Today we reached the most remote region of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. It is high water season and most of this land is flooded, allowing us to explore the waterways and flooded forest. At this point, we have left behind the Ucayali River and have entered a network of black water creeks that act as mirrors for the trees. This region should be known as the Jungle of Mirrors.

In the morning, we came across a large flock of herons and egrets noisily gorging on fish. As we stopped along the forested shore, we spotted squirrel monkeys and howler monkeys. Other wildlife highlights included the Amazon’s iconic blue-and-yellow macaws and a small flock of hoatzins. During the afternoon, on the Magdalena River, we spotted iguanas and tanagers amid the exuberant life in the Upper Amazon.