Call Toll Free 1-(866)-439-7933

What Are People Saying About A.E.?

Guest: Charlie Pratt
Date Visited: June 2009

"My name is Charlie Pratt. I'm a 27 year-old single white male, and Amazon Expedition's inaugural, first, premier, and kickoff guest. I was the first guest to swing gently in the hammock on my bungalow's front porch, the first guest to write a journal entry by candlelight as the brightest of stars perforated the most beautiful, complete night sky I will ever see, and, lest it be forgotten, the first guest (and the first person in my entire circle of acquaintance) to flush a working Amazonian toilet. Saints be praised. I've never experienced a more complete travel experience, from cities, to towns, to villages, and back again. It was an excellent time; the level of care exhibited by the people at Amazon Expeditions, as well as the wonderful people of Ayacucho who live along the Yanayacu River. I actually forgot (and this may be the most amazing part) about my "regular" life back home in the Estados Unidos, and became immersed in a much simpler, happier way of life, exemplified best in the beautiful, bright smiles of the Perúvian people. Monkeys, birds, caymans (gators!), piranha, snakes, lizards, flowers, vegetation of every kind, and the list, believe me, goes on and on... and on. I can't wait to go back, and I'm glad for the chance to tell others who may be wondering what to expect that, well, I can't tell you what to expect. Your trip will be different than mine, unique and full of its own adventure. Since returning home to the States, I've found many opportunities to insert phrases like "when I was in the jungle," or begin a story with "Deep in the jungles of Perú..." Most people use phrases like that to tell a tall tale or be whimsical. When I say it, I mean it, and people listen."
Bookmark and Share


Guest: Nancy Ruby
Date Visited: August 2009

"I was on the original trip to Amazon Expeditions with the group from Charlotte. South America/Perú had not been on my short list for travel, but I was told about it from a friend in Charlotte, and I wanted to be counted in. I have had some great travel experiences not only in the U.S. but also in Canada and several different places in Europe. This trip has to be one of the best! In addition to spending time on the Amazon at Palo Verde Lodge, Mike did the most fantastic job of arranging for our group to travel on to Machu Picchu. The time spent at Amazon Expeditions was incredible. The guides and staff were wonderful and attempted to meet our every need and wish. The guide that I went out with most not only spoke Spanish and English but also Italian and Japanese. He knew every plant, bird, insect, etc. as well as telling us so much about local customs and folklore. I consider myself a "foodie," and the meals were a feast for all of the senses. Our group ranged in age from a ten year old young man and his sixteen year old female cousin to a woman in her mid sixties. The activities were appealing to all of us. The lodge facilities are so attractive and comfortable; it was hard to believe we were in the middle of the jungle. I had visions of "camping," and I don't do camping - this was far from that! One of the highlights of the time spent along the Amazon was a visit to a nearby village that AE has "adopted". It is my understanding that in addition to providing this exciting travel adventure, they also want to use a portion of the proceeds from this endeavor to better the living conditions and the environmental concerns of the area. I consider myself informed about the proverty situations here in the U.S., but I had never witnessed poverty in a third world country. This will have a lasting impact on me, and I have told friends and family that if I ever complain about what I have or don't have that they need to give me a swift kick. AE arranged all of the inter-country travel-flights, hotels, transportation and entrance into Machu Picchu and touring in/around Cusco. Again, we had a knowledgeable guide that was with us on our trip to Machu Picchu and to the ruins in Cusco. He even arranged for us to have a ceremony with a shaman. Thanks to Mike and others who made this such a wonderful trip! I absolutely loved it!"

Check out Nancy's quote on Fromers.com »
Bookmark and Share



Guest:Jon Captain
Date Visited: August 2009

"I've lived in Colombia, one of Perú's neighbors, all my life... I've seen my share of monkeys, tarantulas and anacondas, fished for piranhas, hunted for wild orchids, tramped through boggy swamps, lived among natives, ever since I was a kid. But I'd never been to the great Amazon. It truly is a unique and awe-inspiring experience. The immensity of the jungle is simply amazing, both in the expanse of that green sea of foliage as you fly over it and in the towering height of the trees as you stand so small in the midst of them. I've also known Mike, Amazon Expeditions' founder, since we were little and I know the depth of his love for experiencing nature and new cultures, not for novelty's sake, but because they have a deep and meaningful value to him. I love his two-fold vision of bringing others to experience an impacting adventure and to invest in community development and local issues that the surrounding indigenous villages face. Like Charlie said above, I look forward to going back again someday. The Amazon is such a diverse place with its distinctive cycles and migrations: every trip will be a unique experience."

Bookmark and Share