Amazonia Expeditions Trip Types
The strength of Amazonia Expeditions lies in the incredible amount of choices available to you. Rather than choosing a set itinerary for our guests, each day is a collaborative conversation between you and your personal guide based on your interests, the weather that day, and known wildlife presence at the time.
Choose your traveler type to learn more about how a trip with Amazonia Expeditions might look for you
Solo Travelers
As a single traveler, you have the opportunity to explore the rainforest alone with your guide – or to join other small groups and make connections on your journey. Our classic 8 day trip is the most popular choice for solo travelers exploring the Amazon rainforest for the first time. Your trip will include your private jungle guide, access to the Amazonia Canopy Experience, and your choice of excursions in and around the Tahuayo Reserve. Please remember that the longer your stay is, the more opportunities you will have to enjoy the wide variety of activities that we offer. If you have a specific interest in fishing, birding, camping, survival, or other specialized trips, please explore our specialized tours, or contact us.
At Amazonia Expeditions, we never charge a single supplement for solo travelers. We value our solo travelers and are the only lodge in the region that does not charge a single supplement.
Small Group Travelers
Our classic 8 day trip is the most popular choice for most groups – but you can also choose to pair your adventure with a trip to the Andes to see more of what Peru has to offer. Your trip will include your private jungle guide, access to the Amazonia Canopy Experience, and your choice of excursions in and around the Tahuayo Reserve. Please remember that the longer your stay is, the more opportunities you will have to enjoy the wide variety of activities that we offer. If you have a specific interest in fishing, birding, camping, survival, or other specialized trips, please explore our specialized tours, or contact us.
Amazonia offers special rates for groups of five or more people – and for large groups of 10 or more, the leader goes free of charge. If your group is attached to a school please check out our options for School Trips, and if you are interested in volunteering please check out our Service Trips options.
Family Trip
Amazonia Expeditions has a great reputation for working with families. Our guides are very well experienced in creating a fun and safe itinerary for children of all ages. Along with being in a zone free of malaria, zika, dengue and yellow fever, it is an ideal trip for families with young children. The activities available are the same as any other trip, but the cost for children 16 years and younger is reduced by 25%. Family groups of more than 5 people may have an additional discount, depending on availability.
Contact us for a list of references of families who have recently brought children to our lodge to hear about their experience
Birding
For those with a serious interest in birdwatching, we highly recommend our specialty birdwatching trips with one of our extraordinary birding guides. This itinerary was made just for bird watchers in mind. It includes visiting a variety of different ecosystems and locations we do not usually frequent on our standard trips. We strongly recommend this itinerary for veteran birdwatchers. Those with a less serious interest should refer to our standard itinerary page, as this provides options for a wider variety of activities.
This specialty itinerary includes your own master birding guide and your own excursion boat. It would not be unreasonable to think you could add well over 100 species to your life list during this trip. Just last year we were able to spot over 262 species in one single day.
Photography
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding places to be a photographer. Individuals or small groups interested in nature, landscape, or portrait photography can have a private jungle guide who will customize excursions to a photographer’s pace. This means if you want to wait two hours until the lighting is just right, your guide will do that. Our guides have experience working with photographers and are knowledgeable about the pace and requirements of serious photographers.
Equipment
Suggested equipment to bring would include a good telephoto lens as much of a rainforest’s life is just under the canopy, as well as a good macro lens to photograph small, beautiful beetles, frogs, toads, and orchids. A good tripod is recommended as you will most likely want to be taking some long exposure shots under the milky way. There is no extra cost for a specialized photography itinerary but we do request you let us know well in advance if you are interested in a specialized photography itinerary!
Fishing
The Amazon rainforest is a fisherman’s paradise. Over 2000 different species of fish inhabit these waters, with many new species being discovered every year. This is more than double the amount of species found in all of the Atlantic Ocean. Can you imagine casting lures or flies into these remote waters searching for that prized peacock bass? Perhaps you may want to go after the legendary giant catfish from the depths? Maybe you would like to try your skill with a hand spear under nothing but the moonlight? You can do all that and much more; join us on the remote Tahuayo River for the ultimate fishing adventure.
Fishing in our region
The rainforest is a dynamic ecosystem, constantly changing due to the yearly influx of water from the Andes Mountains. At times water levels can rise more than a foot in one day. Generally, the best season for fishing is August to November. This is when we would recommend more serious fisherman to visit the Tahuayo. During this time water levels are at their lowest and fish are concentrated into the main river channels.
