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Attractions in Iquitos Atracctions surrounding areas Pacaya Samiria National Reserve - Iquitos
Located in the area where the Marañón and Ucayali Rivers converge, this is the country's largest reserve, with 2,080,000 ha. and the fourth in South America . It was established in 1982, to preserve the abundant and varied wildlife. Its countless lakes, swamps and aguajales (watering trough) serve as shelter to132 species of mammals, mainly rodents and monkeys; 330 species of birds; approximately 220 species of fish, main source of protein for the inhabitants of the Region, and approximately 150 species of
reptiles and amphibious animals. Prominent are the charapa turtles (podocnemis expansa), the paiche (or pirarucu - Arapaima gigas, the largest freshwater fish in the world), the Amazonian manatee or sea cow (trichechus inunguis), the red river dolphin and the black river dolphin, the otters and the black caiman (melanosuchus niger ), all of them presently endangered species. The Reserve can only be reached by river and it takes al least one week to visit it, including three days to access and exit the area. Allpahuayo-Mishana Reserved Area - Iquitos This area is located on the banks of the Nanay River , in the community of Mishana, in an area of approximately 57,667 ha. Established in 1999, to preserve eco-systems which are unique to the Peruvian Amazon Region, such as the varillal and chamisal brushwoods, which are home to endemic species of plants and animals, many of them still un reported or without description. It is easy to reach this area, as it is near the Iquitos - Nauta road, and ideal for scientific research on the essential ecological processes of the tropical rain forest. San Juan - Iquitos This is a native community situated south of Iquitos , where there is an important festival in commemoration of Saint John the Patron Saint, on June 24. Different typical dishes are offered, and it has a handcrafts market where one can find popular art objects from the different areas of the Region. Santa Clara - Iquitos This is a hamlet located on the banks of the Nanay River , 12 km from Iquitos . Its main attractions are its white sandy beaches, formed when the river ebbs, and its beautiful landscape. Quistococha Tourist Complex - Iquitos Located 6 km from Iquitos , this park has an area of 369 ha surrounding a lagoon of the same name. The complex features a museum, aquarium, serpentarium, small zoos, unpaved roads around the lake and a pier where one can rent a boat. It is varied wildlife includes fish such as paiche (pirarucu), shads (family clupeidae) and bocachica (small fish of freshwater fish, family characidae); birds like the blue and red macaw; and mammals like the otorongo (or jaguar - panthera onca), puma, ocelot, sachavacas (tapirus terrestris), sajinos (tayassu tajacu), huangana (tayassu albirostris), giant otter, as well as some primates and reptiles, among others. As a sample of the local flora, the park features woods of flooded varsea, better known as aguajales (watering trough), with the hardly flooded banks, where the primary woods are located. This forest houses the main varieties of trees, such as the white cumala, renaco, marupa, cedar and catahua as well as native fruit trees like the aguaje (mauritia vinifera), zapote (quararibea sp.), humarí (poraqueiba sericea) and pijuayo (bactris gasipaes). The Quistococha Laggon has an area of 56 ha with clear and dark waters due to the organic matter (humic acids) and an artificial beach known as Tunchiplaya. Outside the park is the Mirador Museum with dissected species of animals and an amusement park for children.
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