Horseback Riding thru the Mountains of Cusco

Leave the city behind on horseback. This half-day outing takes you into the hills near Cusco, where you can visit Incan ruins, small temple sites, and Devil’s Balcony without giving up the ease of hotel pickup. I like the serene countryside so close to town, and I like that the ride can be adjusted to your comfort, from a calm walk to a canter or gallop on suitable stretches. The main limitation is the 200-pound, or 90-kilogram, weight limit, which makes this experience unsuitable for some riders.

I also appreciate the small ranch setting and the practical equipment provided, including a saddle, safety helmet, a bottle of water, and a muleteer to help care for the horses. One thing to keep in mind is that this is a four-hour outing, not a full archaeological tour, so you will see several points of interest but will not spend hours at each one.

Key points to know before you book

• Only about 20 minutes from Cusco: The ranch is close enough for an easy half-day, yet the setting feels far removed from the city.
• Ride near Saqsayhuaman: The route reaches the hills around one of Cusco’s major Incan sites and includes smaller excavations and temple remains.
• Devil’s Balcony adds a natural highlight: The ride combines archaeological sites with a striking natural feature.
• The pace can suit your experience: You can stay at a walk or ask to canter or gallop where conditions and your confidence allow.
• Hotel pickup simplifies the outing: Private round-trip transportation is included from your hotel or travel agency.
• Small groups keep things manageable: The maximum group size is 15 people, with a professional guide and a muleteer caring for the horses.

Why This Ride Works Well Near Cusco

Cusco gives you grand ruins, busy streets, and plenty of museums. It also gives you quick access to open country. This ride makes good use of that contrast. You do not spend the whole day getting to a distant valley. Instead, you reach a small ranch outside town and begin riding through the hills in roughly half a day.

That short travel time matters. If you are adjusting to Cusco’s altitude, planning a longer excursion, or simply want a quieter break between major sightseeing days, four hours is a sensible length. You get time in the saddle without giving up an entire day.

I especially like the change of pace. Walking through Cusco’s stone streets can be rewarding, but a ride through the hills gives you a different view of the area. You can see the countryside at a slower pace, with the horse doing much of the work while you focus on the scenery, ruins, and route.

The ranch has been described as small and quaint, with friendly dogs and a notably spirited kitten. That detail will not matter to everyone, but it helps set expectations. This is not a large commercial riding center built around crowds and polished facilities. It has a more personal, local feel.

Getting to the Ranch from Cusco

Round-trip transportation from your hotel or travel agency is included in a private car. That is a useful feature in Cusco, where steep streets, confusing addresses, and busy traffic can make a simple pickup less simple than expected.

The ranch is about 20 minutes from the city, according to the experience details. You get a short transfer rather than a long road journey, and the change in surroundings comes quickly. The urban setting gives way to open hills and quieter roads.

Pickup is offered in the morning or afternoon. Choose the time that fits your plans, but consider your wider Cusco schedule. A morning ride can leave the rest of the day free for lunch and city sightseeing. An afternoon ride may work better after a relaxed morning, though you should allow enough time to return before other fixed appointments.

The tour is offered in English, and a professional guide accompanies the ride. The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not a private outing, but it is still small enough to keep the group together more easily than a large bus-based tour.

Meeting the Horses and Getting Ready

At the ranch, you receive a saddle and safety helmet before setting out. A muleteer also goes along to care for the horses. That extra support is reassuring, especially if you have limited riding experience or feel unsure about handling a horse in unfamiliar surroundings.

You should expect a practical approach rather than an elaborate riding lesson. The information provided does not describe a formal training session, so be honest about your experience and comfort level before the ride begins. The pace can be adapted, but clear communication matters.

The horses are described as well cared for. That is one of the most important points in any riding excursion. You are not simply paying for transport through the hills. You are relying on an animal, and the presence of a muleteer focused on the horses adds a useful layer of care.

Wear clothing that allows movement and shoes suitable for riding. The tour includes one bottle of water, but you may prefer to carry additional water if you usually drink often at altitude. Travel insurance is not included, and tips for the staff are separate.

The weight limit is strict: riders must be no more than 200 pounds, or 90 kilograms. The experience is not recommended for anyone above that limit. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Riding Through the Hills Near Saqsayhuaman

The ride takes you into the hills around Cusco, including the area near Saqsayhuaman. This is a rewarding setting because you are not looking at ruins in isolation. The stone remains sit among the highland scenery, and the horse gives you a slower, more open way to move from one site to another.

The route includes small excavations and temple sites. These are not presented as the enormous, carefully organized archaeological complexes you might see at Machu Picchu. Instead, the appeal is the mix of quieter places and countryside. You can pause to look at Incan remains without the same sense of a major attraction built around a large crowd.

The guide adds value here. Holger, associated with the ranch, is from the area and works as an architect. If he is leading your ride, his local connection and architectural background can add useful context to the stonework and newer excavations. That combination is particularly helpful when a site is small and does not have extensive signs or visitor facilities.

Do not expect a detailed lecture at every stop. This remains a horseback outing, not a full archaeological seminar. Still, having a guide who knows the area can help you notice features you might otherwise pass by.

