Cusco: Hidden Incan Temples Full-Day Horseback Riding Tour

The best part of this tour is that it reaches less-visited Incan sites on horseback, not by another crowded coach ride. I like the mix of archaeology and open views, and I like that your horse is chosen to match your riding experience and mood. You also get time in the Andean community of Yuncaypata, which gives the day a local setting rather than a simple point-to-point sightseeing trip.

The main caution is that your comfort and pace depend on your riding skills. The tour is listed as six hours, but the timing can change with the group. You need long pants and closed-toe shoes, and the 90-kilogram, or 200-pound, weight limit is firm.

Key Points to Know Before You Ride

• Inkilltambo is the main archaeological stop: Visit an old Incan checkpoint once used by people traveling for trade and business.
• The route includes several names and sites: The day passes Yuncaypata, Inkilltambo, Templo de la Luna, Lanlakuyoc, and Balcon del Diablo. Other descriptions of the route also identify Rumiwasi and Kallachaka.
• Your horse is matched to your experience: A short riding induction helps you learn how to control the horse before setting out.
• The group is capped at 10 people: That keeps the outing smaller than a standard coach tour and should make basic instruction easier.
• Lunch and equipment are included: You receive a lunch box, snacks, water, saddle, and safety helmet.
• Central Cusco pickup saves time: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in central Cusco.

Why This Ride Offers More Than a Scenic Gallop

Cusco has no shortage of ruins, but many visitors see the same few sites from a bus or on foot. This ride takes a different approach. You leave the city for a ranch, meet the horses and muleteers, and spend much of the day moving through the hills around the Cusco Valley.

I like that the archaeological stops are connected by the ride itself. The horse is not just transport for a short photo stop. You spend about two hours riding from the ranch area, then continue with several shorter riding sections between the ruins and viewpoints. That makes the day feel like an outing rather than a series of disconnected stops.

The tour is run by Andina Expeditions, with a bilingual guide in English or Spanish. A verified booking described the guide as excellent and very friendly, which fits the kind of personal contact this small-group format is meant to provide. No individual guide name is supplied, so you should not expect to request a particular person.

Getting Started at Vieja Estancia Ranch

Pickup begins in central Cusco. You wait in your hotel lobby or at the entrance, then travel to Vieja Estancia Ranch, where you meet the horses and muleteers.

Before riding, the guide gives you a short induction. This is important even if you have ridden before. You need to understand how to control your horse and how the group will move along the route. The horses are selected according to your experience and mood, a useful touch for people who are comfortable around horses but do not want a mount that feels too strong or too slow.

The first riding section lasts about two hours. That is a substantial amount of saddle time at the start of the day, so this tour suits you best if you enjoy riding itself. If your experience is limited, tell the guide clearly. The pace can change according to the ability of the group, and the full duration may run differently from the advertised six hours.

The supplied equipment includes a saddle and safety helmet. You should bring your own long pants and closed-toe shoes. Those are not style suggestions. They are the sensible basics for a full day on horseback.

Passing Through Yuncaypata

The route first passes through Yuncaypata, an Andean community near Cusco. This part helps place the ruins in their present setting. You are not simply looking at isolated stone walls. You are riding through an area where rural community life remains part of the view.

The information provided does not promise a formal community visit, craft demonstration, or meal with local families. Think of Yuncaypata as part of the route and setting, not as a separate cultural program. Its value comes from seeing the countryside around Cusco before the archaeological stops begin.

You also get panoramic views of the Cusco Valley along the way. The word panoramic matters here because the ride is not confined to one ruin or courtyard. You have several stretches between sites where the open views become part of the experience.

Inkilltambo, an Incan Checkpoint

Inkilltambo is one of the most interesting stops because it had a practical role. It functioned as an ancient checkpoint for people traveling and doing business during Incan times. That gives the site a different feel from a ceremonial temple alone. Your guide can connect the stonework to movement, control, and trade across the region.

The site was restored three years before the tour details were published. That means some structures are easier to read than at a completely unrestored ruin, but you should not expect a polished museum complex. The attraction is the setting and the architecture, along with the chance to reach the site by horse.

The riding section listed for Inkilltambo takes about 40 minutes. The exact balance between riding and walking around the ruins is not specified, so ask your guide at the start how much time you will have on foot at each stop.

Templo de la Luna and the Route’s Changing Names

The itinerary includes Templo de la Luna, or the Moon Temple, after Inkilltambo. The supplied details do not give a long description of its carvings, chambers, or ceremonial use, so it would be wrong to promise a particular feature. What you can count on is a guided archaeological stop reached as part of the horseback route.

You may also see the route described with the names Rumiwasi and Kallachaka. Rumiwasi means Stone House and is described as an ancient residence associated with a local Incan leader. Kallachaka is identified as an ancient Incan temple. The day’s stop names can vary between the short route outline and the detailed schedule, so listen to the guide’s explanation of how the local names fit together.

