Our Guides

Matt Denton
Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese

A dedicated resident Neotropical birder, Matt began his birding while growing up on the prairies of Oklahoma. Trained as a field biologist and natural historian, Matt discovered the Neotropics as a biology student in Costa Rica as part of his studies at The Evergreen State College. Matt has worked as an Ornithologist for the Organization for Tropical Studies in Costa Rica; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama and the BioBrasil Foundation in Brazil. In between his field projects, Matt has worked as a birding guide and lodge naturalist at Rancho Naturalista and Tarcol Lodge in Costa Rica. During a birding trip to Brazil, Matt spent two months researching the avifauna at the Hyacinth Cliffs reserve in the remote state of Piaui. In addition to leading our birding tours, Matt teaches rainforest naturalist training courses in Tambopata and Manu.

Guides Full-time

Carlos Seminario
Languages: English, Italian, Spanish, Quechua

A Cuzco native, Carlos seems to always provide an element of surprise in his rainforest tours. In addition to great birding skills, his luck in sighting rainforest cats (Jaguar, Puma) is uncanny. In 1993, Carlos began working as a rainforest wildlife tour guide and has served twice as course instructor for naturalist guides. One of the few rainforest guide instructors from Cuzco, Carlos also has the distinction of being one of the 5 guides of the existing 55 Manu guides that works with birdwatchers. Carlos has birded extensively in the areas of Manu, Tambopata, Pampas del Heath, MachuPicchu, Cusco surroundings, Timpia and the Pongo de Mainique. In 2002, Carlos received the Chakana de Oro award from the College of Licensed Guides distinguishing him as one of the best guides in Ecotourism.

Guides Full-Time

Doris Valencia
Languages: English, Spanish

A naturalist born in Cuzco, Peru, Doris began her study of the Manu wilderness at a young age. She has served as a volunteer park ranger in Manu National Park and has been working as a naturalist tour guide for about 5 years. She is an avid student of the flora and fauna of Manu and has a special preference for birds. Doris leads our birding groups in Paracas National Marine Reserve, Bajuaha-Sonene National Park, Tambopata Candamo National Reserve, Pampas del Heath, Machupicchu Historical Sanctuary, and Manu Biosphere Reserve. Doris is also an excellent avian natural history lecturer.

Guides Full-time

Enrique Castillo
Languages: English, Spanish

A naturalist, born in Lima, his interest in nature started as a child. Enrique holds a degree in administration and has taken courses in zoology and Management of wildlife in captivity in the United States, Great Britain, and Portugal. Enrique served as the General Curator of the Lima Zoo for 10 years. His ample knowledge in the behavior and distribution of the world's fauna as well as the flora of Peru is enviable. He has also served as a field assistant at Cocha Cashu Biological Station in the Manu Biosphere Reserve. He has been birdwatching in different countries, particularly in South america and began guiding outings 2 years ago. Enrique specializes in guiding birding and archaelogical trips to Northern Peru and the Peruvian coast.

Guides Full-time