Amazon Private Reserve, Nauta Canio & Pahuachiro
Today we’ll be closer to the canopy so it should be warmer, and the earlier we get out the better. We explore a primary forest, first its understory, with little light (only about 1% of the sunlight actually reaches the ground). We encounter the typical members of families such as Melasomataceae, Rubiaceae, and Piperaceae that frequently dominate this forest layer. We do not notice, but there is a slight gradient that slowly takes us higher to the point of being about sixty feet above ground, to the first hanging bridge that leads us through the middle part of the forest. Starting here, we cross eight different suspension bridges to observe life from a different perspective. It feels great; this is how sloths and monkeys must see the world!
After the morning hike and a talk about particularities of the Amazon River and its basin, we have lunch, siesta, and get ready for the afternoon. This time it is either kayaking or skiff riding Nauta Canio.
My favorite bird of the afternoon: a lovely Plum-throated Cotinga; its name as glamorous as its gorgeous turquoise blue against the dark sky. Several sloths were spotted, mostly hanging from Cecropia trees, some upside down, some downside up, some sideways, the whole range of positions. There were monkeys too, Common Squirrel and elusive Brown Capuchin monkeys.
Noisy, often steady on floating logs, also in flight, Large-billed Terns showed up here and there.
Sunset is painted in red and orange. But our activities aren’t over just yet. After dinner we head to Pauachiro trail for a night hike, to feel a flooded forest using other senses than only sight. It was a long day, with fourteen hours of endeavors, and marvelous meals in between. A great combination of adventure with the benefits of comfort and good taste on board Delfin II.
