OUR STAFF, TOUR LEADERS and GUIDES
Giving you a quality tropical adventure
is our number one priority.
With GreenTracks you're guaranteed to have a respected tropical biologist, naturalist or woodsman, who's committed to giving you outstanding customer service and the trip of your life.
Besides being experts at revealing the secrets of the tropical regions you're visiting; our guides are friendly and fun to be with! They will be sensitive to your individual needs, being there to answer your questions as much or as little as you wish.
To increase your overall educational opportunities the GreenTracks management carefully select only highly qualified naturalists and outdoors-people. Your guides are compassionate and warm, knowledgeable naturalists. Read on to find out why GreenTracks guides truly are some of the best in the world.
| Bill Lamar | Palma Ingles |
| George Ledvina | Joel Garcia Ruiz |
| Scott Humfeld | Alejandro Alvarez |
| Neil Guerra | Segundo Mesia |
| René Pérez | |
Bill Lamar
Bill Lamar has lived or worked in the tropics for over half of his life. Along the way, he acquired the necessary academic and professional credentials, but it is his knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm that makes travel with Bill so much fun. Many of his wildlife photographs have graced book and magazine covers. He began introducing tourists to the tropics and handling logistics for Discovery, Animal Planet, National Geographic and the BBC 16 years ago and he says it is the most satisfying experience he has ever had.
“One problem with the environmental movement is that most of the news is bad,” Bill says. “What we need is to celebrate those things that are wonderful in nature, and that allows people make the decision to get involved.”
When he is not in Latin America, Bill conducts research on reptiles and amphibians for the University of Texas at Tyler.
Whether it's reptiles, bugs, fish, or birds, Bill is prepared to introduce you to the wonderful world of the tropical rainforest.
George Ledvina
A naturalist, veteran outdoorsman, and avid fly-fisherman, George has traveled, camped, biked, hiked, and backpacked extensively in the tropics and the United States. His zoological park background makes being up-close with wildlife a familiar experience for George. Being a self-taught botanist with deep interests in medicinal plants, mushrooms, and fungi, makes him uniquely suited to interpret the tropical experience for interested visitors.
George comments: “Some people travel in search of an experience of the 'other'. Besides gaining knowledge of different cultures and world-views, we may also gain knowledge of ourselves. We have seen lives change through travel experiences and it’s great to be involved in providing that.”
When he is not leading groups through the rainforests, George shares a log home perched among the pines near Durango, Colorado, with his Peruvian wife Dolores and their son, two dogs, and the deer, elk, bear and other wildlife that wander by. His knowledge of the Amazon and love of the people, culture, and cuisine (especially the hot peppers!) is infectious.
Scott Humfeld
Originally from Arizona, Scott Humfeld moved to the Peruvian Amazon eight years ago. A psychiatric nurse by profession, he co-founded a free clinic in the small town of Pevas, downstream from Iquitos. Scott works with volunteer physician groups that travel to Peru to administer health care in remote villages. He worked on a three-year study of snake bites in the region. Scott also managed a small tourist lodge in Pevas, where he hosted travelers from 34 countries.
Scott has traveled extensively in the Amazon and worked closely with many indigenous peoples. A relaxed, friendly manner along with a deep knowledge of the region, make him a natural GreenTracks Tour Leader.
Dr. Palma Ingles 
Palma Ingles holds a doctorate in anthropology from the University of Florida. Her first career was as a professional photographer. She has been traveling in South America since 1988. Her love affair with the Amazon started when she was hired as a documentary photographer to work with a botanist collecting medicinal plants of the Huarani Indian tribe in Ecuador. She worked as a consultant for projects in the Brazilian Amazon for three summers where she conducted research with various tribes researching medicinal plant use, and sustainable use of forest products. After working as a tour guide for several trips on the Amazon River in Peru and Brazil, she decided to focus her studies on the impacts of tourism on four indigenous tribes in the Peruvian Amazon.
Palma taught classes at the University of Florida in cultural anthropology and Amazonian indigenous people. She has published several papers based on her work in Peru. She currently works as a cultural anthropologist for National Marine Fisheries Service where she conducts research with fishermen and fishing communities in the southeastern United States. She has also conducted research on fishing communities in the Caribbean and in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Her “fish job” is only to pay the bills and she saves her vacation time to go back to the Amazon. Palma’s hobbies include diving, kayaking, and playing pool. She shares her home in Gainesville, Florida with her husband and two cats.
Neil Guerra
Neil Guerra is one of GreenTracks' lead Amazon Guides. He was born in Yanamono, a village along the Amazon River about 4 hours by motorboat east of Iquitos. His family has distinguished itself locally through three generations of farming and in Iquitos owing to their long association with eco-tourism. Neil has two uncles and several cousins who work in tourism. He decided, at an early age, to learn other languages in order to become a jungle guide and he speaks Spanish, Quechua, English, and German. Not bad for someone who has never been outside of his native country!
Growing up along the river offered Neil a great opportunity to not only learn about the local culture, its foods, medicinal plants, and customs, but also to develop a keen eye for spotting wildlife. He loves his country and it shows in his cheerful manner during trips. We enjoy Neil's company very much and feel certain you will as well.
Alejandro Alvarez
Alejandro Alvarez Chita has been a popular guide at Chalalan Lodge in Bolivia’s Madidi National Park for many years. A native of San Jose de Uchupiamonas (a small village in the midst of Madidi) he grew up in the surrounding rainforest and learned much of the forest and it’s wildlife from his father and other village elders. This background and subsequently...his years of working experience with biologists and naturalists, enables him to expertly interpret the wonders of Madidi for GreenTracks travelers. You are sure to appreciate having Alejandro as your guide while at Madidi.
René Pérez
A master woodsman born and raised in the forest, René Pérez accompanies all our GreenTracks expeditions. His knowledge of the jungle and its plants and animals is unsurpassed. Seeing René scrambling up trees after sloths or iguanas, or capturing snakes will impress most everyone.
He takes good care of everyone on our expeditions and contributes greatly to the quality of the tour.
Joel Garcia Ruiz
Joel Garcia, known to all as "ChePibe", is a bundle of energy and humor, a perfect ambassador of Iquitos, and the conductor of GreenTracks´famous Iquitos City Tour. He was born 30 years ago in the floating city of Belen, one of Iquitos´most colorful locales and home of the famous floating market. Joel speaks English as well as Spanish and will make you feel at home in Iquitos.
We'll be sure Joel shows you the sites of Iquitos and if you have an interest in dancing...... Joel knows the hot spots.
Segundo Mesia
Born and raised in the rainforest near Iquitos, Segundo has worked as a rainforest guide since he was a boy, interpreting the complexity of rainforest ecology for thousands of travelers. His knowledge of the forest, its flora and fauna, and the people of the river and jungle is un-matched.
A tour with Segundo as your guide will ensure that you come away from the experience with a real understanding of the Amazon rainforest.