Cusco: Half-Day Horseback Riding at Devil’s Balcony

Ride above Cusco, then find a sacred cave. This four-hour outing with Andina Expeditions gives you two things I especially like: wide views over Cusco and a route through quiet countryside near Sacsayhuaman rather than another crowded city stop. The horses are well trained, the guides are patient with beginners, and the visit to Devil’s Balcony adds real cultural interest to the ride.

The main drawback is that the route is not always identical for every group. If you expect the Moon Temple, confirm before booking, since the half-day outing centers on Devil’s Balcony and Lanlakuyoc. Hotel pickup can also require care, as one booking had a mix-up over the pickup hostel.

Five things to know before you book

• The horses suit beginners: Riders with little or no experience are given calm horses and a basic lesson before setting out.
• You ride above Cusco: The trail offers broad views of the city, farms, local animals, and nearby ruins.
• Devil’s Balcony is the main attraction: The rock formation includes a natural opening and a cave with an archaeological connection.
• The ride lasts about two hours and 50 minutes: The route includes roughly one hour to Devil’s Balcony, 45 minutes there, one hour to Lanlakuyoc, and a short final ride back to the ranch.
• Bring practical clothing: Wear hiking shoes, long pants, and carry a small daypack. Helmets and saddles are provided.

Why this ride makes sense in Cusco

Cusco has no shortage of major sights. You can spend days visiting churches, museums, markets, and Inca walls. This ride offers a different view of the city, literally. From the hills near Sacsayhuaman, Cusco spreads below you, with the urban center framed by farmland and Andean slopes.

I like this outing most as a change of pace after a busy day or two in the historic center. You are not simply sitting in a vehicle looking out a window. You handle the reins, pass small farms, watch local animals, and move along trails that feel removed from the usual city circuit.

The price is $85 per person. That is not a bargain-basement horseback ride, but the fee covers central hotel pickup and drop-off, a bilingual English and Spanish guide, horse, saddle, helmet, and muleteer support. For a private group, or for a first-time rider who wants patient instruction, the cost is reasonable. The value depends on what you want: this is a scenic and cultural half-day, not a long, fast equestrian trek.

The activity has a 4.9 rating from 89 bookings, and the strongest praise centers on three things: gentle horses, helpful guides, and the views. That combination matters more than fancy ranch facilities. The ranch is described as a small local operation, with horses kept in pasture and prepared for each outing.

Pickup and the short ride to the ranch

Your guide picks you up at a central Cusco hotel. You should wait in the lobby or at the hotel entrance, and it is worth checking that the exact property name and location are correct before departure. One pickup was attempted at the wrong hostel, so this is a small detail that can save time and confusion.

From the city, you go to Vieja Estancia Ranch near Sacsayhuaman. The transfer is part of the four-hour schedule, so the riding time is not the full four hours. The route includes the city transfer, the safety briefing, stops at the archaeological sites, and a break.

At the ranch, you meet the horses and muleteers. The guide gives a short induction covering how to control the horse and ride safely. Horses are matched to your experience and comfort level. That is particularly useful if you have never ridden before, since several first-time riders found the calm horses reassuring.

You should still be honest about your experience. A beginner who listens carefully and follows instructions is a good fit. Someone expecting a completely passive ride may find that even a gentle horse requires balance, attention, and some leg and rein control.

The first hour through farms and Andean countryside

The first riding section lasts about an hour. The trail leads through the countryside near Sacsayhuaman, with farms, herds of local animals, and open views over Cusco.

This is the part of the outing that feels most like a break from town. You get time to settle into the saddle before reaching the main sight. The horses generally follow the route well, and the muleteers add support while the guide watches the group.

The pace depends on the riders. The stated duration is approximate and can change with your experience and riding skills. Previous outings have included gentle riding for beginners, while more experienced riders were sometimes allowed to move faster. Do not assume you will gallop. The route and group’s ability determine what is safe.

The views are the reward here. You see Cusco from above rather than from a lookout reached by taxi. That higher perspective helps you understand how the city sits in a broad mountain setting, with older sites and rural land close to the urban center.

Guides also stop to explain the area’s plants, animals, geography, and Inca connections. Names attached to especially praised guides include Holger, Benny, Ogir, and Galan is one horse that received a personal shoutout. Guide names may vary by departure, but the pattern is clear: instruction and local explanation are important parts of the experience, not extras.

Devil’s Balcony and the Chacan rock formation

The central stop is Devil’s Balcony, also called Chacan. It lies on the back side of Saqsayhuaman and combines a natural formation with archaeological meaning.

The attraction is a large rock split by a dramatic chasm. A natural opening creates a balcony-like view over the river below. The river passes beneath the rock through a large cave, forming a striking natural passage.

The cave was used as an Inca shrine. Your guide stops here to explain the site and its setting, giving the visit more substance than a quick photo stop. The attraction is not a grand masonry complex, so you should come for the rock, cave, river, view, and cultural context rather than expect another Machu Picchu.

The riding section to this stop lasts about 45 minutes according to the schedule. You may also get off the horse to explore or listen to the explanation. Wear shoes with a firm sole, since the tour includes walking around natural and archaeological features.

This is where the tour earns much of its appeal. You are visiting a place that can be missed by people who only see the main Sacsayhuaman walls. The combination of a natural cave and an Inca shrine gives the stop a strong sense of place.

One important note: do not book this half-day route assuming the Moon Temple is included. One person expected that stop and found that it belonged to a full-day option. Another booking did include a visit to the Temple of the Moon, which suggests that routes can vary, but you should treat Devil’s Balcony and Lanlakuyoc as the reliable focus of this outing.

