Qarwapunta, High-altitude lake in Huánuco Region, Peru.
Qarwaqucha is a high-altitude lake in Peru's Huánuco Region situated at 4,150 meters above sea level, measuring approximately 1.5 kilometers in length and 0.44 kilometers at its widest point. The water fills a basin surrounded by mountain slopes and receives water from melting snow and underground springs that keep it cold and crystal colored.
The lake has provided water resources to mountain communities since pre-Hispanic times, supporting agricultural practices and settlements across the Andean highlands. This long relationship between people and the water source shaped how villages were established and maintained at these elevations.
The name combines Quechua words 'qarwa' for leaf worm larvae and 'qucha' for lake, showing how indigenous languages shaped place names across the Andean highlands. Local communities still use traditional names that reflect their understanding of the land and its resources.
The lake is reachable via marked hiking trails through the Huayhuash mountain range and requires proper altitude acclimatization and mountain gear for safe access. Visitors should plan extra time to adjust to the thin air, as pushing too hard too quickly at this elevation can cause serious problems.
Three mountain peaks create a natural amphitheater around the water, forming a valley shape that feeds into the broader Andean watershed system. This basin configuration channels water from several streams into one location, making it a gathering point within the mountain complex.
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