We reached the farthest point along the Ucayali River. Early in the morning, we explored the Pacaya River in search of the elusive red howler monkey and many birds. We also went for the famous Amazon plunge in a black water lagoon. It was a really fun morning.
In the afternoon, we explored Zapote River. We observed many birds and a very special species of monkey, the monk saki monkey; this was very unexpected and wonderful.
Socrates was raised on Santa Cruz Island located in the heart of Galapagos Archipelago. After a childhood filled with swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing and volunteering in conservation projects, he grew very passionate about the outdoors and the...
Enter travel details to receive reports from a single expedition
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Send Daily Expedition Reports to friends and family
*By clicking the submit button, I authorize Lindblad Expeditions to email me; however, I am able to unsubscribe at any time. For more details, see our Privacy Policy.
Please note: All Daily Expedition Reports (DERs) are posted Monday-Friday,
during normal business hours. DERs are written onboard the ship only and do
not apply to land-based portions of expeditions.
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.