I took a trip to the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador with EvoTour 2025, and it was honestly one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. Nancy was warm, organized, and on top of everything from the moment we signed up. She answered all our questions quickly and made the whole process easy. We even arrived a couple days before the tour started, and Jon still came to pick us up from the airport, which was incredibly thoughtful. The entire trip felt seamless—transportation, transitions, timing—everything ran smoothly. Nancy even brought a doctor on the trip, which made everyone feel safe and supported the whole time. And beyond how well it was run, the setting itself is unreal. In addition to being in one of the most beautiful places in the world - the Amazon rain forest - it genuinely felt like being in a nature documentary 100% of the time. I had to rub my eyes over and over because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and that I was actually there. What really made this tour special was how much we learned. Nancy, Jon, and Diego gave fascinating lectures throughout the trip on entomology, evolution, and the civilizations of the Amazon. We also learned a lot about the rainforest itself, the animals, insects, and the culture, which made the experience feel deeper than just being in a beautiful place. I was a little nervous going in because I’m more of a city person and I wasn’t sure how I would feel in the rainforest, but the group was welcoming and supportive. Everyone was excited to share what they knew, and it made it easy to jump in and enjoy it. Nancy’s care and leadership were the reason the whole experience felt so supportive. This is something I actually wrote to her afterward, and it sums up how I felt: "Hi Nancy, I have so much to say and I don't know if I will be able to capture it all in words. I just wanted to say thank you—from my heart. You are truly amazing: so generous, so caring, and such a natural connector who wants everyone to feel cared for and included. You make people feel seen and safe in a way that’s rare. And I loved how your love extends to everything around you, with as much tenderness for insects as for people (or the other way around:)). Jay and I have never wanted to do organized trips because we didn’t want to be stuck with a group of strangers. But what you created—through your sheer personality and the way you lead—was something completely different. You brought people into the depth of their kindness and turned strangers into a real, warm group. That doesn’t happen without an exceptional leader who leads by example. This trip was truly special and exceeded my expectations a million times over. Thank you for the part you played in making it what it was—I feel really lucky to know you." Huge shout-out to Diego from Waita Lodge—his knowledge of the rainforest and the native Amazon people is incredible, and he has an amazing ability to spot animals while still keeping things safe and respectful for the wildlife. He’s also the owner of the Waita Lodge co-op, which is focused on preserving the Amazon rainforest, and it was inspiring to be part of something that supports real conservation work. I also feel very lucky to have met Doña Rita at Waita Lodge. She was born in that same area, and she’s stayed deeply involved with the lodge as she grew up. Watching her was a powerful reminder of how strong women are. She was using the machete, cooking, handling what needed to be handled—quietly, efficiently, often in the background without much acknowledgment. I want to make sure she gets real credit here, because she felt like a backbone of Waita Lodge, and she absolutely deserves to be recognized. Also, the food was excellent. I have celiac and I’m vegan, and Nancy made sure I get Gluten free and vegan meals and snack even in the depth of the Amazon rain forest. Overall, this is a 5/5 tour and I’d recommend it to anyone. Even if you’re not that into bugs, this trip will change how you see the rainforest—and nature in general.

Our family loves bugs. Meeting Nancy was the highlight of our year! Words can hardly describe the experience. We connected with her through one of the area's highest-rated lodges. She went there in advance to help other guests and to get up to speed on some of the area's unique features. When we arrived, she crafted a bespoke experience for us that perfectly matched our interests and needs. She organized art sessions for our daughter, canoed us to see monkeys, and brought us to the highest canopy level to see birds. But she also organized night hikes to help our son see his favorite bugs: something no other guide was ready to do. As the days progressed, other guests were drawn in. We love how she was able to leverage her deep knowledge on the subjects. She presented PowerPoint discussions on biochemistry, genetics, and structural color, and also gave us plenty of time to relax. Anyone who gets to interact with Nancy is in for a special treat!