{"id":2522,"date":"2019-12-07T12:57:16","date_gmt":"2019-12-07T17:57:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inkayniperutours.com\/blog\/?p=2522"},"modified":"2026-05-12T09:59:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T14:59:49","slug":"qeswachaka-inca-bridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inkayniperutours.com\/blog\/qeswachaka-inca-bridge","title":{"rendered":"Q\u2019eswachaka Inca Bridge"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many things you can do while in Cusco. You will be amazed by all the sights and sounds Cusco has.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the places that will leave you speechless is Q\u2019eswachaka Inca Bridge, which crosses the Apurimac River in Canas Province, Peru.<\/span><\/p>\n

Q\u2019eswachaka history:<\/b><\/h4>\n

This Inca bridge is the only remaining example of the Inca handwoven bridges once common in the Inca road system.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the Great Inka Road, or Qhapaq \u00d1an in Quechua, was constructed, many logistical problems arose. To solve the problem presented by steep canyons and gorges, the Inka pioneered suspension bridges that would allow soldiers, messengers, and officials to safely cross and further expand their civilization’s reign. These suspension bridges, which connected peoples who had previously been isolated from one another, were essential to the organization and administration of the state and played a crucial role in the social history of the region.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The location of the Q\u2019eswachaka Bridge, the only remaining suspension bridge of its kind, has remained the same since the reign of the Inka. The 500-year-old tradition of construction is maintained by members of four Quechua communities: Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Choccayhua, and Ccollana Quehue. They rebuild the bridge each year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Q\u2019eswachaka is<\/span> composed of two Quechua words: \u2018<\/span>q\u2019eswa\u2019<\/span><\/i> which means ropes of twisted straw and \u2018<\/span>chaka\u2019<\/span><\/i> meaning bridge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Inkayni Peru Tours<\/b> <\/a>has designed a tour that includes the Inca Bridge and a visit to the 4 lagoons that are on the road that takes you to Q\u2019eswachaka.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Puente

Q\u00b4eswachaka Inca Bridge<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Location:<\/b><\/h4>\n

It is located in a remote area of the province of Canas in the department of Cusco, over the Apurimac River at an altitude of 3,700 m.a.s.l. (12139 ft).<\/span><\/p>\n

It is 27 meters (89 ft.) long and hangs approximately 16 meters (52 ft.) <\/span>above the canyon\u2019s rushing river.<\/span><\/p>\n

Duration: <\/b>Full day tour<\/span><\/p>\n

Minimum altitude: <\/b>3,600 m.a.s.l. \/ 11811 ft.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maximum altitude: <\/b>3,700 m.a.s.l. \/ 12139 ft<\/span><\/p>\n

Category: <\/b>Adventure, cultural and ecological<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Puente

Q\u00b4eswachaka Inca Bridge (legacy)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

What is Q\u2019eswachaka Inca Bridge made of?<\/b><\/h4>\n

The ropes or <\/span>q’eswas<\/span><\/i> are made from <\/span>q’oya ichu, <\/span><\/i>a type of straw from the Andean highlands that is rather resistant and is collected at an altitude of more than 3900 m.a.s.l. (13,000 feet) high.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Quechua communities of Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Choccayhua and Ccollana Quehue meet from the end of May to work and stretch the ropes, or <\/span>q’eswas<\/span><\/i>. <\/span><\/i>They subsequently assemble at the bridge and each family gives the Quechua master their contribution, which has been made by women and children.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Inca times, maintaining the bridges was part of an activity called \u2018mita\u2019, which was a form of community service, compulsory for every citizen of the empire.<\/span><\/p>\n