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DAY 1 IQUITOS/NAUTA/PACAYA-SAMIRIA NATURAL
RESERVE
Pick-up from Hotel in Iquitos
and transfer
overland to the town of Nauta. After a two-and-a-half hour
ride we shall reach Nauta, located on the shores of the Marañon river, about 40
miles from Iquitos. Soon after, we shall board on our motor-boat, and reach the
wide confluence of the Marañon and
Ucayali rivers, where the luscious Rio Amazonas - concealing the greatest
biodiversity of life on the planet - originates. After a forty-five minutes
motor-boat ride, we shall disembark and climb to the top of an observation
tower, to enjoy some spectacular views of the rivers. Cold
lunch.
Later on,
we
shall navigate the Marañon river upstream, up to the
Yanayacu-Pucate river basin, in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (70 miles SE
from Iquitos), the largest wetland reserve in the world. On the way, we shall be delighted
to see the green shade of a never ending rainforest and the blue sky above, with white puffy clouds reflecting upon the river’s
dark waters. This dark colour is a characteristic of almost all water passages and
oxbow lakes in the P.S.N.R., a feature that lends it nickname to the Reserve, as “The Jungle of the Mirrors”,
as dark waters reflect so well the jungle and sky above that one has the
impression of navigating through endless mirrors of water.
Flocks of parrots, macaws and egrets will be a
usual sight here, whilst a pink spot in the dark waters may signal the presence of
the mythic river dolphin.
We now
cruise along the Yanayacu river, making a short
stop at the reserve's Ranger station, in Santo Domingo. Then we shall go to a
selected campsite spot near the village of Arequipa. Complex lodging facilities
are not allowed inside the reserve, thus comfortable, large camping tents will
be set up by our guides as you cruise along the Yanayacu. After a properly cooked
dinner, we shall enjoy a thrilling evening boat or dug-out canoe ride, looking
for the black and white caimans living in the area.
Overnight camping in tents.
(BL, D)
DAY 02
PACAYA-SAMIRIA (YANAYACU-PUCATE)
After breakfast we shall continue our journey into the reserve. The boat will
follow the Yanayacu river course making routinely short stops, looking out for
interesting sights. Great chances that we may see the Monk Saki, and the
Howling, Woolly and Squirrel Monkeys. Along the way we should also see macaws,
toucans and capybara, among other species. Lunch in encampment. In the afternoon
we go cruising inside beautiful oxbow lakes. There are many fish species in
these cochas, including red piranhas (Serrasalmus natteri), arahuana (Osteoglossum
bicirrhosum) and peacock bass (Chichla ocellaris). We shall have the opportunity
to see how local people catch these fishes and also have the chance to try a
catch ourselves!
Dinner in the camp. Night jungle hike, to listen to the sounds of the forest
after dark.
Overnight in the encampment, in tents.
(B, L, D)
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DAY 03
PACAYA-SAMIRIA (YANAYACU-PUCATE)
Early morning breakfast followed by a two hours hike
to Laguna Caro oxbow lake. Following the
jungle trails we may see howling and woolly monkeys and a vast variety of
medicinal plants. There are many fish species in these “cochas” or lakes including red
piranha (Serrasalmus natteri), arahuana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) and peacock
bass (Chichla ocellaris). We shall see local fishermen in action and - given the
chance - you may try out your fishing skills too! Lunch on the shores of the
oxbow lake. If fishing has been successful, you may request your catch to be
cooked native style.
Once returned to the encampment, you may
choose to rest surrounded by the splendid jungle or else, continue to
explore the river.
Dinner and overnight staying in the encampment, in
tents.
(B, BL, D)
DAY 04
PACAYA-SAMIRIA (YANAYACU-PUCATE)
Morning breakfast
in the encampment.
We continue our journey up to the Yarina
settlement, where local people have been developing a repopulation project for
the endangered river turtle (Podocnemis unfilis). There are over 200 communities
around the reserve many of them taking part in conservation and reforestation
projects. Lunch in or near the village.
In the afternoon we shall explore more oxbow lakes, where pink
river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) and the largest fresh water fish of the
world, the Paiche (Arapaima giga) may be found.
Dinner in the campsite.
Overnight
staying in the encampment, in tents.
(B, BL, D)
DAY 05 PACAYA-SAMIRIA
(YANAYACU-PUCATE)
Early
morning breakfast and birdwatching. The
reserve is home to different prey birds
such as the Caracara (Mivalgo chimachima), the King Vulture
(Sarcorrampus papa), the Black Collared Hawk (Buteogallus
nigricollis) and the beautiful Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpiya).
The trip continues down river heading back to the Marañon with a few stops
on route looking out for high biodiversity spots. The river habitat is
home to other interesting species, including the Giant River Otter (Ptenerura
brasiliensis), a semi-aquatic carnivorous which loves to gather in
social groups, and easily recognizable by its groans; it is also possible
to find in the reserve the heaviest (and one of the largest) snakes on
earth, the Anaconda (Eunectes murinus), reach a length of 9
metres, which spend most of its time in water.
By noon, after stopping for lunch, we shall continue
sailing along the Yanayacu River. You may visit one of the neighbouring
settlements where most of the population is engaged in farming and fishing
activities.
Dinner.
Overnight
staying in the encampment, in tents.
(B, BL, D)
DAY 06
PACAYA-SAMIRIA
(YANAYACU-PUCATE)
After breakfast, we shall begin our return trip. The
motorboat will stop periodically to offer the opportunity for further
sightseeing or wildlife watching. Cold lunch along the way. Last campsite
will be near the Arequipa village.
Dinner.
Overnight
staying in the encampment, in tents.
(B, BL, D)
DAY 07
PACAYA-SAMIRIA (MARAÑON)/NAUTA/IQUITOS
Breakfast and last chance to take pictures of the Pacaya-Samiria
National Reserve. Sail on the Marañon river to reach Nauta. Return to Iquitos by
land.
(B)
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