What is the Pacaya Samiria?

Located around 183km south west of Iquitos and covering an area of approximately 20,000 square kilometres, the Pacaya Samiria is the largest protected area in Peru, and the second largest in the entire Amazon region.

Packed with rare and unique wildlife, the reserve is incredibly important both for scientists attempting to learn more about the Amazon jungle and for those trying to preserve and protect this spectacular ecosystem.

Reaching the Pacaya Samiria

As you would expect of a place prized for its biodiversity and pristine habitat, the Pacaya Samiria Reserve is relatively remote, even by the standards of the vast Amazon rainforest.

In fact, a large part of the reserve is completely flooded for part of the year and the only way to reach it is by boat with several custom trips available from tour operators in the region.

Trips normally leave from Iquitos, the main city in the Peruvian Amazon and the gateway to the jungle and its habitat.

Staying in the Pacaya Samiria

To get a real feel for the Pacaya Samiria Reserve and learn all that you can about the Amazon jungle, it’s well worth staying in the region for as long as your itinerary allows.

Many of the boats that tour the reserve are kitted out to exceptionally high standards and offer a relaxing, comfortable and intimate base from which to explore the Pacaya Samiria and learn more about the Amazon jungle.

Pacaya Samira animalsWhat can you expect to see in the Pacaya Samiria?

With 449 species of birds, 150 species of reptiles, 250 species of fish, 132 species of mammal and species discovered on an almost daily basis, the Pacaya Samiria is one of the most diverse and abundant habitats in the world.

As a result, it’s ideal for anyone with a love of the natural world and offers almost endless opportunities for getting close to nature and learning about the Amazon jungle.

From the snow white great egrets to the graceful pink dolphins and the slow moving sloths to the giant anaconda, the Pacaya Samiria is packed with some of the rarest, strangest and most endangered creatures on the planet.

With its 85 lakes and vast network of rivers and smaller waterways, the Pacaya Samiria is also known as the ‘Mirrored Forest’ and makes a spectacular backdrop to any Amazon jungle cruise.

Whether you want an action packed week of bird spotting or a relaxing few days cruising through the rainforest, the Pacaya Samiria has something for everyone. So why not pack your bags, jump on a plane and see what the Amazon has in store for you?