This is one area where the experience benefits from a live guide. The ruins are not presented as a self-guided trail with posted information. Your guide provides the English or Spanish explanation and helps connect the different structures to the wider route.

Lanlakuyoc: A Simple Lunch Break

Lanlakuyoc is listed as the 35-minute break for lunch. The meal is a packed lunch, with snacks and water also included.

Do not expect a long restaurant meal. Thirty-five minutes is enough for a practical break, a drink, and a chance to rest your legs before riding again. It also keeps the six-hour schedule moving.

The tour price includes the lunch box, so you do not need to arrange a separate meal in advance. You may still want to bring any personal snack or drink you prefer, but the listed inclusions cover the basic food and water provided by the operator.

Balcon del Diablo and the Final Riding Section

The route then continues to Balcon del Diablo, with about 45 minutes listed for the guided tour and horseback riding. The name suggests a dramatic viewpoint, and the wider tour promises broad views over the Cusco Valley. Still, the supplied information does not specify the exact view, altitude, or terrain, so you should let the guide describe the site on the day.

After Balcon del Diablo, you ride back to Vieja Estancia Ranch. This final section is listed as about 80 minutes. By this point, the saddle time will be noticeable, especially for a first-time rider. The return ride is part of the experience, but it also explains why long pants, closed shoes, and a realistic view of your fitness matter.

From the ranch, transport returns you to Cusco. Hotel drop-off is included for central Cusco hotels.

What the Six-Hour Schedule Really Means

The listed day includes:

• About two hours of riding from the ranch area
• Around 40 minutes connected with Inkilltambo
• Around 40 minutes connected with Templo de la Luna
• A 35-minute lunch break at Lanlakuyoc
• Around 45 minutes at Balcon del Diablo
• About 80 minutes riding back to the ranch

These times add up to a long active outing, not six hours of sitting in a vehicle. Some sections combine riding and guided sightseeing, and the duration can change with the group’s horse-riding ability.

That flexibility is helpful for mixed groups, since beginners should not be pushed to match experienced riders. It can be frustrating if you want a tightly timed schedule. Do not book this on a day when you have a fixed afternoon appointment.

Is the $195 Price Good Value?

At $195 per person, this is not a budget way to see ruins near Cusco. The cost includes central hotel pickup and drop-off, a bilingual guide, the horse, saddle, safety helmet, muleteers, snacks, water, and a lunch box. It also pays for a small-group experience limited to 10 people.

I see the value in the combination. You are not paying only for a short horseback photo opportunity. You get several riding sections, archaeological sites, valley views, lunch, and transport in one half-day-plus outing. The small group also matters because basic horse instruction is more useful when the guide is not handling a very large crowd.

The value drops if you are an experienced rider looking for a fast, independent ride. The group pace and shared itinerary limit your freedom. It also may not suit you if you mainly want a detailed archaeology tour, since a large part of the day is spent riding between sites.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Insurance is not included, so you need to check your own coverage before booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Horseback Tour Most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a more active way to see the Cusco area and you enjoy the idea of reaching ruins by horse. It works especially well for riders who want a small group, a bilingual guide, and a mix of community scenery, archaeology, and open views.

It can also suit a beginner, since the guide provides an induction and the horse is chosen according to experience. But beginner does not mean effortless. You still spend several hours riding, and the group’s pace depends on everyone’s ability.

This is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone over 90 kilograms, or 200 pounds. The operator also excludes insurance, so that practical point belongs on your checklist.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want active sightseeing with real saddle time, not just a short ride for photographs. Inkilltambo, Yuncaypata, the Moon Temple, and the other named sites give the day more substance than a simple countryside excursion, while lunch, equipment, and transport keep the planning easy.

Skip it if you dislike horses, need a precise finish time, or prefer to spend the day walking slowly through one major archaeological site. For everyone else, the strongest reasons to go are the small group, the friendly guide service described in the booking feedback, and the chance to connect several Incan sites by horseback.

FAQ

Where does the horseback tour take place?

The tour takes place in the Cusco Region of Peru, beginning at Vieja Estancia Ranch and visiting sites near Cusco, including Yuncaypata, Inkilltambo, Templo de la Luna, Lanlakuyoc, and Balcon del Diablo.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is six hours. The exact duration can depend on the horse-riding skills and experience of the participants.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in central Cusco. You should wait in the hotel lobby or at the entrance for the guide.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide is available in English and Spanish.

How large is the group?

The tour is a small-group experience limited to 10 participants.

Is horseback riding instruction provided?

Yes. At the ranch, the guide gives a brief induction on how to control the horses before the ride begins.

Is the horse chosen for each participant?

Yes. The horses are selected according to your riding experience and mood.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes snacks, water, and a lunch box.

What should I wear?

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

Who cannot join the tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people weighing over 90 kilograms, or 200 pounds. Insurance is not included.