Today, we embark on a journey to the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, focusing on the elusive Matses people, a tribe that stands apart from the more commonly visited Boras and Yaguas.

Unlike those tribes, the Matses do not showcase staged performances; instead, they live a life deeply rooted in tradition, residing in a maloca—a communal longhouse devoid of modern amenities. We delve into their unique fishing methods, particularly their use of the barbasco plant to stun fish, bringing them to the surface for easy catch.

This episode, guided by Hector Vezarian of Amazon Explorers, highlights the importance of experiencing authentic indigenous culture, where visitors can engage with the Matses' daily lives, traditional crafts, and ancient knowledge of jungle medicine. As we explore this remarkable way of life, we underscore the urgency of witnessing and preserving their culture before it fades away, making this not merely a trip, but a vital opportunity to connect with a world that is increasingly at risk of disappearing.

Today on Go Nomad, we lace up jungle boots and head into the heart of the Peruvian Amazon with Hector Vazerian, founder of Amazon Explorer.

But this trip isn't just about chasing the wildlife this region is known for.

We're staying with indigenous families in the Amazon, getting to know their culture and the stories that have been long lost to the modern world.

One caveat.

Don't think this is a luxury jungle adventure.

It's going to be a little rough and out of your comfort zone.

By the end of the trip, you'll come away with memories that will last a lifetime.

In the Iquitos area, the most commonly visited indigenous groups are the Boras and the Yaguas, largely because their villages are close to the city, making them part of the standard tourist circuit.

However, in many cases, what visitors see are staged performances that do not represent their real everyday life.

If you're looking for something outside of the mainstream tourism, you should visit the Matses.

That's M A T S E S. The Matses live in the border region between Peru and Brazil within the Yavari river basin.

They are great hunters and guardians of ancestral knowledge on jungle medicine and wildlife.

Their faces have these vertical lines and long spines that look just like jaguar whiskers.

That is actually how they got their name, the Feline tribe.

You can visit the Mastes along one of the most remote stretches of the Yakirana River.

The Amazon Explorer runs 8 to 12 and 15 day expeditions.

Getting there is a logistical challenge.

First you fly from Aquitos to Colonia and Gamos, a remote border town.

From there, the Motsi's guide will take you on an eight hour boat ride deep into the jungle, followed by a two hour hike through a thick forest to get to their Maloka, the communal longhouse where the elderly family lives in complete isolation.

Expect a very basic and primitive lifestyle in the Maloka.

There is no electricity, running water, cell phones or Internet.

They survive on traditional hunting and fishing, small plots of cassava and plantain and medicinal plants to treat illnesses.

The sleeping arrangements are at a simple campsite about 20 meters from the Maloka with a palm leaf roof and a raised wooden platform built from local trees.

Tents are set up here for visitors to stay during their time.

At the Maloka, visitors are encouraged to try fresh local produce and fish wild game from local hunters, cassava, plantains, papaya and bananas.

It's a great way to support the local economy.

Hector says the best time to visit the Mat Seas is between June and November when the river levels are low enough for you to explore on foot and take part in traditional barbasco fishing.

Barbasco fishing is an ancient method long practiced by many indigenous groups in the Amazon.

They crush the roots of the barbasco plant and release them into small stream, but only when the water levels are low.

That's why it's only done during the dry season.

The plant's natural toxins only affect the fish, and the fish get stunned by the substance and float to the surface.

The most common catch are sardines, catfish, morares and mullet.

You can watch or even help the Matzis set up the traditional hunting traps.

The elder Matzis can demonstrate how they once built large game traps designed for hunting tapirs using a camouflage trigger rope that activates the mechanism when pulled.

Hector explains to Go Nomad that before setting the trap, the hunter must apply combo, a secretion from the Phylomedusa frog to mask their body scent so the animals won't notice anything in particular.

You'll also have the chance to try your hand at local crafts.

Jewelry, hammocks and woven baskets made from chambira palm fibers.

The dyes come from plants and tree bark, yielding earthy reds, browns and pinks.

And on nighttime canoe trips, you might spot caimans, tapirs or even snakes curled up in the trees.

Etiquette matters here in the Amazon.

Always ask permission before taking photos or filming.

The Matzis are just as curious about visitors as we are about them, especially the elders, who marvel at tents, cameras and other modern gear.

But Hector warns, the younger generation isn't as invested in preserving these traditions.

In 10 to 15 years, much of this knowledge could fade.

So if you want to witness a way of life that's vanishing, now is the time to see the Motsis.

This isn't just a trip.

It's a rare chance to step outside your world and into theirs, to listen, learn and remember what it means to live in rhythm with the forest.