Cusco and Around
Q'eswachaka, the Last Inca Bridge
- Duration: Full day
- Difficulty: Easy
Places you visit
- Combapata viewpoint
- Pampamarca
- Pabellones mini-volcano
- Q'eswachaka Inca Bridge
- Asnacocha Lake
- Acopia Lake
- Pomacanchi Lake
Trip overview
During the Inca Empire a vast road network, the Qhapaq Ñan, linked the whole territory across the rugged Andean landscape. As part of that network, hanging bridges were woven from plant fibre — a tradition that survives today at a single place: the bridge of Q'eswachaka, still rebuilt by hand every year by local communities for more than 500 years.
Spanning the Apurímac River at about 3,700 metres above sea level, the bridge was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2013. On this tour you will visit it with an hour-long guided stop and can cross it following your guide's instructions.
The route also takes in the Combapata viewpoint, the Pabellones mini-volcano and, on the way back, the high-Andean Four Lakes circuit: Pampamarca, Asnacocha, Acopia and Pomacanchi.
Itinerary overview
Full day- Hotel pickup (4:30 a.m. - 5:00 a.m.)
- Breakfast on the way to Cusipata
- Combapata viewpoint
- Pampamarca village
- Pabellones mini-volcano
- Q'eswachaka Inca Bridge
- Four Lakes circuit
- Lunch
- Return to Cusco (approx. 5:15 p.m.)
The route, step by step
Hotel pickup. We collect you from hotels in the historic centre of Cusco between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. and set off south, heading toward Cusipata.
Breakfast. A stop along the way to enjoy the included breakfast before continuing into the high-Andean area.
Combapata viewpoint. The tour's first stop, about 20 minutes, to take in the scenery of the area.
Pampamarca village. A short guided visit, about 10 minutes, to the village of Pampamarca, where you can appreciate the high-Andean landscape before continuing toward Yanaoca.
Pabellones mini-volcano. We continue to the Pabellones mini-volcano for about 30 minutes of exploring this unusual natural setting.
Q'eswachaka Inca Bridge. We carry on to Yanaoca to reach the famous hanging bridge over the Apurímac River. With your guide you will learn the history and tradition behind this ancestral plant-fibre bridge during a roughly one-hour visit, and you can cross it following the safety instructions.
Four Lakes circuit. From Tungasuca we drive the high-Andean circuit formed by the lakes of Pampamarca, Asnacocha, Acopia and Pomacanchi, each with its own setting and scenery.
Lunch. A stop for the included lunch, with a vegetarian option available with prior notice.
Return to Cusco. We head back to the city, arriving in the historic centre near the Plaza de Armas at approximately 5:15 p.m.
Included8
- Pickup from your hotel (historic centre of Cusco).
- Tourist transport throughout the route.
- Professional guide.
- Breakfast.
- Lunch.
- Vegetarian option available with prior notice.
- First aid kit.
- Card and payment-link processing fees.
Not included7
- Pabellones mini-volcano entrance: S/2.00 per person (nationals and foreigners).
- Q'eswachaka Inca Bridge entrance: S/10.00 nationals · S/20.00 foreigners.
- Dinner.
- Personal expenses.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips for guide and driver (optional).
- Anything not listed under «Included».
What to bring
- Valid ID or passport
- Cash for entrances and personal expenses
- Comfortable, warm clothing
- Windbreaker or waterproof jacket
- Shoes with good grip
- Hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Camera or phone with battery
- Rain poncho in the rainy season
- Prior acclimatisation if sensitive to altitude
- A good night's rest beforehand
Questions about this tour8
- What time does the Q'eswachaka tour start?
- Pickup starts at approximately 4:30 a.m. from hotels in the historic centre of Cusco.
- What time does the tour end?
- Return to Cusco is at approximately 5:15 p.m., ending near the Plaza de Armas.
- What places will I visit on the tour?
- The Combapata viewpoint, the village of Pampamarca, the Pabellones mini-volcano, the Q'eswachaka Inca Bridge, and the Four Lakes circuit: Pampamarca, Asnacocha, Acopia and Pomacanchi.
- Are breakfast and lunch included?
- Yes. The tour includes breakfast and lunch, with a vegetarian option available with prior notice.
- Are the entrance fees included?
- No. The Pabellones mini-volcano costs S/2.00 per person, and the Q'eswachaka bridge costs S/10.00 for nationals and S/20.00 for foreigners. Both are paid directly at each entry point.
- Is the tour difficult?
- It is an easy tour with no significant physical demand. Even so, we recommend considering the altitude of the area and following your guide's recommendations.
- Can I cross the Q'eswachaka bridge?
- Yes. Visitors can cross it following the guide's instructions and the site's safety rules.
- What should I bring on the tour?
- ID or passport, warm clothing, a windbreaker, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or cap, water and cash for extra expenses.
Booking, payment and cancellations
Booking confirmation
- The booking is confirmed only after payment is received and the receipt validated.
- To confirm a booking, the passenger must send full name, ID or passport, nationality, date of birth and a contact phone or WhatsApp number.
- Bookings are subject to availability for the requested date.
Payment
- The tour must be paid in full before the service begins.
- For bank transfer, Yape, Plin, card or payment link, the passenger must send the receipt for validation before the tour.
Changes and cancellations
- Date changes are subject to availability and prior confirmation.
- In case of cancellation by the passenger, no refunds are issued once the booking is confirmed, due to the prior organisation of the service.
- Any change must be requested in advance.
Important considerations
- The itinerary may vary slightly due to weather conditions, road conditions or arrangements at the sites.
- Please respect the pickup time, as the tour starts very early.
- Qori Wayra Travel prioritises the safety and comfort of passengers throughout the service.
