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Iquitos is suituated on the banks of the river Amazon and is the capital
of Peru's largest province, Loreto which covers about 30% of the
country. 1500 km away from Lima, Iquitos is the commercial
and tourist centre of the region. Nevertheless there is no land route to Iquitos, you either travel by plane (1½ hours from Lima)
or by boat, which from Pucallpa you can make Iquitos in five days. From Leticia Tabatinga
which borders Columbia and Brasil it will only take you 12 hours.
The town itself is not very attractive in contrast to the rainforest
which surrounds the town in a circle of 1000 km. There is still much
to research to be done and much to discover in and about the flood forest which follows
the Amazon River and its wide spreading water network.
The tourist offers range from walking tours through the rainforest (
including visiting native communities) to boat trips of several days
to Laeticia in Columbia and Manaus in Brasil in very comfortable
cabins with air conditioning.
Climate/Time to travel
The climate in Iquitos is tropical and humid with an average temperature
of 28° C. The year is divided into two seasons: the rainy season
with heavy showers and rising water levels lasting from January
until May and the dry season with only little rainfall lasting from
June to December. Nevertheless in the rainforest rainfall is possible
any day of the year. The showers in the dry season are mainly acute
and fierce.
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| NATURE
RESERVE PACAYA SAMIRIA |
Embeded between the river valleys of Marañon
and Ucayali you will find Peru's biggest nature reserve which covers
an area of 2,080,000 hectares: Pacaya Samiria. Only 3 hours away from
Iquitos this paradise offers the visitor a unique biodiversity.
Among the animals are endangered species such as the manatee (sea
cow) and the pink river dolphin ("bufeo" in Peru). Pacaya's nickname is "Rainforest
of Mirrors" since rivers and waters are reflecting the vegetation
and the sky in a unique manner.
The incomparably beautiful nature is a paradise for lovers of nature,
scientists, researchers and adventurers.
Climate/Time to travel
The Pacaya Samiria Reserve is dominated by typically tropical rain
forest climate: high humidity and even higher heat. Temperatures
can rise up to over 34° C. Dry season (actually not that dry
at all) lasts from May to October, while during rainy season (December
to March) frequent and heavy rain showers occur.
Accommodation
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The town Pucallpa is situated directly in the rainforest. Founded
in 1888 this city is characterised by oil production which set in
with the discovery of this resource in 1939. The region's rainforest
is, so far not very well developed nor does the city itself provide
a good infrastructure.
Climate/ Time to travel
The annual average temperature of this tropical climate is
27° C. The dry season lasts from June to October whereas the
rainy season brings along heavy and constant showers.
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Tarapoto is located on the Andes slopes and carries
the nickname "City of Palmtrees". In the 60s lots of
Europeans settled here. Tarapoto is the capital of the Departamento
San Martín which is said to be the kingdom of waterfalls.
Lago Lindo is a wonderful destination for excursions in the close
environment, a small lagoon with a crystal clear water lures travellers with its beauty.
Climate/Time to travel
Tarapoto's altitude is 356 m and therefore counts as high rainforest.
An annual average temperature of 26° C has its extremes at 38°
C and its lowest point 13° C. The humidity average is 80%.
Probably the best time for a visit is in the dry season.
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in the rainforest
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