Q’eswachaka Inca Bridge Tour The Last Inca Rope Bridge from Cusco
Walk across Q’eswachaka, the last hand-woven Inca rope bridge, 28 m long over the Apurímac River and rebuilt every year by four Quechua communities. Buffet lunch and entrance included — from $40.
Q’eswachaka is the last Inca rope bridge still in use: a span of about 28 metres of braided q’oya grass hanging over a gorge of the Apurímac River. Every June the Quechua communities of Quehue take down the old bridge and weave a new one by hand in a ceremony of several days, a tradition recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
We leave Cusco at 4:00 AM and cross the high plateau of Canas past the Four Lagoons to Quehue (3,700 m). After the story of the bridge and a short walk down to the gorge, you can cross it yourself if you wish, and enjoy an Andean buffet lunch before the drive back. You are in Cusco at around 5:00 PM. Transport, a snack, buffet lunch, entrance, a bilingual guide and oxygen are included for US $40. Read about its history in the last Inca bridge.
About 28 m of braided grass over the Apurímac, a living piece of the Inca road network.
Cross it yourself
Walking across the swaying bridge is optional — and unforgettable.
A tradition renewed every June
The communities rebuild the bridge by hand each year, a ritual recognised by UNESCO.
The Four Lagoons
The road crosses the high plateau of Canas past four highland lakes.
An easy day
Short walks only, at about 3,600–3,700 m, similar to the altitude of Cusco.
Andean buffet lunch
A traditional buffet lunch in the highlands, included in the price.
Tour at a glance
Duration
Full Day · 13 h
Price
From US $40 per person
Hotel pickup
4:00 AM
Back in Cusco
5:00 PM
Max altitude
3,700 m
Walking
Short walk to the bridge
Difficulty
Easy
Drive from Cusco
about 4 h
Meals
Snack + buffet lunch
Entrance fees
Included
Group size
Small group, max 14 travelers
Last-minute booking
Until 11:00 PM the night before
Book today, travel tomorrow
Online booking stays open until 5 hours before hotel pickup (Cusco time). With a 4:00 AM pickup you can book until 11:00 PM the night before — the calendar updates by itself. You receive your confirmation by email as soon as you pay. Need a seat even sooner? Message us on WhatsApp and we will check availability for you.
A culture-rich day in the southern Andes — scenic drive to Quehue, the legendary rope bridge, a traditional buffet lunch and return to Cusco by evening.
FULL DAY
Full Day · Q’eswachaka Inca Bridge
04:00 AMDeparture from Cusco. Hotel pickup and a scenic drive through the picturesque Andes toward the Quehue district (3,700 m).
08:30 AMArrival at Quehue. We learn about the history and cultural significance of the Q’eswachaka bridge before a guided walk to its location (3,600 m).
10:00 AMThe Inca bridge. Observe its remarkable Inca building methods and discover how local communities rebuild it every year.
12:30 PMAndean buffet lunch. Savour a traditional buffet lunch while engaging with locals and cultural activities.
01:30 PMCross the bridge. Admire the magnificent views of the Apurímac River below as you cross the famous suspension bridge.
05:00 PMReturn to Cusco. After a day of culture and breathtaking landscapes, we arrive back in Cusco around 5:00 PM.
Good to know: The tour involves some walking on uneven terrain at moderate altitude. It is suitable for most travelers in reasonable health; oxygen is carried on board.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Q’eswachaka Inca Bridge tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Comfortable transport — door-to-door from your hotel.
Buffet lunch.
Snack for the journey.
Entrance tickets.
Certified bilingual guide.
First aid kit & oxygen on board.
Not Included
Tips for guide and driver (optional).
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Q’eswachaka Inca Bridge day the most rewarding possible.
A gentle day at altitude
The bridge sits at around 3,600 m, similar to Cusco, so altitude is rarely an issue. Still, acclimatize for a day or two, hydrate and bring sun protection and a warm layer.
Physical fitness
The tour is easy: the walk to the bridge is short, with some uneven ground and steps down to the river. Crossing the bridge requires a little balance and no fear of heights — it is optional. Altitude is around 3,700 m, similar to Cusco.
Best time to go
The bridge can be visited all year. In June the communities rebuild it in a ceremony that lasts several days. The dry months, April to October, are the most comfortable; from December to March the roads can be slower.
Sun & weather
Cusco’s sun is strong even on cloudy days. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat and sunglasses, and carry a light jacket or fleece: mornings are cool and the weather can change quickly, especially from December to March.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $40 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Private Group ★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelers
US $120 / pp
Your group only · personalized pace
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $38 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $36 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Typically from 4:00 AM to about 5:00 PM, including transport, activities and lunch.
It involves some walking and moderate activity, so travelers should be in reasonable health and able to walk on uneven terrain.
There are no strict age limits, but consider the physical demands when bringing children or elderly travelers.
Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection (hat, sunscreen), a water bottle and a camera.
Yes — there are often opportunities to buy handicrafts and textiles from local artisans during the tour.
US $40 per person in a shared group, including hotel pickup, snack, buffet lunch, entrance, a bilingual guide and oxygen. Private service is US $120 per person.
Yes. Online booking for the Q’eswachaka Bridge stays open until 5 hours before hotel pickup (Cusco time). Pickup is at 4:00 AM, so you can book until 11:00 PM the night before. Pick your date in the calendar — any date still shown as available can be booked — and you will get your confirmation by email as soon as you pay.
Every year in June, usually in the second week, the Quechua communities of Quehue weave a new bridge over three to four days. The bridge can be visited and crossed all year round.
Yes, visitors can walk across it with care, one at a time. It sways a little — that is part of the experience. If you prefer, you can enjoy it from the riverbank.
