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

Ride above Cusco, then trade reins for ruins. This 2.5-hour horseback tour takes you into the Andean countryside near Sacsayhuaman, where old stone sites and wide views replace the city’s busy streets. I like the small-group format and the chance to visit places many Cusco itineraries skip.

I also like that pickup, transport, horses, helmets, water, and a guide are included for $65 per person. The main consideration is that horseback riding can feel rough at a trot or gallop, and the route requires good weather. You should also be comfortable riding for about two hours.

Key points to know before you book

• The ride begins near Cusco, not far from the city: You can reach open countryside and Inca ruins without giving up a full day.
• The Temple of the Moon is visited on foot: You leave the horses behind for about 30 minutes to explore this mystical site.
• Beginners are welcome: A short riding introduction and trained horses make this a sensible choice for people with little or no experience.
• Holger is a much-praised guide: He is described as friendly, clear in English, and strong on local history and cultural context.
• You may ride beyond a simple walking pace: Depending on the group and conditions, the horses may trot or gallop, which adds excitement but can be jarring.
• The practical limits matter: The minimum age is 8, the weight limit is 90 kilos or 200 pounds, and the maximum group size is 15.

Why this short ride works well in Cusco

Cusco rewards slow exploration, but your schedule can fill quickly with markets, churches, museums, and major archaeological sites. This horseback outing fits into a half-day without asking you to sacrifice a full morning or afternoon.

The ranch, Vieja Estancia Ranch, offers half-day, full-day, and multi-day rides through the Andes. This particular outing is the shorter option, with roughly two hours in the saddle and a 30-minute stop at the Temple of the Moon. Door-to-door time may be closer to three and a half hours once pickup and return are counted.

I like the balance here. You get a taste of rural Cusco, a little history, and a change of pace from walking on stone streets. The setting can feel surprisingly remote even though the ride begins only about 25 minutes from the city, according to the experience details supplied by past participants.

The route also goes beyond the best-known stops. You can see Inca ruins along the way and ride high enough for views back toward Cusco. This is not a substitute for a full archaeological tour, but it adds a quieter side of the area that is easy to miss.

Getting to Vieja Estancia Ranch from Cusco

Round-trip pickup from your Cusco hotel is included, with transport in a private car. That is a real advantage in Cusco, where arranging a taxi to a rural ranch can add stress and uncertainty.

The exact pickup time is supplied after booking confirmation. Since the experience requires good weather, keep some flexibility in your schedule if you can. Rain can affect both the ride and the condition of the route, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces a cancellation.

The ranch is the starting point for the riding portion. You receive a saddle and safety helmet, and a muleteer accompanies the group to care for the horses. That division of work matters. Your guide can focus on instruction and the route while the muleteer handles the animals.

The group can include up to 15 people. That is not an intimate private ride, but it is still small enough to feel calmer than a large coach excursion. If you are new to horses, tell the staff clearly. The tour is designed for beginners, and the introductory guidance is meant to help you get comfortable before setting out.

Two hours in the saddle, with room for a little speed

The riding portion lasts about two hours. Beginners should expect instruction and time to settle into the horse’s movement before the ride gathers a rhythm. The supplied details describe the horses as well trained, and past participants found them suitable for people riding for the first time.

The pace is not limited to a slow walk in every case. Some groups have been allowed to trot and gallop for short stretches. That can be the most thrilling part of the outing, especially on open ground with Cusco and the surrounding hills spread out below you.

It can also be the least comfortable part. A trot or gallop is jarring if you have never ridden before, and even an experienced rider may find the saddle tiring after two hours. The guide warns the group before a section that may feel scary, and the horses are reported to know the route well. Still, you should not book this if the idea of faster riding makes you uneasy.

The scenery is one of the strongest reasons to choose this excursion. You ride through countryside near the city and pass old stone sites rather than moving from one enclosed attraction to another. The views from the high ridges are especially appealing, with ruins and Cusco below.

The experience is active, but it is not a demanding trekking day. You spend most of the time seated, though getting on and off the horse and walking around the temple require basic mobility. Most people can participate, and the stated minimum age is 8.

The Temple of the Moon and its quiet setting

The Temple of the Moon, also called Amaru Marca Wasi, is on the northern side of Cusco. It is described as one of the city’s important mystical attractions, and the visit offers a different mood from the larger, busier archaeological sites.

You leave the horses for this stop and walk around for about 30 minutes. That short break is useful after riding, and it gives the guide time to explain the site without trying to talk over hoofbeats and movement.

The name Temple of the Moon points to the sacred character assigned to the place. The site includes carved stone and spaces connected with ritual use, though this outing is brief rather than a full archaeological study. You should come for the atmosphere, the setting, and the chance to hear local cultural context.

The guide may also invite you to pause and recharge your energy, a phrase that fits the spiritual tone of the stop. You do not need to share every belief surrounding the site to appreciate the quiet. The visit feels more personal than a quick photo stop, especially when the surrounding hills are still and the city seems farther away than it really is.

Because the stop is only about half an hour, keep your expectations in check. You will not have time for a long independent exploration. The value comes from adding a lesser-known sacred site to a horse ride, not from spending an entire day studying the ruins.

