Araway Qhata, Mountain summit in Cusco Region, Peru
Araway Qhata is a mountain summit in the Cusco Region that rises to 3,666 meters above sea level. The peak forms a distinctive geographical formation within the Andes and can be seen from the city of Cusco below.
The mountain served as a navigation landmark for indigenous peoples of the Cusco region since pre-Columbian times. The Inca and other Andean cultures used the distinctive peak to help them find their way through the mountainous terrain.
The name comes from Quechua words where 'araway' means hanging and 'qhata' refers to a slope or hillside. Local people created this name to describe how the terrain falls away from the peak.
Multiple hiking trails lead to different viewpoints around the mountain, offering sweeping views of the surrounding valleys. The best time to hike is during the dry season when the trails are easier to traverse.
A large inscription reading 'Viva El Peru Glorioso' covers part of the mountainside and is clearly visible from many locations in the city of Cusco. This text serves as a striking visual marker when viewed from the valley below.
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