Our second day on the Maranon River, in the Peruvian Amazon, started slightly later, giving us the luxury to sleep in until 6:00 a.m. We were able to have a leisurely breakfast, get our gear organized, and then start off for this morning’s activity. It would be a longer walk through secondary and primary rainforest along a well-defined trail, but first we needed to embark on a voyage across a lake in tandem dugout canoes. We even got the chance to help paddle these interesting craft!
Once we reached the far end of the lake we disembarked and started on our adventure through this magnificent and wild habitat. Our guides did extensive interpretation about what we were seeing, the many uses of different plants of the Amazonian Rainforest, and history of the area. Along the way we were also treated to the chance to cross a series of seven suspension bridges that swayed back and forth as we carefully negotiated these engineering marvels!
Soon it was time to return to the dugouts and make our way back to the river, board the skiffs, and head home to the Delfin II for lunch, a lecture on photography, and our first recap of the trip.
Around four o’clock we boarded the skiffs again for a late afternoon/early evening cruise of the Nauto Cano River, or “Blackwater,” where we were treated to many different species of birds, as well as several good looks at three-toed sloths slowly moving through the trees. The other option that we were given for this afternoon was to try our hand at kayaking on the calm waters of this narrow waterway. Ten intrepid guests chose this mode of exploration and had a wonderful, and peaceful paddle back toward the Delfin II!
Soon it was time to return to the ship and enjoy another marvelous dinner, but first we learned how to make a favorite local drink, the pisco sour! Another full and excellent day on the headwaters of the “Mighty Amazon!”
