Horse Riding Chacan Mountain And Temple Of The Moon

Cusco can feel like a blur of stone stairs and souvenir stops. This horseback ride is a slower way to see the outskirts and reach the Templo de la Luna and Chacan Mountain viewpoint, plus a dose of Inca trail lore. Two big wins for me are the well-managed Peruvian Paso horses and the hands-on, safety-first hosting from Gabriel and his team; one thing to consider is that the riding loop is short, so thrill-seekers who want lots of saddle time might feel a bit shortchanged.

Plan for a 3.5-hour outing with morning (9:00 am) and afternoon (1:00 pm) departures, and expect a real ranch-to-site experience rather than a rushed drive-by. Snacks and safety gear are included, transfers are built in, and your guide is bilingual in English and Spanish (Gabriel is the name you’ll most often hear). If you’re coming to Cusco mainly for culture and views without crowds, this is an easy yes.

Key things to know before you saddle up

• Peruvian Paso horses: calm, strong, and gaited, with a strong focus on animal care
• Temple of the Moon access: you can visit the moon temple area, with stops that can include an underground tunnel moment
• Chacan Mountain viewpoint: a mountain perspective that feels away from the city
• Safety gear is included: protective equipment and a guide who prioritizes safe riding
• Snacks on board: included at the start; drinks are not
• Smallish group size: maximum 20 people, which keeps it from feeling like a cattle line

Riding to the Moon Temple and Chacan Mountain is a smart way to see Cusco

Cusco is famous for being high-energy, but you don’t have to spend every day squeezing into the busiest sites. This tour gives you a real change of pace: you’re on horseback, moving through the hills, then landing at Inca-related places with time to take it in. The mix of horse time plus site time is what makes it feel complete for a half-day.

I also like that it’s not just scenery. The route is paired with historical context as you go, and the guides talk in a way that’s useful even if your Spanish is zero. One more practical plus: snacks are provided, so you’re not scrambling for food partway through.

The trade-off is that you’re not going to ride for hours and hours. The experience is built around a compact loop, plus stops, so it works best if you want a balanced, scenic outing rather than a long-distance ride.

Peruvian Paso horses and safety: why this ranch gets praised

The clearest pattern in the feedback is about the horses and how they’re treated. Expect Peruvian Paso horses that are calm and well trained, with many riders mentioning they felt comfortable even without much experience. People also call out that the horses are part of the ranch life, not just equipment.

Safety gear is part of the package. You’ll get protection equipment before you start, and the guides take control of the process from the moment you arrive at the ranch. In several accounts, the hosting is described as careful about matching horses to rider skill level, and there’s even mention of staff helping riders right away when something wasn’t working as expected.

A small caution comes from one mixed review: horse care can vary by horse. That doesn’t mean the whole operation is bad, but it does remind you to pay attention to how your horse is behaving and how it’s being handled before you set off. If something feels off, ask for a different mount.

The 3.5-hour flow: what your day looks like at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm

This is a 3 hours 30 minutes experience, and you can choose either the 9:00 am departure or the 1:00 pm departure. Morning usually suits you if you want calmer light for photos and a bit less heat later, while afternoon can work if you’re planning a big morning activity in Cusco.

Transfers are included between your hotel and the ranch, and that matters more than it sounds. Cusco days already require coordination, altitude planning, and good timing. Having round-trip transport reduces friction so the ride starts when it should and ends without you hunting for a ride.

From the ground you’ll typically drive out to the ranch, meet your guide, get fitted with the right protection equipment, and then start the route. Expect snacks at the beginning, and then the pace shifts into a guided sightseeing rhythm with stops.

Templo de la Luna: how the Moon Temple visit works on horseback

Your first major stop is at Templo de la Luna, the Moon Temple site. Going on horseback adds a different angle: instead of arriving by bus and joining a crowd, you’re already partway into the hills and you approach the site with time to reset your brain.

What I’d watch for here is the mix of spiritual site and practical reality. You’ll get guided context as you’re there, and in one note, riders mention an underground tunnel area as part of the visit. That kind of detail is exactly why this tour feels more memorable than a quick lookout stop.

The only drawback to mentally plan for: this is not a long museum-style visit. It’s a guided stop within a broader ride, so you get context and photos, but it’s still time-efficient.

Dress it like a site visit, not like a farm day. You’ll want layers because altitude weather can change fast, and you’ll be moving between open air and any enclosed or shaded sections.

