The Red River is a work of art by Mother Nature and has cherry or brick red coloured water. Locally known as Pukamayu (In Quechua, “puka” means red, and “mayu” means river).
Cusco’s Red River is formed due to the soil erosion from different mineral deposits present in the vibrant layers of the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. The ‘Red’ colour is we see is the because of the presence of red sandstone full of iron oxide. This mineral-rich sedimentary rock gets washed off the hillsides when it rains and turns the water a distinct red or pink. Now since the colour is visible by erosion (which is caused by rain run-off), this so-called red or pink river can only be visible during Peru’s rainy season months.
531900login-checkThe reason for the water of Red River in Cusco, Peru
