Rock the Cradle of the Amazon
Voyage by luxury superyacht to the exact point where the Ucayali and Marañón rivers collide to create the world’s mightiest river. An 8-day expedition into the flooded forests of the Pacaya-Samiria, where pink dolphins and ancient shamanic traditions thrive.
The Heartbeat of the Flooded Forest
The Peruvian Amazon is not merely a destination; it is a living, breathing entity that dictates the rhythm of everything within it. On this 8-day expedition aboard the brand new &Beyond Amazon Explorer superyacht, you go beyond the typical tourist reach, navigating the "Mirror of the Jungle." During the low water season, the receding rivers reveal hidden hiking trails and sandy riverbanks, offering a rare opportunity to step off the skiff and onto the forest floor where ocelots, anacondas, and colorful toucans thrive in the dense canopy.
Your journey begins at the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers—the official birthplace of the mighty Amazon. Here, the water teems with life, from the iconic pink river dolphins to the giant Victoria Regia water lilies. Each day is a sensory masterclass: morning skiff explorations through blackwater oxbow lakes, afternoon visits with local shamanic communities to learn the secrets of medicinal flora, and evening "safaris" under a blanket of stars where the forest comes alive with the sounds of caimans and tree frogs.
Life on the river is defined by Effortless Luxury. Between excursions, your yacht provides a refined vantage point to watch the jungle slide by. Whether you are stargazing from the deck, savoring Amazonian-inspired cuisine, or embarking on an exhilarating night trek through primary forest, you are part of a curated odyssey that respects the delicate balance of this wilderness while providing an unparalleled level of comfort and insight.
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Trip Itinerary
Iquitos to Nauta
Welcome to the gateway of the Amazon. Upon landing in Iquitos, you will be warmly welcomed by your &Beyond guide and transferred to the port town of Nauta. Here, you’ll catch your first look at the &Beyond Amazon Explorer, your luxury floating sanctuary for the week. After settling into your suite, embark on your first guided skiff ride. This is your introduction to the sights and sounds of the Peruvian Amazon, where the calls of exotic birds and the ripple of the river provide a natural soundtrack to your arrival.
The Birth of the Amazon
Your day begins at the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers, the official origin of the mighty Amazon River. This iconic location is a biodiversity hotspot; keep your camera ready for sightings of pink and grey river dolphins and common squirrel monkeys. After gaining insight into daily river life at a nearby community, you’ll visit a local butterfly farm. As the sun sets, the adventure continues on land with a guided nature walk to discover the hidden micro-world of the rainforest, from pink-toed tarantulas to poison dart frogs.
Clavero Lake Oxbows
Kick-start your morning with a skiff exploration of Clavero Lake, a stunning blackwater oxbow lake teeming with aquatic life. Enjoy a picnic breakfast on the water followed by the thrill of kayaking or piranha fishing in the still waters. After a leisurely afternoon participating in onboard activities, the day winds down with a late-afternoon skiff ride along the Ucayali River. Scout the riverbanks for wildlife and interact with local fishermen to learn about traditional fishing practices that have sustained these communities for generations.
Yarapa River & Shamanic Traditions
Rise early for a skiff adventure along the Yarapa River. This is a prime time for birdlife, including white-throated toucans and yellow-crowned parrots, as well as sloths and pygmy marmosets. After breakfast, visit a nearby community to meet with local shamanic people, gaining a unique glimpse into their spiritual connection to the river and medicinal plants. In the evening, prepare for an exhilarating night exploration in a Primary Forest—a pristine, ancient ecosystem that has remained untouched by human activity and holds incredible nocturnal biodiversity.
Nauta Market & Sapi Sapi Lake
Take a short skiff ride to the bustling Nauta Food Market for an authentic taste of daily life. Here you’ll find an array of exotic fruits, wild-caught fish, and traditional Amazonian dishes. Afterward, explore Sapi Sapi Lake. Though man-made, this lake is a local conservation success, known for its abundance of turtles, caimans, and the massive paiche fish. Return to the yacht for a leisurely afternoon as we navigate deeper into the reserve, enjoying the refined comforts of the &Beyond Amazon Explorer’s lounge and deck spaces.
Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Enter the pristine forest of the San Isidro area within the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Trek through the canopy to discover the majestic giant kapok tree and learn about the world of medicinal plants while observing squirrel monkeys in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, conclusion your day with a skiff exploration and piranha fishing. Savour a breathtaking Amazonian sunset with sundowners along the riverbank before heading out under the cover of darkness to search for caimans, frogs, and hawks by spotlight.
Marañón River & Conservation
Your final full day begins on the Marañón River with a picnic breakfast and piranha fishing in the still black waters. Later, visit a nearby community to learn about the water river turtle conservation project, a vital initiative to protect these species from extinction. As the day winds down, enjoy a final sunset experience on an exclusive sandbar along the river. Sip drinks and savor snacks while soaking in the serene colors of your final Amazonian sunset reflecting on a week of deep immersion in the world’s most vital rainforest.
Iquitos City Tour & Departure
After a final breakfast on board, return to Iquitos for a guided city tour. You’ll visit the Museum of Indigenous Cultures and stroll through the downtown area to admire the iconic buildings from the 19th-century Rubber Boom era, as well as the vibrant Plaza de Armas. Conclude your morning with a delightful brunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the airport for your onward flight. You leave the Amazon not just well-traveled, but deeply connected to the rhythm of the river.
Where You’ll Stay
&Beyond Amazon Explorer
An Intimate Passage into the Living Amazon
The &Beyond Amazon Explorer is designed for travelers who want to experience the rainforest as it truly is—unrushed, immersive, and deeply connected to the rhythms of the river. Purpose-built for quiet exploration, the yacht follows the Amazon’s natural flow, creating a journey defined less by schedules and more by stillness, observation, and presence. Interiors draw directly from the landscape, with rainforest textures and Shipibo-inspired patterns that ground every moment in a strong sense of place, while expansive windows dissolve the boundary between inside and out.
With just 15 spacious suites—among the largest on the Amazon—the experience is intentionally intimate. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the shifting forest light from dawn to dusk, while thoughtful spaces like the River Retreat and Explorer Centre invite reflection, learning, and restoration between excursions. Sustainability is woven into the design, from solar panels that reduce environmental impact to architectural choices that prioritize harmony with the surrounding ecosystem.
Guided by expertly trained &Beyond naturalists, each day balances insight with restraint—knowing when to share stories, and when to let the rainforest speak for itself. Whether traveling as a couple, a small group, or a family using the yacht’s flexible connecting suites, the Amazon Explorer offers a rare kind of luxury: space, silence, and a deeper connection to one of the world’s most extraordinary environments.
What's Included
- Accommodation on the yacht
- Three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, and tea and coffee
- Internet (via Starlink)
- Laundry
- Scheduled transfers between Iquitos Airport and the port of embarkation (Iquitos and/or Nauta, depending on the itinerary)
- The exclusive use of one pair of SWAROVSKI OPTIK binoculars per room to share, for the duration of your stay
- Guides' Journal with regional information and wildlife illustrations
- Area map with Star Birds checklist
- Daily excursions
- Included activities: Guided nature walks, skiff excursions, kayaking, community visits, Iquitos city tour, and brunch on the day of departure
- Administration fee
- Champagne, cognac, fine wines and premium brand spirits
- Flights to/from Iquitos
- Items of personal nature
- Wellness treatments
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
