I came to Peru hoping to witness one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, to experience the Amazon rainforest, its wildlife, and the incredible ecosystems I had dreamed about for years. I left with something far more valuable: a recalibrated perspective on adventure, conservation, and the people who dedicate their lives to protecting this extraordinary place. The expedition begins with volunteering at the Amazon Shelter, where you become part of the daily work of caring for rescued wildlife. Preparing food, cleaning enclosures, building enrichment, and helping with whatever needs to be done gives you a genuine appreciation for the challenges and rewards of wildlife rehabilitation. It's meaningful work that quickly reminds you that conservation isn't glamorous, it's built on countless small acts of dedication. The second half of the journey at Alta Sanctuary takes that understanding even deeper. Every day brought unforgettable experiences: hiking through pristine primary rainforest, watching sunrise from a treehouse above the canopy, searching for wildlife on night hikes, floating the Las Piedras River beneath macaws, and learning from guides whose knowledge of the forest is simply astounding. What impressed me most, however, wasn't the wildlife. It was the people. Junglekeepers doesn't present conservation as a simple story. You begin to understand that protecting the Amazon is a constant race to acquire and safeguard land before it is lost to logging, mining, and other pressures. You meet rangers who spend weeks at a time deep in the forest protecting these lands, and you quickly realize that conservation is as much about supporting people and communities as it is about protecting wildlife. Marcos, Acha, and the entire Alta Sanctuary staff made our experience unforgettable. Their passion for the forest was contagious, their hospitality made us feel at home, and every meal celebrated authentic Peruvian cuisine that somehow tasted even better after long days in the jungle. This isn't a luxury vacation, and that's exactly what makes it so special. You'll sweat constantly, collect more insect bites than you thought possible, and finish each day physically exhausted. But that discomfort becomes part of the experience. It strips away the feeling of being a tourist and allows you to become a participant in one of the wildest places left on Earth. More than anything, this expedition reminded me that the rainforest is extraordinary because of the people willing to protect it. Junglekeepers' commitment to hiring local staff, investing in surrounding communities, and protecting rainforest through strategic land acquisition is one of the most thoughtful conservation models I've encountered. I came to witness the jungle. I came home with a deeper respect for the people who fight every day to ensure that future generations will be able to experience it too. If you're looking for more than a trip, such as an experience that will challenge you, educate you, and quietly recalibrate the way you see the natural world, I can't recommend Junglekeepers enough.

This was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. The Amazon rainforest is unlike anything ive seen before. The people that work for Junglekeepers are wonderful and very kind. The lodge in the jungle is much nicer than i what i had pictured in my mind. Every meal was great with plenty to eat and fresh made juice every day. There was power and wifi at the lodge but no AC which wasnt an issue during the time we were there. 3 excursions a day was easily doable if you are in shape and dont mind walking. Older folks and children probably wouldnt do so well as we averaged about 20,000 steps a day according to my phone. We also got to swim in the river and float for a while which was very nice and not at all dangerous like many would believe. My friend and I are Florida natives and it was honestly not nearly as bad as a florida summer in regards to heat/humidity as well as bugs. Bug spray did not help. The guides were very knowledgeable about the scientific and cultural aspects of the flora and fauna. They respect the rain forest and you should too so no littering or taking anything. Bring a camera and a lens that lets you zoom in from a distance. Most monkeys will be up high and farther away than a phone or small camera can see. You can tell this organization is in it for the right reasons and isnt just some tourist trap. We met other tourists that went with different expeditions and they did not have the experience we did nor were they in the same area, Junglekeepers own a lot of land along the river and only they can be on it. If you are on the fence about this trip let me tell you that you will regret not going. All my expectations were met and/or exceeded. I would absolutely go again and would try to get anyone who loves nature and the outdoors to go.

I spent a week with Tamandua Expeditions on their 'Become a Junglekeeper' excursion package, and it was hands down one of the best adventures I've ever taken in my life! From the moment we met our guide at a local hotel lobby in Puerto Maldonado to plan for our departure, I felt taken care of and excited to learn from some of the most knowledgeable environmentalists in the region. The package price covered every logistic from the first night in our hotel to transportation to the research center to delicious homemade meals to lodging and facilitation of passport security. Their eco lodge is hidden in a gorgeous plot of land just off the Las Piedras river, and many of the fruits and plants grown on site are used for cooking fresh, local meals during your trip. The program was masterfully designed to balance adventurous excursions through rivers, streams, and local hiking trails with relaxing downtime at the lodge. Our phenomenal guides took us through various hikes within the jungle and explored the local plants, wildlife, and stunning waterfalls that makeup the rainforest. They also took us up to view the jungle canopy from the famous Alta Sanctuary treehouse, which gave us an absolutely stunning view of the rainforest from over 100 feet high! Lastly, the homecooked meals were prepared with excellent attention to detail and a included a delicious variety of local fare, including exotic camu camu fruit and paco fish from the river! This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is the perfect adventure for someone looking to experience a hands-on and up-close tour of the rainforest while traveling in a manner that is eco-friendly and respectful to her nature. All guides, managers, and staff treated us wonderfully and I felt safe and secure the entire time. Thank you, Tamandua Expeditions for the best trip of my life so far!

Honestly the trip of a lifetime. Two weeks at the Amazon shelter was an eye opening hands-on experience and truth be told, was no walk in the park. Not necessarily hard/tedious work, but very tiring and there really was always something to do. I really did enjoy seeing so many exotic animals up close and helping take care of all of them throughout my stay. The last week at Alta Sanctuary however really was the icing on the cake. Food was absolutely amazing, the sanctuary itself from the lodges to bathrooms to the common area were so clean and nice, staff was always generous and friendly and the multiple hikes/adventures we took practically three times everyday were all nothing short of mind blowing. I learned and experienced so much in such a short amount of time and my guides Raul and Marcos were absolutely wonderful and extremely knowledgeable about literally every single aspect of the jungle. Would highly, highly recommend this one of a kind trip to anyone looking for a true jungle experience.

Amazing trip in so many different ways! My fiancée and I went into the jungle with high expectations, but nothing could have prepared us for the experience we had. The night skies were clearer than we had ever seen before, the wildlife was incredibly diverse and beautiful, and the trees were larger and older than anything I had ever encountered. The highlight, however, was the people. Everyone we met was warm, welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about protecting the rainforest. This was an unforgettable experience that I would recommend to anyone who wants to experience the Amazon.