Pacaya Samiria is the second largest protected area in Peru. It is a paradise for nature lovers, with a biodiversity that manifests itself in more than 1,000 species of animals and 965 species of wild plants.
This humid, tropical and floodable forest is an autonomous and exemplary ecosystem, which houses lagoons such as the El Dorado lake and native communities that have experiential tourism as one of their main means of subsistence.
The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is located in the Ucamara depression, where the great Ucayali and Marañon rivers meet, which form its natural limits. The southwestern part is delimited by a strip of low hills that forms the watershed with the Huallaga River.
The Reserve is home to a high biological diversity and an important human population that takes advantage of its natural resources. It includes in its interior the basins of the Pacaya, Samiria and Yanayacu-Pucate rivers. Although it is mostly a low alluvial and floodable jungle plain, it has some low hills at the Pacaya headwaters.
This topography, added to the alternating hydrological regime of the Amazon of rising and emptying, creates numerous islands, streams and lakes, among which the famous El Dorado lake stands out, in the lower Yanayacu basin, which is the central tourist destination of the Reserve. and a successful example of entrepreneurship in experiential community tourism.
It also protects the largest area of floodplain forest (varzea) in the Amazon. This gigantic wetland led to its designation as one of the first RAMSAR sites in the country, in 1992.
Conserve representative ecosystems of the lowland jungle of the Peruvian Amazon and preserve its genetic diversity. Protect species of flora and fauna of the Amazon that have disappeared, such as the black lizard, river wolf and paiche.
On February 25, 1972, by Supreme Decree No. 06-72-PE.
On February 4, 1982, by Supreme Decree No. 016-82-AG and a second modification on January 25, 2007, by Supreme Decree No. 007-2007-AG.
In the department of Loreto, in the provinces of Loreto, Requena, Ucayali and Alto Amazonas.
2,080,000.00 hectares
The presence of more than 1,025 species of vertebrates has been reported, which represents 27% of the diversity of these species in Peru and 36% of the total registered for the Amazon. It is home to important species of wildlife such as the sea cow or manatee (Trichechus inunguis), the pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), the gray dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis), the yellow-fronted maquisapa (Ateles beltzebuth), the river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) , the puma (Puma concolor), the sachavaca (Tapirus terrestris), the otorongo or jaguar (Panthera onca), the peccary (Tayassu pecari), the peccary (Tayassu tajacu), the red deer (Mazama americana), the maquisapa (Ateles paniscus), the preserve monkey (Alouatta seniculus) and the woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha).
The ornithological fauna is made up of 449 species, where the populations of birds related to aquatic environments stand out, among which the white heron (Egretta alba), the gray heron (Ardea cocoi), the heron puma (Tigrisoma lineatum) and the cushuri (Phalacrocorax brasilianus).
Among the reptiles, the charapa turtle (Podocnemis expansa), the taricaya (Podocnemis unifilis), the black lizard (Melanosuchus niger) and the white lizard (Caiman crocodylus) stand out. The hydrobiological resources are the most important in the Reserve both for their role in ecological processes and for their economic value, they are also the basis of food for local residents, among which the paiche (Arapaima gigas), the dorado ( Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii) and the maiden (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum).
Regarding flora, the Reserve is home to 965 species of wild plants and 59 cultivated plants. Its value for the protection of biological diversity is widely justified by the presence of immense extensions of aguajales or aguaje forests (Mauritia flexuosa) and mixed forests of other palm trees.
The average annual temperature ranges between 20° and 33° C. In the RNPS high temperatures can be recorded at any time of the year but they are more frequent in the dry season (July to September). The best season to visit the reserve is between May and January.
Being such a large area, there are several routes and activities offered. Thus, there are eight areas permitted for tourist use: Tibilo Pastococha, Pinchi - Yanayacu Grande, Bajo y medio Samiria, Yanayacu Pucate - El Dorado, Nauta Caño, Yanallpa Iricahua, Bajo Pacaya and Cochas de Punga.
There are also three main tourist circuits:
Pacaya Samiria, classified as floodable tropical humid forest, is a paradise for nature lovers. During your days in the jungle you will feel like a true adventurer touring unparalleled landscapes and navigating the rivers that flow into the Amazon. And the best of all this is the company: a great variety of mysterious animals and striking plants.
The diversity of Pacaya Samiria is exciting: up to 1,000 species of animals and 965 plants have been found in this national reserve. In every corner of Pacaya Samiria you will find something new that will make you fall in love with this place at every step.
