Raw Rainforest Immersion Photography Tours
Experience a new approach to photographic tourism that truly explores the rainforest diversely.

Raw Rainforest programs are the celebration of a 20-year friendship between Fausto Andy, expert rainforest guide (Indigenous Kichwa, Ecuador) and Dr. Bruce Farnsworth (California, USA) who has lived and worked in the region many years and completed feature and assignment work for such magazines as National Geographic and Smithsonian.

What makes Raw Rainforest programs unique?
We provide a rainforest experience unlike any other. You’ll enjoy great camaraderie and insights as you join in the friendship between Fausto and Bruce and the relationships we’ve established with our host communities.  We offer a wonderfully holistic and arts-based appreciation of the rainforest that is not found in typical mega-fauna or bird-centric tours, giving you a richer, more satisfying experience which leaves you with a feeling that you’ve experienced the plant, animal, cultural and aesthetic diversity of the rainforest.

Based in Amazonian Ecuador, the most biologically-diverse place on earth, the Raw Rainforest concept delivers a direct and authentic experience, offering a range of activities in forest, lagoon, river and canopy settings, moving with creative energy and appreciation of the many values of the upper Amazon.

A rich experience
We bring you photography expertise, professional education skills, interpretation by a trained zoologist and expert indigenous guide, along with local knowledge and relationships developed over many years in the region.

During tours, we can support your experience with multiple perspectives on the rainforest, individualized coaching, new creative techniques, expert interpretation and caption support, and the context you’ll gain through conversations with Bruce, Fausto and collaborating members of our host communities.

Our itineraries explore a wide range of subject matter and locations that address the cultural and biological diversity of the upper Amazon rainforest in locations where Bruce and Fausto have previously worked together.

We meet rainforest visitors at any level of knowledge or experience
Fausto and Bruce have guided rainforest tours of all levels of experience from around the world – be sure to read the extended bios for Fausto & Bruce linked below.  Whether you are a first-time visitor, an educator seeking to develop a learning unit, an experienced photographer diving into a new location, a biologist on your first overview of the rainforest, or a Silicon valley professional looking for new inspiration from the “networks of nature”, you will find our programs rewarding and invigorating!

We know that every day is new in the rainforest
Fausto and Bruce scout locations before tour activities to see what animals, fruits and flowers are active and available for viewing.  Sometimes, fallen fruit bring wildlife into view or lead to serendipitous photographs of designs in nature or indigenous food items.

Your participation supports communities on the Napo River
Proceeds from our tours benefit Añangu and neighboring communities on the Napo River watershed, providing funds for ecotourism development, local schools, medical stations and forest monitoring & protection.

Raw Rainforest is an advocate of slow photography and always striving to minimize our impacts.  Our tours are limited to groups of 2-6 persons, which also allows for a more relaxed and personalized experience. We are taking reservations for 2022 tours tentatively set to run between June 30-August 10, 2022.

Saludos!

Bruce

Click below to learn about Fausto & Bruce

Fausto Andy, Expert Indigenous Rainforest Guide (Kichwa, Ecuador)

Bruce Farnsworth, PhD, Conservation Photographer and Zoologist (California, USA)