On the morning of May 7, we visited Isla Mocagua. It is a large uninhabited island in the middle of the Amazon but within the Colombian border and only about a fifteen minute ride by "lancha" (small motorboat) from Calanoa Lodge.
Because the river is so high at this time of year, there are few places to actually set foot on the island. On the other hand, with the small trolling motors of the lanchas, it is possible to follow various inlets to explore some incredible habits within the island.
This is the boat-like cabin at Calanoa. It has a lower and upper level accommodation. It sits in the middle of the jungle about a ten minute walk from the Calanoa main buildings.
The lancha and the approach to Isla Mocagua.
The captain finds an inlet to take us deeper into the island
The giant lily pads were unreal.
Each one of these is actually a long, thin vertical plant with roots that sink all the way to the bottom.
In the afternoon we hiked through the jungle within the Calanoa property to where it meets the Amacayacu stream ("quebrada"). The stream separates Calanoa from the vast Parque Amacayacu to the west. After our hike we were met by a lancha and treated to another boat ride out to the Amazon and back to Calanoa. This stream has many names depending on who you ask. In the video you can hear one of the guides refer to it as Matamatá.
What an amazing journey!