Amazon 2015: Marañón River

Friday, April 10, 2015

Day 8 Float Plane

After lunch, our boat parked near a float plane. In groups of four, we took a float plane ride (compliments of International Expeditions!) above the Confluence of the Marañón, Ucayali and Amazon rivers. We had our second heavy (but short) rain - enough to soak our shoes - just dried out from yesterday's rain! haha! Not bad, considering we expected rain every day - and instead only had it twice briefly. Even then it was at the end of both activities.

Pilot & Jeff

Our Boat: Le Estrella Amazonia

Confluence of 3 Rivers: Amazon, Ucayali & Maranon

Start of the Amazon River (top right) - above the Maranon River

Flooded Flatland Village

Day 8 Jungle Walk

Before we boarded the skiffs, our guides told us waders were mandatory for protection from snake bites.

After a short skiff ride from the boat, we pulled up to a place called 'Casual' in San Jose De Sarapanga on the Marañón River. We climbed ‘stairs’ made of logs that led us to the Amazon Rainforest. This particular forest was also on higher land, noteworthy considering something like 90% of this area of the Amazon is flatland and we are in wet season. I imagine higher land is a more likely place for mammals (jaguar, ocelot, peccary, armadillo, etc.)

We hiked up and down muddy trails, carefully choosing each step to avoid slips, insects and snakes. The heat, humidity and careful hiking - while in the necessary and nearly full body covering - was stifling x10. This led to contemplations of how people endure/endured life in the jungle and gave a new appreciation for the early explorers of this region. The perspiration payoff was the wildlife viewing.