Devil’s Balcony and the Natural Side of the Route

Devil’s Balcony is one of the most distinctive points named for the route. It gives the ride a natural feature to balance the ruins and temples. The exact amount of time spent there can depend on the pace of the group and the conditions on the day, so you should not treat it as a long independent visit.

This part of the outing is useful for anyone who wants more than a standard horseback loop. The route connects scenery, local archaeology, and a named natural attraction in one short trip. That variety keeps the experience from feeling like four hours of riding with no change of focus.

You should follow the guide’s directions carefully near any viewpoint or uneven ground. The supplied information does not specify the structure of Devil’s Balcony or the safety arrangements there, so it is best to let the guide set the stopping point and movement of the group.

Choosing Between a Walk, Canter, or Gallop

The pace depends on your experience and comfort. You can ride the full route at a walk, or choose to canter or gallop on certain stretches. That flexibility is one of the strongest features of the experience.

If you have never ridden before, staying at a walk is perfectly reasonable. You will have more time to take in the views, listen to the guide, and settle into the horse’s movement. You also avoid turning a scenic ride into a stressful test of balance.

Experienced riders may enjoy the chance to move faster. The fact that cantering and galloping are possible on some sections gives the outing more appeal than a strictly controlled walking tour. Still, faster riding is not guaranteed for every group or every part of the route. It depends on the terrain, the horses, the guide, and the ability of the riders.

Be direct about what you want. If you prefer a slow ride, say so. If you hope to canter, mention your experience early. A mixed group may need to follow a pace that works for everyone.

What You Get for $75

At $75 per person, the price includes more than the horse ride alone. You receive private round-trip transport from your Cusco accommodation or travel agency, a professional guide, a saddle, a safety helmet, a muleteer, and one bottle of water.

That package gives the tour fair value for a half-day experience. You are paying for transportation, equipment, staff, and access to a guided route that combines several points of interest. The private car is especially useful if you do not want to arrange your own way to the ranch.

The value is strongest for visitors who want an active outing without committing to a full day away from Cusco. It is less compelling if your main goal is a long, technical horseback ride or a detailed archaeological tour. In that case, you may want to compare it with a more specialized riding experience.

There are small extra costs to remember. Tips for staff are not included, and travel insurance is also your responsibility. No meal is listed, so plan to eat before or after the outing rather than expecting food at the ranch.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this ride to you if you want to see the countryside around Cusco in a relaxed, active way. It suits people who enjoy ruins but do not want another standard walking tour. The short transfer also makes it practical for a first or second day in Cusco when you want to keep your schedule flexible.

It can work for beginners because you may remain at a walk, provided you are comfortable sitting on a horse and following instructions. It also has appeal for experienced riders because some sections may allow a canter or gallop.

Families can consider it, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The 15-person maximum helps keep the group from becoming unwieldy, though the experience will not have the same control or flexibility as a private ride.

You should think twice if you dislike animals, have difficulty mounting or sitting on a horse, or weigh more than 200 pounds, or 90 kilograms. The weight restriction is clear, and the activity is not recommended above it.

Practical Ways to Make the Ride Better

Tell the guide your riding level before you leave the ranch. This is the best way to make sure the pace matches your comfort and to avoid feeling pressured into faster riding.

Bring a phone or camera if you want photos, but keep your hands free while the horse is moving. A secure pocket or small bag is more useful than loose gear. The included water is a start, but you might want more for a warm day or if you are still getting used to Cusco’s altitude.

Plan a little breathing room around the four-hour estimate. The experience is approximately four hours, and pickup, group pacing, and stops can affect the exact return time. Do not schedule an important departure immediately afterward.

If you are considering the afternoon departure, check the timing of your other plans. If you are considering the morning option, you can use the afternoon for Cusco’s plazas, museums, or a long meal. Either choice works, but the right one depends on how tightly you have planned your day.

The free cancellation policy gives you flexibility. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and missing the tour because of a late or non-arriving cruise ship does not qualify for a refund.

Should You Book This Cusco Horseback Ride?

Book it if you want a short, scenic escape from Cusco with ruins, mountain scenery, and the option to ride faster when appropriate. The close ranch, included private transfer, small-scale setting, and flexible pace make it an easy addition to a Cusco itinerary.

I would skip it if you need a fully private archaeological tour, a long-distance riding adventure, or a formal riding school with extensive instruction. The experience is best understood as a friendly half-day outing through the hills, not a major expedition.

For the right rider, the combination is hard to beat: a horse, quiet countryside, small Incan sites, Devil’s Balcony, and a guide who may bring local and architectural insight to the route. Check the weight limit, be realistic about your riding ability, and leave enough time in your schedule. If those details fit, this is a good way to see a calmer side of Cusco.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the horseback ride take place?

The ride takes place in the mountains and countryside around Cusco, including the hills near Saqsayhuaman.

Does the tour visit Incan ruins?

Yes. The route includes Incan ruins, small temple sites, and newer excavations.

Is Devil’s Balcony included?

Yes. Devil’s Balcony is listed as one of the natural features visited during the ride.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from your hotel or travel agency to the ranch is included in a private car.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. Safety helmets are included, along with a saddle.

Is water included?

Yes. One bottle of water is included for each participant.

Can children join the horseback ride?

Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The limit is 200 pounds, or 90 kilograms. The activity is not recommended for people above that weight.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours beforehand are not accepted for a refund.