Today we awoke along the riverbank of the Rio Ucayali, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River. After a delicious and colorful breakfast, we set out for our first adventure in the small skiffs to look for wildlife in Clavero Lake. We were immediately greeted by fishing river dolphins, pink and gray, making for a great start to the day. Our morning brought us countless bird species, a pygmy marmoset, and long-nosed bats. Back on board the Delfin II, we enjoyed presentations about the natural history of the area and photography in the jungle before setting out in the late afternoon in the skiffs again. This time, we explored the narrow passageways of Supay Caño, seeing many local fishermen in small canoes along the way. We were greeted with more birds, a sloth, and another pygmy marmoset! It was a great start to our week exploring Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
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!
