Abercrombie & Kent has officially introduced Pure Amazon, a boutique 22-passenger riverboat designed to bring travelers deeper into one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions: Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Often referred to as the “mirror forest” for its glassy flooded waterways, this protected area spans more than five million acres of untouched Amazon rainforest—an environment accessible only to a privileged few. With Pure Amazon now in operation, guests can explore remote ecosystems, encounter extraordinary wildlife, and engage with Indigenous culture in a setting that blends luxury, art, and environmental stewardship.
A Riverboat Designed as a Floating Gallery
Pure Amazon is more than a vessel, it’s an immersive cultural experience. The interiors have been thoughtfully curated with site-specific works created exclusively for the ship, transforming the riverboat into a moving art installation.
At the heart of the dining room is Manto de Escamas de Paiche, a dramatic sculptural centerpiece by renowned Venice Biennale artist Silvana Pestana. Crafted from hand-shaped bronze and clay, its triangular forms echo the scales of the massive arapaima fish, one of the Amazon’s most iconic species. Pestana’s other installations aboard the vessel tackle urgent environmental themes, such as the devastation caused by illegal gold mining, incorporating evocative materials like gold leaf and traditional Amazonian textiles.
Every suite continues this celebration of regional artisanship. Authentic kene textiles, handmade by the Shipibo-Konibo people, showcase sacred geometric patterns painted with natural dyes. These designs hold deep cultural meaning, believed to reflect the spiritual energy and interconnectedness of the rainforest. Adding to the vessel’s artistic soul, the Beneai Collective (“to sing” in Shipibo-Konibo) has created 20 unique hand-embroidered cushion compositions, ensuring no two accommodations feel the same.
A Wildlife Haven Few Ever See
Guided by expert naturalists, guests venture into river channels, flooded forests, and hidden lagoons where wildlife thrives away from human intrusion. Sightings may include pink river dolphins gliding through calm waters, elusive black caimans lurking along the banks, giant river otters at play, and colorful avian species such as hoatzins and scarlet macaws. Three-toed sloths, towering arapaima fish, and other rare species contribute to a sense of true wilderness exploration.
Daily activities are designed to deepen the connection with the environment, kayaking along quiet tributaries, fishing for piranha, and trekking forest pathways that reveal medicinal plants, ancient trees, and the sounds of nighttime Amazon life.
Culinary Excellence from the Heart of Iquitos
Evenings aboard Pure Amazon are elevated by a culinary program led by chefs from Iquitos, the cultural gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. Guests enjoy nightly five-course tasting menus that change with the seasons and highlight regional ingredients, paired with selections of Latin American wines. The dining experience mirrors the journey itself, refined, authentic, and rooted in place.
A Commitment to Community and Conservation
A&K has integrated educational and social impact components into every voyage. All travelers visit FORMABIAP, the Bilingual Teacher Training Program for the Peruvian Amazon. Here, 212 students from Kukama Kukamiria, Shawi, Kichwa, and Achuar communities are preparing to become intercultural bilingual educators. The program also provides critical opportunities for young Indigenous women, allowing them to pursue training while accompanied by their children and caregivers.
Onboard operations also reflect a strong environmental ethos. The ship employs low-level lighting to protect nocturnal species, advanced heat pump systems for energy efficiency, and automated lighting controls to reduce consumption, all helping to preserve the fragile ecosystems being explored.
Boutique Luxury in the Wild
With a rare one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio, Pure Amazon promises personalized service throughout three-, four-, and seven-night itineraries. Between excursions, guests can retreat to a spa treatment room, relax in the top-deck jacuzzi, or unwind in the lounge with panoramic rainforest views.
Pure Amazon ultimately offers something exceptional: the chance to journey into the heart of the Amazon with comfort, cultural depth, and a profound respect for the natural world, a combination that transforms expedition travel into something truly meaningful.
