Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Launches Amazon Season 2026: Expeditions Deep into the Rainforest to Iquitos

This week, the Hanseatic Spirit departed Belém on an 18-day upstream expedition along the river route from Belém, Brazil, to the remote rainforest city of Iquitos, Peru.

For nearly 30 years, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has taken guests on this approximately 2,485-mile journey deep into the Amazon. Each year, just two voyages, one upstream and one downstream are offered, making them among the most sought-after expeditions in the company’s program.

The Amazon remains one of the world’s most extraordinary expedition routes, offering access to remote regions and remarkable biodiversity. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is among the few operators navigating the river with small expedition ships and the only cruise line sailing the full route from Belém upstream to Iquitos, and back.

“The Amazon is one of the most captivating natural and cultural regions on earth,” said Isolde Susset, managing director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, in a statement. “Our expeditions allow guests to experience the river intensively while respecting the region’s ecosystems and communities.”

The line’s small expedition ships, designed for challenging routes, feature shallow drafts that allow them to reach remote tributaries inaccessible to larger vessels. With fewer than 230 guests, spacious observation decks, Zodiac excursions, and a team of experts and local wildlife spotters, travelers can explore the rainforest up close and gain deeper insight through onboard lectures and the Ocean Academy.

Encounters with riverside communities are also part of the journey, as many villages along the Amazon are accessible only by water.

Amazon expeditions have long been among the most popular voyages in the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises program. The Hanseatic Inspiration will sail the iconic route again in 2027 and 2028, with limited availability already remaining.

2027 – Amazon Cruises

Expedition Amazon (upstream)

From Belém, Brazil to Iquitos, Peru aboard Hanseatic Inspiration, April 11-29, 2027 (18 days).
Platinum fare from €19,190 ($22,006) per person (double occupancy), including charter flight.

Expedition Amazon (downstream)

From Iquitos, Peru to Belém, Brazil aboard Hanseatic Inspiration, April 29-May 17, 2027 (18 days).
Platinum fare from €22,370 per person (double occupancy), including charter flight.