Cusco: Hidden Incan Temples Full-Day Horseback Riding Tour

The best part of this ride is the chance to reach lesser-known Inca sites on horseback, including Inkilltambo, an old checkpoint for people and trade. You also pass through Yuncaypata, an Andean community, so the day feels less like a standard ruin visit and more like a look at the countryside around Cusco.

I like the small group of up to 10 and the horse-matching process, which helps riders with different skill levels feel more at ease. I also like the strong focus on the guide: the available feedback describes the guide as excellent and very friendly. The main catch is that the pace and total timing depend on everyone’s riding ability, and the 90-kilogram weight limit is firm.

Key points at a glance

• Inkilltambo by horseback: See a restored Inca checkpoint that once served people moving through the area.
• Yuncaypata village: Ride through an Andean community rather than staying only at formal archaeological sites.
• Several named stops: The route includes Inkilltambo, Templo de la Luna, Lanlakuyoc, and Balcon del Diablo.
• Horse selection by experience: Your guide chooses a horse according to your riding background and comfort.
• Six-hour outing: Hotel pickup, riding, sightseeing, lunch, and return transport fit into one half-day-plus excursion.
• Practical limits: Central Cusco pickup is included, but insurance is not, and riders must weigh no more than 90 kilograms, or 200 pounds.

Why this Cusco ride feels different

Cusco offers no shortage of famous ruins, but this excursion takes you away from the most familiar sightseeing pattern. Instead of joining a large bus group and moving from one major site to another, you ride out from a ranch, cross the area near Yuncaypata, and reach several smaller Inca locations with a guide on foot or horseback.

That change of pace matters. A horse gives you a wider view of the Cusco Valley and lets you cover ground without spending the whole day in a vehicle. You still need to pay attention to the trail and your horse, but you have time to look around between stops.

The route is not a technical riding expedition. A brief introduction at the ranch covers how to control the horse, and the horses are assigned according to your experience and mood. That wording suggests a useful degree of care, but you should still be honest about your riding ability. If you are nervous, say so early.

The guide speaks English or Spanish, and the group is limited to 10 people. That is small enough for questions and personal help without making the price feel like a private tour.

Starting at the ranch near Cusco

Pickup begins in central Cusco, with the guide meeting you at your hotel lobby or entrance. From there, you head to Vieja Estancia Ranch, where you meet the horses and muleteers.

The ranch is the practical start of the day. You receive a safety helmet and saddle, then take part in a short induction. This is not a full riding course, so the experience suits people who already know the basics or feel comfortable learning simple control skills quickly.

The horse selection is one of the better details here. Rather than handing everyone the same type of horse, the guide considers your experience and mood. For a first-time rider, this can make a major difference. For a confident rider, it may help you avoid being placed on an unsuitable mount.

Wear long trousers and closed-toe shoes. Both are sensible choices for several hours in a saddle and on rural paths. Water and snacks are included, along with a packed lunch, so you do not need to organize food during the ride.

Riding through Yuncaypata

The first stretch takes about two hours and passes by the Andean village of Yuncaypata. This is one of the most appealing parts of the day because it gives context to the ruins ahead. You are not simply arriving at an isolated stone site. You are riding through an inhabited part of the Cusco region, with the valley opening around you.

The ride also provides the panoramic views listed as a main highlight. The exact sightlines depend on conditions and the route taken that day, but you can expect broad views around the Cusco Valley rather than an enclosed archaeological visit.

This opening section is also where the tour’s pace becomes clear. A two-hour ride is substantial for someone who rarely rides. You may enjoy the steady movement, or you may find the saddle tiring before reaching the first major stop. The itinerary allows time for sightseeing and lunch, but the provider notes that total duration changes with the group’s riding skills.

Inkilltambo, an old Inca checkpoint

Inkilltambo is the historical centerpiece of the ride. It served as an ancient checkpoint for people and business during Inca times. That function gives the site a practical character. It was part of movement and control, not just a ceremonial place built to impress.

The site was restored only three years before the activity details were published. That recent work may make the stonework easier to read, though it also means the presentation can feel less polished than at Cusco’s most famous monuments.

You have about 40 minutes of riding connected with this section, plus a guided visit. The guide is important here because smaller sites often lack extensive signs or displays. Ask questions about how the checkpoint worked and who would have used it. The answer can help you see Inca architecture as part of an organized road and trade system.

Inkilltambo is also a good match for anyone who has already seen major Cusco sights and wants something quieter. It is not promoted as a substitute for Machu Picchu or the city’s main archaeological complex. It is valuable because it offers a different scale and setting.

From Templo de la Luna to the Stone House

The route also includes Templo de la Luna, with around 40 minutes of horseback riding listed for this part of the day. The name points to a ceremonial Inca site, though the supplied details do not specify its exact features or explain how it connects to Rumiwasi.

The experience description also names Rumiwasi, or the Stone House, an ancient home associated with a local Inca leader. Its appeal is the quality of the stone construction. This is the point where you should slow down and look closely at the masonry rather than simply taking a quick photo and moving on.

