On this first full day of expedition, we walked through the forest. We started by walking next to the river to look for kingfisher nests. We arrived at the forest entrance and started hiking. On our walk, we found numerous plant species that are unique to this area, such as the curare liana and the copal tree.
In the afternoon, pink dolphins welcomed us by swimming around the boat. We went kayaking to explore a tributary of the Marañon River.
Ramiro is Ecuadorian, born in the highlands and raised by the sea. Growing up in the Galapagos was for him an opportunity to learn from up close the importance of understanding and respecting all forms of life. He started his studies in biology and e...
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Today was packed with activities. We started early, heading out in the skiffs to explore Pahuachiro Creek. In addition to an abundance of birds, our eagle-eyed skiff driver spotted a green iguana, camouflaged in the greenery. On the bird front, we enjoyed watching a pair of black-capped donacobius engage in a courtship display. Later, a great kiskadee allowed us to get close enough to capture some great photographs. After a hearty breakfast, we took a walk in the Casual Forest with the help of locals to search for the smaller insects and reptiles, such as poison dart frogs and bird-eating tarantulas. After the walk, there was an opportunity to help the local economy by buying some hand-made crafts. Javier, one of our naturalists, gave a fascinating participatory presentation on the fruits of the Amazon, and then we were off again in the skiffs to Yarapa Creek. We experienced our first rain shower, a reminder that we’re in the rainforest! But it was over quickly, and the provided ponchos kept us all dry. To end the day, we had a stunning sunset as we rode the skiffs back to Delfin II .
After a warm welcome onboard Delfin II by Captain Edwin Palomino and a good night’s sleep, we were raring to go for our first adventure into the Upper Amazon region. The day started with either skiff rides or kayaking into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve on the Pucate and Yanayacu Rivers. Before we even entered the reserve, we spotted gray and pink river dolphins for the first time. As we ventured further into the tributaries, we saw an array of birds including hawks, vultures, egrets, parrots, and the beautiful blue and yellow macaws. In the afternoon, we repositioned to Nauta Creek and enjoyed a skiff ride or kayaking. This time, the highlights were the mammals, with everyone seemingly out eating, including a brown-throated three-toed sloth! We saw four types of monkeys, the common squirrel monkey, Isabel’s saki monkey, saddle-back tamarin, and even a fleeting glimpse of a red howler monkey. We returned to Delfin II very happy and ready for a delicious dinner!
Our last day exploring the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve began with a lovely nature walk in Yanallpa. We learned about the different crops that are planted in this region. In Yanallpa, the families have learned sustainable planting methods that respect the native forest. During the walk, we spotted several species of birds. We saw a great sighting of the smallest primate of the Upper Amazon, the pygmy marmoset. On our journey, a baby Fer-de-lance passed between our feet, trying to hide among the dry leaves. For our afternoon outing, we visited the Puerto Prado community. Our guests interacted with the local people and learned about medicinal plants, sustainable forestry practices, and crafting with chambira palm fiber. This community is a good example of sustainable social changes that many villages have undergone, thanks to the effort of Minga Peru. This non-profit organization is supported by the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund. It was a memorable way to complete our exploration of the reserve and learn about how the people within the protected area survive.