Loreto is the most mega-biodiversity region in Perú, with its capital Iquitos, the principle river port of Peru (100 metersabove sea level,328 feet) and gateway of the incomparable and unique Amazon River Jungle possessed of the world record for biodiversity. It provides the tourist a completely different experience like no other as they travel along the longest river in the world and into the vast waterways of the Amazon.
In the Amazon River Jungle we find the most number of species of trees, millions hectares of rivers, lakes, streams and swamp lands. There are hundreds of species of fishes, like the Giant Paiche (Arapaima Gigas) weighing 300 kilos, a wide variety of ornamental fishes. This is also the habitat of the manatee, an herbivorous that can weigh up to 400 kilos, the largest concentration in all of Perú of turtles, such as the Charapa and the Taricaya, the gigantic Anaconda Boa, also known as the Yacumama or “Mother of the Water”, which can reach a length of up to 8 meters (about 25 feet)! There are also the Grey and Pink Amazon River Dolphins (Ignia Geofrensis), more than 6,000 species of birds and hundreds species of mammals.
HOW TO GET TO AMAZON RIVER JUNGLE
Iquitos is accessible just by air and river. There are daily flights from Lima (90 minutes). By speed boat it’s a 10 hour journey from Leticia (Colombia) or Tabatinga (Brazil).
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SEASON AND WEATHER IN THE AMAZON RIVER JUNGLE
Mean Annual Average Temperature 30°C.
Annual Average Relative Humidity 91%
High water levels (Flooded): March, April, and May.
Mid water levels: June, July.
Low water levels: August, September, October.
Mid-low water levels: November, December, January, February.
The highest water level of the Amazon and Nanay rivers is generally during the month of May and the lowest point is generally during September.
GASTRONOMY
Loreto’s cuisine is very rich in fiber and is known for its health benefits; as well as its exquisite taste. Tasty types of fish such as: paiche, dorado, doncella, sabalo, tucunare,acarahuazu, gamitana y carachama are an absolute delight as well as chonta salad or palmito, pijuayo and boiled plantain, patarashca, sarapatera, the makambo , grilled churo(river snail), juane, inchicapi, tacacho with cecina, and having as an appetizer ”siete raices “ sour.
