Located about 100 kilometers south of the city of Cusco, the last Inca rope bridge of Q’eswachaka is a little bit off the standard tourist route, but its unique character makes it worth the extra effort. Women and girls made braided ropes, which later were woven by men. Specifically, the provider of this tour will apply the following measures: The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in english, although it may occasionally be done in two languages. It is located approximately three hours from Cusco by car, in the province of Canas. Community members have been preserving the cultural heritage of the Q’eswachaka bridge, the last living legacy of Inca architecture, by using ancestral techniques, creativity and … The booking reference can be found in the confirmation email, which should be in your inbox. Free cancellation up to 3 days before the day of the activity. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. They’re constructed entirely out of grass and other vegetation, yet somehow they’re sturdy enough for groups of people or even cattle to cross safely. Marvel at the construction, the last remaining Inca rope bridge made from ropes made of grass. The date of the Q’eswachaka festival changes slightly by year, with the main day of celebration always falling on the second Sunday of June. The bridge is built using long blades of grass, which are then woven into suspension cables and secured using the trunks of eucalyptus trees. Because of the perishable materials used, each cable of these bridges needed to be replace once a year. Visit and walk by the last Inca Bridge, which is even used by the locals nowadays. Every June, four Quechua communities convene to build the Q’eswachaka. Located about 100 kilometers south of the city of Cusco, the last Inca rope bridge of Q’eswachaka is a little bit off the standard tourist route, but its unique character makes it worth the extra effort. No, not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Every June, the local people gather together to renew the bridge, with individual groups responsible for specific tasks. All of these could easily be combined into a longer trip through the area south of Cusco, including a visit to Q’eswachaka. The transport used will be disinfected before and after each service and deep-cleaned every 24 hours. Machu Picchu is an unmissable sight for anyone visiting Peru. You can do a tour from the city, which is the easiest and most stress-free way of getting there. An authentic experience. Bus, taxi • 2h 22m. The rebuilding process takes place as part of a four-day festival, culminating with joyous celebrations and traditional folk dancing on the final day after the bridge’s completion. Of all the great architectural and cultural accomplishments of the Incas, it is their system of roads which remains perhaps the most impressive. Getting there by yourself is difficult, but not impossible. Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge Full Day This Inca bridge is the only one that still exists. Therefore, you will carry unforgettable memories with Wayna Travel Peru Q’eswachaka Tours Inca Bridges. Today it bears more of a symbolic meaning, but Incas once used it regularly. Free! Closer to the city of Cusco, there is also an established southern tourist route that includes the town of Andahuaylillas (home to the so-called “Andean sistine chapel”), the Inca ruins of Tipón, and the Wari city of Pikillaqta. You can see this ancient cultural tradition in practice, or simply visit the Q’eswachaka bridge and walk across an Inca rope bridge! We'll then continue onwards to the Q'ewe district where you'll reach your destination for the day: the famous Q'eswachaka Inca Bridge. People who love adventure and culture should visit this place. Waqrapukara Hiking Guide: Discover Cusco’s Other Machu Picchu, Hiking to the Inti Punku Sun Gate from Machu Picchu. Oct 17, 2019 - Discover Q'eswachaka Rope Bridge in Cusco, Peru: Keshwa chaca, among the last handwoven Incan bridges, crosses Apurimac Canyon in Peru. Q’eswachaka Inca Bridge Resort Peru Tours. Made of grass, the last remaining Inca rope bridge, reconstructed every June, is the Q'iswa Chaka (Quechua for "rope bridge"), spanning the Apurimac River near Huinchiri, in … The temperature and wellness of all those taking part in the service will be monitored daily, excluding and maintaining in quarantine any who display fever or symptoms. Answered: Hola, My travel companion & I have a spare day in Cuzco at the end of our visit ( Friday 8th April '16)and would like to do a day excursion to the Q'eswachaka rope bridge which is approx. It is unique in that it is the last remaining bridge that remains from this era, and its importance has been recognised by the local communities who