Horseback Tour in cusco to Temple of the Moon & Hidden temples

The most appealing part of this Cusco horseback tour is how quickly it trades city traffic for open Andean views. In roughly 25 minutes, you can be riding above the city, passing old Inca sites and quiet countryside rather than spending another half-day in a packed archaeological complex. The Temple of the Moon gives the ride a real purpose, too.

I like the gentle pace for beginners and the chance to ride beyond the standard Cusco route. I also like the practical setup: hotel pickup, a private car, helmets, saddles, bottled water, and a muleteer who looks after the horses. The main consideration is that the ride includes some faster sections, and trotting or galloping can feel rough if you are new to horses.

Key points at a glance

• Ride above Cusco near Sacsayhuaman: Reach open countryside and Inca ruins without a long transfer.
• Visit the Temple of the Moon: Leave the horses for a short walk around one of Cusco’s more mystical sites.
• Friendly for first-time riders: A riding introduction and calm horses make this suitable for people with little or no experience.
• Guide quality matters here: Holger is specifically praised for clear English, local history, and patient instruction.
• A compact half-day plan: The ride lasts about two hours, while the full outing is listed at roughly two and a half hours, with some past outings taking about three and a half hours including pickup and return.
• A firm weight limit: You must weigh no more than 90 kilos, or 200 pounds, and the minimum age is eight.

Why this short ride works so well from Cusco

Cusco is full of major sights, but a busy city schedule can leave you wanting an outing with more air, space, and quiet. This horseback tour fills that gap without taking an entire day. The ranch is close enough to Cusco for a practical morning or afternoon plan, yet the setting feels far removed from the streets and plazas.

The route is especially useful if you have already visited the main city sights and want to see a less familiar side of the area. You ride along high ground with views toward Cusco and archaeological remains in the surrounding countryside. The ride is not simply transport to a monument. The horse gives you time to notice the land between the sites.

I would not book it expecting a long expedition through remote mountain country. This is a short outing designed to fit around a larger Cusco visit. That is its strength. You get a taste of Andean riding, a site visit, and countryside views without sacrificing a full day that could be used for the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu.

From your hotel to Vieja Estancia Ranch

The experience begins with round-trip pickup from your Cusco hotel. Transport is by private car, which makes the start easier than finding your own way to a ranch outside the city. The exact pickup time is confirmed when you book, and the total timing can vary with city traffic and the pace of the group.

At Vieja Estancia Ranch, you meet the horses and receive your riding equipment. Saddles and safety helmets are included. A muleteer accompanies the outing to care for the horses, while the main guide leads the ride and explains the sites.

The small-group format is a real plus. The maximum is 15 people, and the experience is intended for participants with little or no riding experience. A basic introduction helps you understand how to sit, steer, and manage your horse before setting off. If you have never ridden before, tell the guide at the start. Clear communication is more useful than trying to appear confident.

Several accounts single out Holger as a warm and capable guide. He has been described as speaking excellent English, explaining the history of the land clearly, and giving simple instructions that helped first-time riders feel comfortable. Guide assignments can change, so Holger should not be treated as guaranteed, but the guide’s role is central to the quality of the outing.

Two hours on horseback through the Andean countryside

The riding portion lasts about two hours. You move through countryside near Cusco and the ruins around Sacsayhuaman, with time to take in broad views and the shape of the surrounding hills. You should expect a mixture of walking and, depending on the group and conditions, faster riding.

This is where the tour’s appeal becomes clear. On foot, you would cover less ground. In a car, you would miss the quiet stretches between the ruins. From the saddle, you get a slower view of the countryside and a more direct sense of the terrain.

The horses have received strong praise for being well trained and well cared for. That matters more than a polished ranch welcome. A calm horse can make a first ride far less stressful, especially when you are handling unfamiliar equipment and moving over uneven ground.

Still, horseback riding is physical. Even a two-hour ride can leave your legs and seat sore, particularly if you have not ridden in years. One outing included some trotting and galloping, which riders found exciting, but a faster pace can also feel jarring. If you want to stay at a walk, say so clearly. The guide needs to know your comfort level before the ride gathers speed.

The route may include a section that feels a little scary to some riders. The horses know the terrain, and the guide gives warnings in advance, but you should not treat this as a completely flat, controlled riding-school session. Wear shoes with rubber soles or proper walking shoes, and do not bring loose jewelry or valuables.

The Temple of the Moon and its quiet atmosphere

After riding, you leave the horses and walk around the Temple of the Moon, also known as Amaru Marca Wasi. The site sits north of Cusco and is presented as one of the city’s important mystical attractions. The walking visit lasts about 30 minutes.

That short stop changes the mood of the experience. You are no longer simply riding past old stones. You have time to pause, look closely, and hear an explanation of why the place matters. The guide may also frame the site in terms of energy and spiritual meaning, which fits the way the temple is understood locally and gives the visit a different feel from a standard ruin checklist.

Do not expect a huge archaeological complex with hours of interpretation. This is a compact visit. Its value comes from the setting and the contrast with busier sites in and around Cusco. The ride lets you reach the temple in a way that feels more personal, while the walking stop gives you a chance to stretch and take in the site without being on horseback.

