Palquella Pucamayu – The Bizarre Red River in Peru
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The Bizarre crimson red river in Peru. There’s blood in the water! No, this is not the case. Peru’s bizarre river that turns red every winter. In the southeast of Cusco lies the Red River, known locally as Palquella Pucamayu. Located in Peru’s Pasco Region, the Pukamayu river is in the Daniel Alcides Carrión Province. The Huallaga River watershed includes it. The river gets its water from streams like Yuraq Yaku, Chachaq and Ranra Kancha. Near Chinchi Tinku is the place where the Río Blanco coming from the west.
This region’s red sandstone is filled with iron oxide, which gives it its crimson color. The red carpet has been rolled out by Mother Nature. In Peru’s Canchis province, the spectacular Red River appears as a scarlet streak running through the Vilcanota mountains for several months of the year, just as its name suggests. TikTok videos describing the river as something that ‘doesn’t feel real’ have been viewed over half a million times on social media. Rainy season (December – April) is the best time to visit the red river because the color of the water depends on precipitation.
What is the cause of this bizarre phenomenon? Red sandstone in the region contains iron oxide, which gives the Red River its crimson color. Water in the riverbed turns red or pink when the mineral-rich rock is washed into it by the rain. According to local tour operator Kallpa Travel, Peru’s rainy season, between November and April, is the best time to visit its banks because of more rain run-off. Red River eventually merges with other streams and loses its red color. As it flows downstream, it flows into Machu Picchu’s Vilcamayo River.