Cusco: Half-Day Horseback Riding at Devil’s Balcony

Cusco looks different from horseback. This four-hour ride leaves the city behind for farm tracks, mountain views, local animals, and the dramatic rock formation called Devil’s Balcony. I especially like the calm, well-trained horses and the chance to reach small Inca sites that are easy to miss on a standard Cusco tour.

I also like the care given to first-time riders. Guides such as Holger, Ogir, Benny, and Galan have been praised for patient instruction, useful history, and taking good photos. The main consideration is that the route is not a fixed stopwatch experience: riding time depends on your skill, and you should not assume the Moon Temple is included in this half-day outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Devil’s Balcony is both a natural formation and an Inca shrine site, with a rock window above a river and a cave below.
• The horses suit beginners well, with riders matched to a horse based on experience and comfort.
• You ride above Cusco, passing farms, herds, forested paths, and mountain slopes with broad city views.
• The tour includes roughly three hours on horseback, plus a 20-minute break and guided stops.
• Central hotel pickup, helmets, saddles, a muleteer, and a bilingual guide are included in the $85 price.
• The Moon Temple is not guaranteed, so ask before booking if that site is important to you.

Leaving Cusco for the Vieja Estancia Ranch

The day begins with pickup at your central Cusco hotel. You wait in the lobby or at the entrance, then meet your English- or Spanish-speaking guide before heading by taxi toward the Vieja Estancia Ranch near Sacsayhuaman.

This short transfer matters because the ride does not begin in the middle of the city. You get away from traffic and stone streets before meeting the horses, which makes the outing feel more like a countryside excursion than an urban sightseeing trip.

At the ranch, the guide gives a basic safety briefing and shows you how to control the horse. You learn how to use the reins, how to give simple instructions, and how to mount and dismount safely. A muleteer also accompanies the ride.

The horses are selected according to your experience and comfort level. That is a real advantage if you have never ridden before. Several first-time riders found the horses easy to handle because they were steady and responsive, while experienced riders appreciated being able to move at a livelier pace at certain points.

You receive a saddle and safety helmet. Wear long pants and proper hiking shoes rather than shorts or smooth-soled sneakers. You will want a small daypack for water, a phone, sunscreen, and a light layer.

Riding above Cusco for the first hour

Once everyone is comfortable, the group follows a trail through the countryside near Sacsayhuaman. The first riding section lasts about an hour, though the exact timing can change with the group’s ability and pace.

The route passes farms and herds of local animals. You may also ride through wooded stretches and over gentle hills, with Cusco spread below you. This is the best part of the outing if your main goal is a broad view of the city rather than a long archaeological lecture.

The view gives you a useful sense of Cusco’s setting. Instead of seeing the city from a plaza or rooftop, you look down across its buildings from the surrounding slopes. The effect is especially good for photographs, and guides often help take pictures during stops.

Do not expect a fast horseback trek from start to finish. The horses follow established trails, and the guide sets the pace. That is good for safety and scenery, but riders hoping for constant galloping should adjust their expectations.

The route can also feel physically more demanding than the four-hour label suggests. Sitting on a horse for several hours, mounting and dismounting, and moving over uneven ground can tire you out, even if the horse does most of the work.

Reaching Devil’s Balcony, or Chacan

The main stop is Devil’s Balcony, also called Chacan. It lies on the back side of Saqsayhuaman and combines a striking natural setting with archaeological importance.

The feature is a large rock split by a dramatic chasm. A natural opening forms a balcony above the river, giving you a view through the rock and down toward the water. Beneath the opening, the river passes through a large cave and continues toward the other side of the formation.

This is not simply a viewpoint with a dramatic name. The cave was used as an Inca shrine, and the guide explains how the natural rock formation connected with local spiritual practice. The setting makes the explanation easier to understand because you can see the river, cave, rock, and opening together.

Take care near the edges and on uneven sections around the formation. The tour provides a helmet for riding, but you should still use sensible footing when you leave the saddle. The visit includes walking and a guided explanation, not only a quick photo stop.

The Devil’s Balcony section includes about 45 minutes of riding in the itinerary, with time for the site visit and interpretation. Your guide may pause at several points to explain the rock formation, nearby ruins, plants, animals, and local history.

Lanlakuyoc and the quieter archaeological stops

The ride continues toward Lanlakuyoc, another place where the value comes from getting away from the busiest sightseeing circuit. The route allows you to see parts of the area around Sacsayhuaman that are not usually included in a short city tour.

The itinerary gives about an hour of horseback riding in this section, followed by a 20-minute break. That pause is welcome. It gives you time to rest your legs, take photos, listen to the guide, and enjoy the setting without trying to stay balanced in the saddle.

The exact sites and order may vary. The experience description says the guide stops at the places along the route to explain their history, while the itinerary names Lanlakuyoc and Devil’s Balcony. That means you should think of this as a guided countryside route with archaeological stops, not a rigid sequence of major monuments.

One point needs clarification before you reserve. One rider expected the Moon Temple and found that it was reserved for full-day tours, while another described seeing the Temple of the Moon during a similar ride. If that site is high on your list, ask Andina Expeditions exactly what your chosen half-day departure includes.

What the horses and guides add to the experience

The horses receive the strongest praise. They are described as gentle, sure-footed, responsive, and well cared for. That makes a large difference when you are riding on uneven trails or trying a horse for the first time.