The outing also passes other Inca remains and viewpoints. The exact route can vary, but the experience is built around lesser-known ruins near the Sacsayhuaman area rather than only the best-known monuments. If your main aim is detailed archaeology, you may want a separate specialist tour. If you want history in a quiet outdoor setting, this format works better.

What the views add to the ride

The scenery is one of the strongest reasons to book. From higher ground, you look back toward Cusco and across the Andean countryside. The combination of horses, old ruins, and open views gives the outing a sense of place that a standard vehicle tour cannot match.

I especially like that the views are not treated as decoration between attractions. They are part of the experience. The ride takes you through the countryside, and the open setting helps explain why the area around Cusco has long been important for settlement, ceremony, and travel.

Weather can change quickly enough to affect the plan, so bring a rain jacket if the forecast gives a meaningful chance of rain. The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Sun protection is sensible, although the provided instructions focus most strongly on clothing and rain gear. Long pants, preferably jeans, protect your legs from the saddle and brush. Closed shoes are essential. Avoid sandals, dangling jewelry, and anything you would worry about dropping from the saddle.

Is the $65 price good value?

At $65 per person, this is good value if you want several practical services bundled into one short outing. The price includes hotel pickup and return, private-car transport, the guide, horse equipment, the muleteer, bottled water, and admission to the listed stops.

You are also paying for convenience. Organizing a ranch visit on your own would mean arranging transport, finding an appropriate guide, and making sure the horses and equipment are suitable for beginners. Here, those pieces are handled together.

The value is less clear if you only want a brief photo opportunity on a horse. The experience uses much of its time for riding, and you need to be comfortable sitting in a saddle for about two hours. It is also not the cheapest way to see ruins if your only interest is archaeology.

Compared with a full-day Sacred Valley trip, this tour uses less time and gives you a different kind of access. Compared with a standard city excursion, it offers more outdoor activity and fewer crowded stops. For a short Cusco itinerary, that balance makes the price reasonable.

Who should book this horseback tour?

I would recommend it to adults, families with children aged eight or older, couples, and friends who want a change from walking tours. It is particularly well suited to first-time riders because the guide provides an introduction and the horses are described as well trained.

Families should consider the child’s comfort around horses and the stated weight limit. Everyone must be at or below 90 kilos, or 200 pounds. The maximum group size is 15, so this is not a private ride, but it should still feel more manageable than a large coach excursion.

You should be reasonably comfortable with outdoor activity and accept that the ride may include trotting or galloping. If you have back, hip, or knee concerns, the listing does not provide medical guidance, so you should make your own careful decision before booking.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. That said, the ride involves mounted activity and uneven outdoor ground. Contact the provider if you have a specific mobility or medical concern, since the general participation guidance cannot answer every individual case.

Timing, clothing, and booking advice

The advertised duration is about two hours and 30 minutes. The actual ride lasts around two hours, followed by about 30 minutes at the Temple of the Moon, plus transport. One past outing took about three and a half hours from pickup to drop-off, so leave extra space around the scheduled window.

The tour is often booked about four weeks ahead. You do not need to reserve that early every time, but advance planning is sensible during a busy Cusco visit. Confirmation is provided at booking.

Wear long pants, closed shoes with rubber soles, and a rain jacket when needed. Do not wear jewelry or carry valuables during the ride. Bottled water is supplied, but you may still want to bring only what you can carry safely.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Since weather can cancel the experience, the flexible weather policy is useful: you are offered another date or a full refund if conditions are poor.

My call: book it if you want ruins with a little motion

Book this tour if you want a short, active escape from Cusco with good views, a quiet archaeological stop, and an easy arrangement from your hotel. The combination of trained horses, a helpful guide such as Holger, and the Temple of the Moon gives the outing more substance than a basic ranch ride.

Skip it if you dislike horses, need a fully flat and predictable route, or want a long, detailed study of major Inca monuments. For everyone else, especially first-time riders with only half a day to spare, this is a smart addition to a Cusco itinerary. Keep your pace comfortable, dress for changing weather, and give yourself more time than the bare 2.5-hour estimate.

FAQ

How long does the horseback tour last?

The advertised experience lasts about two hours and 30 minutes. The riding portion takes about two hours, and the visit to the Temple of the Moon lasts about 30 minutes. Pickup and return can make the full outing longer, with one recorded timing of about three and a half hours.

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The ride begins at Vieja Estancia Ranch near Cusco. The route goes through countryside near the Sacsayhuaman area and includes views of Inca ruins.

Is the Temple of the Moon included?

Yes. You leave the horses and walk around the Temple of the Moon, also called Amaru Marca Wasi. Admission is included.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is suitable for people with little or no riding experience. A riding introduction is provided, and the horses are described as well trained.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is eight years old.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum weight is 90 kilos, or 200 pounds.

What should I wear?

Wear long pants, preferably jeans, and closed shoes with rubber soles or walking shoes. Bring a rain jacket if the forecast gives a significant chance of rain.

Are transport and riding equipment included?

Yes. Round-trip transport from your Cusco hotel, private-car transport, saddles, safety helmets, a professional guide, a muleteer, and bottled water are included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.