Iquitos and the Amazon River

Loreto, the most vast Region of Peru, which Capital Iquitos, principal river port of Peru (100 meters (328 feet) above sea level), is the gateway of the incomparable and unique Amazon River Jungle, owned of world records in biodiversity, where just sailing along the longest and mighty river of the world is a tourist experience completely different to the visit to other national parks located in the extensive Amazon basin.

Here we will find National Reserves like Pacaya - Samiria, and Allpahuayo - Mishana, as well as private initiatives of conservation that you can be visit through specialized and arranged programs that Amazon River Expeditions has done for you.

In the Amazon River Jungle we will find the most number of species of trees, millions of hectares of lakes, streams and swamp lands, where we find hundreds of species of fishes, as the Arapaima, Paiche or Pirarucu (Arapaima Gigas), one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, reportedly with a maximum length in excess of 3 m (9.8 ft.) and weight up to 200 kg (440 lb.), diversities of ornamental fishes, the most number of reptiles, some endangered species as the Nutria, The Harpy Eagle, the Black Titi Monkey, the Red Monkey, the Goeldi’s Monkey, and the Giant Armadillo, thousands of registered species of plants, hundreds species of amphibians and mammals and more of 6, 500 species of birds (among themselves endemic. This is also the habitat of the manatee, an herbivorous that can weigh up to 400 kilos, the largest concentration of turtles, such as the Charapa and the Taricaya, the gigantic Anaconda, 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 nice Grey and Pink Amazon River Dolphins.

HOW TO GET HERE
Iquitos is inaccessible by land. The only ways are by air and river. There are daily flights from Lima City (90 minutes), from Pucallpa City (50 minutes) to Iquitos’s International Airport called Francisco Secada Vigneta. By river from Leticia(Colombia) or Tabatinga (Brasil) 4 days in a tourist boat or 12 hours by speed boat.

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, 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
Amazon cuisine is rich in fiber and is known for it’s healthy effects and exquisite taste. Delicious types of fish, such as the Paiche, the Dorado (catfish), Doncella, Sábalo, Tucanaré, Acarahuazú, Gamitana and the Carachama constitute the delight of diners. There are also the Palm Heart Salad or "Chonta", delicious sweet fried bananas, the Juane (Chicken and rice cooked in Bijau leafs) , Inchicapi soup (peanut, chicken and corn meal soup) and the Tacacho (Mashed banana balls). Aperitif as "Siete Raices Sour", or Seven Roots Sour is recommended to feel so happy. Bon appétit!

WHAT TO BRING, WHAT TO WEAR?
When making a trip to the jungle, a slight luggage with indispensable thing is recommended specially if it is a short visit. If you wish to store your luggage and take only the most important, we have a storeroom to keep it without additional cost.
In the case of cruisers on the Amazon River all the luggage is taken to the boat.
What to bring, what to wear?
- Raincoat
- A flashlight.
- An extra set of rechargeable batteries.
- A good pair of binoculars.
- A good insect repellent with 35% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide).
- Sun lotion.
- A water bottle.
- Cotton clothes, pants and long sleeve shirt.
- Several pairs of socks and t-shirts.
- Rubber boots or walking tennis shoes resistant to humidity.
- Bathing suit.
- A sweater (sometimes the temperature goes down considerably when it rains or during the trips by boat