Cusco: Hidden Incan Temples Full-Day Horseback Riding Tour

Ride beyond Cusco’s usual ruins. This six-hour horseback tour pairs quiet Incan sites with wide views over the Cusco Valley, giving you a day outside the city without a long transfer to the Sacred Valley. I like the visit to Yuncaypata, an Andean community, and the chance to reach Inkilltambo and other archaeological sites on horseback.

I also like the small-group format, limited to 10 people, plus hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, helmets, snacks, water, and a boxed lunch. The main caution is simple: you need some riding ability, and the pace depends on the group’s experience. The tour also has a 90-kilogram, or 200-pound, weight limit, and insurance is not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Inkilltambo is the main archaeological stop: This former Incan checkpoint once served people moving through the region for trade and travel.
• Yuncaypata adds a local touch: You pass through an Andean community rather than spending the whole day at formal ruins.
• The route includes several named sites: The schedule lists Inkilltambo, Templo de la Luna, Lanlakuyoc, and Balcon del Diablo, while the description also highlights Rumiwasi and Kallachaka.
• Horse time makes up most of the day: You ride in several sections, totaling about five hours, with a 35-minute lunch break.
• The group stays small: A maximum of 10 participants makes the ride easier to manage than a large horseback outing.
• Bring the right clothes: Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required recommendations, and a helmet is provided.

Why this horseback tour feels different from a standard Cusco excursion

Cusco has no shortage of organized day trips, but many keep you on roads and at the best-known archaeological sites. This ride takes a quieter route through the hills around the city, with stretches on horseback between old stone sites and rural communities.

That matters because the movement is part of the experience. You are not simply getting out of a vehicle, walking around a ruin, and climbing back in. You spend much of the day riding, stopping, looking, and continuing at the pace of the group and the horses.

The route is also varied. You pass Yuncaypata, visit Inkilltambo, see additional ceremonial or residential remains, stop for lunch, and return through a route that includes Balcon del Diablo. The result is less polished than a major tourist complex, but also more personal and open-ended.

The tour is operated by Andina Expeditions. The guide service has received a five-star rating, with particular praise for an excellent and very friendly guide. That warmth matters on a horseback trip, where clear instructions and a calm manner can make the difference between feeling comfortable and feeling out of place.

Pickup from central Cusco and the ride to the ranch

Your day begins with pickup from a hotel in central Cusco. You are asked to wait in the lobby or at the hotel entrance, so be ready there at the confirmed start time.

From the city, you head to Vieja Estancia Ranch. This is where you meet the horses and muleteers, receive your saddle and helmet, and get a short introduction to controlling your horse.

The horses are selected according to your riding experience and mood. That wording suggests the staff tries to match riders with suitable mounts rather than treating every participant the same. Still, you should be honest about your experience during the introduction. The itinerary is long enough that a poor match could become tiring.

The first riding section lasts about two hours. This is a substantial opening ride, not a brief photo opportunity, so long pants and closed-toe shoes are important. You should also be ready for the fact that the tour’s total length can change based on the riding skills of the group.

Yuncaypata offers a look at Andean life

The route begins by passing through Yuncaypata, an Andean village in the Cusco area. The village gives the outing a human setting before the archaeological stops begin.

This part is useful if you want to see more than stones and viewpoints. You get a sense of the rural communities around Cusco, where the old Incan sites are part of a lived-in region rather than isolated museum pieces.

The tour does not promise a long village visit or a formal community activity, so keep your expectations in check. Yuncaypata is a passage on the route, not a separate cultural workshop. Its value comes from the setting and the contrast with the city.

Inkilltambo, an old checkpoint in the hills

After riding through the village, you reach Inkilltambo. The site is described as an ancient checkpoint used during Incan times by people traveling and conducting business.

That role makes Inkilltambo especially interesting. It was not only a ceremonial place. Its position along routes through the region connected movement, trade, and control, which gives the ruins a practical purpose to look for as your guide explains the site.

The architecture was restored only about three years before the tour information was published. That recent work may make the stonework easier to read, though restoration can also give an old site a more prepared appearance.

You have about 40 minutes of riding associated with this part of the route, along with a guided visit. The stop is a good fit if you prefer lesser-known archaeological sites to the largest, busiest complexes. If you want hours of detailed archaeology, though, the short stop may feel limited.

Rumiwasi and the question of what you are seeing

The tour description also names Rumiwasi, or the Stone House, as an ancient residence connected with a local leader during Incan times. You are encouraged to look closely at the quality of the stone construction.

Rumiwasi gives the day a different focus from Inkilltambo. Instead of a checkpoint tied to movement and business, it is presented as a house linked to local authority. That contrast helps you see that Incan remains around Cusco served many purposes.

The route information also names Templo de la Luna, or Temple of the Moon, as a guided stop with roughly 40 minutes of riding. Since the supplied route uses both Rumiwasi and Templo de la Luna, the exact order or naming may depend on the guide’s route that day. Ask your guide early which sites your group will visit if seeing a particular one matters to you.

