Inca ruins and alpine meadows, reached on horseback from the Qenqo sector
Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 8 riding experiences from 34 reviewed.
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3 hr 30 min
Ride through the Andes to explore ancient Incan ruins and capture stunning mountain vistas above Cusco.
Reserve
3 hr 30 min
Ride through Cusco's ancestral landscapes to hidden archaeological sites with a local Andean guide
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3 hr 30 min
Ride through eucalyptus forests to ancient Inca sanctuaries on the outskirts of Cusco
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
Every Horseback Riding Cusco tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.
| Experience | Duration | Rating | Transfers | Pickup | Guide | Free cancel. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard Entry Most popular
Horseback Ride to Temple of the Moon
|
3 hr 30 min | ★ 5.0 | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €51 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Horseback Riding to Sacred Inca Temples
|
3 hr 30 min | ★ 4.9 | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | €51 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Horseback Ride to Temple of the Moon
|
3 hr 30 min | ★ 4.8 | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €60 | Book → |
All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.
Sacsayhuamán offers expansive Inca engineering, whereas the Temple of the Moon provides a quieter, more secluded stop for horseback riding cusco tours. They complement each other; most visitors who do both call Sacsayhuamán the more archeologically significant landmark.
| Feature | Top pick Temple of the Moon | Sacsayhuamán |
|---|---|---|
Terrain difficulty |
Moderate with uneven paths | Easy to moderate flat surfaces |
Archaeological significance |
High ritual importance | Extensive megalithic fortress ruins |
Crowd levels |
Low to moderate | High tourist volume |
Entrance fees |
0 USD (Free entry) | Requires Cusco Tourist Ticket |
Time required |
30–60 minutes | 2–3 hours |
Ideal for photography |
Excellent natural caves | Wide panoramic stone vistas |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Select the Temple of the Moon for a serene, intimate horseback riding cusco tour, or prioritize Sacsayhuamán if you seek extensive ruins and history requiring formal horseback riding cusco tickets or site passes.
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Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for Horseback Riding Cusco tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Near the Temple of the Moon
Look for local guides in the traditional area.
Open in Google MapsDirect travel from Cusco center takes about 20 minutes.
Wear comfortable layers and sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes suitable for mountain trails. A light windbreaker is recommended for horseback riding cusco excursions as weather can change quickly.
Carry a small daypack for your personal items during your horseback riding cusco tour. Keep valuables secure and avoid bringing excessive luggage to the remote Temple of the Moon site.
Photography is permitted at the Temple of the Moon. Capture the Andean landscapes and stone carvings during your horseback riding cusco visit.
The terrain at Temple of the Moon includes steep, uneven paths and natural rock formations. Horseback riding cusco activities are generally low to moderate in intensity but require basic physical stability.
Mobile phones are permitted. Keep ringer off inside exhibition spaces.
The site is open to all ages, though horseback riding cusco operators typically have age minimums (often 7 years) for riders. Consult your provider regarding child-specific requirements.
There are no facilities on-site at the Temple of the Moon, so carry sufficient water and light snacks. Many horseback riding cusco tours do not include meals, though some may offer refreshments.
Pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals with appropriate documentation.
Last entry is typically 1 hour before closing. Check the specific ticket for timing.
Near the Temple of the Moon
Look for local guides in the traditional area.
Get directionsBest time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
May to September offer the clearest skies and minimal rain, perfect for photography and horseback riding cusco trips.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
The altitude intensifies UV rays even on cloudy days, so apply sunscreen before your horseback riding cusco tour.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
Extensive Inca ceremonial site known for limestone carvings.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Most horseback riding cusco tours allow free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Entrance to the Temple of the Moon itself is 0 USD.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
Neighborhood with many boutique hotels and guesthouses.
The Temple of the Moon sits carved into a natural limestone cave system two kilometers north of Sacsayhuamán, reachable only by foot trail or horseback from the Qenqo sector.
