The Inca Bridge of Queswachaka
The Queswachaka Bridge is the last of the suspension bridges built by the Incas and that, thanks to the local peasant communities, survived the passage of time. This bridge is made of the wild straw of the high altitude climates, the ‘icchu’. For a long time, every first week of June, the villagers perform a 3-day ceremony for the renovation of the bridge. The same used to be done by the Inca settlers for the preservation of their bridges. On the fourth day, a celebration is held that attracts many visitors. Currently, the bridge and the renovation ritual is considered Cultural Heritage of Peru.
All about the Inca Bridge of Queswachaka
What is the Inca bridge of Queswachaka?
The Inca Bridge of Queswachaka is one of the suspension bridges that the Incas made with icchu (a wild straw in high altitude geographies). How has it been maintained after more than 5 centuries? The inhabitants of the communities near this bridge continued to renew the ropes of this bridge year after year through a festive ceremony, which has its origins since Inca times; and that is the attraction of tourists. The bridge is suspended approximately 30 meters over the Apurimac River. It has a length of 33 meters and a width of 1.2 meters.
Where is it?
The Queswachaka Bridge is located in the community of Quehue, in the province of Canas in Cusco, Peru. The neighboring towns that also participate in its renovation are the communities of Choccayhua, Ccollana, Chaupibanda and Huinchiri. To get there you must take transportation from the city of Cusco. The distance by road is approximately 156 kilometers. Geographically, the bridge is in the Andes Mountains, at 3,700 meters above sea level (12,139 ft).
Map to get to the Inca bridge of Queswachaka
How to go?
Although most tourists arrive at the Queswachaka Bridge by means of a tour that includes full transportation, you can also go on your own by public transportation. To do so, follow the following route:
- Public transportation from Cusco to the town of Combapata by southern road (2 hours travel time).
- Public transportation from Combapata to the town of Yanaoca (30 minutes trip).
- Transportation from Yanaoca to the community of Quehue where the Inca Bridge of Queswachaka is located (50 minutes trip).
Keep in mind that in some sections there is no constant public transport, so you will have to hire a taxi. For this reason, the best option is to hire a tour that includes full transportation.
How much is it?
Most of the tours to the Inca Bridge of Queswachaka last 1 day (18 or 19 hours), include full transportation, tour guide service, and food. Prices are approximately 120 Peruvian soles (40 US dollars) per person but vary depending on the tourism agency that provides the service. There are other multi-day tours that include a visit to a local peasant family. The prices of these experiential tourism tours vary according to the time the tourist spends.
A second option is to go on your own. Although the price may be cheaper, it is not the most recommended option since there are few transportation services available to get there. Therefore, the all-inclusive tour will always be the best option.
Most of the tours to the Inca Bridge of Queswachaka include a visit to the so-called ‘4 lagoons’, a set of natural landscapes where four lagoons of impressive beauty stand out, surrounded by the mountains of the Andes Mountains.
History
The Incas built an immense road network that communicated the most important points of their vast empire, which covers part of the current countries of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile and Argentina. In some sections of these roads they built different types of bridges such as: log bridges, stone bridges, floating bridges in rivers and hanging bridges made of vegetable fiber. The Queswachaka Bridge is the last of its kind still in use.
According to the chronicles, the Incas renewed the suspension bridges in a community work where many people participated. That tradition kept the Queswachaka Suspension Bridge in good condition. Every first week of June, nearby communities hold a community work involving men and women to renovate the Queswachaka Bridge. This ritual lasts up to 3 days in which the icchu is collected, braided into knots and armed. At the end, the fourth day, there is a festival with music and dances that are the attraction of many visitors.
In August 2009, the Queswachaka Bridge and the renewal ceremony that takes place every year was declared a Cultural Heritage of Peru. Today it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Cusco. In the neighboring peasant communities, tourists also carry out the so-called ‘community tourism’.
Climate
The community of Quehue, the place where the Queswachaka Bridge is located, has a cold temperate climate, characteristic of high altitude geographies. The temperature during the day can reach 20ºC. (68ºF). At night, on the other hand, the temperature can drop to 0ºC. (32ºF). The months with the most rain are January, February and March. The rest of the year the rains are not so intense. However, it is always recommended to bring a raincoat, since in the towns of the Andes Mountains it can rain at any time.
More information
- On the first day of renewal of the Queswachaka Bridge (the first Sunday in June), women are in charge of braiding the icchu into thin braids that, little by little, become stronger and more resistant.
- On the second day, the residents who are specialists in the work dismantle the old bridge. That day, instead, they assemble four ropes, the largest of all, which are the basis for the renovation.
- On the third day, the lateral ropes and the base of the bridge are joined. This task is performed by more than one person.
- The fourth and last day is the general celebration of the settlers. The party is held with music, typical dances as well as lots of food and drink.