Inca architecture is one of the most amazing in the world and they managed to make their engineering go beyond. An example of this is this peculiar piece, considered the last Inca bridge.
Pick up from the hotel will be from 4:00 to 4:30 a.m., once the whole group is concentrated we will depart to the south of Cusco. Our first stop will be in Cusipata, where we will enjoy a delicious breakfast. Then we will continue with the tour passing through the district of Yanaoca in this place we will visit a somewhat tiny volcano, then we will continue our tour for 1 hour more until we reach the district of Quehue, where we will find the famous Inca bridge of “Q’eswachaka”, which is built with vegetable fiber and has a length of 28.67 meters. The amazing thing is that it is rebuilt every year in the month of June by four local communities, in this place we will have some time to explore Q’eswachaka and the surrounding area, while the guide will explain the history of this Inca engineering work.
After visiting the Q’eswachaka bridge, we will continue our trip to the Mososqllaqta viewpoint, where we will appreciate the Pampamarca and Asnaqo lagoons: Pampamarca and Asnaqocha, then we will go to another point of a viewpoint, where we will appreciate the lagoons of Acopia and Pomacanchi, observing a large amount of regional flora and fauna experiencing an enriched Andean culture. At the end of the circuit of the 4 lagoons we will return to Cusipata, where we will taste a delicious lunch, after lunch we will return to Cusco. Arriving approximately between 4:30 to 5:00 pm.
Q’eswachaca Bridge
One of the most precious gifts that the Inca has given us is this hanging bridge that lies over the Apurimac River. Made of thatch or ichu icho, this marvel is renewed year after year through a rite performed by the communities of Winch’iri, Chaupibanda, Ccollana Quehue and Perccaro. Therefore, do not miss the opportunity to cross its 28 meters long which will make you live the adrenaline to the fullest in this beautiful Inca construction.
A tradition that for the rural communities of Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Choccayhua and Qollana Quehue has survived for more than five centuries thanks to the intercession of the divinity. “If we do not build a new bridge every year, we risk provoking the wrath of Pachamama (Mother Earth in Quechua) and the Apus (tutelary forces of nature)”, “Whether we use it or not, we expose ourselves to natural catastrophes that can ruin our crops of potatoes, beans, wheat or barley, and even to misfortunes such as illness or death”, says María Quispe, a 60-year-old woman who has participated in such a mission since her childhood.
Before weaving the bridge, a payment is made to the earth, where the Paqo or Priest, elaborates a cloth altar with indigenous motifs in which he deposits coca leaves, llama fetuses and food that is offered to the Pachamama, since like any human being she is hungry and it is the obligation of her “children” (villagers), to satiate her. The Paqo says that before the renovation of the bridge, the Apus tell him each year what his appetite is, since his tastes evolve and we should not always pay him with the same “delicacy”, to which the Apus are also invited to implore their protection and avoid accidents during the renovation.
Women stay away from the work of rebuilding the bridge, a task reserved for men. Locals say that women attract q’encha, a Quechua word for bad luck, which can lead to divine “mishaps” during certain rituals.
Four Lagoons
The circuit of the four lakes is located in the province of Acomayo, 107 km from Cusco. It is made up of Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnaqocha and Pampamarca. Among its attractions are the abundance of natural grasses and fish
- Pick up from your hotel in Cusco
- Tourist transportation
- 1 breakfast
- 1 lunch
- Professional guide English – Spanish
- First aid kit
