Private Guide in Peru, Cusco: Richard Fowler

If you think jungle lodges are for wimps and want to get down and dirty in the jungle, you've come to the right place!

As a naturalist specializing in reptiles, an 8-year resident of Loreto, and a former US Army Ranger, Fowler knows the Amazon and knows how to journey off the "beaten track." Whether you want to follow jungle cats, shrink monkey heads with the Jivaro, kiss anaconda heads, or learn the specifics of jungle survival, he will tailor a trip just for you.

His camp, 170km from Iquitos, can serve as a jumping-off point. Trips generally cost US$50 per person per day but vary by trip duration and group size.