Chacan Mountain viewpoint: the part you’ll remember on the way back

After the temple stop, the route continues toward the Chacan Mountain area and a mountain viewpoint. This is where the horseback part really pays off. You get a higher perspective over the Cusco outskirts, and you’re moving through the terrain instead of watching it from a vehicle window.

This section also connects to the idea of traveling older paths. The experience is described as traveling ancient Inca trails, and the guide’s commentary is what turns those words into a feeling. Even if you’re not a full-time Inca history nerd, you’ll likely appreciate the way the guide ties route and landscape to story.

One practical note: views are great, but you still need to stay focused while mounted. If you take photos, do it safely, and listen closely during any slower sections when the guide is managing the group.

Snacks, drinks, and what to pack for a comfy ride

Snacks are included, and that’s a real value add for a short half-day. You’ll get them as part of the start of the tour, so you can avoid the common travel problem of arriving hungry and rushed.

Drinks are not included, so plan to bring your own water. Cusco altitude can sneak up on you, and hydration matters more when you’re outside and moving. If you tend to get thirsty easily, pack a little extra just in case.

For clothing, think layers: morning or afternoon, you might start cool and then warm up as you move. Closed-toe shoes help for stability. If you have gloves or anything that improves grip, they can be handy, but the key point is comfort and balance.

Transfers, timing, and how to fit this into your Cusco plan

This tour is built for easy scheduling: pick your time slot, get hotel-to-ranch-to-hotel transport, and spend 3.5 hours outdoors. That’s useful if you’re trying to balance ruins, museums, and recovery days in Cusco.

It also works well as your first active day. A short horseback tour gives you a sense of the region without committing you to a full-day hike. If you’re arriving from the Sacred Valley, it can feel like a gentle bridge into Cusco life.

Group size is capped at 20. That’s big enough to keep energy up, but small enough that your guide should be able to keep track of riders. In the feedback, many people describe it as relaxed, not a chaotic production line.

Who should book this horseback ride (and who might not love it)

You’ll probably love this tour if you want:

• A calm, scenic horse experience on well-trained Peruvian Paso horses
• A cultural stop at Templo de la Luna with guided storytelling
• Mountain views of Chacan Mountain without a big hiking commitment
• A tour that feels more personal than the usual big-day circuit

Families and younger riders can also do well here. Multiple notes mention it being a strong option for kids and teens, including setups where a guide stays extra attentive to safety.

If you’re an advanced rider looking for long gallops and lots of hours in the saddle, you might find it too short. Also, if you are extremely sensitive to horse-handling ethics, choose this carefully and watch how your horse is cared for right before riding.

Value check: is $65 worth it?

At $65 per person for about 3.5 hours, the value depends on what you care about most. You’re not just paying for a view. You’re paying for transfers, a bilingual guide, safety equipment, quality horses, and snacks. Add in the fact that the group is limited and you’re moving through the countryside rather than trapped in a vehicle, and the price starts to make sense.

Where it can feel pricey is if you expected a longer riding duration. Since the loop is compact, people who measure tours by miles in the saddle may want more.

For most visitors, though, $65 lands as a fair price for a half-day that combines real outdoor time, a major site stop, and a guided context that you wouldn’t get wandering on your own.

Should you book Gabriel’s Ranch for the Moon Temple ride?

I’d book it if you want a Cusco day that’s outdoors, scenic, and guided, with a strong focus on animal welfare and rider safety. The repeated praise for Gabriel and the ranch team is the best hint you’ll get: this isn’t a throwaway “sit on a horse and go” operation. If you care about how horses are treated and you appreciate a relaxed pace, this tour fits well.

I’d think twice only if your top priority is long riding time, not stops and viewpoints. Also, if you’re picky about horse assignments, take a moment at the ranch to confirm your mount feels steady and comfortable before you start.

If you want an authentic way to see the Cusco outskirts without the usual crowds, this is one of the easiest calls to make.

FAQ

What is the duration and price of this horseback riding tour?

The tour runs about 3 hours 30 minutes and costs $65 per person.

What time does the tour depart from Cusco?

There are two departure times: 9:00 am in the morning and 1:00 pm in the afternoon.

What’s included in the price?

Included are transfers between hotel and ranch, protective equipment, horses, a professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish), and snacks.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

Do I need prior horseback riding experience?

Most travelers can participate, and riders mention feeling comfortable even without previous experience, though a careful guide will match you to an appropriate horse.

How big is the group?

This experience has a maximum of 20 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid will not be refunded.