Qeswachaka Inca Bridge Tour is an unmissable full day tour in Cusco. It takes you to the only surviving rope bridge built during the Inca empire. Qeswachaka bridge is 33 meters long and is suspended 15 metres above the Apurimac river in the province of Canas in Quehue district.
To facilitate commutation within the massive Inca Empire, the Incas built the great Inca Road or Qhapaq Nan. The road links provinces in 25000 miles. In places where they faced geographic challenges, they built suspension bridges.
Although there is a modern bridge now right next to this rope bridge, locals here maintain the tradition of preserving the bridge. Every year the quechua communities from the nearby villages – Huinchiri Chaupibanda, Collana Quehue and Choccayhua gather to dismantle the bridge and braid and swing the new bridge.
The name Qeswachaka is a combination of two Quechua words – Qeswa means bridge and Chaka means braid.
In 2009, the government of Peru recognised the bridge as a cultural heritage site.
Qeswachaka Inca Bridge Tour Highlights
Qeswachaka Inca Bridge is the only surviving rope bridge built during the Inca civilization. It is now a cultural heritage site. Experience the history, nature and culture on this full day tour.
Qeswachaka Inca Bridge Information:
Meals Included: Lunch Maximum Altitude: 5100 metres Minimum Altitude: 3250 metres Total Hiking Distance: 1 Kilometre approximately Duration of trip: 7-8 Hours
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco at 0600 AM. Then in our private transport, we will be driving you through the South Valley of Cusco to Canas Province. On our way, we will make a brief stop to see four lagoons – Pomacanchi lagoon, Acopia, Asnacocha and Pampamarca.
After visiting these lagoons, we will be driving to Canas province. Our guide will share some safety tips on crossing the bridge and will be sharing a history of the bridge.
You can then cross the suspended bridge to the other side of the Apurimac river. The head of the community will be meeting you on the other side. They will demonstrate the process of dismantling and re-building the bridge every year.
We will then stop for lunch. After lunch, we will be driving you back to Cusco.
The Qeswachaka Inca Bridge Tour was a fascinating journey into the heart of Andean culture and engineering marvels. Starting bright and early at 6:00 AM, our adventure began with a scenic drive through the South Valley of Cusco, punctuated by stops at four picturesque lagoons – Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnacocha, and Pampamarca.
Arriving in Canas Province, our guide shared insights into the history and significance of the Qeswachaka Bridge, an ancient marvel of Inca engineering. Stepping onto the suspended bridge, we crossed the mighty Apurimac River, greeted on the other side by members of the local community who demonstrated the intricate process of dismantling and rebuilding the bridge each year, keeping the ancient tradition alive.
