Name: 1-Day Q'eswachaka Inca Rope Bridge Tour from Cusco
Brand: CuscoPeru.com
Price: 65 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (1600 reviews)

Q'eswachaka rope bridge tour from Cusco

CuscoPeru.com invites you to visit a living Andean tradition on a full-day journey through southern Cusco. The Q'eswachaka rope bridge tour travels from the city to the province of Canas, where the bridge crosses the Apurimac River approximately two hours and forty-five minutes from Cusco and preserves a construction method passed down through local communities.

Q'eswachaka is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The bridge is made from plant-fiber ropes prepared with a technique known as Q'eswa. Because the natural material wears down in the highland climate, the communities of the Quehue district rebuild the entire bridge every year.

During the Q'eswachaka bridge tour, you can walk to the bridge, cross it and see the braided fibers at close range. The route also includes landscapes and historic places in southern Cusco, as well as breakfast and lunch at local restaurants. Transportation, an English- and Spanish-speaking guide and the entrance ticket are included.

Highlights

Visit to the Q'eswachaka bridge over the Apurimac River.
Explanation of the Q'eswa technique and the annual community reconstruction.
Stops at Huacarpay Lagoon, Pikillaqta and places associated with Tupac Amaru II.
Breakfast in Cusipata and views of Pabellones Volcano and Pampamarca Lagoon.
Visit to the Ccaranahui or Q'aranahui caves on the return route.
Transportation, bilingual guide, breakfast, lunch and entrance ticket.

Q'ESWACHAKA ROPE BRIDGE TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1

Q'eswachaka bridge and southern Cusco

Full day · Huacarpay and Pikillaqta · Breakfast in Cusipata · Pabellones and Pampamarca · Q'eswachaka bridge · Ccaranahui caves

Q'eswachaka rope bridge suspended over a rocky canyon in Cusco.

Tourist crossing the bridge during a Q'eswachaka rope bridge tour.

The last Inca rope bridge tour begins with pickup from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 4:00 a.m. We then travel south toward the province of Canas. Along the way, the published itinerary includes views of Huacarpay Lagoon and the Pikillaqta archaeological center.

Breakfast in Cusipata

At approximately 6:30 a.m., we arrive in the district of Cusipata for breakfast. After a short break, the journey continues through districts connected with Tupac Amaru II, the Indigenous leader of the Great Rebellion against the Spanish Crown.

Pabellones Volcano and Pampamarca Lagoon

The route passes Pabellones Volcano in Yanaoca. This small formation measures approximately four meters in diameter and lies in the district of Tungasuca. From this area, you can see Pampamarca Lagoon before continuing toward Quehue.

Arrival at Q'eswachaka

Arrival at Q'eswachaka is scheduled for around 9:00 a.m. The bridge stands at 3,792 meters above sea level and crosses the Apurimac River in the province of Canas.

Walk and visit at the rope bridge

At the bridge, the guide explains how the plant fiber is dried, pounded, flattened and twisted into long ropes known as q'eswas. These ropes are braided again to form the structure of the bridge. The published itinerary identifies the communities of Chaupibamda, Choccayhua, Ccollana, Quehue and Huinchiri as participants in the annual reconstruction.

You will have time to walk to the bridge, cross it and view the Apurimac River valley. The page describes the structure as approximately 33 meters long and 1.20 meters wide.

Ccaranahui caves and return to Cusco

The journey back includes a visit to the Ccaranahui or Q'aranahui caves. According to the local legend presented on the page, the Incas visited the cave to communicate spiritually with their gods, and a lagoon lies at the bottom.

After lunch and the final visit, we return to Cusco. The short itinerary indicates arrival at the hotel at approximately 4:00 p.m.; this time may vary with traffic and the pace of the day's stops.

The annual reconstruction

The bridge requires annual maintenance because its plant-fiber material deteriorates in the highland weather. The communities of the Quehue district rebuild it in June by preparing and braiding the fibers into q'eswas. The process keeps the traditional construction technique in active use.

What's included?

Included

Transportation from Cusco to Q'eswachaka and back to Cusco.
Professional English- and Spanish-speaking guide.
Breakfast at a local restaurant.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Entrance ticket.

Not included

Tips.
Services not mentioned in the program.

Recommendations

Warm and rainproof clothing according to the season.
Comfortable shoes.
Water bottle.
Snacks such as energy bars, dried fruit, chocolate or cookies.
Cash in Peruvian soles or US dollars because there are no ATMs on the route.
Identification document.

What's included?

