WHY TRAVEL

WITH AMAZONIA

 10 REASONS TO TRAVEL WITH AMAZONIA EXPEDITIONS FOR YOUR ADVENTURE TO THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

1. Leading Biodiversity

We have unparalleled access to the 1+ million-acre Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Regional Conservation Area (ACRCTT). This region has been described by biologists as having the greatest biodiversity yet documented in the Amazon Basin. This region is especially rich in Monkeys (16 species), birds (over 600 species), and other species, including the endangered Giant River Otter, Amazon River Dolphin (pink dolphin), and the Bald Red Uakari, one of the rarest primates on Earth.

2. No Handling/Harassment of Wildlife/Exploitation

It is part of our ethical mission to not handle or disturb wildlife in their natural setting. If you are looking for a selfie holding wildlife, then this is not the trip for you. All the animals you will see with us are truly wild, and we have no pets, cages, or trained animals.

3. The top-rated ecotourism company in the Amazon Rainforest

  • Trip Advisor #1 rated Lodge in the Amazon, #1 rated in Peru, and #1 in all of South America.
  • 2019 Winner: Premio Nacional del Ambiente the highest environmental honor personally awarded by the President of Peru for environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
  • Rated #1 in the western Amazon by National Geographic for conservation practices.
  • We helped to create and manage the 450,000 hectare (1 million acre) Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Regional Conservation Area.

    4. Canopy Experience

    Experience the Tree Giants & Canopy of the Amazon Rainforest. Completely rebuilt in 2019, our NEW Canopy Experience allows you to explore 6 canopy platforms and zoom through the rainforest on 4 ziplines more than 100 ft above the rainforest floor. All excursions including the Canopy Experience are included in the cost of your trip.

      5. The BEST Guides in the Amazon Rainforest

      Head Guide Nelly visiting the local community with guests

        Head Guide Claudio exploring the flooded forest with guest

          You will have a private jungle guide for the duration of your trip. All guides are certified in wilderness first aid, fluent in English, and frequently given classroom training by doctoral-level biologists. We have a permanent, professional staff who receive benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation, and retirement fund. Unfortunately, nearly all other companies use strictly temporary contracts therefore denying workers these benefits. During the COVID-19 pandemic we were one of few to keep our workforce employed during the 14-month tourism shutdown. Our staff is 100% vaccinated against COVID. Learn more about our guides here.

            6. Meaningful contribution to the local communities

            We maintain close, meaningful, relations with the local Tahuayo communities. Together with our nonprofit foundation Angels of the Amazon we have built a Level 1 Hospital (meeting all criteria of the Ministry of Health) on the Tahuayo. Donations and tourism revenue pay for staff, equipment, and supplies. We offer regular dental clinics and vaccination drives. We have built a high school for the communities of the upper Tahuayo River and have rebuilt the elementary school. We organize & support economic initiatives such as the women’s artisan’s cooperative. To learn more about our mission and projects see here.

              7. Safety

              No other ecolodge in the Amazon basin takes safety measures as we do. We are a formal business, all our boats are frequently inspected by the Peruvian Coast Guard and our boat pilots are fully licensed. All boats are supplied with flotation jackets (with correct sizes for children). Our lodge staff are trained to handle emergency situations and all guides are certified in wilderness first aid and AED use. We have quick access to a Level #1 hospital which we constructed and fund (see above). In addition, unlike other regions of Peru such as Nauta and Puerto Maldonado/Tambopata to the south. No malaria preventatives, or other vaccinations are necessary for our trips. Learn more here.

                8. Two Lodges and Trail Grid

                For longer trips, a stay at the Research Center is included in the price of your trip. Each of our lodges has access to unique ecosystems home to their own unique flora & fauna. Visiting two lodges greatly increases your chances of spotting a greater variety of wildlife.

                9. Leading Contributor to Scientific Research

                We are more than just a tourism business. Our lodges host an active program of scientific research and affiliation with leading universities and other institutions. We typically have one or more post-doctoral researchers on staff, often have students doing doctoral or masters research and offer internships in field biology for high school and college students. Our research center is registered with CONCYTEC (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion) and is considered the major field research station in the upper Amazon basin. About 3-6 scientific papers are published or presented at scientific conferences on an annual basis.

                10. Experience the REAL Amazon Rainforest & REAL Peru

                The Amazon Region is the largest in Peru (60% of Peru’s landmass) and to experience the REAL Peru, you must also experience the Amazon Rainforest. Our lodges are located 4 hours (by speed boat) from the city of Iquitos, Peru – this is how far you need to travel to reach truly untouched rainforest. This is pure wilderness – no roads, power lines, or waterlines. We offer a 100% authentic experience. You will not find any tourist traps, pet animals, or fake “tribal shows” while traveling with us.

