Travel Responsibly with Amazonia

Investing in the Future of the Tahuayo

Angels of the Amazon

Angels of the Amazon, the nonprofit arm of Amazonia Expeditions, stands as a dedicated force for positive change in the heart of the rainforest. Founded by lodge owner Dolly Arevalo Beaver, an Iquitos native with a profound connection to the region, the organization emerged from Dolly’s deep understanding of the challenges faced by the local families who lived in the villages around the lodges. Growing up in a large humble family, she experienced firsthand the struggles of limited access to education and healthcare. Now, under Dolly’s guidance, Angels of the Amazon focuses on critical areas such as community empowerment, education, and healthcare, while the ecotourism lodge focuses on environmental stewardship. Committed to preserving the Amazon’s delicate ecosystems and uplift the communities around them – Amazonia Expeditions and Angels of the Amazon work together to foster a harmonious balance between human activity and the precious biodiversity of the region.

Healthcare

Healthcare

Angels of the Amazon's healthcare initiatives have transformed Esperanza Village's basic medical post into a comprehensive clinic, that is now recognized as a 'Level 1 Hospital' by Peru's Ministry of Health, the AoA has funded significant renovations and expansions since 2007, providing essential medical services, advanced treatments, vaccination drives, and more.

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Education

Education

Through the construction of El Chino high school, provision of educational resources, nutritional support, and scholarships for higher education, the Angels of the Amazon empowers the local communities, ensuring access to quality education and fostering a brighter future beyond the elementary grades.

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Economics

Economics

Angels of the Amazon's economic initiatives, from employing former hunters as conservation assistants to empowering local women by helping them to create a local artisan collective, not only promote sustainable practices but also uplift community members, fostering economic stability and environmental conservation in the Tahuayo River region.

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Acknowledged For Our Efforts

Committed to Excellence

Amazonia Expeditions prides itself on providing best-in-class services to our guests travelling to the Amazon Rainforest, but also to our mission in preserving and encouraging the protection of the Amazon Rainforest. Since our establishment in 1981, we have proven our dedication to our mission time and time again, and have been recognized by multiple institutions for this dedication.

Dolly Beaver receiving the Antonio Brack Egg Award. From left to right, Fabiola Muñoz (Peruvian Minister for the Environment), Lina Marcela Lugo Silva (Amazonia Expeditions Environmental/Sustainability Specialist), Martín Vizcarra (President of Peru), Dolores Beaver (Owner of Tahuayo Lodge) Photo Courtesy of @minam

Commitment to sustainability and community in the Amazon Rainforest

Peru’s Top Award Recipient

Amazonia Expeditions’ Peruvian subsidiary, A&E Tours Tahuayo Lodge, has been honored with Peru’s highest environmental award, the Antonio Brack Egg National Environmental Award. Recognized under the Green Business category for their sustainable tourism experiences in the Amazon Rainforest, the lodge was celebrated for its environmental consciousness and social responsibility. This prestigious accolade underscores Amazonia Expeditions’ commitment to conservation, supporting local communities, and promoting scientific inquiry in the breathtaking Tahuayo River basin. 

Prevent Malpractice and Support Local Communities

Support Formal Tourism Companies

At Amazonia Expeditions, our commitment to responsible tourism extends beyond delivering exceptional experiences in the Amazon. We take pride in being fully compliant with all Peruvian laws, regulations, and licensing requirements at federal, regional, and local levels. This includes stringent adherence to safety regulations, local community agreements, and ethical treatment of wildlife. We believe in transparency, and it’s essential for travelers to be aware that not all operators uphold these standards, often operating informally to cut costs which usually results in a less than stellar experience and can be dangerous for both guests and employees. We always prioritize the safety and well-being of our guides, providing them with full benefits and fair compensation. By choosing Amazonia Expeditions, you’re not just embarking on a remarkable journey but supporting a responsible and legal approach to tourism in the Amazon

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.