AMAZON RIVER BOAT EXPEDITIONS - DESTINATIONS

Pacaya - Samiria National Reserve "The Mirrored Forest"

The Rio Ucayali and Rio Maranón share a mighty rainforest just before they combine to give birth to the Amazon River. They bound a region known as the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. The largest protected natural area in Peru, with 5,139,680 acres - 10,800 square miles, it stands today as one of the largest and most important wildernesses in all the tropics.

The Pacaya-Samiria is home to some of the largest populations of wildlife in all the Amazon. Hordes of pink and gray river dolphins, packs of howler and squirrel monkeys, massive flocks of brilliant macaws, huge lagoons covered in giant lily pads teeming with fish of all sizes and colors....all of these and more mark the region as Another World.

A visit to this awesome place is unlike anything you've ever experienced in your life. There are no lodges or fixed accommodations in the Pacaya-Samiria or along the Rio Tigre. Our riverboat is the best way to explore this remote forest in comfort...The reflection of hundreds of snow-white egrets flashes off of the black glassy lake. Not far from the boat pink dolphins surface briefly. Kingfishers skim along the shore line in search of fish. Overhead macaws flying as pairs call out their distinctive "screech."As our small boat moves slowly along, troops of monkeys are seen swinging through the trees. Our guide spots a sloth high up in a cecropia tree. Birds of all sizes and colors flit through the air. Colorful groups of butterflies hover near the undergrowth on shore. This is the "Espejo de la Selva" - the mirror of the jungle - the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve of Peru.

This protected area contains 85 lakes which are home to 250 species of fish as well as both pink and gray fresh-water dolphins. In the jungle and flooded forest of the reserve 132 mammal species, including 13 types of primates, 449 bird species and 150 reptile and amphibian species have been documented. With three distinct eco-systems in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve this region has the largest variety of flora in Peru, including 22 species of orchids.

The region was originally designated a protected area in 1940 and became a National Reserve in 1972. A number of ranger stations were set up to enforce Reserve laws and monitor wildlife. The objectives of the Reserve are to foster research, provide protection for all species of wildlife, foster socioeconomic assistance for the local people, provide for the sustainable utilization of rainforest resources and develop eco-tourism. The Nature Conservancy of Peru plays a major role in meeting these goals. One of their successful programs is turtle conservation... providing for egg collection, hatching and release of these endangered animals. To date they have released over 450,000 turtle hatchlings.

Eco-tourism plays an important role through the collection of an entrance fee that helps support the various conservation programs and promoting awareness of the wildlife and plant resources within the reserve in need of continued protection.

A visit into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve is not soon forgotten.

Rio Tigre Amazon Riverboat Expedition

Just north of the Pacaya-Samria Reserve, above the Rio Marañon, is a region of remote rainforest drained by the legendary Rio Tigre (Jaguar River) and its many tributaries. Vast areas of this region have not seen an "outsider" within the memory of the current indigenous inhabitants.

The Rio Tigre enters the Rio Marañón not far above the juncture of the Rio Ucayali and Rio Marañón - the joining of which form the Amazon River proper. It flows from the Northwest, originating in Ecuador.

An interesting tributary of the Rio Tigre is the Rio Nahuapa, a beautiful, blackwater stream that enters the Tigre near its juncture with the Marañón. Here we can encounter monkeys, parrots, macaws, a host of other wildlife. The Nahuapa also is an excellent place to observe bromeliads and orchids. We'll hike in the rainforest along the lower Nahuapa, experiencing the world's greatest wilderness up-close. We'll take a leisurely stroll and look at plant and animal oddities along the way. This is a great opportunity for photography. We'll see some truly gigantic forest trees, complete with twisting lianas, aerial termite nests, and a host of other novel flora and fauna.

Quebrada Ungurahue, a beautiful stream near to the village of Monte Verde is a place where we can observe monkeys, blue-and-yellow macaws, and perhaps a sloth or two. This is a good place to explore by night...we'll grab our flashlights and board the aluminum boats for an unforgettable night ride along the creek in search of owls, potoos (really weird birds), and caimans. Also while at Monte Verde, we will visit the community and you may find some typical local handicrafts for sale or trade.

