Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
Birdwatcher's Paradise
Location: North
forest, 347 feet above sea level (106 m.a.s.l.) - 180
km south of Iquitos
Distances:
Iquitos
City Today
Forecast
627
miles (1,009km) from
Lima,
by air
615 miles (990 km) from Pucallpa, by river
Weather:
Tropical humid, maximum temperature 99.9°F
(37.7°C), Temp. Minimum temperature 58.6°F (14.8
°C) Season of rains from November to March.
About
Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
The
Amazon river is
6,470 km (4,020 miles) long and the world's mightiest river. The
Amazon Basin has the
longest extension of rainforest in the world and is considered a patrimony of
humanity by UNESCO due to the biological diversity it contains. The beauty of
this areas, as well its biological richness, have made of Peru a destiny for
wildlife researchers and nature lovers.
In 1982, the Peruvian Government established the
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve with the purpose of preserving the wilderness
resources and the beautiful landscapes of the area. The Reserve has an area of
8,042 square miles, which represents 1.5% of the total surface of Peru.
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is located in
Peru, at 180 Km. (115 miles) SW of Iquitos.
The name of Pacaya Samiria comes from the names
of two rivers that run through it: Pacaya and Samiria. The Reserve has a great
diversity of wildlife as well as aquatic life: 449 bird species, 102 mammals, 69
reptiles, 58 amphibians, 256 fish and 1,204 plants. Threatened or endangered
species that can be found in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve are the jaguar
or otorongo
(Panthera onca), the black alligator (Melanosuchus niger), the
giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), the manatee (Trichechus
inunguis), four different species of primates and two different species of
turtles.
An essential element that is characteristic of
this protected area, is the cycle of crescent and reflux of the rivers. Between
the months of October and April is the rainy season and the water of the rivers
and creeks increases, flooding a large area of the rainforest. This time is
known as crescent. Reflux takes place between May and September, when rain
decreases greatly and the level of the water falls progressively, reaching its
minimum in August. This seasonal change and the predominantly flat terrain have
configured a landscape full of small rivers, creeks and lagoons.
Wildlife adapts with no problem to this cycle of
crescent and reflux and so, when most of the rainforest remains flooded, animals
find shelter in the highest areas, where water never reaches. During the reflux,
when water is retained in small lakes and creeks, you can observe a large number
of aquatic birds catching fishes which are concentrated there. During this time,
large beaches are also formed specially in the main rivers, which are used by
the settlers of the Reserve to grow rice, beans, peanuts, and other crops, and
also by two very characteristic species of the Reserve, the "charapa" (Podocnemis
expansa) and "taricaya" (Podocnemis unifilis) aquatic turtles, which
use these beaches to lay their eggs.
In Pacaya Samiria, the great extension of
rainforest remains flooded most of the year, with local species like the "aguaje",
a palm tree (Mauritia flexuosa) whose fruits are eaten by many animals as
well as by settlers of local communities. There are other numerous varieties of
flora that make the landscape of the Reserve unique in this part of the Amazon.
We can also find a great diversity of medicine plants and trees that can reach a
height of 150 feet, like the "lupuna" (Ceiba pentandra). In certain
areas, you can still find rubber trees which preserve the marks of the famous
rubber exploitation over 80 years ago.
The wildlife of the Reserve is typical of the
flooded rainforest, being more abundant the aquatic species rather than land
ones. Fish is considered the most important resource due to its role in the
ecological process as well as its economic value, and it is also a priority in
the nutrition of the local people. There is an extensive variety of birds,
specially the aquatic ones like the heron (Egretta thula) and cormorant (Phalacrocorax
brasilianus). During the time of crescent, the high areas or "restingas" are
the places for shelter and nourishment for mammals.
It is worth mentioning the "charapa" and "taricaya"
aquatic turtles, which are considered endangered species. In order to prevent
any illegal gathering, between the months of July and December, authorities of
the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve are responsible for the gathering of the
eggs that the turtles deposit in the banks of the rivers allowing these eggs the
proper incubation time and a better chance of survival for the little turtles.
Also, the "paiche" (Arapaima gigas), one of the biggest fresh-water fish
in the world, that can reach up to eight feet long. The demand for its exquisite
meat has developed in an abuse for its hunting.
The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is part of
the National System of Natural Areas and is protected by the Peruvian
Government. Its administration is in hands of INRENA (National Institute of
Natural Resources) which has offices in Lima and Iquitos. According to the
Master Plan for the Conservation of the Biological Diversity and Sustainable
Development of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, tourists have access only to
determined zones of the Reserve -previous payment of an entrance fee.
In the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve there are
94 communities, 21 of them of the Cocama - Cocamilla ethnic group. The total
population of the Reserve is 42,000 people and their main economic activities
are centered around fishing, agriculture, gathering and hunting, being the
first, their most important activity and main source of food. The closest towns
to the Reserve are Nauta and Requena.
How to get Pacaya Samiria
To get Pacaya Samiria, you need arrive to Iquitos
City, daily flights from Lima.
Then go by road Iquitos - Nauta (180 Km.). The port of Nauta is located in the
confluence of Marañón and Ucayali river, where the Amazon River is born. In Nauta embarking in river boats or
Amazon Cruise.
The visitors must to pay the entrance fee to
National Reserve. Inside Pacaya Samiria there are not roads, the visit is
limited to river boats.
The best way to visit Pacaya Samiria is an
organized tour in a jungle lodge next to reserved area or camp inside Pacaya
Samiria or combined Jungle Lodge with camp. Also an Amazon Cruise to Pacaya
Samiria. Recommendation: Visit only with a specialized and professional guide.
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