Abercrombie & Kent's Pure Amazon, the luxury operator's first South American riverboat, has commenced sailings in the Peruvian Amazon.
The 22-passenger riverboat is currently offering three-, four- and seven-night itineraries through Peru's 8,100-square-mile Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Itineraries include activities like wildlife viewing, kayaking and piranha fishing with naturalist guides.
The vessel's culinary program is anchored by nightly five-course tasting menus featuring Latin American wines. The bar menu showcases regional ingredients like pisco and coca leaf, while evening menus feature dishes like caramelized plantain with river prawns and hearts of palm with passion fruit.
A single cabin on A&K's Pure Amazon. The Pure Amazon is part of the A&K Sanctuary portfolio of safari camps, river vessels and lodges. Photo Credit: Tom Griffiths
Pure Amazon has also established partnerships with Nueva Arica, a local Indigenous community, and Amanatari, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Amazonian Indigenous peoples. As part of these alliances, A&K is supporting various "bio-business initiatives," including the production of honey and natural fiber, with guests on three-night itineraries able to visit these Nueva Arica projects.
Additionally, all guests pay a visit to Formabiap, also known as the Bilingual Teacher Training Program for the Peruvian Amazon, a teacher training program serving more than 200 Indigenous students from four Amazonian communities. During these visits, guests can experience traditional dances and healing rituals.
The riverboat maintains a 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, and incorporates eco-friendly elements, such as low-level lighting designed to protect nocturnal fauna.
A&K announced the riverboat's name last year. Pure Amazon, which is part of the A&K Sanctuary portfolio of safari camps, river vessels and lodges, joins other luxury operators expanding into South American river cruising.