There is a river in Peru that is considered the hottest in the world. It is a surprising geothermal phenomenon that has sacred value for locals. This is located in the Amazon region of the South American country mentioned above and is an attractive travel destination for many tourists.
According to the BBC, this river can reach temperatures of up to 90°C. This characteristic not only makes it attractive to outsiders, but also makes it a dangerous place if not traveled with care and responsibility.
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What is the hottest river in the world and where is it?
He Mayantuyacu River, also known as Shanay-Timpishka by the local population, is the hottest in the world due to its extreme temperature, which can reach values close to 100 ° C, according to scientist Andrés Ruzo. It is located in the jungle of the Huánuco region, precisely in the Honoria district.
The area surrounding this natural tributary is considered a sacred area because various indigenous communities live there. In addition to the protection provided by the tropical jungle forest, this warm water stream is notable for its proximity to an Asháninka medical center, demonstrating the area's cultural and spiritual significance as well as its commitment to preserving traditional practices.
The Mayantuyacu River has an approximate length of 6 kilometers. Photo: Denomades
Its high temperatures are also considered healing. According to the BBC report, locals collect their water to use for various daily activities such as cooking or cleaning. In addition, in the river area with lower temperatures, reaching up to 40 °C, the water resource is used for bathing.
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Why does the Mayantuyacu River have such warm water?
The Mayantuyacu River is a tourist attraction because the origin of its high temperatures is a mystery. Andrés Ruzo, geologist and National Geographic fellow, suspects that the intense heat of this natural sauna has its origins in a hydrothermal system fed by the glaciers of the Andes, whose water seeps through the subsoil.
“According to my research, (the boiling water) appears to be the result of a large hydrothermal system. The water could come from glaciers in the Andes, then seep into the ground and, after warming in the geothermal gradient, emerge as a boiling river,” commented the specialist in his conference at TEC Global.
How to get to Mayantuyacu River?
To achieve this goal, the recommended starting point is Pucallpa in the Ucayali region. From there you can take a bus or shared services to Campo Verde and then transfer to another vehicle to go to Codo del Pozuzo, the district where the attraction is located.
The next stage of the journey is to reach the river port of Honoria, from where you will have to take a boat that will arrive at the entrance of the destination after a journey of about 15 minutes. This final leg of the journey must be completed on foot. The experience becomes an adventure in itself, and the closer you get to the steam and perceive it, the more the visitor encounters a paradisiacal landscape.