Horses and ancient sites near Cusco. This small-group horseback tour blends time in the saddle with a stop at the Templo de la Luna (Amaru Marca Wasi) area, letting you step off the usual route without burning half your vacation. You get round-trip transport from your Cusco hotel, plus a relaxed pace that still feels like an adventure.
I especially like the practical safety setup: helmets and a saddle intro that works even if you are new to riding, and a guide (many groups are led by Holger) who ties the sites to what you are looking at. The one thing to keep in mind is that the experience depends on good weather, and some parts can feel a bit bumpy or a touch intimidating if you expect a totally gentle ride.
In This Review
- Key things I’d bookmark before you go
- Cusco horseback riding + Temple of the Moon: a smart use of limited time
- Vieja Estancia Ranch and the ride setup that keeps first-timers comfortable
- Ruins along the route: more than scenery, with stops that feel worth it
- Templo de la Luna (Amaru Marca Wasi): the walk that slows the whole trip down
- Hidden temples and the Cusco overlook effect
- Group size, guide energy, and why Holger keeps popping up
- What’s included for $65: the value math is better than it looks
- What to wear and bring for a comfortable horseback ride in Cusco
- Weather rules: why you should plan around a good forecast
- Who this horseback tour is best for (and who might want a different plan)
- Should you book this Temple of the Moon horseback tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the horseback tour in Cusco to the Temple of the Moon?
- How much horseback riding is included?
- What is the Temple of the Moon stop called?
- Is admission to the sites included?
- Do I need prior horseback riding experience?
- What is the minimum age for the tour?
- What is the weight limit?
- What should I wear for the ride?
- How big is the group?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
Key things I’d bookmark before you go
- Two hours of horseback riding with guided stops, built for beginners
- Temple of the Moon walk after leaving the horses, with admission included
- Max 15 people keeps the vibe calm and easy to manage
- Helmets, saddle, and a muleteer for practical safety and comfort
- Professional, English-speaking guide (often Holger) who explains what you are seeing
Cusco horseback riding + Temple of the Moon: a smart use of limited time
Cusco is packed. Even good plans can feel like a blur. This tour is built for people who want a memorable Cusco change of pace without committing to a long day. With about 2 hours 30 minutes total time, it fits neatly around other sights—especially if your schedule is already tight.
At $65 per person, the price also works in your favor because the essentials are included: guide, helmet, transportation, water, and admission tickets for the sites. You are not paying extra on top for the main experiences, which makes it easier to decide on the spot.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Cusco
Vieja Estancia Ranch and the ride setup that keeps first-timers comfortable
The horseback portion starts with Vieja Estancia Ranch, one of the operators known for trips along the Andes. This particular outing is short and focused: you ride for about 2 hours, with a guide managing the route and a muleteer traveling with the horses to help with care.
Before you ride, you get an introduction to the saddle and how to handle your horse. If you have little or no experience, that matters. You are not being thrown into the deep end. The horses are described as well trained, and you can expect a mix of riding styles—walking, plus moments where the group may be able to trot or even gallop a bit depending on how the ride goes and how the guide reads the group.
A practical note: because you are on horseback, you’ll want to dress for real movement. Long pants and closed shoes help you stay comfortable and safe when you swing a leg up, shift positions, or walk a bit between points.
Ruins along the route: more than scenery, with stops that feel worth it
This tour is not just about sitting on a horse and enjoying views. You also make pauses to see Inca ruins during the ride. Those short stops are part of why the outing feels richer than a basic ride.
You get guided interpretation while you look around. In the stories you’ll hear about this tour, the guide’s role comes through clearly: you are not just taking photos. You’re being pointed to what to notice and how the place fits into the larger Cusco area.
One more thing I like for cautious riders: the guide warns you in advance if any portion of the route feels a little tense. That kind of advance heads-up turns potential stress into something you can handle, even if you are not 100 percent sure about riding yet.
Templo de la Luna (Amaru Marca Wasi): the walk that slows the whole trip down
After the riding segment, you reach the Temple of the Moon, also known as Amaru Marca Wasi. The tour then has you leave the horses and switch from riding to walking.
This walk is about 30 minutes, and admission is included. The vibe here is different from the horse portion: you trade motion for quiet, with time to look around and take in the mystical reputation of the site. You also get a clear structure: you ride to the area, dismount, and then walk and explore as a group before heading back.
If you are the kind of person who likes sites with atmosphere—rather than only monumental ruins—this stop is often the emotional center of the day. It feels like the tour gives you a moment to breathe after the excitement of the ride.
Hidden temples and the Cusco overlook effect
The phrase hidden temples shows up for a reason. This is not a straight line to the biggest headline stops you’ve already seen on postcards. The route takes you through less-visited Inca ruins around the Cusco area, including stops near Sacsayhuaman in the stories people share.