The itinerary names stops somewhat differently from the general description, listing Templo de la Luna, Lanlakuyoc, and Balcon del Diablo. Because routes can be described by nearby sites or local names, confirm the exact sequence with your guide at the start. The important point is that the ride combines several archaeological locations instead of focusing on one large complex.

Lunch at Lanlakuyoc

Lanlakuyoc is the scheduled break, with about 35 minutes for lunch. The meal comes as a packed lunch, and snacks and water are included as well.

This is a short break, not a long restaurant stop. You will want to use the time to eat, drink, and rest your legs. After a couple of hours in the saddle, even a modest pause can feel welcome.

The lunch stop also helps divide the day. The ride begins with the village and first ruins, then shifts toward more sightseeing before the final stops and return to the ranch. Since no specific menu is provided, bring any special food needs to the provider’s attention before booking rather than assuming the lunch will suit your diet.

Balcon del Diablo and the final ride

The last major stop listed is Balcon del Diablo, reached after about 45 minutes of horseback riding. The name suggests a viewpoint, and the tour’s general highlights include panoramic views over the Cusco Valley. The details do not promise a particular sight from the overlook, so think of it as a scenic stop rather than a guaranteed signature viewpoint.

After the final visit, you ride for about 80 minutes back to Vieja Estancia Ranch. That return section is long enough to matter when judging the tour. By then, beginners may feel saddle fatigue, while experienced riders may enjoy the quiet trip back.

The full riding segments add up to several hours, with roughly five hours and 25 minutes of riding time listed across the route, plus the lunch stop and guided visits. The advertised duration is six hours, but the provider warns that the day may run differently depending on the group’s ability. Plan your evening in Cusco with some flexibility.

What the $195 price gets you

At $195 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value depends on how much you want the riding itself, not simply the ruins.

The price includes central Cusco hotel pickup and drop-off, a bilingual guide, horse, saddle, helmet, snacks, water, and a lunch box. You are paying for transport, equipment, a guide, and access to a route that would be awkward to arrange independently in one half-day.

The small group improves the value. A limit of 10 people gives the guide a reasonable chance to help with horse control and adjust to different riding abilities. It also keeps the outing more personal than a large coach excursion.

Still, the cost may feel high if you are mainly looking for archaeological interpretation. The route includes smaller sites, and the experience is built around riding rather than long expert talks at each monument. I would choose it for the combination of horses, rural views, and Inca locations, not as the cheapest way to see ruins near Cusco.

Insurance is not included. That is worth noting because horseback riding carries more physical risk than a standard walking tour. Check your own coverage before you reserve.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend this excursion to a confident beginner or intermediate rider who wants a different way to see the Cusco area. You should be comfortable spending several hours in a saddle and following basic instructions in English or Spanish.

It also suits someone who has already visited the main city sights and wants an outing beyond the usual circuit. Yuncaypata, Inkilltambo, and the smaller ruins offer a more local setting, while the valley views give the day a scenic element.

I would not choose it if you dislike horses, want a relaxed walking tour, or need a tightly fixed schedule. The group’s ability affects the timing, and the provider gives no option for riders above 90 kilograms, or 200 pounds.

Pregnant people should not book this activity. Long trousers and closed-toe shoes are required, and you should be ready for changing Andean conditions even though the supplied details do not specify a weather policy.

Booking details that matter

The tour lasts six hours and has several possible starting times, depending on availability. Pickup is included from hotels in central Cusco only, so confirm your address if you are staying outside the central area.

You can reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Cusco plans are still moving around. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

The guide is available in English or Spanish. The group limit is 10 people, and you should wait in your hotel lobby or at the entrance for pickup.

Should you book the Cusco horseback tour?

Book this tour if you want a full riding day with archaeological stops, village scenery, and broad views around Cusco. The friendly guide, horse-matching process, included equipment, and small group make it easier to manage than an informal riding outing.

Skip it if your priority is a low price, a guaranteed fixed finish time, or a major famous monument. At $195, the experience earns its value through the combination of riding and access to less familiar Inca sites. For the right rider, that combination is the point.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

Pickup and drop-off are provided from hotels in central Cusco. The riding begins at Vieja Estancia Ranch, and you return to Cusco after riding back to the ranch.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is six hours. The actual duration can change based on the riding skills and experience of the participants.

What archaeological sites are included?

The route includes Inkilltambo, Templo de la Luna, Lanlakuyoc, and Balcon del Diablo. The activity description also identifies Rumiwasi, or the Stone House, as a site to visit.

Is horseback riding experience required?

The guide provides a brief introduction on controlling the horses and selects horses according to your experience and mood. The duration depends partly on the group’s riding ability.

What is included in the price?

Central Cusco hotel pickup and drop-off, a bilingual English or Spanish-speaking guide, a horse, saddle, safety helmet, snacks, water, and a lunch box are included.

What should I wear?

Bring long pants and closed-toe shoes. A safety helmet and saddle are provided.

Who cannot take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people weighing more than 90 kilograms, or 200 pounds. Insurance is not included.