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Book list for Amazonia Expeditions International Trips

Here at Amazonia Expeditions, we also offer a variety of exciting trips and adventures around the world! If you are signed up for one of our upcoming trips and would like to enhance your experience, we highly recommend purchasing some of the books on this list related to your trip. 

Please note that there are affiliate links included below. We receive a small commission if you purchase using them at no extra cost to you.

Africa

1. Birds of the Serengeti: And Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Wildlife Explorer Guides)

Located in northern Tanzania, the Serengeti is one of the world’s most famous wildlife regions. Birds of the Serengeti is a groundbreaking and essential photographic guide, featuring more than 270 bird species most likely to be encountered in the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This easy-to-use guide includes 480 dazzling color photos, an attractive and handy layout, and informative and accessible text that discusses interesting behaviors and provides insights into species backgrounds.

Birds of the Serengeti: And Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Wildlife Explorer Guides)

2. Animals of the Serengeti: And Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Wildlife Explorer Guides)

Animals of the Serengeti is a remarkable look at the mammals and reptiles most likely to be encountered in the world-famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. With an eye-catching layout, accessible text, and easy-to-use format, this detailed photographic guide includes 89 species of mammal and reptile. Includes top tips―shared by local Tanzanian guides that work in the region to provide insights into behavioral habits and how to locate specific animals.

Animals of the Serengeti: And Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Wildlife Explorer Guides)

3. The Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds

Sibert medalist Sy Montgomery takes readers on a staggering, emotional journey alongside the greatest land migration on earth—that of the wildebeest across the Serengeti—to provide an account of one of nature’s most fascinating occurrences. Montgomery explores the wonder of migration, asking questions like, how do migration patterns sculpt the environment? Why do animals migrate? And how do they know where to go? With lyrical prose, abundant facts, and the inclusion of other species who undertake remarkable migrations, Montgomery makes a journey of thousands of miles fly by—but not without leaving its mark. Full-color photography.

The Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds

Galapagos

4. Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles of the Galápagos Islands: An Identification Guide

This is the first comprehensive guide to the unique wildlife of the Galápagos, encompassing the birds, mammals, and reptiles a visitor to these extraordinary islands might encounter. The innovative, simple-to-use format of the pocket-sized volume will help beginners and experts alike to identify with confidence the striking and charismatic Galápagos fauna.

Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles of the Galápagos Islands: An Identification Guide

Nepal

5. Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster

This definitive account of the deadliest season in the history of climbing Everest by the acclaimed journalist and author of the bestseller Into the Wild. Although we will not be climbing Mt. Everest – Into Thin Air is a must-read for anyone interested in traveling to this part of the world. It provides insight into the local people, history, and climbing culture in this spectacular “Roof of the World.”

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster

India

6. The Snow Leopard (Penguin Classics)

This is the account of a journey to the dazzling Tibetan plateau of Dolpo in the high Himalayas. In 1973 Matthiessen made the 250-mile trek to Dolpo, as part of an expedition to study wild blue sheep. It was an arduous, sometimes dangerous, physical endeavor: exertion, blisters, blizzards, endless negotiations with sherpas, quaking cold. But it was also a ‘journey of the heart’ – amongst the beauty and indifference of the mountains, Matthiessen was searching for solace. He was also searching for a glimpse of a snow leopard, a creature so rarely spotted as to be almost mythical.

The Snow Leopard

7. A Journey in Ladakh: Encounters with Buddhism

Now considered a classic among readers interested in Tibetan Buddhism and pilgrimages of the spirit of all kinds, A Journey in Ladakh is Andrew Harvey’s spiritual travelogue of his arduous journey to one of the most remote parts of the world–the highest, least populated region in India, cut off by snow for six months each year. Buddhists have meditated in the mountains of Ladakh since three centuries before Christ, and it is there that the purest form of Tibetan Buddhism is still practiced today.

A Journey in Ladakh: Encounters with Buddhism

8. Wildlife of India (Princeton Pocket Guides, 18)

The Indian subcontinent is exceptionally rich in wildlife because of its wide variety of habitats and climates, ranging from the ocean to the Himalayas and from the Rajasthan desert to Mawsynram in Meghalaya, one of the wettest places on earth. This diversity supports a huge range of charismatic species, from the iconic Tiger to Clouded Leopards, crocodiles to King Cobras, hornbills to eagles. Covering these animals and many others, as well as trees and flowers, this color photographic field guide describes and illustrates more than 1,000 species from all over India, including the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Wildlife of India

PANTANAL

9. Pantanal Wildlife

The Pantanal of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay is South America’s Serengeti: its wetlands are the largest on Earth (they’re half the size of France) and, in the dry season, crocodiles and storks jostle to gobble the last of the dying fish. Here, the continent’s largest cat, the jaguar, lives alongside giant otters, anacondas and the world’s largest parrot. A comprehensive introduction to the best place to watch wildlife in South America, and beautifully illustrated throughout, Bradt’s Wildlife of the Pantanal is the only portable book to cover all the main wildlife groups while focusing exclusively on the Pantanal.

Pantanal Wildlife

Fellow world travelers, please let us know – Do you own any of these books? Which ones have you read? Anything we should add to this list?

Remember to check out our previous blog: 5 Must-Have Items To Survive Your First Trip To The Amazon Rainforest

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!!

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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.