MANU Reserve Tours

During the reign of the Incas, a massive network of roads, and one in particular, called Qhapaq Ñan, united every part of the Inca empire. To cross the rugged geography of the Andes, many suspension bridges made of plant fibers were erected. This complex technology has been passed down from generation to generation so that today there is still one bridge left. In fact, the Q'eswachaka Inca Bridge has been renewed annually for over 500 years, connecting the past with the present. Suspended over the Apurimac River at 3,700 meters (12,139 feet) above sea level, the Q'eswachaka Bridge is restored every June by more than a thousand people from four communities. This ancient ritual was recognized in 2013 by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.