The Extreme Hot Springs of the Andes

May 21, 2018 SouthAmerica

In this post we decided to review the 300 hot springs we described in our book Hot Springs of the Andes and highlight those with the most extreme settings. The fifteen categories we outline below will challenge just about any South American explorer and traveler to visit all of these. And of course, just about everything in between these characteristics can be found in the inventory we have in our book.

The Andes of South America has thousands of hot springs. Estimates for the number of hot springs located in Peru are 500 and in Chile there are 300 reported springs. For our guide book we covered six countries Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. The Andes has approximately 174 active or historically active volcanoes that cluster into three main zones along the Andes; these are termed the Northern, Central and Southern Volcanic Zones. These mighty heat engines are driven by the energy caused by the subduction of the oceanic crust eastward beneath the South American continent forming massive conical shaped mountains, for example, Cotopaxi in Ecuador, Misti in Peru, Sajama in Bolivia, and Villarrica in Chile are some of South America active volcanoes.

Next time you hear about the Andes think about all the geological activity that happened over millions of years, setting the stage for enjoying these Extreme Hot Springs of the Andes.

southamericatotheworld.com — Hot Springs of the Andes

The highest: Aguas Calientes La Colcha, Argentina at 5,859 meters, followed by Sol de Manaña, Bolivia at 5,851 meters (really mud pots and fumaroles).

Farthest south: Termas Quiltralco, Chile at -45.643443S.

Farthest north: El Raizon y El Azufral, Colombia at 7.610104N.

On islands: the only hot spring on an island occur in the fjords of southern Chile at Isla Llancahué, the hot springs have the same name Termas Llancahué.

At sea level: Termas de Sotomo, Chile is right at sea level; access varies with the tides.

In the jungle: San Mateo, Moyobamba, Peru; Piedra piedra lodge, Colombia.

With 5 star hotel: Termas de Puyehue, Chile.

Most hillbilly: Termas Hipolito Muñoz, Chile.

Most indigenous: Termas de Oyacachi, Ecuador; El Centro Shuar de Aguas Termales, Ecuador.

With Inca ruins: Baños del Inca, Peru.

By a nice mountain river: Los Pozones, Chile.

Near the base of a water fall: Rincon, Chile; Termas de la Virgen, Baños, Ecuador; Santa Rosa de Cabal, Colombia.

Most remote: several compete for this category, including Termas de Galan, Argentina; Baños de Azufre, Argentina; Termas de Rio Negro, Chile; Termas de la Yegua, Chile; Pachapupum, Peru; and Baños Termales de Viconga, Peru.

On an actively erupting volcano: Baños, Ecuador; Geometricas, Chile.

Highest vent temperature: Termas de Rosario de la Frontera, Argentina with temperature at 99 degrees C.

All the hot springs are given a latitude and longitude coordinates, and as much description available at the time of research. Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina; each country paints a different cultural experience with many locations having been used for hundreds years.

HOT SPRINGS OF THE ANDES