This brand new day in our expedition in the Upper Peruvian Amazon started with the beautiful overcast morning on the mighty Marañon River. Little by little the clouds cleared up and we had a sunny late morning. Just after breakfast we visited the Amazon Natural Park. This private protected area is located in the outside boundaries of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. The owner Mr. Roberto Rotondo, unfortunately passed away just last month, was a previous functionary of several Peruvian Governments. He managed the property so well that it was recognized by the Peruvian environmental authorities as a national private protected area as recently as in June 2011. The legacy is currently in his daughters’ and older brother’s hands.
Our activities in this area began with us boarding three catamarans to cross a lagoon by rowing peacefully. After a short ride we disembarked to go for a 2.4 mile hike. While walking in the forest we admired very big and famous trees like the rubber and gum trees and some lianas, vines and wildflowers as well. The trail leads to a very long suspension bridge which is approximately a quarter of a mile in length. It allows an exciting eagle´s view in the middle strata of the rainforest just below the upper canopy. At that height we could see the rainforest from a completely different perspective. To some extent we did get a very good idea of how the inhabitants of the Neotropical rainforest watch the world from their perspective.
After the walk we boarded the catamarans once again to come back to the skiffs that were waiting to take us home, the Delfin II. Once onboard, refreshed with a well-deserved shower, we had a question and answer session with the Delfin II naturalists and our lunch. In the early afternoon, our photo instructor Jose Calvo gave a talk on how to take better pictures. Jose explained some tips on how to take photos in difficult light conditions. He gave advice about composition as well.
The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring Nauta Caño. This stream locally known in Spanish as “caño” (roughly translated into English as a creek), is covered with thick vegetation where our naturalists spotted several species of Neotropical birds like, parrots, herons, flycatchers as well as some bats hanging on submerged tree trunks, a couple of Squirrel monkey troops and even some three-toed sloths.
Finally, late in the afternoon during cocktail hour, the Delfin II naturalists told our guests about their interesting lives and backgrounds. After dinner we had a night walk. The darkness of the night together with the beautiful sounds were our companions. We went to bed with many unforgettable feelings and memories, a little tired after so many activities, but happy to have spent a great full day of exploration on the Peruvian Upper Amazon.
