The Last Qeswachaka Bridge + 4 Lakes Tour (Full Day)

The Last Qeswachaka Bridge + 4 Lakes Tour (Full Day)
The Last Qeswachaka Bridge + 4 Lakes Tour (Full Day) 2
The Last Qeswachaka Bridge + 4 Lakes Tour (Full Day) 3
The Last Qeswachaka Bridge + 4 Lakes Tour (Full Day) 4
DURATION 1 Day
DEPARTURE Hotel – San Francisco Square
GROUP SIZE 2–20 people
MAX. ALTITUDE 3700 m.a.s.l.
DIFFICULTY Easy

The beginning of the journey

Tour Highlights

  • Learn about the beautiful tradition of bridge construction, which reflects the craftsmanship and communal work of the people of the Andean communities.
  • Enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast and lunch prepared with fresh, locally sourced products.
  • Enjoy a tour with no long-distance hiking, designed to be accessible and comfortable for the whole family.
  • The only walk you will take, optionally, is to cross the Q’eswachaka Bridge, offering an exciting opportunity for those who dare to do it.
  • During the journey, you will visit four beautiful lakes, where you can enjoy the natural scenery and take short walks to connect with the surrounding environment.

Itinerary

We will begin our adventure with hotel pick-up. We will depart at 5:00 a.m., and after approximately 3 hours, we will arrive at the community of Combapata, where we will stop to use the restroom facilities and enjoy breakfast.

We will then head to the Combapata viewpoint, where we can admire a panoramic view of the confluence of the Vilcanota and Sallca Rivers.

Continuing our journey, we will visit the Pabellones Volcano in the district of Yanaoca. After another hour of travel, we will arrive in the district of Q’ewe, where the famous Inca bridge of Q’eswachaka is located. Built from plant fiber, the bridge measures 28.67 meters (94 feet) in length. What is truly remarkable is that it is rebuilt once a year in June by four local communities.

Here, we will have time to explore Q’eswachaka and the surrounding area while your guide shares the history of this remarkable example of Inca engineering.

After visiting the bridge, we will head to Combapata, where we will enjoy lunch.

After lunch, we will take a 15–20-minute leisurely walk, during which we will admire the Pampamarca, Asnacqocha, Acopía, and Pomacanchi Lakes. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to observe a wide variety of regional flora and fauna while experiencing the rich Andean culture.

On our return to Cusco, we will make an optional stop at the Portal de Rumipunku.

What's included

Included

  • Hotel pick-up: Hotel pick-ups begin at 4:30 a.m. or at an agreed-upon time.
  • Professional guide in your preferred language (Spanish, English, or Portuguese): You can choose to take the tour in Spanish, English, or Portuguese.
  • Transportation: Tourist transportation to the attractions is included.
  • First-aid kit and oxygen tank.
  • All entrance tickets.
  • Buffet breakfast and lunch: We will enjoy breakfast at the beginning of the tour and a buffet lunch in Combapata.
    • Breakfast: Includes Andean bread (pan chuta), pancakes, fruit salad (diced watermelon and papaya), jam and butter, two types of cereal (granola and crispy rice), two varieties of yogurt (strawberry or vanilla), and scrambled eggs. You can also enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, and muña tea from thermos. Juice and salad may also be available.
    • Lunch: Options may include spaghetti, white meat (chicken chicharrón, lomo, beef stew, trout chicharrón), red meat (lamb stew, beef tenderloin, pork chicharrón), quinoa chaufa, legumes, Andean potatoes, as well as white rice or arroz a la jardinera (Peruvian rice with vegetables). Lunch also includes two types of salad: cooked (carrots and broccoli) and fresh (lettuce, cucumber, and tomato), with excellent vegetarian options. If you would like soup, quinoa soup may be available. For dessert, you can enjoy mazamorra morada, rice pudding, gelatin, or peach stew. Hot beverages include muña tea, coca tea, and coffee.

