Pure Amazon debuts: A&K’s art-led riverboat for Peru’s Amazon

A&K’s new 22-passenger Pure Amazon pairs contemporary Peruvian art, guided wildlife excursions and low-impact design in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Pure Amazon, A&K’s newest riverboat, has begun operating in Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve – a mosaic of wetlands, slow-moving channels and flooded forest in the country’s northeast. Designed for just 22 guests, it offers a small-scale introduction to one of the Amazon’s most biodiverse regions, while also highlighting contemporary Peruvian craftsmanship and community-led conservation.

Design

The interiors, created by Milan-based architect and A&K artistic director Adriana Granato, bring together clean lines and regionally anchored artworks. Suites feature kené textiles by Shipibo-Konibo artist Deysi Ramírez, their geometric patterns painted with natural dyes. In the dining room, a bronze-and-clay installation by Silvana Pestana references the scales of the arapaima fish, while hand-embroidered cushions from the BENEAI Collective support Indigenous women artisans.

Excursions

Daily excursions range from quiet skiff trips through narrow creeks to broader stretches of open water. Wildlife sightings can include pink river dolphins, macaws and three-toed sloths, with separate evening outings focusing on nocturnal species such as black caimans. Activities also include kayaking, short forest walks and piranha fishing, rotated throughout the week as water levels shift.

Dining

On board, the culinary team from Iquitos takes a practical, ingredient-led approach utilising plantain, hearts of palm, seasonal fruits and freshwater species across the changing tasting menu. A compact list of Latin American wines accompanies the evening service, with pisco-based cocktails using botanicals drawn from the wider region.

Community partnerships

Pure Amazon’s itineraries include a visit to FORMABIAP, an Indigenous teacher-training program that works across Kukama Kukamiria, Shawi, Kichwa and Achuar communities. Guests learn how the organisation supports language preservation and cultural knowledge, especially among young women continuing their studies with their children in residence.

A&K Philanthropy also partners with nearby Nueva Arica on sustainable bio-business projects, while local organisation Amanatari introduces safer harvesting methods that reduce pressure on the forest. On board, low-level lighting, heat-pump technology and automated systems aim to minimise disruption to the reserve’s nocturnal environment.

Itineraries

Itineraries of three, four and seven nights explore different sections of Pacaya-Samiria, balancing guided outings with downtime on the top deck or in the small treatment room. Natural-history briefings take place in the lounge each evening, while itineraries shift throughout the year as water levels rise and recede.

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