Among all these species, the paiche stands out, the largest freshwater fish in the entire Amazon, which is used as one of the main ingredients in the gastronomy of the area. Do not leave Pacaya Samiria without trying a plate of this delicious fish!
This national reserve has countless activities to do: you can either spend an afternoon fishing to get your own food, or go on excursions through rivers inhabited by alligators, take a bath in enigmatic lagoons or sleep under a true blanket of stars.
Although we know that once you arrive at Pacaya Samiria you will want to stay for weeks exploring the deepest corners of the jungle, we are also aware that normally the time tourists have to visit this destination is limited.
Therefore, we are going to tell you the main places that you have to know when you visit this national reserve.
Crossing the waters of the Marañón River: one of the main axes of Pacaya Samiria is the Marañón River, a large tributary of the Amazon that will become your highway during the days you are in the jungle. Take advantage of the trip that you will make along this river to the different tourist attractions of the jungle to meet the inhabitants of the Marañón, such as alligators, turtles and piranhas.
The magic of the El Dorado Lagoon: although in this area of Peru you will find a large number of lagoons, such as Yarina, Fortuna and Ungurahui, among all of them El Dorado stands out, a place where you will see one of the best sunsets of your life.
Yanta Lake Adventure: One of the destinations with the most activities to choose from is Yanta Lake, a place where you can take a walk, receive a master class in plant identification, enjoy an entertaining canoe ride or launch yourself to its waters in a bath with the most beautiful landscape of your life. Choosing what you prefer to do will be a difficult choice!
Visit to a native community: in Pacaya Samiria there are more than 200 populated centers in which around 120,000 people live. The way of life of these families is totally different from our day to day, so it is very enriching to visit them and learn all about their customs.
A cruise in the middle of the jungle: who said that a trip to the jungle could not be synonymous with luxury? Some companies offer an experience on another level, getting to know the jungle from the comfort of a cruise. You can navigate the waters of Pacaya Samiria aboard a large boat and make stops at some tourist attractions in the national reserve. A different way to explore the Peruvian Amazon.
Animal sighting: as we have mentioned before, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is one of the areas in Peru with the greatest diversity of fauna. In places like Quebrada Yanaquillo you can meet animals as curious as squirrel monkeys and adorable sloths. In addition, in Yanaquillo are the giant Lupuna trees, up to 70 meters high.
When you walk through Pacaya Samiria you cannot miss any detail, pay close attention because in the blink of an eye you can find the most impressive animals walking, swimming or flying around you.
A night walk through the jungle: if it is already exciting to walk the depths of the jungle during the day, imagine doing it at night with practically no light. This experience, only suitable for the most adventurous, will test your courage and let you discover the Amazon from an even more enigmatic and intrepid point of view.
Although the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is quite far from Iquitos, the best way to get there is through this city in the Peruvian jungle.
To do this, the first thing you have to do is go to Iquitos by plane or boat. These are the only means of transportation you can get there with as this is the largest city in the world with no road access.
Once in Iquitos, you must go to Nauta. In this small port town you will get on a boat where the real adventure begins: for 35 minutes you will travel the waters of the Marañón River, one of the tributaries of the Amazon, in one of those experiences that are recorded in your memory for a lifetime .
As is the case with practically all excursions to the Peruvian jungle, to get to know Pacaya Samiria you must hire a tour and do the entire trip with a specialized guide. This is mandatory since the jungle is a very difficult place to travel, with very similar paths that are difficult to follow without getting lost.
A cruise in the middle of the jungle: who said that a trip to the jungle could not be synonymous with luxury? Some companies offer an experience on another level, getting to know the jungle from the comfort of a cruise. You can navigate the waters of Pacaya Samiria aboard a large boat and make stops at some tourist attractions in the national reserve. A different way to explore the Peruvian Amazon.
Animal sighting: as we have mentioned before, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is one of the areas in Peru with the greatest diversity of fauna. In places like Quebrada Yanaquillo you can meet animals as curious as squirrel monkeys and adorable sloths. In addition, in Yanaquillo are the giant Lupuna trees, up to 70 meters high.
When you walk through Pacaya Samiria you cannot miss any detail, pay close attention because in the blink of an eye you can find the most impressive animals walking, swimming or flying around you.
A night walk through the jungle: if it is already exciting to walk the depths of the jungle during the day, imagine doing it at night with practically no light. This experience, only suitable for the most adventurous, will test your courage and let you discover the Amazon from an even more enigmatic and intrepid point of view.
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