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

Cusco’s Temple of the Moon makes an excellent short escape from the city, especially if you want ruins and Andean scenery without giving up half a day. The ride begins at Vieja Estancia Ranch, roughly 25 minutes from central Cusco, then heads through open country and lesser-visited Inca sites near Sacsayhuaman.

I like the small-group feel, which helps first-time riders settle in, and the mix of gentle riding, wide views, and a short walk around the temple. The main consideration is that horseback riding can be jarring, particularly when the horses move into a trot or gallop, and the high ridge route includes at least one section that may feel steep or unnerving.

Key points at a glance

• Temple of the Moon visit: Leave the horses behind for a 30-minute walk around one of Cusco’s most mystical archaeological sites.
• Good for beginners: Basic instruction, trained horses, helmets, and a muleteer caring for the animals make this approachable for riders with little experience.
• A quick countryside break: The ranch is about 25 minutes from Cusco, yet the route feels far removed from the city.
• Guide quality matters: Holger has been praised for clear instruction, strong English, warm conversation, and his understanding of the local sites.
• Two hours in the saddle: Expect walking, some faster riding, and stops at ruins rather than a long expedition.
• Check the limits: The minimum age is 8, the maximum weight is 90 kilos or 200 pounds, and the activity depends on good weather.

A quiet ride just beyond Cusco

Cusco is packed with churches, markets, stone streets, and major archaeological sites. That energy is part of its appeal, but after a few crowded visits, the open slopes above the city can feel like a welcome change.

This outing gives you that change without requiring a full-day commitment. The riding portion lasts about two hours, followed by roughly 30 minutes at the Temple of the Moon. With pickup and return, plan on around three to three and a half hours from your hotel and back, although the official activity time is approximately two and a half hours.

The route takes you toward the countryside behind Sacsayhuaman. You’ll see Inca remains along the way, with Cusco spread out below and broad Andean views around you. This is not a major archaeological circuit with grand walls at every turn. Its appeal comes from the combination of horses, open space, and small sites that many visitors skip.

I especially like the pace. You are not rushing from one monument to the next. You have time to get comfortable on the horse, listen to the guide, and notice how quickly the city fades from view.

Starting at Vieja Estancia Ranch

Round-trip pickup from your Cusco hotel is included, using a private car. That removes one of the awkward parts of horseback outings: finding an unfamiliar ranch outside town and arranging a taxi back after the ride.

At Vieja Estancia Ranch, you receive a saddle and safety helmet, then get an introduction to the horses and basic riding guidance. This matters if you have little or no riding experience. The outing is designed for beginners, and the horses are described as well trained and well cared for.

A muleteer accompanies the group to look after the horses. That is a useful sign of a properly organized operation. You can focus on sitting correctly and enjoying the scenery while someone else handles the practical care of the animals.

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not an intimate private ride, but it is small enough to keep the group manageable. If you are traveling with family or friends, the setup should feel relaxed. The tour has also worked well for groups with children, provided they meet the minimum age of 8.

What the two-hour ride feels like

The horses generally begin at a walking pace, giving you time to adjust to the saddle and the movement of the animal. You’ll ride through the hills and along ridges, with ruins and mountain scenery appearing along the route.

The experience is not limited to a slow trail walk. Faster stretches may include a trot or short gallop, depending on the group and the guide’s judgment. That adds excitement, but you should not confuse this with a smooth sightseeing bus ride. A gallop can be thrilling and a little rough, especially if you are new to horses.

If you have only ridden once or twice, tell the guide at the start. Clear instruction makes a large difference, and Holger has been singled out for explaining the basics in an easy-to-follow way. He is also associated with strong English and engaging talks about the land and archaeological sites.

The ride includes stops at lesser-known Inca ruins. These are not necessarily as imposing as Sacsayhuaman, but they give the outing a sense of discovery. You can look over the stonework, ask questions, and take in the view without the pressure of a tightly timed city tour.

One part of the route may feel scary to some riders. The guide warns you in advance, and the horses are familiar with the path. Still, if you are nervous around heights, steep ground, or moving horses, this is worth considering before you book.

The Temple of the Moon on foot

At the Temple of the Moon, you leave the horses and walk around the site for about 30 minutes. The place is also known as Amaru Marca Wasi and sits north of Cusco.

The short walk is an important part of the outing. Horseback riding gives you a moving view of the countryside, but walking lets you slow down and look closely at the stonework and carved spaces. The guide explains the site and its spiritual importance, including the local idea of pausing to reconnect with the energy of the land.

Keep your expectations in check. This is a compact visit, not a full archaeological tour lasting several hours. You will get an introduction to the temple and its setting, then return to the ranch and vehicle. That shorter format is precisely why the activity fits well into a busy Cusco schedule.

The temple also adds variety. You are not simply paying for a trail ride with a ruin in the distance. You get time on foot at a named archaeological site, with interpretation from a professional guide.

The views behind Sacsayhuaman

The scenery is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. From the higher ground, you may look across Cusco and the surrounding Andean countryside. The contrast is striking: busy streets and red-tiled roofs below, quiet grassland and old stone sites along the ridge.

The views are best enjoyed at the slower parts of the ride. When the horses speed up, your attention naturally shifts to balance and control. Bring a camera if you like, but keep it secure and use it during stops rather than while riding.

