Iquitos is the principle river port of Peru (100 meters above sea level, 328 feet) and is the financial gateway of the incomparable and unique Amazon River. The Peruvian Amazon Rainforest possesses the world record for biodiversity. It provides the tourist with 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.

NATIONAL RESERVE IN THE AMAZON RIVER
Loreto is the most mega-biodiverse state in Perú. Located in the state are the reserves of Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, the Alpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve, the Gueppí Reserve, the Santiago-Comainas Reserve and the proposed Upper Putumayo Reserve along the Ampiyacu, Apayacu and the Algodón Rivers.

20 kms. from Iquitos is the Alpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve possessing 2 world records, one, for the most number of species of trees in the world per hectacres, close to 300. The jungle area of the Yanamono comes a close 2nd, near the Napo and Amazon Rivers. And secondly, the most number of reptiles, 140 species. Just in this reserve alone lives more than 28 endangered species, such as the Nutria, The Harpy Eagle, the Black Titi Monkey (Tocón Negro), the Red Monkey (Mono Guapo), the Goeldi’s Monkey (el Mono Pichico Negro), and the Giant Armadillo. Also, there are 1,900 registered species of plants, 11 species of amphibians, 187 species of primates, more than 6,000 species of birds and 145 species of mammals.

South of Iquitos, 84 kms., is the jungle city of Nauta. Where the convergence of the Marañón and Ucayali Rivers meet to form the beginning of the longest river in the world and the river with the most volume of water in the world, The Great Amazon River.

Across from Nauta is the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve with more than 2 million hectacres of rivers, lakes, streams and swamp lands. There are hundreds of species of fishes, from the Giant Paiche (Arapaima Gigas) weighing 300 kilos to 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 lenght of up to 8 meters (about 25 feet)! There are also the Grey and Pink Amazon River Dolphins. There is a legend surrounding the Pink River Dolphin. It is said when there is a full moon it comes out of the water and turns into human form and captures a young beautiful woman and takes her away. In Pacaya-Samiria there are 1,204 species of vegetation, 132 species of mammals, 449 species of birds, 150 species of reptiles and amphibians and 256 species of fish.

To the North of Iquitos at the confluence of the Napo and Amazon Rivers there are protected areas such as Yanamono, Yanayacu, Sucusari. There are native villages rich in histroy such as Orellana and Pevas. And finally, down the Amazon River is the Tri-border area of Perú, Colombia and Brazil.

HOW TO GET HERE
Iquitos is inaccessible by land. The only methods are by air and river. There are daily flights from Lima, 90 minutes, and from Leticia, Colombia by river in a boat ferry approximately 6 days or so. By speed boat it's a 10 hour journey from Leticia, Colombia or Tabatinga, Brazil, the Tri-border area of the Amazon. The city of Iquitos has an International Airport .

CHARACTERISTICS THAT STAND OUT IN THE JUNGLE
Climate and Temperature
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 are generally during the month of May and the lowest point is generally during September.

GASTRONOMY
Loretano food is rich in fiber and is known for it's good healthy effects and exquisite taste.

Delicious types of fish, such as the Paiche, the Dorado (catfish), Doncella, Sábalo, Tucanaré, Acarahuazú, Gamitana and the Carachama constitutes the pleasures of dinning. There are also the Palm Heart Salad, or "Chonta", the Pijuayo (a jungle fruit) and delicious sweet fried bananas, and Patarashca, Sarapatera, Makambo and then there are the delicious Parilladas Churo (River Snail barbeques), the Juane (Chicken and rice cooked in Bijau Leaves), Inchicapi soup (peanut, chicken and corn meal soup) and the Tacacho (Mashed banana balls). There is also the aperitif known as "Siete Raices", or Seven Roots Sour. Bon appétit!