This is a useful question because the experience is described with several site names: Inkilltambo, Rumiwasi, Kallachaka, Templo de la Luna, Lanlakuyoc, and Balcon del Diablo. The itinerary appears to divide the ride among these points, but it does not give a full walking time or detailed description for every one.

Lunch at Lanlakuyoc breaks up the saddle time

Lanlakuyoc is listed as the lunch stop, with about 35 minutes set aside for a break. Your meal is a packed lunch, and snacks and water are included.

This pause is more important than it may sound. The route includes roughly five hours of horseback riding spread across several sections, so a chance to get off the horse and rest your legs helps keep the second half enjoyable.

You should not expect a restaurant meal or a long leisurely lunch. The provided information only promises a lunch box, snacks, and water. If you have strict dietary needs, check what can be supplied before booking rather than assuming the boxed meal will suit you.

The break also gives you time to take in the surroundings without managing reins and balance. Bring any extra personal water or small snack only if you prefer to have more than the included supplies, since the tour does not describe the exact contents.

Balcon del Diablo and the return route

The later guided stop is Balcon del Diablo, followed by about 80 minutes of riding back toward Vieja Estancia Ranch. The name suggests a viewpoint or rocky feature, but the supplied details do not define the site, so you should let the guide explain what you are seeing rather than arrive with fixed expectations.

The final ride is long enough to feel like a real closing section rather than a short transfer. By then, the horse and your own body may both be ready for a rest. This is where honest self-assessment matters: even a gentle ride can become tiring after several hours.

Once you return to the ranch, transport takes you back to Cusco. Hotel drop-off is included for central Cusco hotels. The activity lasts about six hours overall, though the exact duration depends on the group’s horse-riding skills and experience.

What the riding level really means

This tour is not presented as a lesson for complete beginners, although the guide does provide a brief induction. You should be comfortable following instructions, controlling a horse at a basic level, and staying mounted for extended stretches.

The pace is affected by the least experienced riders in the group. That is good for safety and comfort, but it means confident riders may find the outing slower than expected. The small group helps, since a guide can keep a closer eye on participants than on a large riding party.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone over 90 kilograms, or 200 pounds. Insurance is not included, so you should consider your own coverage before booking. Helmets are supplied, but you need to bring long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Is $195 a fair price?

At $195 per person, this is not a bargain-priced horse ride. The price makes more sense when you count what is bundled into the day: central Cusco pickup and drop-off, a bilingual English or Spanish guide, the ranch service, horse equipment, a helmet, snacks, water, and lunch.

You are also paying for access to several sites and for a small group capped at 10 people. A cheaper ride may offer less time in the saddle, fewer archaeological stops, no city transport, or a larger group.

The value depends heavily on your priorities. If you want a relaxed scenic ride with cultural stops near Cusco, the package is reasonably complete. If your main goal is a detailed archaeological tour, the price may feel high because each site receives a relatively short visit and the day is built around riding rather than long explanations on foot.

The five-star rating and praise for a very friendly guide support the idea that the human side of the outing is a major part of its value. A good guide can make the instructions clear, match the horse well, and help the stops feel connected rather than rushed.

Who should book this six-hour ride?

I would recommend it to you if you already enjoy horseback riding or have enough experience to feel comfortable in the saddle for several hours. It suits people who want rural views, old stone sites, and a small group instead of a standard bus excursion.

It is also a good choice if you have already seen Cusco’s main sights and want a different way to explore the surrounding area. The mix of Yuncaypata, Inkilltambo, Rumiwasi, and the other named sites gives the day a broader feel than a single-ruin visit.

I would think twice if you are a complete novice, dislike long periods on horseback, or need a highly predictable schedule. The pace changes with the group, and the several site names in the route description mean you should confirm the exact stops with the guide at the start.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Cusco plans are still shifting, though they do not replace checking the physical requirements and insurance question first.

Should you book the Incan temples horseback tour?

Book this tour if you want a full day of riding with archaeological stops, Andean community scenery, and broad Cusco Valley views. The small group, included transport, lunch, helmet, and friendly guide service make the $195 price easier to justify.

Skip it if you want a long, detailed examination of one major ruin, or if several hours in the saddle sound tiring. For the right rider, this is a rewarding way to reach quieter Incan sites. For the wrong rider, the same distance and changing pace could turn the day into work.

FAQ

Where does the horseback tour start?

Pickup is included from hotels in central Cusco. You should wait in the hotel lobby or at the entrance for the guide.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is six hours. The exact length can change depending on the riding skills and experience of the participants.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes central Cusco hotel pickup and drop-off, a bilingual guide, saddle use, safety helmets, snacks, water, and a boxed lunch.

What should I wear?

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

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum stated weight is 90 kilograms, or 200 pounds.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.