Qeswachaka Inca Bridge Private Tour

The Qeswachaka Inca bridge is the only Inca rope bridge still standing and in use: 28 metres of braided ichu grass ropes over the Apurímac river, in the district of Quehue, province of Canas, about three and a half hours south of Cusco. On our private tour you travel only with your group, with hotel pickup, breakfast and lunch, and stops at the lakes of the plateau and at Checacupe.

The last Inca bridge

The four communities of the area, Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Choccayhua and Ccollana Quehue, renew it every June in three days of communal work and a festival, with the same technique as in the days of the empire: they twist the ichu by hand, braid the thick ropes of the floor and handrails, drop the old bridge into the river and stretch the new one across the Inca stone abutments. UNESCO declared it Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013. It is not a reconstruction for tourists: it is a living site, and you cross it on foot. We explain it step by step in the Q’eswachaka bridge guide.

What the day is like

We leave Cusco at five in the morning on the southern road, with breakfast on the way and stops at the four lakes of the plateau: Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnaqocha and Pampamarca. At the bridge, a guided crossing, an explanation of the braiding technique and the renewal ceremony, and time with the community that looks after it. Lunch in the area and return via Checacupe, stopping at its colonial stone bridge and its church. Back in Cusco around five in the afternoon.

Practical details

Who it suits

Those looking for a living place rather than a ruin, and a day off the usual circuit. With no hike and a moderate altitude, it works well with children and older travellers, as long as the road trip does not weigh on them. If you arrive in Cusco that same day, leave it for later: read the acclimatisation guide first.

If you are afraid of heights, you can cross holding the guide’s hand or watch the bridge from the bank.

Why private

It is a long day on the road, and in private you organise it your way: stop at the lakes as long as you like, choose how long to spend at the bridge and adapt lunch. If your trip coincides with the June renewal, we find the best day to see it with you.

How to combine it

Qeswachaka is on the same road as the South Valley: Tipón, Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas are best seen on another day with the private South Valley tour, and we cover them in the South Valley guide. If you then continue to Lake Titicaca, you can also travel to Puno on the Route of the Sun (stops and timings of the trip to Puno).

Tickets and what to bring

The community entrance fee is paid at the access point, in cash, and is not included. Bring shoes with a grippy sole for the crossing, a warm layer for the plateau, sunscreen, a cap and soles in cash for the entrance and crafts.