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Travel Bucket List by Paul Beaver

About the author: About the author: Paul Beaver, Ph.D. is the founder of Amazonia Expeditions ecotourism company. In 1981 Paul started the Amazon Rainforest’s first commercial adventure camping company, Amazonia Expeditions. Amazonia Expeditions now operates specialty travel excursions in wilderness and wildlife reserves throughout South America, as well as in Africa and Asia, but the primary focus remains the Amazon forest of the Tahuayo River basin where two ecotourism lodges owned by Amazonia Expeditions operate. The lodges have won the highest award, presented personally by the President of Peru, for social and environmental responsibility.

It’s important for a person to have a “bucket list” or some set of goals to accomplish in their lifetime. For myself, in addition to wanting to contribute something of humanitarian and conservation value, I wanted to see the greatest wonders of the Earth. Following is my list of the top ten experiences that travel has offered me. I hope that you are inspired to experience some of these wonderful places, and support local ecotourism/conservation efforts.

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    1. Amazon Rainforest

    If you love life, this is the place on our planet where life is most abundant and diverse. In the Amazon forest, you are just immersed in an ocean of living organisms. I’ve spent years here and still, every day can bring new and wondrous encounters with living things. I even had to write a book about my encounters before I started to forget about some things that I had experienced. https://amzn.to/3xIhTr5

      2. Great Migration

      The great migration of East Africa involves the movement of about 2 million animals, in an annual clockwise route. I’ve witnessed many parts of the migration, in the hills of the western Serengeti, the wetlands of Grumeti, Crossing the Mara River in Kenya, and down through the Ngorongoro Conservation range. But the best of all is when the great migrating herd enters the vast, flat, central plain of the Serengeti in March. The joy of looking around and seeing tens of thousands of animals surrounding you is indescribable. 

        3. Tracking Gorillas

        Encountering these powerful, yet gentle, close relatives of humans is a transcendent experience. My experience took place in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest along the border of Uganda/Congo. One adult male gorilla (nondominant-not silverback) was very curious about me. Being so closely related to humans I could tell that he was curious, not threatening, so I stood my ground as he approached. He touched my leg, but so gently I could barely feel it, then ambled past.

          4. Hiking the Himalayas

          The most satisfying of my Himalayan treks was in the Khumbu, trekking to the base camp of Everest. High footbridges over the canyons of the Dudh Koshi River, colorful Sherpa Villages populated by the kindest people I’ve ever met, fascinating evening services in Tengboche Buddhist monastery, spectacular mountain scenery, and at the end is the tallest point of our planet.

           

          5. Snorkeling in the Galapagos

          The Galapagos Islands are a Mecca for biologists; you simply must go in your lifetime. Seeing the courtship dances of the Blue-footed Boobys, seeing the Magnificent Frigatebirds inflate their giant red gular sacs, and walking amongst giant tortoises is great, but the best of all is snorkeling in the crystal clear ocean lagoons. It is here you will encounter penguins, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and playful sea lions—who just love to see the startled reactions of us humans when they swim up to your snorkel and show a mouthful of very sharp teeth.

              6. Elephants of Botswana

              It is during June that the great migration of elephants enters the wetlands of northern Botswana. The largest of terrestrial mammals just love water and to witness these intelligent, highly social animals joyfully playing in the marshes is beyond delightful. Birds, reptiles and other mammals are also in abundance.

                    7. Exploring the Eyebrow of the Jungle

                    From 1995-2001 I did several explorations with archaeologist Dr. Peter Lerche in the cloud forests of Peru. Overlooking the Amazon basin, the region is called the “eyebrow of the jungle” by local people. Trekking into unexplored wilderness, discovering ruins, waterfalls and even caches of mummies was an unforgettable experience. Also, one that I barely survived on more than one occasion.

                        8. Volcanic Power

                        I had seen several eruptions in Hawaii and in Costa Rica, from a very safe distance but it was in Guatemala that I had an up close experience with a volcano. Hiking with a local guide up the Pacaya Volcano, past signs warning that you will die if hiking any further, we reached the summit and came with 3-4 meters of a large cascading fall of lava. Enough heat that it burned my face. We finally left after the crater blew some lava bombs over our heads.

                            9. Patagonia

                            The most scenic mountains in the world are found in Patagonia, especially on the Chilean side. Hiking in the near-constant wind—which causes birds to fly backwards and trees to grow sideways—one can enjoy not only the scenery but foxes, guanacos, black swans, flamingoes and massive colonies of penguins. In a remote land where people have never hunted, the wildlife is unafraid and approachable.

                                10. Colorado Plateau

                                The most colorful and geologically interesting formations in the world are found in the contiguous US states of Colorado/Arizona/Utah/New Mexico/Nevada/Wyoming. You can do great day hikes and or extended explorations while camping; my best extended camping experience was in Escalante Staircase (Utah). Also fun is to go out with paleontologists on a dinosaur dig. I once helped to excavate a Stegosaurus in western Colorado.

                                    That’s my top ten; in the second ten I could include the waterfalls of Iguassu and Victoria Falls, watching lion kills in South Africa, elephants in front of Kilimanjaro in the Amboseli Reserve, tiger reserves in India, watching Humpback Whales breech in Cape Cod, the Inca Trail and other hikes in Peru’s Andes, etc. That would still leave out many other possible adventures on our planet that I have not experienced, that friends have described to me as amazing, such as seeing Komodo Dragons in the wild, Japanese Snow Monkeys, Panda reserves, the Great Barrier Reef, kangaroos in the outback and snorkeling southeast Asian reefs.

                                    Do you have your own bucket list? Let us know in the comment section below.

                                    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.