Quehue, Cusco Region · usually early to mid June
Q'eswachaka Bridge Renewal
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Q'eswachaka Bridge Renewal
When is Q'eswachaka Bridge Renewal 2027?
Q'eswachaka Bridge Renewal usually runs early to mid June. Exact dates are not announced yet.
Q'eswachaka Bridge Renewal schedule
- Day 1: Work begins with an offering to the apu Quinsallallawi, then women braid ichu grass into strings. In the afternoon men take them across the gorge to be woven into larger ropes.
- Day 2: The old ropes are untied from the ends of the bridge and replaced by the new ones.
- Day 3: The railing and walking layer are assembled, and the bridge opens to the beat of traditional music.
- Day 4: A typical dance festival celebrates the finished work.
Source: andina.pe
Getting to Q'eswachaka Bridge Renewal
- From the center of Cusco, plan between 3 and 5 hours by road to reach the bridge. Most of the journey is on paved roads, with some narrower secondary sections near the site.
- The Quehue district is located 180 km from Cusco city, and a paved road leads to the bridge.
Sources: peroudecouverte.com, andina.pe
Tickets and cost
Access to the bridge's surroundings is generally free, but the local communities usually ask for a contribution from visitors who want to cross.
Source: peroudecouverte.com
Q'eswachaka Bridge Renewal: questions people ask
When is the Q'eswachaka bridge renewal?
It is held every June. The communities of Quehue and neighboring villages rebuild the bridge then, but there is no fixed date.
How long does the renewal take?
In 2017 the rebuilding took three days, followed by a fourth day of celebration. Another guide describes the work as four days.
Can you walk across the Q'eswachaka bridge?
Yes, visitors can generally cross when it is open to the public, and a contribution is usually requested.
What is the best time to visit Q'eswachaka?
The dry season, which generally runs from April to October, is often considered the most pleasant, with less rain and better roads.
Sources: peroudecouverte.com, andina.pe
About Q'eswachaka Bridge Renewal
Quechua communities rebuild the last Inca grass rope bridge by hand over the Apurimac River every June.
Every June, Quechua communities in Canas province braid ichu grass into thick ropes and replace the whole Q'eswachaka bridge. The work takes several days, starts with offerings to the mountain spirits, and ends with the bridge opening to music and a dance festival. The site is remote, with a long drive from Cusco on mostly paved roads.
Know before you go
- The dry season, generally April to October, has better roads and less rain.
- Altitude, sun and the site's remoteness call for some preparation.
- Cusco (CUZ) is the gateway, and the bridge is generally 3 to 5 hours by road from the city center.
Planning the trip
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