DAY FOUR
While the adrenaline of last night’s anaconda encounter was a rush, my favorite wildlife experience of the entire trip occurred today. It was less about the chase and more about the quiet, vibrant beauty of the jungle.
Kaleidoscope of Color
An easy 20-minute walk through the forest brought us to a saladero, or mineral lick. Think of it as an Amazonian detox center: different species of birds descend to the forest floor to sip mineral-rich water that neutralizes toxins found in their diet of fruits and seeds.
We watched from a blind—a camouflaged wooden shelter with benches—where we were instructed to remain perfectly still and silent. The reward was a photographer’s dream. One by one, then in brilliant bursts of color, scarlet macaws, orange-cheeked parrots, and cobalt-winged parakeets landed at the pool’s edge.
KidTripster Tip: While you can capture plenty of Instagram-worthy photos on this trip with a smartphone, this is the moment where it paid to have a super-telephoto lens. I rented one from my local camera shop for about $300 before the trip. It was worth every penny to capture the detail of the macaws from a distance.
Treetop Toasts
After a fueling lunch back on the Manatee, we returned to land for a 20-minute uphill hike followed by a 200-step climb to the top of an observation tower. Rising high above the rainforest canopy, the tower offered expansive, 360-degree views of an “ocean of green.”
While the canopy was too dense to spot much wildlife beyond a lone double-toothed kite, the climb had a different reward. Our bartender, Vicente, had made the trek with us, carrying everything needed for a champagne toast at the top. Sipping bubbly while looking out over the primeval rainforest was a definitive “pinch-me” moment.
Night Walk: Once Was Enough!
The evening presented a new way to experience the jungle, as we geared up for a night walk. This excursion required head-to-toe coverage, a fair amount of DEET-based repellent, and a reliable headlamp. Granted, we looked ridiculous, but we didn’t get bitten!
As we followed our guides into the pitch-black forest, we relied on their keen eyes to find the creatures that rule the night: purple pink-toed tarantulas, spot-legged poison frogs, and tailless whip scorpions. It was fascinating to see the jungle come alive in a completely different way, but I’ll be honest—while a second night walk was offered later in the week, once was plenty for me!
Keep reading: Find out why our fifth day was one of the most physically challenging days of the trip.
