What to see in Qeswachaka Bridge?

Q´eswachaca Bridge

One of the most precious gifts that the Inca has given us is this suspension bridge that lies over the Apurímac River. Made from straw brava or ichu icho, this wonder is renewed year after year through a rite performed by the communities of Winch'iri, Chaupibanda, Ccollana Quehue and Perccaro. Therefore, do not miss the opportunity to cross its 28 meters long which will make you experience adrenaline to the fullest in this beautiful Inca construction.
QUESHUACHACA TOUR INFORMATION:

Four Lagoons

The circuit of the four lagoons is located in the province of Acomayo, 107 km from the city of Cusco. It is made up of Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnaqocha and Pampamarca. Among its attractions are the abundance of natural grass and fish.

Small volcano in Pabellones, Yanaoca

This small volcano, approximately 4 meters in diameter, is located in the pavilion area of ​​the Tungasuca district, which attracts attention to visitors and locals due to its unique size as it is considered the smallest in the world.
A tradition that for the peasant communities of Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Choccayhua and Qollana Quehue has subsisted for more than five centuries thanks to the intercession of the divinity. "If we do not build a new bridge every year, we risk provoking the wrath of the Pachamama (Mother Earth in Quechua) and the Apus (tutelary forces of nature)", "Whether we use it or not, we are exposed to natural catastrophes that they can ruin our crops of potatoes, beans, wheat or barley, and even misfortunes such as illness or death, ”says María Quispe, a 60-year-old woman who has participated in such a mission since childhood.
Before making the weaving of the bridge, a payment is made to the land, where the Paqo or Priest, makes a cloth altar with indigenous motifs in which he deposits coca leaves, llama fetuses and food that are offered to the Pachamama, since, like any human being, they are hungry and it is the obligation of their "children" (inhabitants) to satisfy them. The Paqo says that before the renovation of the bridge, the Apus indicate to him each year what his appetite is, since his tastes evolve and we should not always pay him with the same “delicacy”, to which the Apus are also invited to implore their protection and avoid accidents during renovation.
The women stay away from the work of rebuilding the bridge, a task reserved for men. The inhabitants of the place say that the woman attracts the q’encha, Quechua voice to designate bad luck, which can lead to divine "mishaps" during certain rituals.

Read More

Qeswachaca Bridge in Cusco

Queswachaca is a rope bridge made with Inca techniques and knowledge which has been transmitted from generation to generation until today for approximately 600 years. The Queswachaca bridge is over the waters of the Apurimac River and belongs to the Qapaqñan road network.

The Queswachaca suspension bridge is known as the last Inca bridge and is located in the region of Cusco, Canas province and Qhuehue district.
If you want to know more, keep reading that on our website you will find the most complete information about Queswachaca

Why the Queswachaca Inca Bridge is important

The Inca bridge of Queswachaca is important as it maintains the ancestral customs of our Inca ancestors and is the last Inca bridge today, every second Sunday of June the Queswachaca Inca bridge is renewed by carrying out 3 days of celebrations which we will detail more in depth paragraphs below.
The bridge is 28 meters long and 1.20 meters wide, the inhabitants of the communities of Chaupibanda, Huinchiri, Choccayhua and Qollana Qehue and its annexes Ccomayo, Perccaro, Chirupampa among others. They build the bridge following the tradition of the Inca Pachacutec, about 800 community members from the aforementioned communities are responsible for the construction of the bridge.

Process for the construction of the Queswachaca bridge

1st day: The first day begins with the celebration of “apu Quinsallallawi”, this ceremony takes place during the dawn, during the celebration of the gathering or gathering of ichu which is braided by the women of the communities and the Work that is being done is supervised by the “chakaruwak” or tissue specialist.
2nd day: The Inca bridge is dismantled via Queswachaca, thus removing the nails of stones that support the bridge, then put the four ropes that is the main support of the bridge.
3rd day: On the third day the laying and braiding is done with the culmination of the traffic zone (Bridge floors) and the handrails of both left and right sides.
4th: day: After the hard work, the culmination of the Queswachaca bridge is celebrated with food and typical dances.

Read More

Q'eswachaka: the last Inca suspension bridge

Each year, in a remote corner of the Peruvian Andes, four Quechua communities renew a five-century-old bridge
During the time of the Incas there was a great network of roads called “Camino Real” to unite the Inca empire. However, due to its rugged geography many places were joined by suspension bridges made of vegetable fiber.

The Qeshuachaca is the only bridge that has been renovated from generation to generation by the families of Cusco until today. The bridge is located in the department of Cusco, over the Apurimac River at 3,700 m.a.s.l. About a thousand people from different communities, near the bridge, meet for four days to renew it.
Now, we will know the four days of tradition that delays the reconstruction of Queshuachaca:
On the first day, the inhabitants of the communities leave in search of a solid straw of vegetable fiber called Ichu in Quechua. Once the necessary amount of Ichu has been collected, the women weave this solid straw to form the ropes of the bridge, and the men are responsible for joining the rope from end to end and then braid it.
When the second day arrives, the structure of the old bridge is taken apart, the stone nails that support the bridge are removed, and four ropes are placed that are the base of the structure of the new bridge.
Tired, but with strength, on the third day, the villagers conclude with the assembly of the handrails and the bridge surfaces where the communities will cross.
And finally, on the fourth day, they celebrate the reconstruction of the bridge to the sound of music with native dances, given that the work is considered as a holiday by Peruvian ancestors.
Therefore, if you travel to Cusco do not hesitate to visit this hidden place in the Andes: A destination little known to travelers that evokes amazement and tradition. Do you dare to cross it?

Read More