Discover Iquitos
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Pacaya Samiria National Reserve - Iquitos   (Photos © Juan Luis Tord)

Located in the department of Loreto, Pacaya Samiria covers an area of 2,080,000 hectares, and is the largest national reserve in the country. Considered the jewel of Peru's northern Amazon jungle, Pacaya Samiria is home to an abundant and varied wildlife, particularly the myriad fish species, the main source of protein in the region. The countless lakes, swamps and water holes are a refuge for 130 types of mammal, 330 bird species and an as-yet unknown number of reptile and amphibian species. Some of the attractions of the area include the huge river turtles, the manatee and the pink river dolphin, the giant river otter, the black caiman and the paiche - the largest freshwater fish species on Earth - all of which are endangered species