reconstruct it every June according to ancient tradition. The Q’eswachaka Bridge can be called a miracle of human craft. All of our providers comply with local legislation and applicable health recommendations regarding protection and safety, to help avoid the spread of Covid-19. Make the trip to this last Inca rope bridge and you will discover one of Cusco’s most unique and interesting attractions! A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. The chakarauwaq (engineers) tie the ropes, let the old bridge fall, and begin weaving. Once finished, they give thanks to Apu Q’eswachaka (mountain spirits). Most of these fell out of usage as modern construction techniques gained prominence, including the 148-footer that famously inspired Thornton Wilder’s classic The Bridge of San Luis Rey, which only made it to the 19th century. You can book up until 24 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. Q’eswachaka is about 160km southeast of Cusco. Handwoven from grass and spanning 118 feet over a steep canyon, this incredible feat of engineering is truly unmissable! During … The name Q’eswachaka is a combination of two Quechua words, Q’eswa which means braid and Chaka means Bridge. If you have any other questions please contact us. On this. This also means that despite its age, it is perfectly safe to cross! The Q’eswachaka bridge is located on the Apurimac River at about 11,811 feet above sea level in the province of Canas about 160 km south of Cusco. People who have the courage can cross the bridge that measures 28 meters and is made of Ichu (puna straw). A safe distance of one metre between clients will be maintained whenever possible. If you’re visiting in another season, it’s definitely worth the trip to Q’eswachaka just to walk the bridge and see if for yourself, even without the festival. Qeswachaka Inca Bridge tour is unique. Entry to the Q'eswachaka Bridge: S/ 10 (US$ 2.70) per person. This is the stop to visit the famous Inca rope bridge, Qeswachaka (3,700m/12,139ft). Year after year, the last Inca bridge is brought back to life. In other words, Living Inca rope bridge Cusco, admired by the world. It is located approximately three hours from Cusco by car, in the province of Canas. The use of masks is obligatory. Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge Full Day This Inca bridge is the only one that still exists. In the past, there likely would have been specific community members in charge of the bridge’s daily upkeep and defense, but nowadays the care of the bridge is undertaken once a year by the village as a whole. Located in the province of Canas, 110 KM southeast of the city of Cusco (1 hour by car approximately). The Q’eswachaka Bridge, the name of which comes from the Quechua words “q’iswa” (rope) and “chaka” (bridge), crosses a gorge above the Apurímac River near Huinchiri in the Quehue District of Cusco’s Canas Province. The Q'eswachaka Inca bridge over the Apurimac River, in the Cusco state, is completely woven with plant fibers, according to the Inca tradition, and is the only one of its kind in the Andean World. © Firstly. Q’eswachaka (Keshwa Chaca) is one of renowned suspension bridges, located near Cusco. Original Inca Straw Rope Bridge Cross (Q’eswachaka) from Cusco/ Half Day Tour. They first ask the Pachamama for permission and then collect the q’oya ropes braided by women and young girls. The bridge, which is made from handwoven grass rope, spans 118 feet across the Apurimac Canyon and was part of the complex Inca road system that connected the different cities of the historic empire. It is a rope bridge spanning 33 meters long with a width of 1.20 meters. The bridge itself is 33 meters long and 1.20 meters wide. The Q’eswachaka (Inca Rope Bridge) spans across the Apurimac River and very year residents of the region keep the ancient tradition and skills alive by renewing the bridge annually. In order to allow these roads to cross the many gorges and canyons of the Andes mountains, the Incas devised a system of rope suspension bridges which spanned the gaps. Tours or activities will not consist of more than 8 people per group. However, if you want to visit on a day where there’s no tour, you have to find your own way. Despite the existence of a modern steel bridge nearby, residents of the local community gather every year to rebuild the Inca rope bridge according to the old traditions as a way to honor their ancestors and the Pachamama (Earth Mother). Access your account, Log in to your booking without registering. At 5 am, we'll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and set off on the route south, stopping at a local restaurant after two hours for a delicious breakfast. Our full day Qeswachaka Inca bridge tour with local English speaking guide