Qeswachaka Inca Bridge – Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge Tour

Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge Tour is a one day trip from Cusco. It takes you to the only remaining handwoven  bridge built as a part of the Inca road system (Inca Trail). Also known as Keshwa Chaca, the bridge is suspended above the Apurimac river. The bridge spans at a height of 36 metres | 118 feet. It is located in Canas Province in Quehue District to the South of Cusco. 

During the Incan civilization, they built a wide network of road named “Camino Real ” which linked different sites and towns of Incan Empire. However, to enhance the proximity of travel, most nearby towns and communities that were divided by rivers were joined by suspension bridges that were constructed using vegetable fibre.

Every year in the month of June, locals here participate in a four days tradition of construction of the bridge

Making of Qeswachaka Inca Bridge:

Day 1

The volunteers from four local communities gather and go in search of solid straw of Vegetable fibre. Locals here call the fibre as Ichu in Quechua. After they gather sufficient amounts of vegetable fibre, the women weave them to make grass ropes. Men here are responsible to join these ropes and to braid them.

Day 2

They disarm the structure of the existing bridge. Then they dismantle the nails. They then place the new ropes using the new bunch of Ichu.

Day 3

On this day, they finalise assembling the handrails and the surface of the bridge where the communities cross over the Apurímac river

Day 4

The fourth day marks a celebration on completion of reconstruction of the bridge. Locals celebrate the communal effort. People celebrate with music and Andean dance.

This is an ancient tradition that is passed down from generation to generation. This annual event has also been supported by video productions for Nova and the BBC and is the subject of an independent documentary titled The Last Bridge Master (in-production, 2014). It is now a cultural heritage. 

 We operate both group and private tours.

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