                Estefani Mishel Maytahuari

                Mishel got her degree in tourism from Nauta Institute in 2016. After working as a guide with other companies, Mishel came to study with Amazonia Expeditions as a training guide in 2023. Mishel was promoted to head guide in 2025.

                Leyner Arian Ijuma

                Leyner got his degree as a tour guide in 2010 at the Nauta Institute and came to work at Amazonia Expeditions in 2021. He was promoted to head guide in 2023. He has biological field work experience from supporting Nicholas Gardner of the University of Florida who he helped study the adaptations of birds in seasonally flooded igapo forests. Birding is one of Leyner's strongest skills.

                Julio Pacaya

                Julio finished his studies as a tour guide at the Nauta Institute in 2016 and came to work as a training guide with Amazonia Expeditions in 2021. He was promoted to head guide in 2023. Nature photography and birding are among Julio's strongest skills. Julio is fluent in English and French, as well as his native tongue of Spanish.

                Claudio Huayllahua Sánchez

                Claudio was born and grew up in El Chino Village on the Tahuayo River. He studied primary school in El Chino and continued his education in Iquitos, earning a technical degree from SENATI Institute. He started working for Amazonia Expeditions in 2014 as a field research assistant with several biologists and as an assistant guide. Claudio was promoted to head guide in 2017 and is our camping and jungle survival specialist.

                Hersog Chavez Yuyarima

                Hersog first got the idea of becoming a guide after watching the tourist boats going by his village every day. He was fascinated that tourists would come to see his home and he loved the way that the guides he saw did their work. He knew that someday he wanted to be just like them. Hersog studied at technical school for 3 years leaning the basics of guiding. After graduating, Hersog worked as a guide for several years working with Peruvian tourists, later coming to work for Amazonia in 2017. Hersog was promoted to head guide in 2019. He has worked as a field research assistant in the study of the elusive pygmy marmoset. Hersog is known for his sharp eyes and his unique stories about the jungle.

                Lander Juan Peña Ramirez

                Lander was born in the remote jungle community of Santa Victoria. His boyhood dream was to become to best jungle guide in the Amazon. Lander studied at a local institute for several years where he learned basic English and the foundations of the being a tour guide. Later he worked for several years at other jungle loges as a guide, honing his skills as a survival camping guide. Lander came to work for Amazonia Expeditions in 2017 and along with a strong interest in birding and fishing is also one of our lead camping and survival guides.

                Aladino Jr. Hidalgo

                Aladino was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River and attended school in the community of “Valentin” on the Tahuayo River. During this period, Aladino worked with his father as a trailblazer, assisting primate researchers who came to study at a local field station. Afterwards, he moved to Lima where he worked for several years while studying guiding & English. Upon returning in 2019, he was hired by Amazonia as a field assistant and actively supported researchers studying giant river otters, pygmy marmosets, and various bird species. He then joined Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was later promoted to head guide in 2022.

                Jhony Hidalgo

                Jhony was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River. He attended primary school in his home village and high school in the community of “Valentin” on the Tahuayo River. Jhony later pursued further studies in Iquitos, where he obtained a guide degree from the Milagro Fe & Alegria Institute. After graduating, he worked at the Amazon Rescue Center in Iquitos (CREA), guiding visitors to the center. In 2021 he joined Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was promoted to head guide in 2023.

                Sila Hidalgo

                Sila was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River. She attended primary school in Diamante village and high school in the community of “El Chino” on the Tahuayo River. Her family moved to El Chino so Sila could attend high school, as it was the closest village offering secondary education. Later, Sila joined our Angels (AoA) scholarship program to further her education in Iquitos, where she earned a guide degree from the Milagro Fe & Alegria Institute. She completed her internship at Tahuayo Lodge. After graduating, Sila began her career with Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was promoted to head guide in 2022.

                Welister Perez

                Welister grew up in the small community of Padre Cocha just outside of Iquitos City. He lived there for most of his life, and later worked at several jungle lodges before starting at Amazonia Expeditions. Welister has proven himself as both a talented jungle man and team player with an eagle eye for spotting wildlife. After several months of training with Amazonia he was promoted to a head guiding position in 2017.

                Javier Anibal Alván Arévalo

                Javier has worked at the Amazonia Expeditions lodges since 2006, starting as a young teenager as an assistant in building repair, then moving up to motorboat pilot, then camping assistant and assistant guide, and after passing his guide exams with high grades was promoted to head guide in 2014. Javier is also our Canopy Zipline specialist and has taken professional certification classes in Costa Rica. Javier is also a fishing specialist and is beloved by families with children.