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Offered languages
- English
- Spanish
Get ready to discover one of the most remarkable surviving legacies of the Inca civilization. The Q’eswachaka Bridge is an ancestral tradition that has endured for more than 600 years and continues to be rebuilt every year by local communities, preserving an important expression of Andean cultural heritage.
This is a private experience, with a dedicated guide exclusively for you and your group, offering greater comfort, flexibility, and personalized attention throughout the tour.
Along the way, you will encounter spectacular natural landscapes, high-altitude lagoons, striking rock formations, and one of the last traditional bridges made entirely from ichu, the native Andean grass. It is a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of local traditions, ancestral knowledge, and the communities’ enduring relationship with this remarkable cultural heritage.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
• The walk to Q’eswachaka Bridge begins at approximately 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) above sea level and requires a good level of physical fitness, particularly due to the altitude.
• Travelers are strongly advised to be properly acclimatized to high altitude before undertaking this experience.
• Not recommended for travelers with back problems.
• Not recommended for travelers with heart conditions or other serious medical conditions.
• Travelers should be in good physical condition to undertake the walk.
• If you have any medical condition that may affect your ability to participate, we recommend consulting your doctor before traveling.
• This experience is subject to favorable weather conditions. If it is canceled due to bad weather, an alternative date will be offered.
• The experience is subject to a minimum number of participants. If it is canceled because the minimum number is not reached, you will be offered an alternative date or experience, or a full refund.
• This tour/activity is operated as a private service.
At the end of the tour, we can also drop you off at your hotel or at the Plaza de Armas, depending on your preference and the service logistics.
Itinerary
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1Cusipata
Our experience begins very early, between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m., with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We will travel south through the region toward Cusipata, where we will make our first stop of the day. In Cusipata, we will take a break for breakfast, allowing you to recharge before continuing toward the Q’eswachaka Bridge.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
2
After breakfast, we will continue toward the Q’eswachaka region. Along the way, we will travel through spectacular Andean landscapes and have the opportunity to admire four of the region’s lagoons: Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnaqocha, and Pampamarca. Surrounded by mountains and Andean communities, these lagoons offer some of the most scenic views along the route.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
3
We will also make a brief stop in Yanaoca to admire Pabellones Volcano, a small volcanic formation located just a short distance from the road. This will be a quick photo stop, giving you time to appreciate the landscape before continuing toward Q’eswachaka.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
4Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge
After several more hours on the road, we will reach the Q’eswachaka area. Following a short walk, we will arrive at the famous traditional bridge made from ichu, the native Andean grass. Q’eswachaka is one of the most significant surviving expressions of Andean cultural tradition. Every year, local communities come together to replace the grass and rebuild the bridge, preserving an ancestral practice that has been passed down from generation to generation for more than 600 years. During the visit, you will learn about the bridge’s history, its importance to the surrounding communities, and the ceremonies associated with its annual renewal. This is one of the highlights of the experience, offering a rare opportunity to witness a living tradition that continues to this day.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
5Cusipata
After visiting Q’eswachaka Bridge, we will begin our return journey and head back to Cusipata, where we will stop for lunch. This will be an opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy a meal before continuing toward the Q’arañahui Caves.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
6
After lunch, we will continue our journey back toward Cusco, making a stop at the Q’arañahui Caves. These natural caves feature rock formations shaped over thousands of years. Inside, you can observe stalactites and other formations that resemble a variety of intriguing shapes, making this an interesting stop for travelers wishing to discover the region’s geological features.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
Toward the end of the tour, we will make a brief stop at Lake Pomacanchi to admire the surrounding scenery and enjoy the sunset over the lake. This will be a more relaxed moment to take in the Andean landscape after a full day immersed in the region’s culture, history, and natural beauty. Once all activities have been completed, we will continue our journey back to Cusco. Upon arrival in the city, you will be dropped off directly at your accommodation.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children under 5 years of age are free of charge as long as they do not occupy a seat.
Additional info
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children under 5 years of age are free of charge as long as they do not occupy a seat.
- We recommend travelers be properly acclimatized to the altitude before taking part in this experience.
- Because this is a high-altitude tour, we recommend travelers pay attention to how their body is responding and move through the experience at a comfortable pace. Most of the route takes place at altitudes similar to or lower than Cusco's.
- Travelers with heart conditions or other serious medical conditions should consult their doctor before taking part in this activity.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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