Private Guide in the Amazon

Any of you kind folks here on Bootsnall have any experience with hiring a private guide for an Amazonian expedition. I plan on an extended trip through the Amazon region the latter half of this year. I plan on making a trip out of both Iquitos and Manaus and I'm not keen on package tours. If anybody can give me some tips about going about doing this; or even an email address of a guide you may have you used from that region who you can recommend it would be greatly appreciated. BTW, I speak excellent spanish and I'm learning Portuguese.

I visited Iquitos almost two years ago, and stayed at the Hobo Hideout hostel. At the time, it had an American owner who also ran a tour company called the Great Amazon Safari Co. (the website is greatamazonsafari.com.

My friend and I did a 5 day trek into the jungle from there. It was just the two of us, plus our guide named Kid, who had been with the company for several years from when he was a young boy and spoke fluent english, and a cook/helper. We stayed at a lodge for one night, and then went into the jungle and slept in hammocks in the trees. It was a great experience, and I would highly recommend the company.

Thanks KelownaKid18! Do you remember how much you paid for that little excursion?

It was probably no more than $200 U.S. and it included food. BTW, if you go, bring gently used clothing with you that you wish to give away. The guides take you through the local villages, and they are in need of clothing. I gave them a few t-shirts and they seemed really appreciative.