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Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve

by | Jul 8, 2011 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

TAMSHIYACU TAHUAYO REGION

 The western Amazon rainforest, found in Peru, is known to have the greatest diversity of flora and fauna found in the world.

The rare Bald Red Uakari is only found in the ACRCTT conservation zone and buffer zone just outside the reserve

Biologists refer to this region as the “green paradise” of the Amazon forest. Within this region there exist exceptional national parks and reserves that contain the best wildlife viewing experiences to be found in the Amazon.
The most mega-diverse region in all of the Amazon may be the Area de Conservacion Regional Comunal de Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo (ACRCTT). Only Amazonia Expeditions has tourist facilities with access to this magnificent reserve. Peru’s first state reserve, it covers an expanded area of precious, ecologically diverse western Amazon rainforest. Exceeding 1.1 million acres, its approx. 1,600 square miles covers appreciably more land area than does the state of Rhode Island (1045 sq. mi). The ACRCTT was originally designated a reserve by the Peruvian government in 1991 to protect the range of the rare red uakari monkey, an orangutan-looking monkey with a bright red face. Subsequent scientific research has found one of the world’s richest variety of plants, amphibians, reptiles and birds. In 2003, Chicago’s Field Museum’s Rapid Biology Inventory #11 found more species of mammals and trees in the ACRCTT than any other documented natural area in the entire world. Scientists studying birds, amphibians, and plants have found the respective species assemblages to be “outstanding, unusual and exceptional.”

The reserve’s mammal diversity has been proven to be the greatest of any region in all of the Amazon. The number of primate species is the highest of any protected park or reserve in the world. Primate Species List.

The diversity of other species is also outstanding. Our bird list over 600 species (contact us for a copy or view the list online), including several species that cannot be seen on other tours. Several new species of frogs and butterflies have recently been described and a new species of saki monkey is currently under investigation.

Ongoing scientific research supported by Amazonia Expeditions is directed to conservation management of the reserve’s biodiversity as well as the introduction of sustainable economic practices among the native indigenous communities

Click on Tahuayo River Amazon Research Center for more information.

The reserve is managed with one of the most innovative conservation programs in the Amazon. It is the only program that enlists the collaboration of natives living downriver to subscribe to conservation management goals set by Amazonia professional biological staff.

For a map of the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo click here.

pink river dolphin jumping out of the water
Two species of freshwater dolphin are found in the Tahuayo River basin

Paul Beaver, Ph.D

Dolly and Paul Beaver have deep roots in the forest and life of people in the upper Amazon basin of Peru.

Paul Beaver received his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1976. He came to work as a field biologist in Peru’s Amazon forest in 1980 and started the first adventure camping company in the Amazon forest in 1981. Paul is considered a pioneer in the fields of both adventure travel and ecotourism. In 2001 he published his popular book, Diary of an Amazon Jungle Guide (revised and expanded in 2008). For his pioneering work in conservation, community service and ecotourism, Paul was awarded the University of Chicago Alumni Achievement Award in 2015.

Dolores Beaver Arevalo

Dolly and Paul Beaver have deep roots in the forest and life of people in the upper Amazon basin of Peru.

 Dolly Arevalo Beaver was born and raised in Iquitos city. Iquitos is the gate to the Amazon rainforest. As a child she was passionate to learn about Amazonian culture, intrigued about life in jungle. She earned her degree in business and also studied English, later getting her degree in tourism and hospitality. However, her passion was always in charitable work. Dolly came to work in Amazonia Expeditions in 1991, while it was an adventure camping company. She married Paul in 1994 and thereafter took charge of building the first lodge on the Tahuayo River, which opened in 1995. In 2006 Dolly incorporated the not-for-profit foundation Angels of the Amazon. Building economic, educational and health care infrastructure in the Tahuayo communities, Dolly was awarded the Antonio Brack Egg Award by the Peru President Martin Vizcarra in 2019, for running a business model noted for environmental and social responsibility. Today, her Angels of the Amazon Hospital has been certified as the “Regional Center for Health Care.”

Edward Yount

Edward is co-director of Amazonia Expeditions. He has travelled across the globe, leading Amazonia International Trips in Galapagos Islands, trekking in the remote Himalayas of Nepal, & tracking Snow Leopards in the remote mountains of Northern India. With passion for adventure, conservation, and meaningful human connections. Beyond guiding trips, he plays a vital role in Amazonia’s logistics and management; carefully organizing itineraries, coordinating with travelers, and planning logistics. Whether he is leading an expedition or planning behind the scenes, his goal remains the same: to share his enthusiasm for exploration and promote a deeper appreciation of the natural world. 

Stephanie Beaver Arevalo

Stephanie grew up volunteering for Angels of the Amazon. She received her degree in social work from Saint Leo University and had 8 years experience working in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care as well as for the Florida Healthy Start program. Stephanie joined Amazonia’s staff as the Angels of the Amazon Assistant Project Manager in 2025.

 

 

Gianella Solon

Gianella was born in a community on the Corrientes River. As a child she traveled to various indigenous communities with her father, who was a teacher; those trips sparked a deep love for nature. After finishing high school, she studied Tourism for three years at IESTP institute in Nauta. After graduation Gianella interned at a tourist lodge, including camping experience in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. She came to Amazonia as a trainee and assistant guide in 2025 and after a year was promoted to head guide in 2026.

 

 

Saulo del Aguila Torres

Saulo was born and grew up in the Chino Río-Tahuayo community. He attended primary school in his own town and then secondary school in the city of Lima. After finishing secondary school, he returned to the Tahuayo and started working for Amazonia Expeditions first as a canopy assistant, then as a research assistant, working with various scientists, and now as a head guide.

 

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.