Before breakfast we set out on a skiff ride to a very narrow and shallow Caño that turned out to be filled with wildlife including a very obliging rusty whipsnake and hundreds of birds of different species. We then visited Amazonas, a local community where very well organized and proactive women run several projects. We learned about their fish farms, plantations for wood and food, handicrafts and the way they produce them. Right before lunch we sailed the confluence of the Marañón and the Ucayali, where the Amazon is actually born. We toasted and later continued up the Ucayali, where we are going to spend the rest of our trip. This is the wildest part of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve and we could notice that already in our afternoon visit to Clavero Lake and a narrow and twisted tributary at its end.
5/31/2025
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Delfin II
Marayali River, Amazonas Village, Peru
Leaving Delfin II at 06:00 for our morning skiff ride, we explored the Marayali River. The birds were up and working on obtaining breakfast while the three-toed sloths chose to sleep the morning hours away. On our way back to the ship, we encountered a snail kite having its namesake prey for breakfast right in front of us! The rest of the morning was spent at Amazonas Village getting an introduction to life along the river. Demonstrations of how to get sugar water out of cane, how to make and dye fiber for baskets and other items, as well as food preparation were given. We chatted with children who had monkeys as pets! Our evening was topped off by a toast to the beginning of the actual Amazon River, where the Marañon and Ucayali Rivers converge. Salud! This is my final daily expedition report as a full-time Lindblad employee. I am retiring after 21 years as a National Geographic certified photo instructor and naturalist, ready to begin a new life of travel and exploration. I want to give a big thank you to all of those Lindblad guests whom I have traveled with over the years, and I will leave you with these words: Travel as often as you can, as far as you can, for as long as you can. May God and your luggage be with you!