Q’eswachaka Bridge Travel Guide

The Q’eswachaka bridge is the last known surviving example of an Inca-era handwoven grass bridge. Rebuilt annually over a span of several days in early June, this bridge crosses the Apurímac River canyon in the province of Canas, near Cusco, at an altitude of approximately 3,700 meters (12,140 feet). The tradition is a collective effort of four local communities: Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Choccayhua, and Ccollana Quehue. This ancestral practice is recognized by UNESCO as an element of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Local tradition holds that the Apurímac River possesses a feminine spirit that is easily angered. In accordance with this belief, only men are permitted to work down in the canyon during the reconstruction. Women perform their tasks on the canyon rim and are only allowed to descend and cross the bridge after it has been completed.

Historically, the bridge was rebuilt in January, a month characterized by heavy rainfall. The tradition was moved to the dry season month of June after a young man was killed by a lightning strike during a January storm, highlighting the dangers of the original schedule.

The Reconstruction Process: Materials and Methodology

The construction of the Q’eswachaka bridge is a multi-step process involving specific materials and a strict division of labor.

Phase 1: Material Gathering and Rope Production The primary construction material is a type of high-altitude bunchgrass known as qoya ichu. Community members gather the grass using traditional scythes. To make the grass pliable for weaving, it is soaked in water and pounded with stones.

Women, working on the canyon rim, are responsible for twisting this prepared grass into ropes. The process requires significant skill to maintain consistent tightness and diameter. Two types of rope are created:

• Twisted Ropes: Two strands of grass are twisted together by rolling them between the palms. These form the two main handrail cables and the hundreds of smaller vertical side ropes. Each side rope must be approximately three meters (10 feet) long.
• Braided Ropes: The women also produce the material for the four thickest cables, which are then braided by the men to form the floor of the bridge.

Phase 2: Bridge Assembly and Installation Once the ropes are prepared, the men begin work in the canyon.

1. Removing the Old Bridge: The previous year’s bridge is cut down and allowed to fall into the Apurímac River, where it eventually biodegrades.
2. Stretching the Main Cables: A new rope is first strung across the canyon to facilitate the transfer of materials. The four main braided floor cables and the two twisted handrail cables are then pulled across. Dozens of men on the opposite bank work in unison to pull these cables taut before they are secured to stone anchorages on each side.
3. Weaving the Structure: Two teams of master bridge builders begin work from opposite ends of the canyon, moving towards the center. They inch out along the floor cables, tying them together at intervals with sticks to create a stable walkway. Simultaneously, they attach the smaller side ropes, lacing them from the floor cables up and over the handrail cables to create a secure enclosure.
4. Spiritual Ceremony: During the construction, a pacco (an Andean shaman) performs a ceremony known as a pago a la tierra (“payment to the earth”). This involves a sacrificial offering, typically including coca leaves, sweets, and other symbolic items, burned to ensure the safety of the builders and the success of the project.

Phase 3: Final Flooring While the main structure is being woven, another group of men prepares the bridge’s final surface. They cut sticks to a uniform length and tie them together with strips of rawhide, which they also cut by hand. This creates large rolls of stick matting. Once the bridge’s side walls are complete, these rolls are carried down into the canyon and rolled out across the braided floor cables, providing a stable surface for walking. The process typically concludes near dusk.

Traditional Attire and Community Roles

The event is also a display of distinct local culture. The women of the participating communities wear traditional clothing, including notable skirts made from homespun alpaca wool with unique crocheted trim. The men wear pants and jackets made from the same rough, homespun fabric. The reconstruction serves not only as a feat of engineering but also as a vital annual social event that reinforces community bonds and perpetuates ancestral knowledge.

Logistical Information for Visitors

• Transportation: There is no public transportation to the Q’eswachaka bridge. Visitors must hire a private vehicle, such as a taxi from Cusco, at a cost of approximately S/350-400 (around $100 USD). The journey takes approximately four hours each way. The road is paved for a portion of the trip but becomes a rough, mixed-surface road closer to the destination.
• Accommodation: Formal lodging is not available at the remote site. Local community members sometimes offer informal homestays to visitors. Those wishing to observe the entire multi-day festival should be self-sufficient and prepared with camping equipment, such as a tent and sleeping bag.

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