What you get from that setup is a sense of scale without feeling like you are stuck in a bottleneck. From higher points along the route, the views can be dramatic. Even in a short 2.5-hour experience, you feel like you’ve left town and entered the Andean countryside—because you ride out from Cusco and back.
The biggest practical upside of the routing is the pacing: you are not marching for hours, and you’re not stuck staring at stone all day either. You’re doing a mix—horse time, brief ruin stops, then a slow walk at the Temple of the Moon.
Group size, guide energy, and why Holger keeps popping up
A major reason this tour consistently feels easy is the limit of up to 15 travelers. That size is big enough that you’re not alone, but small enough that your guide can keep an eye on the group and adjust how the ride and stops work.
Guide quality is another big part of the experience. Many groups are led by Holger, and the theme that comes up is how clearly he explains things in excellent English, while also being friendly and attentive. Even if you only catch bits of the background, the structure helps you understand what you’re seeing as you move from point to point.
For families and first-time riders, that matters. People often need reassurance. A guide who can translate what to do—and why you are doing it—keeps the tour from turning into a checklist.
What’s included for $65: the value math is better than it looks
Let’s break down the essentials because they affect how good a deal this really is:
Included in the tour:
- Professional tour guide
- Saddle and safety helmets
- Muleteer to help care for horses during the ride
- Round-trip transportation from your Cusco hotel to the ranch area and back
- Transport by private car
- Bottled water
- Admission tickets for the sites on the route
- Weight limit: 200 pounds (90 kilos)
- Service animals allowed
So you are not just paying for a horse. You’re paying for the whole package: getting to the ranch, gear and safety, guided site time, and admissions. For Cusco, that’s where “value” usually lives—in what’s included, not just the headline price.
What to wear and bring for a comfortable horseback ride in Cusco
This tour gives clear clothing guidance, and I’d follow it closely:
Wear:
- Long pants (jeans are a safe pick)
- Closed shoes with rubber soles or walking shoes
Bring:
- A rain jacket, especially if rain is possible during your riding window
And a quick rule that people sometimes forget: don’t wear jewelry or valuables during the ride. A horse day comes with movement and risk of small accidents. Keep it simple.
Other practical notes from the tour rules:
- Minimum age is 8 years
- This is suitable for people with little or no experience
- Maximum group size is 15
- Service animals are allowed
Weather rules: why you should plan around a good forecast
This activity requires good weather. If weather doesn’t cooperate, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s important in Cusco because conditions can shift.
If you go at a time when rain is possible, pack for it. Even if the rain looks light, you’ll be happier in a rain jacket and proper shoes. The tour is short, but wet ground and muddy footing can make the riding feel less pleasant.
Who this horseback tour is best for (and who might want a different plan)
This is a great choice if you:
- Want a short adventure that fits into an already packed Cusco itinerary
- Have little or no riding experience
- Like a mix of movement plus guided ruins
- Prefer smaller groups and a calmer pace
- Want a change from only big, crowded attractions
You might think twice if you:
- Are not comfortable with being on horseback for about two hours
- Are easily unsettled by a route that can include moments of tension (the guide warns ahead, but it is still a riding experience)
- Are traveling during a period where weather is likely to be poor, since the tour depends on good conditions
Should you book this Temple of the Moon horseback tour?
Yes, if you want a Cusco experience that combines the thrill of riding with guided time at the Templo de la Luna (Amaru Marca Wasi) and lesser-seen Inca ruins. The value is strong because the essentials are included—gear, admissions, water, and round-trip hotel transport.
If you want something long and physically demanding, this is not that. Think of it as a focused, well-supported ride that swaps hours of walking for a guided route in the saddle and a calmer 30-minute walk at the Moon Temple area.
If the forecast looks good and you like the idea of mixing ruins with horseback countryside time, this is the kind of tour that can become your favorite day in Cusco.
FAQ
How long is the horseback tour in Cusco to the Temple of the Moon?
The total duration is about 2 hours 30 minutes.
How much horseback riding is included?
About 2 hours of horseback riding is included.
What is the Temple of the Moon stop called?
It is known as the Temple of the Moon, also referred to as Amaru Marca Wasi.
Is admission to the sites included?
Yes. Admission tickets are included for the sites on the route.
Do I need prior horseback riding experience?
No. The tour is suitable for participants with little or no experience.
What is the minimum age for the tour?
The minimum age is 8 years.
What is the weight limit?
The weight limit is 200 pounds or 90 kilos.
What should I wear for the ride?
Wear long pants (preferably jeans), closed shoes with rubber soles or walking shoes, and bring a rain jacket if rain is likely.
How big is the group?
The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
