple premise: exploration is not necessarily about covering more ground, but uncovering more of what lies within it.
A Different Kind Of Expedition
The Amazon Explorer will travel through the river’s constantly shifting landscape, offering three-, four- and seven-night journeys across both high- and low-water seasons.
That distinction matters. During high water, flooded forests and remote waterways become accessible; when the river recedes, different landscapes emerge and reveal how the ecosystem adapts to the changing seasons.
Rather than following a rigid sightseeing schedule, guests will be encouraged to linger when something captures their attention. Guided skiff excursions, rainforest walks, kayaking, night safaris and community visits are complemented by cultural and wellness experiences, with regional experts trained to andBeyond’s guiding standards leading small groups.
The approach echoes the company’s land-based safaris, where interpretation and the expertise of guides are as important as the wildlife itself.
The Rainforest Comes Aboard
The yacht has been conceived as an extension of its surroundings rather than an escape from them. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the forest as it passes, while expansive decks provide space to watch the river and rainforest unfold.
Inside, Peruvian craftsmanship takes centre stage through locally inspired Shipibo mosaics, textile art, natural materials and colours drawn from the landscape. Designed and built for andBeyond by SIMA Shipyard, the vessel combines the comforts of a luxury yacht with a distinctly Amazonian sense of place.
There are 12 Luxury Suites, two Superior Suites and an 80sqm Deluxe Suite, alongside an Explorer Centre, wellness centre, gym, media room, River Retreat, sundeck and Pisco Bar.
Beyond Observation
The deeper proposition is perhaps less about the yacht than what happens beyond it.
The Amazon Explorer’s journeys are designed to connect the river, rainforest, wildlife and communities, giving guests time to understand the relationships between them. Even the practical details reinforce that emphasis: each suite comes with two pairs of SWAROVSKI OPTIK binoculars, while community visits form part of every itinerary.
It marks the second luxury expedition yacht in andBeyond’s growing portfolio, but represents a notable evolution for the company. Its traditional safari model has always been built around going deeper into wild places; in the Amazon, that philosophy takes on a different dimension.
Here, there is no single route, landmark or animal that defines the journey. The river itself is constantly changing.
And that may be the most compelling reason to go: not to see the Amazon as a backdrop, but to spend enough time within it to understand that it is always becoming something else.