Inca stonemasons sculpted ceremonial altars, niches, and serpentine channels directly into the rock face between 1438 and 1471, during Pachacuti's territorial expansion. The site served as a ritual chamber for lunar observation and mummification ceremonies, its interior geometry aligned to the June solstice moonrise. Spanish chroniclers recorded its use through 1533, when the surrounding temples were abandoned. Modern archaeologists documented traces of red pigment and gold leaf in the deeper alcoves during excavations in 1934 and again in 1982, though most portable artifacts had been removed centuries earlier.
Horseback riding Cusco trails converge at the temple because the Qenqo plateau offers stable footing and panoramic sightlines across the Cusco basin. Local outfitters including Gabriel's Ranch, Vieja Estancia, and Anaya operate daily rides departing from stables near the Pisac highway, following pre-Columbian footpaths that wind through eucalyptus groves and terraced fields before ascending to the cave entrance. Riders cover between seven and twelve kilometers depending on route, with altitude gains of 180 to 240 meters from the valley floor at 3,400 meters. The trails remain passable year-round, though June through August brings harder ground and clearer skies. Andean Experiences and similar operators report consistent demand from riders seeking alternatives to crowded bus tours, with horseback access eliminating the need for shuttle transfers or timed entry slots.
The temple itself consists of three interconnected chambers descending eight meters below ground level, their walls bearing trapezoidal doorways and zigzag friezes characteristic of imperial Inca masonry. A freestanding boulder at the cave mouth displays a carved throne and a vertical slab believed to represent a puma, Cusco's totemic animal. No artificial lighting exists inside; visitors rely on daylight filtering through the entrance or handheld torches. The surrounding landscape extends unbroken to the Vilcanota range, with views of Ausangate's glaciated peak visible on clear mornings. Horseback riding reviews on Reddit and travel forums consistently cite the temple's isolation and the physical engagement of riding as advantages over motorized access, particularly for photographers working in early or late light. Prices for guided rides range from 80 to 150 USD depending on duration and group size, with most operators including helmet, saddle gear, and bilingual guides certified in high-altitude equestrian safety.
"Inca stonemasons sculpted ceremonial altars and serpentine channels directly into the rock face between 1438 and 1471, during Pachacuti's territorial expansion."
A step-by-step walkthrough of Horseback Riding Cusco tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You meet your guide and horse at a stone corral near the Qenqo archaeological complex, where the trail begins at 3,420 meters elevation. After adjusting stirrups and reviewing rein signals, you set out along a dirt track that parallels a pre-Columbian irrigation channel, the horse's gait steady on compacted earth.
Within fifteen minutes you pass through a grove of introduced eucalyptus, their peeling bark giving way to native ichu grass as the path climbs. The Cusco valley spreads below, its red-tile rooftops compressed into a grid against the eastern ridge.
At the halfway point you dismount to walk the steepest switchback, then remount for the final approach to the cave entrance. The limestone outcrop appears suddenly, its openings framed by carved jambs and a flat ceremonial plaza. You tie the horse to a rail and descend eight stone steps into the first chamber, where trapezoidal niches line the walls and a zigzag channel cuts across the floor. Natural light reaches only the outer room; the inner alcoves remain dark. After twenty minutes you return to the horses and follow a loop trail back through open grassland, the descent taking half the time of the climb. The entire ride spans three hours, covering eleven kilometers round trip.
The site is accessible daily from 00:00–23:59.
There is 0 USD entrance fee for the site.
You can book a horseback riding cusco tour through local agencies in the historic center of Cusco.
Most operators for horseback riding cusco require riders to be between 7 and 65 years old.
Wear layers and sturdy shoes, as the trail to the Temple of the Moon can be uneven.
Yes, the site is free to enter, though many prefer the convenience of a horseback riding cusco tour.
Yes, the Temple of the Moon is located in the Qenqo sector near Sacsayhuamán.
The best arrival window for photography is 09:00–17:00 when the natural light is optimal.
Yes, a small daypack is recommended for carrying your essentials during your horseback riding cusco trip.
