Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NEED TO KNOW
(
065-23-2665;
www.amazonanimalorphanage.org
;
Padra Cocha; admission S20;
9am-4pm
Tue-Sun)
Around Iquitos
Though Iquitos may be a bustling city, the countryside around it offers plenty of nature-
soaked sights - from butterfly farms to untamed wilderness reserves.
Sights & Activities
LAGUNA QUISTACOCHA
(admission S10)
This lake, just 15km south of Iquitos, has a small zoo of local fauna and an
adjoining fish hatchery. The latter helps support the 2m-long
paiche
(a local river fish),
which is now endangered - a situation that is being rectified with the breeding program
here. A pedestrian trail circles the lake and paddleboats are available for hire. There are
also several restaurants.
Mototaxis
can bring you here (S12).
| Lagoon
RESERVA NACIONAL PACAYA-SAMIRIA
(
www.pacaya-samiria.com
)
Located on the Río Ucayali, west of Iquitos, the 20,800-sq-km
Pacaya-Samiria Reserve is one of the largest parks in Peru. An estimated 40,000 people
live on and around the reserve, juggling the needs of longtime human inhabi tants with
protecting area wildlife.
Pacaya-Samiria is home to aquatic animals such as Amazon manatees, pink and gray
river dolphins, two species of caiman, giant South American river turtles and many other
bird and animal species. Noteworthy points include
Quebrada Yanayacu
, where the
river water is black from dissolved plants;
Lago Pantean
, where you can check out
caimans and go medicinal-plant collecting; and
Tipischa de Huana
, where you can see
giant
Victoria regia
waterlilies, big enough for a small child to sleep upon without sink-
ing.
From Iquitos, the best way to get to the reserve is by boat - either on guided canoe
tours or a multiday river cruise. The best time to go is during the dry season, when you are
| Reserve