Not Included

  • Dinner

Recommended to bring

What to Bring

  • Personal altitude medication: It is recommended to bring any medication you may need to prevent or relieve symptoms of altitude sickness.
  • Clothing: Consider bringing a warm jacket, winter rain pants, hiking boots, a poncho, a winter hat, gloves, and an ear-flap hat to stay comfortable in changing weather conditions.
  • At least 2 liters of water per person: Stay hydrated throughout the tour to fully enjoy the experience.
  • Snacks: You can bring chocolate, fruit, coca leaves, and other energy-boosting snacks to keep your energy up throughout the day.
  • Toiletries: Bring basic personal hygiene items.
  • Sunscreen: Protect your skin from UV rays, especially at high altitudes.
  • Sunglasses: Wear UV-protection sunglasses to protect your eyes from the intense sunlight.
  • Camera: To capture the beautiful landscapes and memorable moments of your adventure.
  • Binoculars: If you wish, bring binoculars to observe Andean wildlife and flora in greater detail.

Frequently asked questions

This tour can only be booked as a Private Tour.

Group Tours vs. Private Tours Group Tours Private Tours
Group Size Min. 1, Max. 19 Min. 2
Pick-Up Time According to the itinerary Can be arranged
Language English and Spanish Spanish, English, or Portuguese
Meals (Breakfast and Lunch) Semi-buffet Buffet
Tour Pace Varies At your own pace

Group Tours

Scheduled Pick-Up
Guests are picked up from their hotel early in the morning according to the scheduled itinerary.

English and Spanish
The tour is conducted in both languages, one after the other.

Semi-Buffet
Includes buffet-style breakfast and lunch at restaurants, subject to availability.

Varied Pace
The tour proceeds according to the pace of the entire group, so there may be delays. The schedule is less flexible.

Private Tours

Flexible Pick-Up
Transportation can wait for you, and you can be picked up shortly before the tour begins.

Personalized
Choose between a Spanish-, English-, or Portuguese-speaking tour guide.

Buffet
Includes buffet breakfast and lunch at higher-category restaurants.

Your Own Pace
We can make additional stops, visit more places, or skip sites you have already visited.

History of the Last Qeswachaka Bridge

Qeswachaka (in Quechua, Q’ichwachaka) is a rope bridge made from plant fiber (ichu) located in the district of Quehue, Canas Province, in the Cusco region. It is approximately three and a half hours from the city of Cusco, at an altitude of 3,700 meters (12,139 feet) above sea level, and crosses the Apurimac River. It forms part of the ancient Inca road network known as the Qhapaq Ñan. The bridge dates back to the Inca era, and its maintenance and renewal are carried out through a traditional ritual performed by the communities of Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Ccollana Quehue, and Choccayhua.

During the Inca period, Quechua communities built suspension bridges using plant fibers to cross the rugged geography of the Andes and connect different communities. Q’eswachaka is the only Inca bridge that remains “alive” today, as it is rebuilt every year as part of its preservation.

Size and Materials of the Last Qeswachaka Bridge

The Q’eswachaka Bridge spans the Apurimac River and is approximately 29 meters (95 feet) long and 1.20 meters (4 feet) wide. Its structure is primarily made from long, braided strands of ichu grass.

Construction Process of the Last Qeswachaka Bridge

Every year, during the second week of June, the Q’eswachaka Bridge is renewed in a vibrant celebration accompanied by traditional festivities and typical foods and drinks, including chicha. In this tradition, the men traditionally take part in the construction of the ropes, while the communities of Chaupibanda, Choccayhua, Huinchiri, and Ccollana Quehue come together to rebuild the bridge.

The work begins several days beforehand, when residents collect q’oya, a strong plant fiber used to construct the bridge. Once collected, it is left to dry for a day before being beaten with stones and soaked to strengthen it. After this process, the q’iswas are created by joining several strands of q’oya together to form a rope. Family members participate in preparing these materials.

Once the q’iswas are ready, everything is prepared for the bridge renewal. The process takes approximately three days and involves various traditional rituals and offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (sacred mountains)