Tour from Cusco
Q’eswachaka Bridge
A full day to the last Inca suspension bridge, which local communities weave by hand every year from ichu grass. Includes the Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnaqocha and Pampamarca lakes, breakfast, a traditional lunch and a licensed guide.
- We assist you in English on WhatsApp
- English-speaking guides
- Local agency in Cusco since 2003, registered with MINCETUR
Pickup at your hotel or the agreed meeting point, from 4:30 a.m.
Explanations in English or Spanish along the entire route
The Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnaqocha and Pampamarca lakes, and the Q’eswachaka Inca bridge
We confirm your booking within 2 hours
Cross the last Inca suspension bridge, woven by hand every year from ichu grass
The Q’eswachaka Bridge tour is a full-day trip through the provinces of Acomayo and Canas, south of Cusco, to the last Inca-tradition suspension bridge still in use: 33 meters long and 1.20 m wide, spanning the Apurímac canyon. The communities of the area rebuild it by hand every year with ichu grass fiber, after an offering ceremony to the Pachamama.
This collective renewal is inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, according to Peru’s Ministry of Culture. Along the way, we stop at the Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnaqocha and Pampamarca lakes, where you’ll often see fishermen, totora reed huts and Andean wildlife.
It costs US$ 55 per person and includes all transport, breakfast and a traditional lunch, a licensed guide and a first aid kit. It’s a long day (4:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), but physically easy, since you spend most of the time on the road. If you’re looking for another cultural trip from Cusco, there’s the South Valley tour; and if you prefer high mountains, Waqrapukara.
Cross the Q’eswachaka Inca bridge
33 meters long and 1.20 m wide over the river: the last Inca-tradition suspension bridge still in use. There's time to cross it and photograph the canyon.
A living tradition
Every year, the local communities rebuild the bridge by hand with ichu grass fiber, after an offering ceremony to the Pachamama to ensure its protection.
The four-lake route
Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnaqocha and Pampamarca or Tungasuca, with fishermen, totora reed huts, pedal boats and plenty of Andean wildlife.
Full day with meals included
An early start, breakfast and a traditional lunch included, a licensed guide with experience on the route and return to Cusco around 6:30 p.m.
Itinerary
Your full day, step by step: from Cusco to Q’eswachaka
- ≈4:30 a.m. · Pickup at your hotel or meeting pointWe leave Cusco very early for the province of Acomayo.
- Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnaqocha and Pampamarca lakesStops along the way to watch locals fishing, the totora reed huts, the pedal boats and the plants and wildlife of each lake.
- Breakfast on the roadA breakfast stop before continuing to the province of Canas.
- Q’eswachaka Inca bridgeArrival at the main destination: a guided visit, an explanation of the yearly renewal with ichu grass and of the ceremony to the Pachamama, and a walk across the suspension bridge.
- Local lunchA traditional regional lunch before heading back.
- ≈6:30 p.m. · Return to CuscoThe drive back and end of the tour in the city.
What's included in your Q’eswachaka Inca Bridge tour?
No surprises and no fine print: this is exactly what the service covers and what you will pay separately on the day of the tour.
1 day (full day), approx. 4:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
3,792 m (12,440 ft) above sea level
Daily pre-dawn departure, pickup from 4:30 a.m.
English or Spanish
Included
- Visit to the Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnacocha and Pampamarca lakes and the historic Q’eswachaka bridge
- All round-trip transport
- Breakfast and a traditional lunch
- Licensed guide with experience on the route (we have English-speaking guides)
- First aid kit
Not included
- Q’eswachaka bridge entrance (approx. cost: S/ 20)
- Extra drinks and snacks
- Extra expenses not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips
Note: the Q’eswachaka bridge entrance is paid separately, in cash and directly on site (approx. S/ 20 per person). It’s not included in the tour price.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the answers to the most common questions, so you can book with complete peace of mind.
Do I need to acclimatize before the Q’eswachaka tour?
It’s best to spend at least one day in Cusco first. The route is at around 3,792 m, but you spend most of the time in the vehicle and the walks are short, so the physical effort is low.
How difficult is the tour?
Easy. It’s mainly a road trip, with stops at the lakes and short walks to the viewpoints and the bridge. The most tiring parts are the length of the day and the pre-dawn start.
Which tickets do I need to buy separately?
Only the Q’eswachaka bridge entrance, about S/ 20 per person, paid in cash on the day.
What time does it start and how long does it last?
Pickup starts at 4:30 a.m. at your hotel or the agreed meeting point, and the excursion ends at about 6:30 p.m., back in Cusco.
What should I bring?
Warm layers for the early morning, a windbreaker, comfortable shoes, a rain poncho, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, cash for the bridge entrance and your passport.
How do booking and payment work?
You can book right on this page, choosing the date and the number of travelers. We confirm your booking within 2 hours and arrange the exact pickup time with you. You can also message us on WhatsApp if you have questions before booking.
What happens if the weather affects the departure?
The tour runs all year. In the rainy season, bring a rain poncho. If, due to exceptional conditions, it isn’t possible to do the route or cross the bridge safely, we agree with you on a change of date or a suitable alternative.
How much does the Q’eswachaka bridge tour cost?
The price is US$ 55 per person. It includes all round-trip transport, the visit to the Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnacocha and Pampamarca lakes and the Q’eswachaka bridge, breakfast and a traditional lunch, a licensed guide with experience on the route and a first aid kit. The bridge entrance is paid separately and costs about S/ 20.
Can I cross the Q’eswachaka bridge?
Yes. You cross the bridge on foot, and it’s one of the highlights of the visit: it’s 33 meters long and 1.20 m wide, woven entirely from plant fiber, and it sways as you walk. There’s time to cross it, photograph it and take in the Apurímac canyon from both sides.
When is the bridge rebuilt, and can I see the ceremony?
The four Quechua communities of the area rebuild it completely every year, in a communal work effort lasting several days that begins with an offering to the Pachamama, in which the old bridge is taken down and a new one is woven from ichu grass. The exact date is set by the communities themselves; if you’d like to coincide with the renewal, contact us well in advance and we’ll confirm the expected dates for that year.
Ready to book or have a question?
Talk to one of our travel advisors in English. We reply Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Peru time, GMT-5).