Lanlakuyoc, the quieter archaeological stop

After Devil’s Balcony, the ride continues toward Lanlakuyoc for about an hour. The schedule includes a guided visit here, followed by a 20-minute break.

Lanlakuyoc is one of the less familiar sites on a standard Cusco itinerary. That makes it useful for you if you have already visited the main monuments and want a smaller-scale look at the area around Sacsayhuaman. The guide explains the ruins and their place in the local Inca setting.

The break gives your body a chance to rest. Horseback riding can be tiring even when the horses are calm, especially at Cusco’s elevation and on uneven ground. The pause also breaks up the outing for first-time riders. One of the practical strengths of this route is that the stops prevent the ride from becoming one long stretch in the saddle.

Do not expect a large visitor center, a restaurant stop, or a polished attraction. The appeal is the site itself and the chance to see it with a guide who can explain what you are looking at. It is a quieter experience than the best-known ruins.

Returning to the ranch and Cusco

After the break, you ride back toward Vieja Estancia Ranch. The listed final riding section is only about five minutes, so most of the return route is included in the earlier sections or in the transfer schedule.

At the ranch, you return the horses and travel back to central Cusco. Hotel drop-off is included for central hotels. If you are staying outside the central pickup area, confirm the arrangement before paying, since the included transfer is specifically described for central Cusco hotels.

The tour uses helmets and saddles, and a muleteer is included. Insurance is not included, so you need to arrange your own travel or activity cover if that matters to you. The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Cusco schedule is still shifting.

What the horses and guides are like

The horses receive the most consistent praise. They are described as well trained, responsive, calm, and comfortable. Several people with no prior riding experience felt safe after the basic instruction.

That does not mean every horse behaves identically or that riding requires no effort. Your guide selects horses according to experience and mood, but you still need to follow directions and communicate clearly with the animal.

The guides are another strength. They explain riding technique, help you mount and dismount, answer questions about Inca sites, and often take photographs along the way. Guides such as Holger, Benny, and Ogir were singled out for patient instruction and strong explanations of local history, plants, animals, and geography.

English and Spanish are available. A private group can also be arranged, which is worth considering if one person in your party is a nervous beginner or if you want a slower pace. The general experience appears friendly and personal rather than mass-market.

There is one environmental blemish worth noting. Plastic litter was seen around parts of the route. It is not the central feature of the ride, but you should keep expectations realistic: this is a working rural area, not a manicured park.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend it to:

• First-time riders who want a calm introduction
• Experienced riders looking for a scenic half-day rather than a full expedition
• Couples or small groups wanting time outside the city
• People interested in lesser-known Inca sites near Sacsayhuaman
• Anyone who values views and local guiding more than luxury ranch facilities

You should think twice if you are pregnant, weigh more than 200 pounds or 91 kilograms, or strongly dislike uneven outdoor routes. The activity is also a poor fit if you want a guaranteed Moon Temple visit, a long gallop, or a full day in the saddle.

Wear long pants and hiking shoes. A daypack is useful for water, a light layer, and a camera, though the supplied information does not list food or drinks as included. The tour can be physically manageable for beginners, but the length remains approximate and depends on the group.

Is $85 a fair price?

At $85, this is a midrange half-day activity for Cusco. You pay for transport, equipment, a bilingual guide, horse selection, muleteer support, archaeological explanations, and roughly three hours of riding and stops.

The strongest value comes from the combination. A basic horseback ride without cultural stops would be less distinctive. A standard ruins tour would not give you the same views or time in the countryside. Here, the two experiences are joined in one outing.

The price is easier to justify if you are a beginner who wants help getting comfortable on a horse. It is also sensible for a private group, where a slower pace and direct attention can make a noticeable difference.

You may find better value elsewhere if your only goal is a short photo ride, or if you already ride regularly and want several hours of continuous trail riding. This is a guided sightseeing experience with horses, not a serious endurance ride.

Final call: book it if you want Cusco from a different angle

Book this ride if you want quiet trails, broad views, gentle horses, and small archaeological sites close to Cusco. It works especially well as a rest-day activity between more demanding excursions, while still giving you something memorable to see.

I would not book it solely for the Moon Temple, a guaranteed fast ride, or a perfectly smooth pickup. Confirm the route and hotel details first. If you accept those limits, the Devil’s Balcony ride offers good value and a warm, personal way to get beyond the city center.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding experience?

The activity lasts about four hours in total, including transportation, instruction, stops, and a break. The listed riding sections add up to roughly two hours and 50 minutes, but the total duration depends on your experience and riding skills.

What is included in the price?

The price includes central Cusco hotel pickup and drop-off, an English and Spanish-speaking guide, a saddle, safety helmet, and muleteer support.

Where does the horseback riding begin?

You travel from Cusco to Vieja Estancia Ranch near Sacsayhuaman, where you meet the horses and receive the riding induction.

Is this suitable for someone who has never ridden a horse?

Yes. The guide gives basic instructions, and horses are selected according to your experience and comfort. The activity is also suitable for experienced riders.

What will I see during the ride?

You pass farms, local animals, countryside near Cusco, and viewpoints over the city. The route includes Devil’s Balcony, also called Chacan, and Lanlakuyoc.

Is the Moon Temple included?

Do not assume it is included in this half-day experience. The main stated route visits Devil’s Balcony and Lanlakuyoc, while the Moon Temple is associated with full-day tours. Confirm the route before booking if that site is important to you.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear hiking shoes and long pants, and bring a daypack. A safety helmet and saddle are provided.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people weighing over 200 pounds, or 91 kilograms.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later, subject to availability.