The guides make a major difference

Holger is the guide name that comes up most often in the supplied comments. He is described as friendly, attentive, and comfortable explaining the history of the land in English. One account also praises his ability to make first-time riders feel at ease.

That combination is important. A horseback tour can be pleasant or frustrating depending on how clearly the guide explains steering, stopping, spacing, and changes in pace. A strong guide also knows when a group needs more time before moving faster.

The staff are described as multilingual and professional. The tour includes a dedicated guide plus a muleteer who looks after the horses. You should still ask questions at the ranch if you are unsure about mounting, controlling the reins, or keeping a safe distance from another horse.

The cultural side is more than decoration. The ride passes Inca ruins, and the guide provides information about the land and its history. The Temple of the Moon visit adds another layer, since the site is valued for its spiritual meaning as well as its stones.

Horses, equipment, and what to wear

A saddle and safety helmet are included. The horses have been described as being in good health and well cared for, which is one of the most important points in choosing a riding excursion.

Wear long pants, preferably jeans. Shorts can leave your legs rubbing against the saddle or horse, which becomes unpleasant well before the ride ends. Closed shoes with rubber soles or walking shoes are recommended.

Bring a rain jacket if the forecast shows a significant chance of rain. Cusco weather can change quickly, and this experience is dependent on suitable conditions. A light layer is also sensible, since the ride reaches open, exposed areas where conditions may feel different from the city.

Do not wear jewelry or bring valuables during the ride. Loose items can fall, catch on equipment, or become a distraction. Bottled water is included, but you may still want to bring only the basics.

The weight limit is 90 kilos, or 200 pounds. The minimum age is 8. Service animals are allowed, though the activity itself involves live horses and a rural ranch setting, so you should disclose any special needs when booking.

Is $65 a fair price?

At $65, this tour offers solid value if you want several services combined in a short outing. The price includes hotel pickup and return, private-car transport, a professional guide, the horse, saddle, helmet, muleteer, bottled water, and admission to the Temple of the Moon.

A cheaper self-arranged visit might be possible, but it would not give you the horse, riding instruction, route support, or local explanation. You would also need to arrange transport to the ranch and figure out the site visit yourself.

The price makes the most sense for someone with limited time. You get countryside views and ruins without paying for a full-day excursion. Families and couples can fit it around other Cusco plans, while solo visitors receive a structured experience with a small group.

The value drops if you dislike horses, want a long archaeological visit, or expect a calm sightseeing ride with no physical strain. The possibility of trotting or galloping means you are paying for an active outing, not simply a seat with a view.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 54 reviews and is recommended by 98 percent of participants. Those figures suggest a strong record, especially for the guide quality, horse care, scenery, and friendly handling of beginners. They do not remove the need to consider the weight limit, weather, and your comfort on horseback.

Who should book this Cusco horseback tour?

I would put this tour high on the list for:

• First-time riders who want a guided introduction
• Families with children aged 8 and older
• Couples looking for a short outdoor activity
• Solo visitors who want transport and a planned route
• Anyone who has already seen central Cusco and wants a quieter setting
• Riders who enjoy scenery and ruins more than a formal museum-style tour

I would think twice if you have back, hip, or knee problems, since two hours on a horse can be tiring. The provided information does not give medical guidance, so you should judge your own comfort and ask the operator before booking if you have concerns.

This is also not ideal if you want complete control over the pace. The group and guide determine how the ride proceeds. Even if some groups trot or gallop, that is not a promise that every departure will do so.

Booking, cancellation, and timing tips

The tour is often booked about 28 days ahead, so reserve early if your Cusco dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at the time of booking.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff uses local time in Cusco.

Since rain can cancel the ride, avoid placing it on the final day of your trip if possible. A different date or a full refund is offered if the operator cancels because of poor weather, but you need room in your schedule to use the alternate date.

Plan on the advertised two and a half hours for the activity itself, while leaving extra time for hotel pickup and return. One supplied account estimated about three and a half hours from pickup to drop-off. That makes it easy to fit into a busy day, but do not schedule another fixed appointment too tightly afterward.

Should you book it?

Book this horseback tour if you want a compact, active escape from Cusco with ruins, high views, and a guide who can add meaning to the setting. Its strongest points are the easy transport, beginner-friendly approach, healthy horses, and the chance to visit the Temple of the Moon without committing to a full-day trip.

I would especially recommend it to families, couples, and first-time riders who want something beyond the standard city route. Skip it if you dislike riding, have limited mobility, or want a detailed archaeological tour with plenty of time at each site. For the right rider, $65 buys a memorable half-day and a welcome change from city sightseeing.

FAQ

How long does the horseback tour last?

The activity lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. About two hours are spent horseback riding, followed by roughly 30 minutes at the Temple of the Moon. Hotel pickup and return can make the total door-to-door time longer.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience is suitable for participants with little or no riding experience, and the minimum age is 8. An introductory explanation is provided before the ride.

What is included in the price?

The $65 price includes a professional guide, saddle, safety helmet, muleteer, round-trip transport from your Cusco hotel to the ranch, private-car transportation, bottled water, and admission tickets.

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 shows a significant chance of rain, and avoid jewelry or valuables.

Is there a weight limit?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.