Peruvian Amazon Wildlife

Unmatched Biodiversity in the Heart of the Rainforest

The Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve

Amazonia Expeditions has exclusive access to over 1.1 million acres of pristine rainforest within the Area de Conservacion Regional Communal Tamshiyacu Tahuayo (ACRCTT).  Commonly known as the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo reserve,  the site provides you with the opportunity to experience an unmatched variety of Amazon wildlife. Scientists have documented more species of monkeys here than any protected park or reserve in the world as well as the greatest diversity of mammals and birds of any site studied in the lowland Amazon basin. The Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve was originally designated by the Peruvian government in 1991, with significant support from Amazonia Expeditions, to protect the range of the rare red uakari monkey, an orangutan-like monkey with a bright red face.

Unmatched Biodiversity in the Heart of the Rainforest

The Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve

Map of the ACRCTT preserve

Explore the Region’s Many Inhabitants

Biodiversity in the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Region

Biologists refer to this region as the “green paradise” of the Amazon with some of the best wildlife viewing experiences to be found in the rainforest. Take a peak through some of the wonderful creatures immortalized by our travelers and guides to see what’s in store for you on your journey into the rainforest.

Peruse our Detailed Species Lists

Scientific Species Documentation

Amazonia Expeditions hosts a wide range of research scientists and avid wildlife enthusiasts who participate in various species documentation activities in the areas around our lodges. Whether it’s through a “Big Day” or extensive behavioral research – we are dedicated to furthering the study of our region and its inhabitants. Learn more about the documented species of birds and primates that can be found during your stay through our bird and primate species lists.

Birds

Birds

With over 600 species, the Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Conservation Reserve has a higher count of bird species of any site in lowland Amazon forest. It is an outstanding experience for birders and nature lovers. Learn more about the birds in our region of the Amazon, and their scientific names

Learn More

Primates

Primates

The Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo reserve has a greater diversity of species of monkeys than that recorded in any protected park or reserve in the world. This diversity (at least 15 species) is a focus of many guests. Learn more about these different species on our Primates page.

Learn More

Documenting the Activities of the Rainforest

The Amazon Research Center Trail Grid

Check Out Some Highlights From Our Camera Traps On The Grid

Documenting the Activities of the Rainforest

The Amazon Research Center Trail Grid

The Amazon Research Center Lodge (ARC) is formally recognized by the Peruvian Governmental organization CONCYTEC (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación) as an official Research Institution. The centerpiece of the ARC research facilities is the Trail Grid system. Located behind the Research Center Lodge, it contains 55 miles (75 km) of trails laid out in a grid of transects, that spread over more than 1000 acres (2200 ha) and slicing through four different ecosystems. It is the largest scientific trail system offered in the Amazon with many more miles of trails radiating out from the grid. Amazonia has equipped the grid with camera traps to document the more solitary and hard to spot Amazon wildlife and for use in ongoing research projects.

Dedicated to Furthering the Study of the Region

Ongoing Research Projects

The facilities of our Amazon Research Center offer a unique opportunity for scientists, students and interested travelers to participate in scientific investigations in the Amazon rainforest. Much of the ongoing fieldwork research is conservation related as part of an effort to understand and preserve the most mega-diverse region yet documented in all the lowland Amazon forest. From Amazon wildlife population studies, to ongoing primate behavioral research and beyond – we welcome novel research proposals and volunteers alike as part of our greater mission.

Dedicated to Furthering the Study of the Region

Ongoing Research Projects

Embark on the Trip of a Lifetime

Plan Your Adventure

Here at Amazonia Expeditions, you can visit our award -winning jungle lodges year-round or join unique international expeditions on specific dates throughout the year. Learn more about the ways you can travel with us and let the adventure begin!

All-Inclusive Activities

Visit our Jungle Lodges

Andes Adventure

Worldwide Expeditions

What Our Guests Are Saying

★★★★★

“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.”

Erika

★★★★★

I saw tons of wildlife and it was fantastic being able to customize my experience with my private guide. A big thanks for all the work you do to benefit the community and the rainforest and for being an ethical tour company that doesn’t allow tourists to fondle captive wildlife.

 

Ashlyn H

★★★★★

“All the staff were so friendly and helpful. We appreciated that the staff is well paid with full social benefits (health, retirement, paid vacation)”

Brett C

★★★★★

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.

Renee

Amazonia Expeditions, Inc., Travel Agency, Tampa, FL

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.