New riverboat to explore the arteries of Peru’s Amazon

Many travellers who think of the Amazon River will think of Brazil.

But exploring the Amazon River as it runs through Peru has a lot going for it.

This is the birthplace of the river, with the convergence of the Ucayali and Maranon rivers, in rainforest which feels untouched, in the big, protected Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

The Peruvian Amazon is smaller and generally narrower than the river in Brazil, making a cruise on this part of the river feel more personal.

All this has clearly been recognised by the Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, which on Monday announced the launch of a new Peruvian riverboat. Its maiden voyage will be in April 2025.

A&K has been offering tours in Peru for 25 years and has a long understanding of river cruising, through decades of sailing the Nile in Egypt.

And in Peru it is also working with the family of Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, who is the chairman and former owner of Silversea Cruises — owner of the new ship on which A&K will offer its tour itineraries.

This new venture also draws on the experience of A&K’s expedition yacht brand in the Galapagos, Ecoventura.

The new, boutique riverboat will have 10 double cabins and two singles and offer three and four-night itineraries in the backwaters of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. They can be combined into a seven-night voyage, which takes guests to the Maranon and Ucayali rivers.

All start and end in the port town of Nauta, a short transfer from the city of Iquitos, with the nearest international airport.