+51 973 250 586 info@treksincusco.com
+51 973 250 586 info@treksincusco.com

Qeswachaka Inca Rope Bridge Tour (Full Day) – Qeswachaka Inca Bridge

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Tour Details
Qeswachaka Inca Bridge

Qeswachaka Inca Bridge Tour takes you to one of the marvels of the Inca empire. Q’eswachaka (Keshwa Chaca) is one of renowned suspension bridges, located near Cusco. It is a rope bridge spanning 33 meters long with a width of 1.20 meters. The floor of the bridge lies suspended 15 meters above Apurímac river. The name is a combination of two Quechua words. “Qeswa” signifies braid and “Chaka” means bridge. 

While the Incas built Qhapaq Ñan, (The Great Inca Road), they faced many problems. The roadway spans to 25000 miles. It runs through different terrains. In order to overcome the challenge, they came up with suspension bridges. This allowed them to easily commute within the empire. These suspension bridges also had a vital role in linking the remote Andean communities.

Even though there is a modern bridge that connects the two communities. The locals here ritually keep the tradition alive. They are still practicing the trend left by their ancestors. The bridge is maintained and rebuilt every year by the local community.

They charge a nominal fee from visitors which goes towards the recognition of the communal effort and their motive to keep the ancient tradition alive.

People from the four community (Chaupibanda, Huinchiri Peru, Ccollana Quehue and Choccayhua) gather every year to rebuild the bridge. It is a four days event.

The Process of rebuilding Q’eswachaka Inca Grass Ropes Bridge:

  • It starts with the collection of a typical kind of straw. The men wander around the nearby fields and carry these straws to the community. The women braid them. 
  • The men dismantle the existing bridge on the second day. 
  • On the third day, they hang the newly braided bridge.
  • The fourth day marks the completion of the event. They walk on the newly constructed bridge to commemorate completion with Andean music and dance.

Every year in the month of June, people from the four surrounding community gather to reconstruct the Q’eswachaka Inca Rope Bridge. This is a tradition that they have preserved for years and continue to. 

This is a notable four days event. Infact, Nova and BBC have telecasted this as an independent documentary, The Last Bridge Master. In 2009 the government of Peru recognised the bridge as a cultural heritage. The government have started extending support in maintenance and awareness of its existence. It is also covered by the Museum of the American Indian

Day 1:

Men from these four communities collect the straws (natural fibres) from the nearby fields. Andean culture has a lot of respect towards nature and cosmology. The spiritual head of the community prays to the mountain gods using kintu (three coca leaves). He then does an offering of corn to Pachamama (Mother Earth).

Once this is done they start constructing the bridge. Later in the evening the men split into two groups and start the process from both ends. They then braid these wires towards each other. During the process the fathers demonstrate the process to their children. This is a tradition that is kept alive by passing down from generation to generation. 

Day 2:

The man who assumes the role of the engineer or head of the construction, indicates the men the process of untying the existing bridge. They are connected with nails. This is the most time consuming process. 

Day 3:

The third day marks the end of the construction. They link the newly assembled rope bridge from both ends of the Aprurimac River. 

Day 4:

Time to celebrate! People gather to commemorate the successful construction of the Qeswachaka Inca Bridge. They celebrate the day with Andean folkloric music and dance. This is also accompanied with traditional food and beverages. 

Departure & Return Location

Cusco Hotel Transfer

Departure Time

0600 AM

Price Includes

  • Professional English Speaking Guide
  • Transport
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Entrance Fees

Price Excludes

  • Any Private Expenses

Recommended To Carry

  • Sun cream
  • Sunglasses
  • Snacks
  • Peruvian Soles in cash
Video
Itinerary

Qeswachaka Inca Bridge Tour

At 0600 AM, we will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco. Then in our private transport, we will be driving you along the South Valley of Cusco, to Canas in Quehue district. Canas is a province in the south of Cusco city. It is also home to Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge. On our way, we will have a brief stop to enjoy the sights of four different lagoons. They are Acopia, Pomacanchi, Pampamarca and Asnaqocha.

These lagoons are picturesque as they are located overlooking the snowcapped Andean peaks. We will have enough time at each stops for you to click photos and immerse yourself in the captivating view. 

Then we will continue to Canas province. Our tour guide will introduce to the community. You will have the opportunity to see how well they have preserved the age-old Andean traditions.

Once you get an introduction to the bridge and the life there, you will be visiting the much awaited Q’eswachaka Inca Rope Bridge. This is the only surviving rope bridge built by Inas. 

You can then dare to walk across this swinging bridge right above the Apurimac river. After you have had your fill of this masterpiece of Incas, we will return to the community. Here we will be stopping for lunch. 

After relishing on an authentic Peruvian meal for lunch, we will start our journey back to Cusco. We will be dropping you off at Plaza Regocijo a block away from the main square, Plaza De Armas.

  • Meals: Lunch
  • Maximum Altitude for the day: 5,100 m
  • Minimum Altitude for the day: 3,2350 m
  • Total Hiking Distance for the day: 1 km approx.
  • Duration of the trip: 7-8 hours
Photos
FAQs

Can tourists cross the Inca Rope Bridge Peru?

Yes, tourists can cross the Q’eswachaka Inca rope bridge in Peru. It is well maintained as locals rebuild the bridge in October each year. 

What were Inca Bridges used for?

Incas built suspension bridges like Q’eswachaka to facilitate the movement of their messengers and to link remote communities. They primarily used straws to build these bridges. Incas built these bridges only in places where building roadways were impossible.

3 Reviews
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Xiaomi

Couple Traveller

My friend took us there, a professor from the university in Cusco so we had a super advantage there. I cannot reccomend agencies but definetely this place is totally different from the typical places around the region. Even the way is stunning. Super nice and unique experience

March 6, 2020

Vivian Michellin

Couple Traveller

We read about the a replicate of the bridge built in Washington DC and read a lot on Atlas Obscura. On reaching Cusco, we ended up booking this tour with Treks In Cusco. It turned out to be the best thing we did. Carlos was our guide and he took exceptional care of the group and shared plenty of information. Totally recommend the tour.

February 13, 2020

Don Oliver

Solo Traveller

Trip to the bridge and the bridge itself were very worthwhile. O wonderful insight into Inca thinking and way of living.

February 4, 2020