Queswachaka
 Traveling along Andean routes at 3,600 meters for 164 Km’s from Cusco, we arrive at the ancient bridge of Queswachaka a surviving example of Inca architecture, built over the impressive Apurimac River, every year 1000 members of the Winchiri and Perccaro communities take part in its reconstruction. The bridge is 33 meters long and 1 meter wide, the material used in its construction is blades of grass from the punas or grass lands. The event takes place on the second Sunday of June and lasts three days, on the fourth day there is a folklore festival.
The Ccaranahui caverns are also found in the area, 151 Km’s from Cusco, at an altitude of 3,900 meters. They are full of stalagmites and stalactites that take the form of pumas and condors. There is also a mysterious lake inside.
 Less than a hundred miles from Cusco lies the impressive Apurimac River Canyon. Apurimac in Quechua means “the God who talks”. In Inca times a long thin hanging bridge was built that crossed the river; it was only wide enough for one person to cross at any one time. It hangs 17 meters above the river and is 52 meters long which at the time of its construction made it the longest hanging bridge in the world.
The bridge was destroyed in an attempt to halt Pizarro’s march toward Cusco, it was reconstructed years later. The surrounding communities maintain the bridge with great enthusiasm; every June they gather long blades of grass which are woven into six long cables used in the construction of the bridge. The cables are bound as they would have been in Inca times and are secured with large trunks from eucalyptus trees which are buried deeply at either end of the bridge. The result is impressive and the bridge can support the weight of many people in single file. The fibers used in its construction deteriorate rapidly however and for this reason it needs to be reconstructed every year. During the Inca Empire there would have been groups pf people permanently employed in the maintenance of the bridge and would also have fought off invasion and monitored who was crossing the bridge. The annual reconstruction of the bridge honors their Inca ancestors and is a good reason to get together and celebrate with neighboring communities.
Do not miss this incredible experience; the cables stretch, the fibers creak but the bridge is new and very resistant!
 Its the appreciation shown to nature for the benefits that the families receive, such as the start of the Andean new year, the birth of a child, the construction of a house, the arrival of harvest time, the birth of animals or the start of the rainy season. In the Andean world many old customs and traditions live on, they connect man very strongly with nature and the earth has a strong symbolic importance.
Pachamama or Mother Earth, the fertility Goddess, lives in Urkhupacha or the World inside, her fruits provide men with food and drink.
Due to this, within the Andean logic of reciprocity, the communities offer tributes or offerings to the earth. The gifts include: coca leaves, raw silver, chicha, wine and certain seeds found in the jungle that have symbolic and magical powers known as huayruros. The same offering is also made to the Apus, the spirits of ancestors who live in the mountains. Coca is a sacred plant that serves as a medium between the inside world (of Apus and Pachamama) and the outside world (of man). Coca leaves can also be read to predict the future.
Music and dance accompanies the ceremony with people joining hands and circling round the ceremony. Everybody present chews coca leaves together with a drink of pisco and a cigarette, all hoping that the earth will provide them with good fortune the following year.
 Ccarañahui, Hampatura, Hapura , are communities who live close to the Qeswachaka bridge ( 3,600 meters ) and the Ccarañahui Caves, (3,923 Meters ) about 120 Km’s. from Cusco. They are isolated communities who are very poor and do not have electricity running water or telephone.
The children have to walk for about 30 minutes to reach the nearest small school. This is an opportunity to get to know and understand the children, we can help with a donation of clothing or shoes all donations are very welcome. After we visit the Ccarañahui Caves we visit these children so if you want to help this is your chance.
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5:30 A.M. Collection from hotel
7:30 A.M. We pass the tour lakes found in the area.
8:30 A.M. Breakfast.
10:30 A.M. Arrival at the bridge which we cross
11:30 P.M. Ccarañahui Caves, contact with the local people
13:30 P.M. Lunch
3:00 P.M. Offering to the earth ceremony
4.30 P.M. We start the journey back to Cusco arriving at around 8.00 P.M.
- Minimum of 4 people per group.
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Important: The people of these communities are very poor and many are awaiting our help
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- Collection from your hotel
- Return transport in private bus
- Bilingual guide
- 01 breakfast 01 lunch
- Offering to the earth ceremony
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- Sun block, sun hat
- Warm clothing
- Sweets, clothes, note books, toys, to give to the local children
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