Q'eswachaka Bridge and Communities Day Trip

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Puente Qeswachaka, Cusco Peru

We will leave very early towards the South Valley of Cusco, an unexplored area that keeps many charms. The objective is to reach the rope suspension bridge 'Q'eswachaka', declared by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which is three hours away and learn about the context in which it takes place. On the way we will have views, surprises and stops, the Huacarpay lagoon and Pikillacta archaeological center are some until we reach our first stop: the town of Checacupe. In this first stop we will introduce you to the bridges in the Andes; as for samples a button, in Checacupe have been built three types of bridges lost in time and that pass over the Pitumarca River; one from the Inca era, another from the Colonial era and another from the Republican era.

We will continue about two hours and we will arrive at Qehue district where the suspension bridge 'Q'eswachaka', more than 500 years old and the communities that renew it yearly are located. The Q'eswachaka (Q'eswa means "to braid" and "Chaka" means "bridge in Quechua), is the last bridge that has survived modernity and continues to pass its ritual from generation to generation. We will have the opportunity to meet and share with the communities that care for this living legacy of the Incas. The bridge is considered a sacred expression of the link of the communities with nature, tradition and history, and the annual renewal is accompanied by ritual ceremonies.

We will go to a local house and where the locals will demonstrate the braiding technique of the ‘ichu’, a pasture from the high areas of the Andes which is the material used for centuries for this rope suspension bridge. It is an impressively laborious job, it requires a lot of effort, technique and teamwork. After understanding the context surrounding this attraction, we will go to see it, cross it and admire the natural landscape through which it was built. After visiting the bridge, we will go to have lunch in a local house. After lunch, we will return to Cusco for a relaxing and colourful scenic route.

Duration: 1 hour