We will stop at a huge oxbow lake called Avispas Cocha (Wasp Lake), we'll again board boats and head into the lake to see Horned Screamers (really weird birds) and Hoatzins (even weirder birds).

We'll hike the rainforest by both by day and night..Yes, that's right....after dark, flashlights in-hand, we'll head slowly down a rainforest trail and gaze in amazement at the wonderful creatures on display. The forest comes alive at night and one can see everything from bizarre katydids to sleeping birds and butterflies. Night walks are among the most unusual and unforgettable ways to appreciate the tropics...

One daytime hike we always are able to do is at a place called "La Muda" where we'll walk in high forest. This is a botanical wonderland of huge buttressed trees and interesting ferns. This forest is a paradise, complete with brilliantly colored poison frogs, jumping about like tiny jewels on the trail.

Amazon Wilderness Expedition to the Rio Tapiche

East of the Ucayali River, whose waters give rise to the Amazon, lies a vast region so remote that it still contains uncontacted indigenous people. (Alvarez, P. Kanatari, Aug. 2004) The endangered Red Uakari monkey (Cacajao melanocephalus rubicunda) and Chestnut Titi (Callicebus calligatus) are found in these forests; along with over a dozen other species of primates. Victor Oppenheim studied the geology of the Andean Fold in 1935 by traveling down the Rio Tapiche and Rio Ucayali where he met the Capanauha and Chamas Indians, whose descendants still inhabit the area. Oppenheim was the first geologist to reconnoiter this region, and it hasn't changed much since those days. During certain times of the year, it is possible to penetrate this rainforest wilderness by boat, and the trip is worth the effort. Our last expedition produced a toad-headed turtle unknown to science (since described as Batrachemys heliostemma) and a huge frog that still bears no name. We are only beginning to unravel the secrets of the Rio Tapiche, so if you've always longed to explore an exciting and remote corner of the world, this is your chance.

Wildlife abounds in the remote regions of the Rio Tapiche. We'll take an excursions in small outboards to see birds, monkeys and giant lily pads. Evening excursions will spotlight wildlife such as Black Caiman, Spectacled Caiman, Ringed Kingfishers, Amazon Treeboas, Common Potoos and other night-creatures.

As we travel the river, watch for monkeys, Capybaras and perhaps a family of otters. If the sunrise is clear, expect Horned Screamers, Muscovy Ducks, magnificent Green-wing Macaws, and much, much more. In fact, birders can easily see over 200 species during a trip like this. Each morning we'll explore trails through the forest with a hike a several hours duration. Late afternoons will present an opportunity for another rainforest hike or maybe an exploration of the streams and lagoons along the river by small boat. Night hikes will reveal plenty of wildlife seldom seen during daylight hours. Each day should bring surprises. But, we'll be careful not to go too far upstream, as an indigenous tribe that wants no contact with outsiders still inhabits the headwaters area.

The Rio Tapiche Expedition is a chance to easily see a truly remote area of the Amazon, and to do so in relative comfort. This expedition will be limited to high-water season, December - May.

Our Riverboats

On an exclusive charter basis we use the m/v Arapaima for our Amazon Riverboat Expeditions.

The Arapaima riverboat was built in Iquitos, Peru in 2007. It is 128 feet long and has three decks with plenty of room to spread out and relax.

The boat is fitted in cedar and mahogany. Each cabin is air conditioned and has private bath & shower with hot water. There is an enclosed air-conditioned dining room and bar area.

With both covered and uncovered deck areas, you can always find a comfortable deck chair in which to sit and watch the forest for birds and monkeys. Several hammocks are available for your siesta.

The Arapaima has 12 double cabins with single beds, 2 double cabins with bunk beds, and 1 Master Cabin with a Queen size bed.

Most of our Riverboat Expedition Cruises have a small group of 8 - 12 people. Maximum number is 20.

For further informaion or booking inquiries please contact Sacred Earth.