offers an extensive insight to the life of the locals and culture +51 984 551 070 [email protected] Home You will receive an email with a summary of your bookings. Overview The last of its kind in Peru, the Q’eswachaka Bridge in the southern Cusco region is the only place in the country where the ancestral tradition of building rope bridges lives on. This is an absolutely unique Cusco day tour. It is made with vegetable fiber as part of the extensive network of Inca Trail. This process is repeated constantly, as the bridge deteriorates quickly. Every June, the local communities work together to rebuild this bridge by hand using the local ichu grass. There are also a number of other worthwhile attractions located in this part of Cusco. You will receive your confirmation immediately. Enjoy a full-day tour to the Q'eswachaka Rope Bridge and 4 regional lakes, allowing you to discover the breathtaking beauty of the regions south of Cusco. Do you have a customer account? You will get the amazing opportunity to cross this bridge … The client must bring their own mask. The bridge is rebuilt by the people of four villages, who weave “ichu” grass using the same techniques employed by their ancestors, replacing every component of the structure and leaving it completely renewed. You will gain insights into both the Inca past and the contemporary lifestyles of the people of this region. There are also a number of other worthwhile attractions located in this part of Cusco. If you are planning a trip to Cusco around this time, do consider attending this special event. If you cancel under this time or do not show up, you will not be refunded. The grass ropes bridge lies suspended 15 meters above Apurímac river. The Inca rope bridge of Q’eswachaka is rebuilt every year using handmade methods dating back to the Inca Empire. It is made with the local grass ichu. This festival draws many people from neighboring communities and even a handful of outside tourists who want to see the ancient rite for themselves. The Q’eswachaka Bridge is the last of its kind, and on it carries the weight of an Incan tradition attempting to defy the limits of time. The capacity of all means of transport will be reduced to 50% of their maximum capacity. The Q’eswachaka Bridge Spanning 118 feet in length and hanging 60 feet above the Apurimac River lays this bridge, which is carefully woven out of a tall, thorny grass known as ichu. However, due to its difficult geography, many places were joined by suspension bridges made of vegetable fiber. Leaving Q'eswachaka behind, we'll make one last stop to enjoy a buffet lunch, before returning to your hotel in Cusco for around 5 pm. This highway system spanned the entire length of the empire and was frequently used by the special runners known as chasquis in order to deliver messages throughout the empire. The Qeswachaka bridge (pronounced “kez-wa-cha-ka”) is located in Canas province and spans the Apurimac river at an altitude of about 3900m (13,000 ft). Qeswachaka Tour Last Rope Bridge - Inca tradition that resists modernity in Peru. You will be absolutely amazed by the way the builders can turn common vegetation into such a functional piece of architecture. Can't find it? Leave us your email and we'll send you a summary of your bookings. People who love adventure and culture should visit this place. Next, the tour makes a stop at the Pampamarca, Asnacqocha, Acopía and Pomacanchi lagoons,  before continuing our route, heading towards the Pabellones volcano, very close to the picturesque village of Yanaoca. Qeswa (with many spelling variations) from the Quechua language is a rope made of twisted, dried maguey or qoya grasses, and chaka means bridge, so it essentially translates to rope bridge. Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge This film is about a historic rope bridge found in the Peruvian district of Q'ewe, three hours away from Cusco. Handing out of printed material such as maps or brochures will be avoided. Several family groups have each prepared a number of grass-ropes to be formed into … The bridge has a distance of 30 meters and is located in the Huinchiri community (Quehue district, in the south of Cusco) on the Apurímac river. All those running the service (guide, driver etc...) will wear a mask throughout its duration. The mountaintop Inca fortress of Waqrapukara and the stunning rainbow-colored hills of Palccoyo are both located nearby. Historians estimate that 200 or more of these suspension bridges may have existed at one point in time. One of the reasons that Inca rope bridges were so impressive is that they were true feats of engineering. Community members have been preserving the cultural heritage of the Q’eswachaka bridge, the last living legacy of Inca architecture, by