Shanaya Tipishca, Natural brook in Honoria, Peru

The Shanay-timpishka, known as the Boiling River of the Amazon, is a tributary of the Pachitea River in Honoria District, Puerto Inca Province, Huánuco. Its full course runs about 9 km, but only the lower 6.3 km is thermal, reaching roughly 4.5 m deep and 30 m wide. The water flows over pale, flat rock ledges, forming shallow pools where white vapor rises and hides the farther stretches of the brook.

The river's Quechua name, Shanay-timpishka, means 'boiled by the heat of the sun', from shanay (heat of the sun) and t'impuy (to boil), although the heat is geothermal. Geothermal scientist Andrés Ruzo first heard of the river as a child from his grandfather and later investigated its heat source. National Geographic described it as an entirely natural, non-volcanic geothermal feature flowing at anomalously high rates.

Local shamans hold that the boiling water is born from Yacumama, a giant serpent spirit called the "Mother of the Waters." The Quechua name Shanay-timpishka means 'boiled by the heat of the sun', from shanay (heat of the sun) and t'impuy (to boil), although the heat is geothermal. A single hot spring in the river is known as "La Bomba" (The Pump).

Access is via Contamana, reached by direct flight from Lima, then taxi, bike or public transport to San Pedro de Huacaria and a 45-minute walk through jungle to the river. Bring waterproof clothing, trekking shoes for the muddy, slippery path, and a guide, since the trek can be intimidating alone. Keep back from the bank: currents are strong and jaguars, caimans and anacondas live in the surrounding forest.

The Quechua name means 'boiled by the heat of the sun', from shanay (heat of the sun) and t'impuy (to boil), yet the heat is geothermal, not solar. Local shamans say the water is birthed by Yacumama, a giant serpent spirit called the Mother of the Waters. One hot spring in the river is known as La Bomba, 'The Pump'.