How much time should we spend in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve?
This week we are entering the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, and we are wondering how much time we should spend in the reserve.
The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is the largest park in Peru. It protects over 5 million acres, which is an area roughly the size of the state of New Jersey.
Last year we were able to identify over 100 species of animals during our month-long journey through the park’s flooded forest. The park is the largest protected flooded rainforest in the world, and offers a great chance to learn about the plants and animals of the Amazon Rainforest.
Originally we had planned to spend about 13 days paddling down the Samiria River, which runs through the middle of the park. Then we were planning to spend 4 days paddling down the Maranon River to a town called Nauta. From Nauta it is a three day paddle down the Amazon River to Iquitos. Remember how we spent a few extra days exploring the mountains? This means that we do not have as many days to spend in the rainforest. We need you to help us decide what to do with the time we do have!
Option 1: Spend approximately 14 days paddling down the Samaria River. This would mean spending more time exploring the park and looking for animals. Then we would finish this year’s leg in Nauta rather than Iquitos.
Option 2: Spend approximately 11 days in the park, which will mean traveling more quickly and not taking days off to explore. This will allow us to paddle all the way to Iquitos, which was our original plan, rather than stopping in Nauta.
The votes are in! We'll be going with option 1, and spend a few extra days in the reserve. We'll finish up in Nauta. Thanks for your help!
Option 1: Spend approximately 14 days paddling down the Samaria River. This would mean spending more time exploring the park and looking for animals. Then we would finish this year’s leg in Nauta rather than Iquitos.
Option 2: Spend approximately 11 days in the park, which will mean traveling more quickly and not taking days off to explore. This will allow us to paddle all the way to Iquitos, which was our original plan, rather than stopping in Nauta.
The votes are in! We'll be going with option 1, and spend a few extra days in the reserve. We'll finish up in Nauta. Thanks for your help!
Comments
Paddle as many days as you can so we can see more animals!
Posted by: Mrs. D's class | April 24, 2007 10:43 AM
It has always been hard for me to choose because sometimes the things would be better for people at home tracking you and ones that are better for you and follow original plans. I always choose the ones that allows me to see more animals and insects. The more nature the more fun it is watching your trips!
Posted by: Brennan Morell | April 24, 2007 1:30 PM
I think you should do option 1 because you get to explore alot more. Also part of the reason you went on this trip is to explore.
Posted by: Hope G. | April 24, 2007 1:32 PM
We think that you should spend the whole fourteen days paddling down the Samaria River because you would be able to see more animals and plant life and you wouldn't have to be rushed to go somewhere else.
Posted by: 5V | April 25, 2007 8:40 AM
We think the team should do Option 1 because then the team can explore more animals and plants.
Posted by: 5V | April 25, 2007 8:42 AM
We think you should spend more time on the river and hopefully meet more of the people. WE watched a movie about agirl named Elida who lives along the Amazon, and we want to know more about life along the river.
Posted by: Mrs. Lifka's class | April 25, 2007 10:49 AM
We think that the team should do option one because you will get more of a chance to explore the wilderness and see more animals that will interest you. Plus it will give you more time to relax and have fun. It's possible you might also see a new animal!
Posted by: 5T | April 25, 2007 12:35 PM
We think that you should stay in the reserve four 20 days so you can see as much wildlife as you can.
Posted by: 5T | April 25, 2007 12:40 PM
We think you should choose option 1 because we want you to find more interesting animals for us to see and study. We are very interested in animals and want to see more from the rainforest.
Posted by: 5M | April 25, 2007 1:29 PM
We pick option 2 because we want you to spend time exploring specific trees and plants.
Posted by: 5M | April 25, 2007 1:35 PM
We think you should explore the park and look for animals so we can learn more about animals.
Posted by: 5S | April 25, 2007 2:05 PM
We think it would be more interesting for you and us if you to stay in the rainforest longer. That's why we chose Option 1.
Posted by: 5S | April 25, 2007 2:07 PM
We think you should stay in the Amazon for a longer time because there is lot of animals and plants to see.
Posted by: 5S | April 25, 2007 2:09 PM
We think you should do option 1 because it would be fun to see more animals than having to go right past the amazing animals.
Posted by: 5S | April 25, 2007 2:10 PM
We think it is more important to see animals than to get to Iquitos because you already went to other towns and there are a lot of animals to see in the park.
Posted by: 5S | April 25, 2007 2:12 PM
You should spend alot of time in there cause you guys are having alot of fun while you are there with on and other ......
P.S you should stay there for about another year or so
Posted by: samantha | May 16, 2007 12:57 PM