The setting also gives you a different sense of Cusco’s archaeological area. Major sites often make history feel boxed into a ticketed entrance and a marked walkway. Here, the ruins appear as part of the hills around the city. That does not make the sites less important, but it does make the visit feel less formal and more connected to the surrounding country.

Weather can change quickly in the Andes. A rain jacket is recommended if the forecast shows a good chance of rain. Poor weather can cancel the trip, in which case you may be offered another date or a full refund.

Is $65 a fair price?

At $65 per person, the price is reasonable for a short Cusco outing that includes private round-trip transport, a professional guide, two hours of riding, a temple visit, a horse-care worker, helmet, saddle, and bottled water.

The transport is a meaningful part of the value. A cheaper ride that leaves you arranging taxis to and from a ranch may not save much once you add local fares and time. Here, pickup and return are handled for you.

The value is strongest if you want several elements in one compact trip: countryside, horses, archaeological sites, and guiding. If you only want a long horseback ride, you may prefer one of the operator’s half-day, full-day, or multi-day routes. This particular outing is built for a shorter window.

The price may feel high if you are not comfortable on horseback. You spend about two hours in the saddle, and that is a long time to endure if you already know you dislike riding. In that case, a walking tour of Cusco’s ruins would be a better use of your money.

Clothing, comfort, and safety

Wear long pants, preferably jeans, and closed shoes with rubber soles or walking shoes. The right clothing helps with saddle comfort and gives you better footing when walking around the temple.

Do not wear jewelry or bring valuables you would be upset to lose. Items can shift while riding, and there is no good reason to take expensive accessories on a trail.

Bring a rain jacket when rain is possible. Cusco’s weather can change, and the activity requires good conditions. Bottled water is included, but you should still arrive ready to spend several hours outdoors.

The weight limit is 90 kilos, or 200 pounds. The minimum age is 8. Most people can participate, including those with little or no riding experience, but you should be honest about your comfort level before the horses leave the ranch.

Service animals are allowed. The maximum group size is 15 people. These details make the outing fairly accessible, but they do not remove the physical demands of riding, walking, and handling uneven ground.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to families with older children, couples, solo visitors, and friends who want a different kind of Cusco afternoon. It works particularly well for anyone who has already seen the city center and wants a short trip into the hills.

Beginners should feel comfortable if they listen to the introduction and tell the guide about their experience. The horses are described as calm and well trained, and the staff has experience helping first-time riders.

It is also a good fit for people interested in the less familiar side of Cusco’s archaeology. You will not spend the entire outing inside a major monument, but you will see ruins along a scenic route and receive context for the Temple of the Moon.

I would be more cautious if you have back problems, poor balance, a strong fear of horses, or little tolerance for rough movement. The faster sections can be jarring. Ask about the pace at the ranch and make your comfort level clear before setting off.

Planning around your Cusco schedule

Because the activity is short, you can place it between larger plans. It may fit on a day when you have a free morning or afternoon, provided you leave enough room for hotel pickup, traffic, and return.

Do not schedule it so tightly that a small delay causes trouble. The riding and temple visit add up to about two and a half hours, but the full outing can run closer to three and a half hours from pickup to drop-off.

Booking ahead is sensible, particularly during busy periods. This experience is often reserved about 28 days in advance, which suggests that last-minute spaces may not always be available.

The cancellation policy is helpful: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather forces the operator to cancel, you can receive another date or a full refund.

The guide can shape the day

A horseback tour rises or falls on its guide. You need someone who can explain the horses, set a safe pace, and give the ruins more meaning than a quick photo stop.

Holger is a guide associated with this experience and is known for clear English, warmth, and strong knowledge of the local sites. He has also been praised for making first-time riders feel at ease and for warning the group before the more unsettling part of the route.

That kind of guidance matters more than a long speech. You want practical help when mounting, turning, stopping, and changing speed, followed by clear information at the ruins. The tour appears to place real emphasis on both sides of that job.

If Holger is not leading your departure, the operator still provides a professional guide. You can improve the experience by asking questions early and telling the guide whether you want a calm ride or are comfortable with some faster movement.

Should you book this horseback tour?

Book it if you want a short, active trip from Cusco with archaeological sites and wide Andean views. The combination is unusual, the transport keeps things easy, and the pace suits people who do not want a full-day excursion.

I would especially choose it for a first horseback outing in Peru, a family with children aged 8 and up, or anyone curious about the Temple of the Moon but short on time. The strongest points are the friendly instruction, well-cared-for horses, quiet countryside, and chance to ride near ruins behind Sacsayhuaman.

Skip it if you dislike horses, need a completely smooth ride, or want a major archaeological complex with hours of detailed exploration. Also check the weight limit and weather forecast before paying.

For the right rider, $65 buys more than a trail loop. You get a practical half-day escape, a guide-led temple visit, and a fresh look at the country around Cusco.

FAQ

How long does the horseback tour last?

The listed activity lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. About two hours are spent horseback riding, followed by around 30 minutes walking around the Temple of the Moon. With hotel pickup and return, the full outing may take about three to three and a half hours.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity is suitable for people with little or no horseback-riding experience. An introductory tutorial, safety helmets, trained horses, a professional guide, and a muleteer are included.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 8 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 rain is likely. Avoid jewelry and valuables during the ride.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.