The Source of the Amazon
Iquitos, Nauta, Pacaya-Samiriad
Looking down from the Andes to the east, one gazes out over a vast sea of green that stretches out into the horizon with no visible end. It is the richest and most varied tropical jungle on earth, a jungle that the 16th century Conquistadors believed hid the treasures of El Dorado. But the region's greatest treasure is its marvellous biodiversity. It includes the Pacaya-Samiria and Allpahuayo-Mishana natural reserves, the reserved zones of Gueppi and Santiago-Comainas and the Rio
Abiseo National Park, remarkable to nature lovers worldwide.
Iquitos is Peru's most important city on the banks of the Amazon River, and much of the architectural pomp of the 19th century rubber baron years remains standing. Trips can be made from Iquitos to a number of typical jungle inns, with visits to native communities such as the Bora and the Yagua.
Only 20 km (12 miles) from Iquitos, on a paved road, stands the entry to the National Allpahuayo-Mishana Reserve, which holds the greatest number of species of trees per hectare (close to 300); the largest number of reptiles (140 species); as well as 28 endangered species such as the otter, the harpy eagle, the red uakari and the giant armadillo.
South of Iquitos, 84 km away (52 miles) by paved road, is the port of Nauta: nearby, the confluence of two great rivers, the Marañon and the Ucayali, give birth to the majestic Amazon, the world's largest river, which runs for more than 6,788 km (4,217 miles) before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
Opposite Nauta lies the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, with two million hectares (five million acres) of lakes, lagoons, swamps and wetlands. This is the territory of the manatee or sea cow, the pink dolphin, the charapa turtle, and the anaconda. It is the largest flood forest in Amazonia. It is also called the Mirror Jungle because of perfect reflections of the jungle and skies in its rivers and lagoons.
Altitude
122 masl (400 ft) in Iquitos.
How to Get There
The city of Iquitos can be reached by air or river.
- By air: daily flights from Lima (90 minutes), from Pucallpa (50 minutes) and from Leticia, in Colombia (55 minutes).
- By river: from Pucallpa (6 days).
- Overland: Nauta lies 96 km (60 miles) from Iquitos (3 hours by car).
Lodging
Iquitos offers one five-star hotel, comfortable three-star hotels, and jungle lodges with full services on the outskirts of the city. Basic lodging and B&B are available in Nauta. There is no lodging at Pacaya-Samiria, but camping is allowed in certain areas with prior authorization from the park authority.
Activities
Eco-tourism, wildlife watching (pink river dolphin), anthropology, river exploration, angling, water skiing. Tourist Services
Overland and river transport, guided tours, with complete services to visit the jungle, river cruises and visits to native communities. There are no services within the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, and all transport of equipment and material must be coordinated beforehand with the travel agency organizing the trip.
Minimum Length of Stay
Three days in the city of Iquitos; seven days for Pacaya- Samiria.
Recommendations
Special requirements: Visitors need to be prepared for difficult and changing conditions (heat, rain, insects, etc). Visitors are recommended to get a yellow fever shot ten days before the trip.
Nearby Attractions
The city of Iquitos: native communities near the city, lakes and lagoons.
Season / Climate
The best months to visit are between April and October, to avoid the rainy season. High heat and humidity during the day, cool nights, and heavy rain at any time of year.
Festivals
- Festival of San Juan (June); the feast of St. John the Baptist is an important event throughout the Amazon because it is linked to water as a vital element.
- Iquitos Tourist Week (June 21-27). Celebrations centered around the central feast day of San Juan every June 24.
Gastronomy
- Ensalada de Chonta o Palmito: a tasty palm-heart salad.
- Tacacho con Cecina: roast or fried plantain mashed with lard and salt-dried meat.
- Inchicapi: chicken soup with peanuts, fresh cilantro and manioc.
- Cecina: salt-dried beef or pork.
- Patarashca: fish wrapped in banana leaves and roasted over the fire.
- Juane: seasoned rice and chunks of chicken wrapped in corn husks.
Arts & Crafts
A wide variety of arts and crafts are available, including pottery decorated with geometric motifs, hand-painted cloth and a series of decorative and utilitarian objects made from local materials.
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