Included

Transportation from Cusco to Q'eswachaka and back to Cusco.
Professional English- and Spanish-speaking guide.
Breakfast at a local restaurant.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Entrance ticket.

Not included

Tips.
Services not mentioned in the program.

Recommendations

Warm and rainproof clothing according to the season.
Comfortable shoes.
Water bottle.
Snacks such as energy bars, dried fruit, chocolate or cookies.
Cash in Peruvian soles or US dollars because there are no ATMs on the route.
Identification document.

Mapa de ruta

La ruta es referencial puede contar con pequeñas variaciones

Q’eswachaka tour prices

Choose the travel option that best suits you. Prices are listed per person and may vary depending on the service.

Tour to the Inca bridge Q'eswachaka 1d

Price per person - minimum 02 passengers

US$ 65

US$ 195

Are 4 or more people traveling?

We can offer a special rate for your group.

Ask about group rates

A traveler's day at Q'eswachaka

How Natalia experienced the one-day Q’eswachaka inca bridge tour

I took the one-day tour to the Q’eswachaka Inca Bridge, and it was an experience I enjoyed from beginning to end. From the moment we set out, everything was very well organized, and the guides showed great experience. They accompanied me throughout the entire tour, sharing information about the places we visited along the way.

Finally arriving at Q’eswachaka was one of the most memorable moments of the day. Seeing this traditional bridge up close and learning a little more about its history made the entire journey worthwhile. I took home wonderful memories of this experience and would love to do it again. It is a 100% recommended tour.

Natalia

Jun. 2024

More reviews from our passengers

    
 
 
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Amazing service! Javier was very responsive to help with coordination and went above and beyond. Our Machu Picchu tour was amazing, we received a great guide and all transportation methods were very easy to get to.
  
 
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Excellent experience with Cuscoperu.com. The hotels were very well located and had a good price/quality ratio. The service and organization were excellent.
  
 
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It was a sensational experience. Highly recommended for those who wish to visit Cusco; you will always have the assistance of the entire Cuscoperú team.
  
 
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Pleasant experience, without any setbacks from the operator, I took 3 tours with them in Cusco and all 3 were very professional.
  
 
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It was a great weekend. The Cusco tour and Machu Picchu tours were amazing. All the guides and drivers were very friendly. The schedule had enough time so we did not miss anything. Good communication from the company as well.
  
 
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   Bere F 
 
 
 
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Excellent service, attentive to our itineraries the whole time. Very trustworthy if you are planning a trip for women or by yourself!
  
 
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   Judith Z 
 
 
 
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It was a very nice experience; EFRAIN organized our entire tour, he cared about and organized every detail, always concerned from the moment they picked us up at the hotel until we arrived back. Very good service from the people who transported us and the guide at Machu Picchu was excellent. Recommended 1000%... thank you for making our anniversary an unforgettable day.
  
 
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   Tomás A 
 
 
 
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Everything excellent. 100% recommended

Gallery of the Q'eswachaka Inca Bridge Tour

Local community members working with woven ropes on the Q'eswachaka Inca bridge.

Local community member weaving ropes during the reconstruction of the Q'eswachaka bridge.

Community members working on the Q'eswachaka bridge during its traditional rope renewal.

Traditional maintenance of the Q'eswachaka rope bridge.

Frequently asked questions about the Q'eswachaka rope bridge tour

What time will you pick me up, and when will I return to Cusco?

Hotel pickup is scheduled for approximately 4:00 a.m. The page indicates a return to your hotel at around 4:00 p.m. These times may vary with traffic and the duration of the stops during the day.

Can I walk across the Q'eswachaka bridge?

Yes. The visit includes the opportunity to walk to the bridge and cross it. Your guide will explain how the plant fibers are prepared and braided using the traditional Q'eswa technique.

Is the entrance ticket included in the tour price?

Yes. The service includes the entrance ticket, round-trip transportation from Cusco, a professional English- and Spanish-speaking guide, breakfast and lunch at local restaurants.

How high is the bridge, and what should I wear?

Q'eswachaka is located at 3,792 meters above sea level. The page recommends warm and rainproof clothing according to the season, along with comfortable shoes.

Why is Q'eswachaka rebuilt every year?

The bridge is made from plant fiber that deteriorates in the highland weather. Local communities therefore rebuild the entire structure each June and continue the traditional construction method.

Should I bring cash on this day trip?

Yes. The published recommendations advise carrying cash in Peruvian soles or US dollars because there are no ATMs along the route. You should also bring your identification document, water and any snacks you may want during the journey.