Qeswachaka: Venture to the last Inca Bridge
Have you heard of the Qeswachaka Bridge? It’s the last Inca bridge, preserved to this day thanks to the inhabitants of the nearby communities. Every year, it needs more than 800 people, a lot of Peruvian feather grass (Ichu), and 4 days to be renovated. If you’d like to visit this more than 600-year-old Inca legend, join this full-day trip to see one of the best places in Cusco.
To see it, you’ll travel to the town of Quehue. Take a chance to cross the 30-meter-long bridge, and balance over the Apurimac River. If you’re traveling in June, meet the townspeople of the communities that work hard to demolish the old bridge and set up the new one. This spectacle, declared a Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, comes along with ancestral rituals and a grand celebration. On top of that, you’ll visit the famous 4 Lagoons of the area. An immersive journey you can’t miss!
Highlight of the day: Visit the Inca Bridge, and feel its hand-woven cords. Will you dare to cross it?
Travel Through Time, and Cross the Last Inca Bridge
You’ll start this journey leaving Cusco at around 4 am to travel about 3 hours to the remote province of Canas. Halfway there, you’ll stop for breakfast and continue passing Yanaoca town until you arrive at the town of Quehue (3,792 m / 12,441 ft). We’ll make a stop to observe an ancient volcano that is now inactive. From this picturesque place, we’ll take a short drive to Qeswachaka.
Once you’re at this impressive bridge, you’ll be able to balance as you connect with this incredible piece of history that your guide will tell you about. Qeswa is a Quechua word that translated means “braid,” and Chaka refers to “bridge.” It spans 30 meters long and is made of hand-woven ropes of Peruvian feather grass, a type of straw. Each year, the 4 neighboring communities get together to braid the straw, take down the old bridge, and set up the new using basic tools and a lot of strength! It’s not an easy task, but this tradition has been kept alive for hundreds of years.
You’ll find yourself more than 15 meters high above the Apurimac River as you cross the bridge from one end to the other. You’ll also have great canyon views, so capture this moment with your camera. If you’re there in June, you can see this engineering wonder being built and witness the annual ceremony dedicated to Mother Earth and a festival of typical dances of the region.
After that, you’ll enjoy a boxed lunch near the bridge and get a last look at this fascinating place. The return trip is along the 4 Lagoons, making several stops to see the lakes of Pomacanchi, Ancascocha, Pampamarca, and Acopia, also known as the “sacred lagoons,” which provide fish for the local inhabitants. Lastly, it will be time to rest and return to Cusco by car, taking the best moments of your trip through the Peruvian Andes.
Next, we will head to the town of Tungasuca, the place where Túpac Amaru II lived, the leader of the great Indigenous revolution during the colonial era. After that, you’ll enjoy a boxed lunch near the bridge and get a last look at this fascinating place. The return trip is along the 4 Lagoons, making several stops to see the lakes of Ancascocha, Acopia, Pampamarca, and Pomacanchi, also known as the ‘sacred lagoons,’ which provide fish for the local inhabitants. Lastly, it will be time to have lunch in a buffet restaurant and return to Cusco by car, taking the best moments of your trip through the Peruvian Andes.
Permits & Entrance Tickets
High Quality Service & Safety
An official English- and Spanish-speaking tour guide will accompany you. Along the entire route, your guide will explain the culture and surroundings and keep you safe, secure and comfortable so you can enjoy your trip worry free!
Bilingual Tour Guide in group service or shared (English and Spanish)
All MACHU PICCHU BY CAR guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to handle basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers’ diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.), as well as oxygen needs. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic or hospital for treatment.
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your tour.
Meals
For the day, we’ll provide you with a water bottle and snacks of local fruits, cookies, crackers, chocolate, caramels, etc.
To avoid the use of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we’ll give you a cloth bag for your snacks.
You’ll be provided with a small towel and soap before each meal to wash your hands.
Transportation
All transportation and transfers are included in this tour. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and take you back to the door of your hotel in Cusco.
Book fast and easy on our website and keep track of your reservation with our most advanced booking system, be updated on our discounts every week.
Qeswachaka: Venture to the last Inca Bridge Have you heard of the Qeswachaka Bridge? It’s the last Inca bridge, preserved to this day thanks to the inhabitants of the nearby communities. Every year, it needs more than 800 people, a lot of Peruvian feather grass (Ichu), and 4 days to be renovat
Discover the best of the Sacred Valley of the Incas Are you ready for an adventure and cultural trip? If so, the VIP Sacred Valley tour is just what you’re looking for. This exciting tour will take you through some of the most significant Inca Empire archaeological sites, where you can experie
Traverse the sharp, striking colors of the Rainbow Mountain of Pallay Punchu Discovered during the COVID-19 lockdown, Pallay Punchu is the third rainbow mountain in Cusco, after Vinicunca and Palccoyo. Although it has gained popularity on social media, it still remains an unexplored destination. Its
Experience the charm and history of Cusco’s lesser-explored Southern Valley with our Southern Valley Half Day Cusco Tour. Delve into over 800 years of diverse history as you uncover Colonial, Inca, and Pre-Inca sites nestled within this picturesque region. Our journey begins with visits to sev
The Cusco City Tour offers a thorough exploration of the city’s most notable landmarks, providing insight into its rich history and cultural heritage. This tour includes visits to key sites such as the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) and various Inca ruins located in the outskirts of the city.
