The Bridge of Checacupe

The Bridge of Checacupe is one of the most incredible and beautifull attractions of this place, for this reason you cannot miss visiting the bridge of Checacupe (Inca bridge and Colonial Bridge) and of course we will also know a little more about their history of each one of them.

Where is Checacupe located?

Where is Checacupe located This attractive place is located north of the city of Cusco, in the province of Canchis, Department of Cusco at an altitude at 3 441 m.s.n.m.

How to get to Checacupe?
People who want to visit the bridge of Checacupe must do so from the city of Cusco, taking into account that from there there are an interesting number of alternatives that fulfill the function of transporting people to this town.

The trip lasts approximately 2 hours on the highway that goes to Puno, this being a journey that can be done without any inconvenience by bus or private vehicle.

The best season to visit the Checacupe bridges?

visit the Checacupe bridges Getting to know Checacupe is one of the favorite activities of the people who do the Rainbow Mountain Peru.
For this to become a better experience, the best season to visit Checacupe is between March and December, taking into account that during these months the cold is not as strong as the rest of the year.

What are the bridges of Checacupe

What are the bridges of Checacupe We can find 3 Bridges from different times, which still maintain their originality from their respective constructions:

1.- Colonial Bridge
It is considered one of the most visited tourist attractions in this town. It is a bridge that was built with the aim of bringing heavy loads of coal from Arequipa to the city of Cusco.

Its construction was carried out by the first Spanish corregidores during the seventeenth century with a limestone structure that is characterized by being designed in the shape of a semicircular arch and is located on the Pitumarca river that descends from the Ausangate mountain ranges.

2.- Inca bridge
One of its main characteristics of this bridge is that it is a construction that was carried out between 1,400 and 1,448 by the local Incas, with the aim of sending errands or bartering with neighboring communities.

It is one of the first stops that are made on the Rainbow Mountain once you reach the town of Checacupe, so you should not walk too much to get to know this Inca structure up close.

However, it is recommended to walk very carefully on the bases of this bridge, taking into account that it is a construction of many years but that you should not hesitate to visit.

3.- Republican bridge
Despite being one of the last stops, for many it is the most important.

Unlike the previous bridges, the republican bridge is characteristic for having been built with rail irons and that to this day, it still represents the main threshold for all those people who move to Checacupe.

At first, it was a construction used solely for the transfer of coal from one locality to another, although it also became one of the main sources of access to Checacupe, for people who came from other parts of Peru, especially from inhabitants of Arequipa.

Customs and Traditions of Checacupe

Dance Sarge

Dance Sarge This dance is originally from the district of Checacupe, it has a carnival and traditional character, it is performed in the week of the carnivals. The name of this dance comes from the word sergeant and represents the young men who leave the barracks after serving in the military and come to make beautiful women fall in love at carnivals.

It takes place on the Cangally bridge that divides Checacupe and the Community of Cangally. This conflict is originated as a result of the lack of delimitation of its borders, boundaries and is often caused by the character named Huaylaca.

Recommendations:

A good daypack.
Bring personal documents (identity document or passport).
Bring extra money (in soles).
Don’t forget to bring warm clothes and comfortable shoes.
1 rain jacket “even if we are in dry season”.
It is important to bring a camera.
Re-usable plastic or metal water container.
Sunscreen.
Bring some meds!
Remember that after visiting this tourist attraction you have to leave the place clean; so don’t forget to bring a bag to store all your waste.