IN THE AMAZON

Eco-tourism excursions through the Amazon combine the adventure of getting to know the jungle and the experience of making contact with the natives of the region, who, like their forebears, live in harmony with nature.

The lodges to the north, in the direction of Pebas or the community of Francisco de Orellana and to the south of Iquitos, in the direction of Nauta and the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, are renowned for their rustic comforts and the opportunity they provide to spend a night in the heart of the Amazon jungle.

There are many tourist circuits navigating the Amazon: canoe excursions, a truly thrilling experience, although quite frightening at night; walks along trails covered by copious vegetation, where one can listen to the "concert" of the animals of the jungle; or resting in a native hammock and fishing in paradisiacal lagoons.

Very attractive places are the orchid nurseries on the margin of the Sinchicuy river, where parrots, toucans and monkeys, can usually be seen; the "kingdom of the giant trees", 60 kms. north of Iquitos; and the Laguna Negra (Black Lagoon) in the Yarapa River Natural Reserve where, in the company of Yagua natives, you can enjoy a day of artisan fishing.

The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is one of the most marvellous places of the Amazon jungle to be discovered. It has an abundant fauna with 130 different species of mammals, 330 bird species, 150 different reptiles and amphibians and 250 species of fish.

Pacaya Samiria, is Peru's natural reserve with the largest area, the second in importance in the Amazon Basin and the fourth in size in all South America. Its climate is warm and humid and its vegetation is one of the most abundant in species in the entire Amazonia.

IQUITOS CITY

The House of Iron (Casa de Fierro), the House of Iron is one of the first "pre-fabricated" houses to be brought to Peru. Designed by Gustav Eiffel, the builder of the famous tower in Paris. It reached Iquitos in 1895 and was brought by Baca Diez, a rubber tycoon. It stands at the corner of Putumayo and Tarapacá streets.

The former Palace Hotel: This building, built between 1908 and 1912, is an example, with its Moorish design of the extravagance and splendor introduced into the Amazon during the rubber "boom".

The Municipal Museum and Library of the Amazon: Here one can become acquainted with the history of the Amazon jungle. The Museum has an an assortment of Amazon fauna as well as crafts from the jungle tribes. The Library is one of the most important on the Amazon in all Latin Americ. Apart from the books, the visitor will find a newspaper collection, a paintings collection and 132 sculptures, displaying the costumes of the jungle tribes.

The Malecon Grau: At the border of the city, the Malecon (promenade) is the best place to see the Amazon River. The mansions along the esplanade are decorated with tiles brought from Europe during the rubber boom.

The Belen Quarter (Barrio de Belen): Also called, with some irony, the "Peruvian Venice" because the houses stand on wooden poles above the waters of the Amazon River. This poor area can only be visited by canoe, is unique to the jungle, and provides and experience which the visitor will never forget.

Quistococha Tourist Compound: This is a Natural Tourist Park, 13 kms. from Iquitos, at the border of the Lake Quistococha (Christ of the Lake). It has a zoo with more than a thousand animals native to the region. The lake spreads over 56 hectares; and has a nice beach, with bungalows and restaurants for the visitors.