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The Boiling River of the Amazon is a natural phenomenon of notable importance, located in the district of Honoria, province of Puerto Inca. This constantly boiling watercourse stands as a unique ecosystem worldwide and an outstanding ecological heritage for Peru. An ancient Asháninca legend tells that the Sun descended to earth to tour the jungle, but was ambushed by its adversaries, the demons of the night. According to this narrative, one of the demons stabbed him in the heart, and when he removed the dagger, a large jet of boiling blood gushed out of the Sun, which fell on the jungle, giving rise to an impressive boiling river. From this story he derives his name: "Shanay-timpishka" (meaning "boiled with the heat of the sun").
With more than 6 kilometers of length, this river stands out as the largest boiling river in the world with a unique geothermal system on the planet, a recognition attributed by the scientific geologist Andrés Ruzo, a National Geographic explorer, who has carried out continuous studies in the region. Despite its prominence among global geothermal manifestations, the Boiling River is not the result of volcanic activity, as is often the case with other thermal rivers. Instead, the geothermal waters of this river originate from the rains that fall in the dense high jungle, very distant from its final course in Honoria. Seeping into the soil, these waters flow through cracks, faults and geological fractures, reaching depths of several kilometers. As they go deeper into the earth, they gradually warm up due to the geothermal gradient, that is, as they go deeper, their temperature increases.
The environment of the Hirviente River has evolved into a jungle oasis in the middle of a landscape marked by deforestation. You can still spot various species of birds such as toucans and parrots, as well as monkeys, sloths, alligators, huanganas, felines and other animals. In Peru, this river has become a crucial and internationally recognized reference point for science and conservation. For this reason, more than 50 researchers from 13 countries arrive every year to study various aspects, from geoscience to anthropology, including microbiology, mycology, ichthyology and entomology, among other fields.However, long before the studies of modern scientists, the Boiling River was already a point of great importance in traditional Amazonian knowledge. This legacy persists through the teachers and shamans who use the river waters, plants and rocks to heal both body and soul. Centers such as Mayantuyacu, led by the outstanding Master Asháninka Juan Flores, and Santuario Huishtín, under the direction of Master Kokama Enrrique Paredes, Shanay Timpishka Ecolodge, Mamayura, Cachiyacu, Fiori Ecolodge, among others, offer tourist services for accommodation, food and recreation, as well as excursions in the jungle with a focus on health and mystical tourism. Additionally, tour operators such as Charuya Travel and Yanesha Tours, along with official tourism guides registered with MINCETUR, are taking the first steps towards ecotourism in the area.
The influx of national and foreign tourists to the river reflects a profile of travelers who seek to disconnect from the digital and urban world to immerse themselves in the healing charms of the jungle and the geothermal vapors of the Boiling River. Our responsibility lies in protecting this river and working in a coordinated manner to preserve the ecosystems it houses both in the surrounding forest and in its waters. Sustainable tourism, ecotourism activities and responsible management are the key. Let's protect the Boiling River.
By: Glen Larson Arriaga
Tourism Professional
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