using ancestral techniques, creativity and … For the most part, the once-widespread art of building rope bridges has faded into obscurity. At monuments, museums and attractions, the maximum permitted capacity will be a 50% of the total maximum capacity. The bridge, which is made from handwoven grass rope, spans 118 feet across the Apurimac Canyon and was part of the complex Inca road system that connected the different cities of the historic empire. The Tour to Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge is a classic adventure that starts from the city of Cusco to the Quehue town, where we can visit the Inca Bridge of Qeswachaka. A visit to the Inca rope bridge of Q’eswachaka is a truly authentic way to experience the culture of the Andes. Custom tours and treks to Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Rainbow Mountain, Salkantay Trek and more. Next, continue your trip to Yanaoca, which is 1 of the 8 districts in the Canas de Cusco province. Take a look at the Q'eswachaka Bridge - an old suspension bridge that crosses between the steep rocky cliffs and spans the Apurimac River. The Q´eswachaca bridge is worked with ichu or paja brava, every year during the second Sunday of June about a thousand peasants, who continue […] The Q´ueswachaca Bridge is built on the majestic Apurimac River, located in the province of Canas; its conservation and traditional reconstruction are executed by the farming communities of Perccaro, Huinchi and Qqewe. Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge This film is about a historic rope bridge found in the Peruvian district of Q'ewe, three hours away from Cusco. You will receive your confirmation immediately. Qeswachaka Bridge is the only surviving rope bridge built by Incas. Show the voucher on your phone to take part in the activity. 160km from Cuzco. Villages that were home to a bridge completed its annual construction as part of their mit’a, a type of tribute exacted by the Incas in the form of communal labor. The temperature of all attendees will be taken, and admission will be denied to those with a temperature of more than 37 degrees Celsius (99 Fahrenheit), and a full refund applied. The most important thing is that this adventure is a good option for people who like nature and have many days. The construction of the Q'eswachaka was a central part to this year's Folklife Festival that facilitated the construction of cross-cultural connections between Peru and the United States. Q’eswachaka is the last remaining Inca bridge in Peru. The techniques used to create the bridge have been passed down from generation to generation since the time of the Incas, changing little since then. Q´eswachaca, known as the last Inka-style suspension bridge over the Apurímac River. The Q’eswachaka Bridge acts as a link between the past and the future, and it serves as a great example of the innovation and engineering abilities of the magnificent Inka Empire. To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. Showing your voucher on your phone will be enough, and it is not necessary to print anything. It nestles in Canas province Peru, Quehue district, to the south of Cusco. Book now to guarantee your spot. Discover the spot where a rainbow fell out of the sky and melted into the Andean landscape on this guided hike of Vinicuna, the Mountain of Seven Colours. Queshuachaca (possibly from Quechua q'iswa a rope of twisted dried maguey or ichhu, chaka bridge, "rope bridge", also spelled Keshwa Chaca, Q'iswa Chaca, Keswachaka, Q'eshwachaka, Qeswachaka, Q'eswachaca, Q'eswachaka, Queshuachaca, Queswachaka), consisting of ropes made of grass and spanning the Apurimac River near Huinchiri, in Quehue District, Canas Province, Peru, is the last remaining Inca rope bridge. Q’eswachaka is the last Inca bridge actively used by locals, it was also part of the extensive network of roads or Qapac Ñan, recognized as “Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2013. Known as Q’eswachaka (the first syllable is a lateral “click”), Queshuachaca or Keshwa Chaca, this is one of the few remaining examples of Incan hand-woven bridges that were […] People who have the courage can cross the bridge that measures 28 meters and is made of Ichu (puna straw). Recommended option. There are 3 ways to get from Cusco to Q'eswachaka Inka Rope Bridge by bus, taxi or car. A visit to the Q’eswachaka rope bridge is one of Cusco’s many great off-the-beaten-track excursions, and a truly authentic way to experience the past through the living traditions of local people. Incredibly, one last Inca rope bridge known as Q’eswachaka remains today and is still being maintained and used in the Cusco region. Qeswachaka is a very interesting full-day tour, come a be part of this amazing experience.