The women of the little town of Amazonas have long since taken control of the village. With the help of local NGO Minga Perú, those that were once abused, neglected or plainly ignored have overcame their fears and spoken up. So much so that they are now leaders in their communities and share their success with other women in the Amazon. The do not only produce and harvest food for their families, but they also sell the surplus to produce an economic income. And they do all this in a sustainable way, even helping the Amazon rainforest recover! A win-win situation and a remarkable story that we had the privilege to hear from them. In the afternoon, after toasting to the birth of the Amazon at the very confluence where it is formed, we cruised up the Ucayali River, where we are to spend the rest of our expedition until we reach the southern and wilder part of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve.
4/5/2025
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Delfin II
Amazonas, Piranha Creek, and the Amazon River
Today, we learned about the inspiring projects Minga Perú (with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions) has developed in the Peruvian Amazon. We began by watching skilled artisans weave beautiful baskets, then learned how they use natural dyes extracted from forest plants to decorate them. At another station, Panchita—a female community leader—welcomed us with traditional dishes, showing us how they are prepared using local ingredients. We discovered how teachers enhance their students’ learning using audio classes and educational materials provided by Minga Perú. We also witnessed the traditional method of extracting juice from sugarcane, and we couldn’t resist doing a bit of shopping for local crafts. To celebrate the week, we boarded skiffs to explore a hidden creek teeming with wildlife. As the day came to an end, we returned to the majestic confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali Rivers, the birthplace of the Amazon. There, we raised a toast in gratitude for the beauty of nature and the unforgettable experiences we’ve shared.
