It was early in the morning when the naturalists passed knocking on the doors waking up the guests. Another day was starting for our explorers. The sun was rising behind the forest assuring that it was going to be a great day exploring the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
After having a delicious breakfast and gearing up, we loaded the skiffs and headed toward Llanalpa Trail. As we navigated to the entrance to the trail, we began to spot green iguanas high in the canopy. They were basking, taking advantage of the early sun ray. Red bellied macaws were gathered in a leafless tree making their peculiar calls. Blue and yellow macaws were spotted flying behind the trees.
We finally arrive to the trail and we unloaded the skiffs as if we were going to conquer the forest. Tall trees stood majestically with the marking of the waterline of the last flood. It was so interesting to see how son species of trees manage to survive the flood by having a well develop root system.
We heard the songs of the black fronted nunbird and gave us a tip that probably there were primates around. It did not last long when we spotted a small troop of saddle back tamarins. The nunbirds love to travel close to the primates because when the primates are moving, they disturb insects. So when the insect flies away, the nunbirds are close to catch them.
Another interesting primate that was spotted resting was a family of noisy night monkeys. They were spying at us as we pass next to their home, inside a hollow tree. They kept peeking out of the hole and then they just ignored our presence.
Back on board, we navigated to our afternoon destination, Dorado River. We navigated up the Ucayali River, enjoying the scenery of small little villages close to the river bank. Several activities were done on board. From cooking class with one of our head chefs to attending to a presentation given by our naturalist Sandro.
We soon arrived, so we geared up and loaded the skiffs. Once in the river, we passed next to a small boat were a dad and his small kids were cleaning the fish they had caught. With smiling faces the little girl and boy lifted an oscar and an armored catfish for us to see.
As we continued navigating in the river, the sun began to say good bye with lovely colors in the sky. A lovely full moon showed up lighting us the river. Immediately our naturalists turned on the spotlights and red eyes began to be seen on the river bank and on the surface of the water.
Spectacle caimans, black caimans, capybaras, boat billed night herons, black crown night herons, common potoos and common parauques were some of the wildlife seen on that evening adventure. There is no doubt about the diversity of night life here in the Upper Amazon.
