Created in 1982 and named after the Pacaya and Samiria rivers, this immense reserve spans for 2,080,000 hectares and is the biggest protected natural area in Peru, the second largest in the Amazon Rainforest and the fourth largest in the whole of Latin America.

Pacaya Samiria - the jewel on the crown of Peru's northern jungle natural reserves - protects the largest area of flooded forest in the Amazon, and its boundaries are delimited by the Ucayali-Puinahua rivers to the south and the Marañon river to the north. From the confluence of these two rivers, originates the mighty Amazon river. Countless swamps, lakes, lagoons, flood plains and a huge biodiversity - with flora and fauna typical of the flooded jungle (Varzea) - characterize the area.

Here are found the last most important populations of Charapa river turtle (Podecnemis expansa), alongside sea-cows or Manatees (Trichechus inunguis), Pink and Grey River Dolphins (Inia geoffrensis, Pteronura brasiliensis), Paiche (Arapaima gigas) - the world's largest freshwater fish, Black Caimans (Melanosuchus niger) and Giant Otters, all of which are on the endangered species list.

There are about 350 recorded different species of birds (including large numbers of aquatic birds, parrots, macaws, toucans, cormorants, hoatzin-shansho and herons), 250 species of fishes, 132 species of mammals (including the jaguar), and 847 different species of plants and trees. Diverse varieties of monkeys, otters, rodents and white caimans complement a picture changing every year, with the constant discovery of new species.

Highlights

Amazon Expedition Options

OPTION 1): Six Days

 From Iquitos, via the Yanayacu-Pucate river basin (6 days/5 nights):  Click here

Overland between Iquitos and Nauta, and then via river, on motorboat and canoe.

OPTION 2): Seven Days

 From Iquitos, via the Yanayacu-Pucate river basin (7 days/6 nights):  Click here

In private speedboat from Iquitos up to Santo Domingo's Ranger station outpost, in the Reserve.

Then on motorboat and canoe inside Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

OPTION 3): Eight Days (+1), to the spectacular "Laguna El Dorado"

From Iquitos, via the Yanayacu-Pucate river, returning either via the Yanayacu-Pucate river (8 days/7 nights), or via the Ucayali- Marañon river (9 days/8 nights):  Click here

All via river, between Iquitos and Cocha El Dorado/Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

(subject to weather conditions and water levels)

The Pacaya Samiria Reserve may be visited the whole year round, although the best time to go may be during the "dry" (e.g. less rainy!) season, from July to November, when water levels drop considerably and navigation can be slower. This is the best period for watching typical animals of the humid zones, like giant river otters, local and migratory birds, caimans and black alligators. December is a transition month, usually characterized by a limited rainfall, gradually increasing in January. For the remaining months, the reserve is mostly flooded - with water levels peaks and heaviest downpour in the months of February and March - when there is a bursting of blossoming all around and it's easier to watch primates and mammals in the areas that remain dry. At least six-seven days are required to visit the Reserve (it takes 3 days only to enter/exit the area). During any extension day it's possible to cover an approximate distance of 20-30 km.

For best wildlife watching opportunities, we recommend you to consider the seven days expedition, and - if going to the famed Cocha El Dorado (see Map), a chosen destination of many professional wildlife photographers - we recommend you to select the return via the Ucayali-Marañon river, which requires a total of nine days in all - to maximize the potential for sightseeing, which would allow for an unforgettable journey into the stunning wilderness of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest.