Peru: New tourist route launched in Cusco

Municipio de Quispicanchi promueve intangibilidad de montaña Vinicunca, en Cusco. Foto: Redes sociales

Municipio de Quispicanchi promueve intangibilidad de montaña Vinicunca, en Cusco. Foto: Redes sociales

15:43 | Cusco (Cusco region), Feb. 8.

"Route of the Last Inca Bridge to the Rainbow Mountain Range" is the new tourist circuit promoted by Andean Cusco region, State-run Sierra y Selva Exportadora (Exporting Andes and Jungle) program President Alfonso Velasquez announced.

The route will feature seven local communities: Pomacanchi, San Pedro, Palcoyo, Huinchiri, Chaupibanda, Qollana Quehue and Chocayhua.


Route highlights

Visitors travelling along the route will get the opportunity to appreciate and experience Cusco's rich cultural manifestations.

The Q'eswachaka Inca Bridge over the Apurimac River is one such example. Declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, this rope suspension bridge is deemed a sacred expression of the communities' bond with nature, tradition and history, according to UNESCO.

Located 110 km southeast of Cusco city, the bridge is renewed every June by close to 1,000 craftspeople. Locals cut and twist straw to braid the ropes, which are then used to weave the bridge using traditional Inca techniques.


The bridge is close to 29 m long and 1.2 m wide. It is also part of the Inca Trail. 


The route also includes the four Pomacanchi lagoons, another must-see for Cusco travelers. The lagoons boast varied wildlife for nature lovers, as well as sport fishing for the outdoorsy. 

Likewise, a tourist lodge opposite the lagoon offers local cuisine and accommodation for tourists.

The Racchi community in San Pedro district, on the other hand, offers authentic experience-based tourism: Inca pottery with volcanic sand and tours to Wiracocha Temple. 

Last but not least is the Rainbow Mountain Range, named after its colorful peaks.

The towering, colorful display rises at 4,900 m.a.s.l. in Checacupe district, Palcoyo community. 

Discovered merely a year ago due to deglaciation, the Rainbow Mountain Range owes its colors to a rich mineral composition. 

This new attraction is set to compete directly with well-known Winicunca, which welcomes 500 visitors a day. 


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Published: 2/8/2017