Credentials

Amazonia Expeditions prides itself on providing best-in-class services to our guests travelling to the Amazon Rainforest, but also to our mission in preserving and encouraging the protection of the Amazon Rainforest. Since our establishment in 1981, we have proven our dedication to our mission time and time again, and have been recognized by multiple institutions for this dedication. Below are some of these awards, and their background.

Tahuayo Lodge owner Dolly Beave receiving the “Premio Nacional del Ambiente” from President Martin Vizcarra in Lima, Peru.

Peru’s Top Award Recipient

Amazonia Expeditions’ Peruvian subsidiary, A&E Tours Tahuayo Lodge, has been honored with Peru’s highest environmental award, the “Premio Nacional del Ambiente.” The highest environmental honor personally awarded by the President of Peru Martin Vizcarra for environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Read More

  • The first and only ecotourism company ever to win the RetoRuralia Award for “Contributing to the Education of Future Generations” – awarded in 2024

  • Amazonia Expeditions’ Amazon Research Center is formally recognized and registered as a research institution by Peru’s scientific council, CONCYTEC (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion)

  • Top Ranked in Tripadvisor

  • Amazonia Expeditions had the highest ranking by National Geographic among tour operators in Peru for the fourth straight year in 2010. We also had a 96%+ score in client satisfaction for the fourth straight year. Only a small handful of tour operators worldwide have achieved such consistently high scores in client satisfaction. These National Geographic surveys were discontinued after 2010.

  • Top 5 of Best Wildlife Lodges in Peru according to Kim Kim article in January 2018

  • Recognized as having one of the world’s top ten zip lines in the December 2015 issue of Zozi Journal

  • First prize for private institution contributing to animal welfare awarded by the Amazon Cares Foundation in March 2014

  • The only jungle lodge out of Iquitos to win Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence every year in 2012-2020.

  • Our jungle lodges on the Tahuayo received mention on the Places to Stay list (page 60) in the May 2012 issue of National Geographic Traveler “50 Tours of a Lifetime.

  • A feature article in Science Illustrated describes our work on the trail grid at the Research Center Lodge, investigating population dynamics of primate species and population density of jaguar as important research in the conservation of these species..

  • Amazonia Expeditions was included as one of the world’s best trips in Outpost Magazine’s 2011 Global Travel Guide. We were one of 10 trips from South America and the only one in the Amazon basin.

  • National Geographic Adventure
    In the National Geographic Adventure Magazine December 2008 issue Amazonia Expeditions was a major part of the lead article “The Big Trip: Peru.” A photo of our canopy system took up a full page on page 40 and on page 42 discussion of the Amazon rainforest our “Tahuayo Lodge takes top honors…”

  • A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. Amazonia Expeditions has been a member of the Better Business Bureau for 18 years without any complaint filed.

  • In 2008 we once again were the top rated Amazon company in Peru according to the National Geographic rating system, once again scoring a perfect 100 in client satisfaction.

  • In 2007 we were rated by National Geographic as among the top 160 outfitters in the world. We were the top rated Amazon company in Peru. We were one of only 17 companies to get a perfect 100 score in client satisfaction; the only outfitter in South America to get a perfect score in client satisfaction.

  • Named as one of the world’s top ten travel finds in Outside Magazine’s Travel Guide for 2001. Page 40.

  • Outpost Magazine Annual Guide 2004 Selected as “One of 5 Great Places to Park Your Wanderlusting Butt.”

  • Won Citation of Honor from Peru’s Dept. of Industry and Tourism for “adherence to exceptional standards in the field of tourism.”

  • The Guide to Peruvian Birds mentions Amazonia’s lodge as the best place in Peru to see the Rufous-winged Wood Rail, the Rufous-necked Puffbird and other species.

  • Trip #8 of the 100 Best Trips in the World selected in Outpost Annual 2003

  • Outside Magazine March 2002 issue, feature article: “25 Trips of a Lifetime”… We are #18; the only Amazon tour company included.

  • Rated as the “Most acclaimed lodge of Peru’s Northern Amazon” in the Guide to Peru (Moon Handbooks) pub 2004.

  • Outpost Magazine Travel Guide 2002 selection as one of the “Sixty Best trips in the World” (the only Amazon trip selected).

  • Amazonia Expeditions operates the Tahuayo River Amazon Research Center, with institutional collaboration from Yale University, Columbia College, Chicago Botanic Garden, Missouri Botanical Society and the Field Museum.

  • Discovery Channel’s Science of Survival episode, aired on April 14, 2006, was filmed on our site and with the assistance of our staff.

  • Bob Howell’s story of his experience with Amazonia Expeditions, published in January 2001 Outside Magazine, won the Gold Award from the Society of American Travel Writers as best feature article published in 2001 in the Adventure Travel category.

  • A documentary shown on the Outdoor Life Network on our jungle survival training was awarded the “Silver Teddy” as the best Outdoor Documentary televised in 2001. Copies of the documentary can be purchased from Amazonia Expeditions.

  • International ecotourism researcher Wendy Daelman, from the University of Brighton, found Amazonia Expeditions to run an “exemplary” ecotourism program.

  • Fully licensed in both the United States (Florida #10118) and Peru.

  • Provides aid to selected scientists studying in Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo.
  • Only tour operator with 35+ years of experience camping in the western Amazon.

  • The greatest range of itinerary options in the Amazon.

  • Our canopy zipline was recently described in the news as one of the world’s most exciting ziplines.

  • Some Book Mentions:

    Responsible Business:  The Textbook for Management Learning by Oliver Laasch & Roger Conaway (2017)
    Moon Peru by Ryan Dube (2017)
    14 Days on the Amazon by Carl Eschler (2016)
    Insight Guides Peru (2015)
    Fodor’s Peru with Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail (2013)
    V!VA Travel Guides: Peru (2009)
    Diary of an Amazon Jungle Guide: Expanded and Revised by Paul Beaver (2008)
    Journey of the Pink Dolphis by Sy Montgomery (2008)
    The Amazon by Roger Harris, Peter Hutchinson (2007)
    The South American Handbook (2005)
    Where to Watch Birds in Peru by Thomas Valqui (2004)
    South American Handbook by Ben Box (2004)
    Reptiles – Volume 10 (2002)
    Diary of an Amazon Jungle Guide by Paul Beaver (2001)
    Peru Handbook: The Travel Guide
     by Ben Box & Alan Murphy (2001)
    Tourism and Indigenous People: A Resource Guide (1995)
    The Unte Reader (1993)

 

Erika

Our time in the jungle was an absolute highlight on our trip to Peru! Truly amazing! …Again, we had the most wonderful time. Almost more than words can say. The jungle and the Tahuayo Lodge hold very special places in our hearts and CAN NOT WAIT to return. Thank you again for offering such an amazing trip.

Renee

Our trip was INCREDIBLE. The lodge was great, the food was amazing, and the staff were all so friendly. We loved our stays at the B&B, the main lodge, and the ARC.

Tia & Paula

It was incredible and a trip of a lifetime Paul! My sister Paula and I had an amazing time and loved everything — your facilities and staff are top notch and I want to come back with my husband and daughters!!

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 for 10 years, 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.