Species
The Tahuayo is home to some of the most prized game fish in the Amazon. Some of the most popular of which include the peacock bass (butterfly), arowana, catfish (many varieties, some which grow over 200lbs), piranha, pacu, oscar, and vampire fish (payara). Whether you are a professional or just an amateur you never know what you will find when you cast a lure into the river.
Fishing Gear
We do provide basic gear and tackle only for simple piranha fishing. This includes a cane fishing pole or for those interested, a fishing spear. For those with a more serious interest in fishing it will be necessary to bring your own gear and tackle. Please take a look at our full itinerary which includes a detailed bait and tackle list.
Hardcore
Long before our award-winning lodge was constructed on the Tahuayo River, Amazonia Expeditions gained renown as the first commercial wilderness camping company in the Amazon basin. Over the years we have refined our skills in offering hard core wilderness adventures, in a responsible and safe manner. The two variations we offer are wilderness camping and jungle survival training
Wilderness Camping
Camping in the rainforest is an experience like no other. Venture with your guide deep into the rainforest and set up camp in some of the most pristine wilderness sites on the planet. For this trip you will take along food, water, and camping gear, this will give you more time to explore the rainforest and learn about several survival techniques. We will provide all the camping gear, equipment, and supplies. Do not be mistaken, this is still a hardcore trip as camping in the rainforest presents its own unique set of challenges.
Jungle Survival
Prepare yourself for the adventure of the lifetime. Learn to survive in one of the most extreme environments on the planet with nothing but your hands, a machete, and some wisdom from one of our most experienced jungle guides. This is the most hardcore jungle experience we offer. Explore deep into the rainforest then set up camp using only jungle materials. For the next few days you will be fishing, foraging edible fruits and plants, and looking for grubs (that taste like coconut cream!). Your guide will teach you all you need to know. This is the ultimate crash course jungle survival experience.
Organized Groups
Amazonia Expeditions hosts organized groups every year for educational trips, special purpose trips, volunteer service trips and more. Depending on your group’s interests and physical abilities we can help to prepare a customized itinerary that will help you to meet your goals for the trip for the whole group. Please remember that the longer your stay is, the more opportunities you will have to enjoy the wide variety of activities that we offer.
We also offer special rates for groups of five or more people – and for large groups of 10 or more, the leader goes free of charge. If your group is attached to a school please check out our options for School Trips, and if you are interested in volunteering please check out our Service Trips options.
School Groups
Amazonia Expeditions has a great reputation for working with school groups, from middle school, through university groups. We can customize an itinerary to concentrate on environmental education, short-term field research projects, community service projects or just recreational excursions in the rainforest. Safety is always emphasized with Amazonia Expeditions. Along with being in a zone free of malaria, zika, dengue and yellow fever (Learn Why Here), our boats are well equipped with life preservers, our staff is trained in first aid and our kitchens have the highest sanitary standards in food preparation.
School groups qualify for a discounted cost and free teacher escorts depending on group size. Contact us for a list of references
Conservation Work
We offer customized itineraries for qualified people interested to assist scientists and/or staff in
Service
If you have the desire to volunteer in the indigenous communities and have the skills, knowledge and desire to make a positive impact during your stay at the Tahuayo Lodge, we are happy to accommodate you at a reduced rate. If you choose to volunteer, please request at the time of making your reservation. We will require that you send us your qualifications and a short few sentences as to why you wish to volunteer. Learn about our charitable work here and contact us directly for more information.
School volunteer
- When school is in session, mid-March through mid-December.
- 1-3 days (minimum) of specific art project for students of elementary school.
- 3-20 (min) days for science project or English instruction for high school students.
- 2-5 (min) days assist in the kindergarten class, provide some games.
- Required: Spanish skills & teaching skills required
Medical or dental volunteer
- 1-7 days volunteer to assist in the Esperanza Village clinic
- English to Spanish translator provided (some Spanish skills preferred but not required)
- Required: proof of medical or dental background
Research
Researchers who have projects they would like to run from our main Tahuayo Lodge or Research Center lodge can contact us for more information on costs and resources. The research center lodge is equipped with regular camera traps for monitoring animal traffic and some basic equipment and guides. We are excited to hear about the flora, fauna, and abiotic features you would like to investigate in the Tahuayo River basin.
Internships
Internships are also available for a modest number of high school and college students. Internships and conservation project itineraries typically involve a commitment of 3 weeks to 6 months. Cost is dependent on the background qualifications and project type. More information about ongoing research that you may assist in can be found on this page. Or please contact us for more information.