In Cusco, Peru, there is an astonishing river with a striking reddish-pink color. Notably, this color is only visible during the rainy season.
The Beautiful Pink River in Peru is locally known as Palquella Pucamayu. The Pink River is formed by rain from the famous Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain nearby. The reddish-pink color of the river is created by mineral deposits found in various clay layers formed by soil erosion. The river exhibits its unique pink hue due to the presence of iron oxide from the red regions of the mountains.
Since it is a result of rainfall, the red or deep pink river in Cusco is typically only visible during Peru’s rainy months. For the rest of the year, the river’s water level is much lower, and its color turns muddy brown.
View of the Pink River in Peru.
The Pink River stretches approximately 5 km before merging with several streams and smaller rivers in the surrounding area, at which point its pink hue fades and loses its unique color. Many of these smaller rivers eventually flow into the Vilcamayo River, which runs through the sacred valley of Cusco and passes by the famous ancient city of Machu Picchu. Further downstream, this river is known as the Urubamba River before flowing through the Pongo de Mainique gorge and finally emptying into the majestic Amazon River.
The Pink River in Peru.
The river’s pink color stands out even more as it flows through the emerald green hills. The river is located about a 3-hour drive from Cusco city, originating from the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain valley. When tourists arrive at the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, they can stop to admire the Pink River. The period from December to April is when the river’s color is at its most beautiful. One of the best times to visit the river is in April, when the rains begin to subside but the river’s water level remains high.
This area is still relatively unknown to tourists visiting Peru, so the landscape remains pristine and peaceful. Visitors should bring warm clothing, hats, scarves, and gloves. Although the trail through Palcoyo is not as difficult as the one leading to Vinicunca, it can still be muddy, so hikers should also wear hiking boots.
Cusco, home to the Pink River, is a city in southeastern Peru near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes Mountains. It is the seventh most populous city in Peru and is situated at an altitude of approximately 3,400 meters.
