The red river is one of the new tourist attractions of Cusco. It is located to the south, in the famous Vilcanota mountain range (where there is also the mountain of the 7 colors). As its name suggests, the waters of this river turn red during the rainy season (mainly in January, February and March). The rest of the year it is not possible to appreciate this phenomenon. Although there are still few visitors who know this place, it is one of the most amazing landscapes of Cusco.
The Vilcanota mountain range
The Cordillera del Vilcanota is a chain of mountains full of glaciers where the highest snow-capped mountain in Cusco is, the famous Ausangate (at 6,372 meters above sea level). It is located in the southeast of Peru, in the Cusco region.
The set of mountains belonging to this mountain range offer some of the most beautiful passages in Cusco, such as the famous mountain of the 7 colors (Vinicunca). In addition, during the months of intense rains (especially in January, February or March) the strange phenomenon called “red river” is appreciated.
The red river
The red river is one of the new tourist destinations of Cusco. There are still very few tourists who know this place located in the Vilcanota mountain range. As its name indicates, this natural stream of water has a color between red and ocher due to the proliferation of minerals in the mountains of the area. Local people also call it ‘Yawar mayu’, a Quechua word that means ‘red river’.
Location
The red river is approximately 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco. Geographically it is in the Vilcanota mountain range, close to the ‘mountain of the 7 colors’ and the ‘Red Valley of Pitumarca’. Precisely, from the town of Pitumarca you leave on foot for 2 or 3 hours until you reach the red river. This Andean town is 3,570 meters above sea level.