A calm horse lets you pay attention to the view instead of worrying about every movement. Beginners still need to listen carefully and follow the guide’s instructions, but you are not expected to arrive with advanced riding skills.

The guides are another major strength. Holger is repeatedly praised for his horse handling and clear explanations. Ogir is described as patient and well informed about Inca history, animals, plants, and the surrounding area. Benny has also been praised for matching horses well and helping riders mount and dismount.

Some guides take photographs and share them afterward. That is a useful touch because getting a good picture while seated on a moving horse is not easy. Still, bring your own phone and ask when the guide plans to stop so you can take your own photos too.

Experienced riders may have a chance to ride faster or try the Peruvian gait, but this depends on conditions, the guide, and the ability of the group. It is not the main purpose of the outing. The emphasis is on a safe, scenic ride with historical stops.

How much value do you get for $85?

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend half a day in Cusco. You are paying for more than a basic horse rental, though. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off from central Cusco, a bilingual guide, saddle, safety helmet, muleteer, instruction, and guided visits to Devil’s Balcony and nearby sites.

The value is strongest if you want several elements in one outing:

• A view of Cusco from the surrounding mountains
• A guided horseback ride lasting about three hours
• A natural attraction with Inca religious connections
• Smaller archaeological sites away from the usual city route
• Transport from and back to a central hotel

It is also a good use of time for a day when you want something less demanding than a full-day mountain excursion. You get out into the countryside without committing an entire day or arranging your own transport.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long, fast ride or a full archaeological circuit. The Moon Temple may not be included, and the riding duration can shift according to the group. Ask specific questions before paying if you have a strict plan.

The availability of a private group can improve the value for couples or families with different riding abilities. A private outing may make it easier for the guide to adjust the pace, though the basic activity and route still depend on local conditions.

Practical limits and comfort concerns

This tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people over 200 pounds, or 91 kilograms. Those restrictions are important for safety and horse welfare, so do not treat them as minor details.

You should also be comfortable with basic outdoor activity. The ride includes hills, uneven trails, time in the saddle, and stops that may require walking around rocks or ruins. The tour is suitable for beginners, but it is not a passive sightseeing ride.

The duration is listed as four hours, yet the riding segments add up to about two hours and 50 minutes, with a 20-minute break and time for transfers, instruction, and site visits. The total timing is approximate. Your experience, riding skills, and the pace of the group can change the schedule.

Pickup is included from central Cusco hotels. Double-check the hotel name and pickup point when booking. One pickup was attempted at the wrong hostel, which caused confusion even though the excursion itself went well.

The surrounding area can have plastic litter in places. That does not define the ride, but it is worth knowing if you expect every trail and archaeological stop to be perfectly maintained. Bring a small bag for your own rubbish and help keep the route clean.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the exact departure when making plans around other Cusco activities.

Who will enjoy this Cusco ride most?

I would recommend this outing to first-time riders who want a gentle introduction to horseback riding. The horses are a strong fit for beginners, and the guide gives an induction before leaving the ranch.

It also suits couples and small private groups looking for a quieter half-day away from central Cusco. The views, local farms, and little-used archaeological sites give the outing a more personal feel than a standard bus tour.

History fans will enjoy the stops, especially Devil’s Balcony and its cave shrine. The guide’s explanations add meaning to what might otherwise look like an unusual rock formation.

Experienced riders should book it if the scenery and cultural stops matter as much as the riding. You may be able to move faster at times, but this is not a dedicated equestrian training session or an all-day mountain ride.

I would choose another activity if you dislike horses, have trouble sitting for long periods, are pregnant, exceed the stated weight limit, or want guaranteed access to the Moon Temple. In those cases, check the route carefully or consider a walking tour of the Cusco ruins instead.

Should you book the Devil’s Balcony ride?

Book this tour if you want a scenic, manageable escape from Cusco with reliable horses and a strong guide. The combination of high views, farm trails, Devil’s Balcony, and lesser-seen Inca sites gives you a different side of the area.

I especially like that the experience works for beginners without making experienced riders feel completely left out. The horses are the real foundation of the tour, and the guides add useful context rather than rushing you from one photo stop to the next.

Before booking, confirm three things: your hotel pickup location, the exact sites included, and whether the pace will suit your riding ability. If you do that, the $85 price is fair for a half-day outing that includes transport, equipment, instruction, and a memorable view over Cusco.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding tour?

The activity lasts about four hours in total. The itinerary includes roughly two hours and 50 minutes of riding, a 20-minute break, instruction, site visits, and transportation time. The duration can change based on riding experience and horse-riding skills.

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is included from central hotels in Cusco. You should wait in the hotel lobby or at the entrance for the guide, then travel to the Vieja Estancia Ranch near Sacsayhuaman.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The guide provides a short induction on controlling and safely leading the horse, and horses are selected according to your experience and comfort. The horses are described as gentle and well trained.

What is Devil’s Balcony?

Devil’s Balcony, also called Chacan, is a large rock formation behind Saqsayhuaman. It has a natural opening above a river, a large cave beneath the opening, and a history as an Inca shrine.

Is the Moon Temple included?

The Moon Temple is not guaranteed on this half-day tour. Full-day tours may include it, so ask Andina Expeditions to confirm the exact route before booking if you want to visit that site.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes, long pants, and a daypack. A daypack can hold personal items such as water and a phone for photographs.

What is included in the price?

The $85 price includes central Cusco hotel pickup and drop-off, a bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking guide, saddle, safety helmet, and muleteer. Travel or activity insurance is not included.