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Qeswachaca Bridge Tour

Qeswachaca Bridge Tour

The Q'eswachaca Bridge is a marvel of Inca engineering and culture. It is a bridge of plant fiber, which has more than 500 years as part of the road system of Inca roads better known as "Qhapac Ñan" (a road of more than 30 thousand kilometers).

 

The amazing thing about the Q'eswachaca Bridge is that the tradition there has remained until today, with its rituals and community work system, allowing tourists to have the happiness of observing after centuries the validity of the material culture and Immaterial of the Incas immortalized in this bridge and in the people who use it.

 

The bridge is located on the Apurímac River at 3,700 meters above sea level, covering about 29 meters long and 1.2 meters wide.

 

It is the last bridge of its kind that still survives modernity and is almost in its original state, passing from generation to generation for more than 500 years.

 

In order to renew the bridge, with ancestral techniques, a ritual is carried out at the hands of nearby communities, which has been carried out since the Inca times.

Overview
Itinerary
Includes
Before you go

Quick Itinerary:

06:00We pick you up from Hotel

08:00Start the visit to the famous 4 lakes of Cusco

11:00Visit Inca Q'eswachaca Bridge

13:00Lunch at Combapata

14:00 Return to Cusco

18:00Arrive to Cusco

 

Important info about your Tour:

  • The Q'eswachaka bridge measures 28 meters long and 1.20 meters wide
  • The festival where the Q'eswachaka is renewed takes place during the second week of June.
  • This bridge is made of a plant fiber called "ichu", a grass from the highest areas of the Andes. Every year the inhabitants of the farming communities of Perccaro, Huinchiri, Ccollana and Qqewe, meet to renew their structure. The renovation of the bridge implies the realization of a ritual and a festivity that lasts around four days, starting with the payment to the God Quinsallallawi in an ancestral ceremony. During this date, making use of Inca knowledge, the villagers collect the new material, dismantle the old bridge and begin to assemble the replacement. On the third day, the inhabitants begin the assembly of the railing and the surface of the bridge. After having finished the work, a great celebration begins where the inhabitants perform a festival of native dances. Finally, after having finished the bridge replacement, it is inaugurate by crossing it.
  • The braiding of the plant fiber for the new bridge is done only by women, supervised by a specialist.
  • During the colonial period, suspension bridges were preferable to stone bridges, this because their resistance to earthquakes was greater.

 

 

Packing List:

We recommended take a small rucksack with

  • Copy of the passport,
  • Original ISIC (an international student card if applicable)
  • Tourist Ticket
  • Cash
  • Rain Clothing (waterproof jacket and trousers),
  • Also warm clothes for cold nights.
  • Sun hat and sun protection cream
  • Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions),
  • Handkerchiefs
  • Snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, fruits, muesli, etc.)
  • Two Bottled water.

Interesting Information

 

Cusco – 4 Lagoons – Q´eswachaca
Inca Trail Machu

The trip starts in the city of Cusco, we pick you up from your hotel at 6 a.m. approximately. After almost two hours of travel we will start the tour for the four lagoons: Pomacanchi Lagoon, Acopia Lagoon, Asnaqocha Lagoon and the Pampamarca or Tungasuca Lagoon.

 

After enjoying a quiet moment near the lagoons, we will finally arrive to the Apurimac river and the impressive Inca bridge. This hanging Inca bridge is made of vegetable fiber. The existence of this bridge dates from the Inca period, the renovation and maintenance is done once a year by the local people of the four communities that are around. Before starting with the renewal of the bridge an offering is given as a sign of respect and gratitude to the Mother Earth.

 

We will have the opportunity to cross the Inca bridge on two occasions, of course if you have the courage to do so. It may seem easy, but without a doubt you will feel the adrenalin crossing this bridge, as well as Indiana Jones in one of his adventures. On the way back to Combapata our delicious lunch awaits us. This interesting trip ends in the city of Cusco at 8:00 pm approximately.


Included
Inca Trail Machu

  • Pick up from your hotel
  • Private transportation Cusco - Q'eswachaca - Cusco
  • Lunch in Combapata.
  • Bilingual professional guide service
  • First aid kit.

 

Not Included
Inca Trail Machu

  • Breakfast
  • Water bottle
  • Tips for local staff

 

Highlights of Q'eswachaca Bridge Tour
Inca Trail Machu

Additionals
Inca Trail Machu

Doubts and Frequent Questions about Q'eswachaca Bridge Tour
Inca Trail Machu

PARTIDAS
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Days 
From $ 80.00
per person
Code PQW1
Activity level
Inca Trail Machu
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responsible people foundation
The Responsible People foundation is registered under the Peruvian Non-Profit Organization Act. With an annual contribution from Inca Trail Machu, we support our operating costs as well as a significant portion of project development costs.
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