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

Cusco looks different from the saddle. This four-hour ride takes you above the city, along quiet mountain paths, and into the rocky Chacan, also called Devil’s Balcony. I like the calm, well-trained horses, especially for first-time riders, and I like that the route reaches small Inca sites and countryside that are easy to miss by taxi or bus. The main caution is that the tour length is approximate, and the ride can take more or less time depending on your experience.

You pay $85 per person for hotel pickup in central Cusco, a bilingual guide, horse, saddle, helmet, and muleteer support. That is not the cheapest way to see the hills, but the price feels fair if you value a private or small-group outing, riding instruction, transport, and explanations at several sites. Be clear about the route when booking: the Moon Temple is not guaranteed on this half-day trip.

Six things to know before you saddle up

• The horses suit beginners: Guides match horses to your experience, and repeated praise goes to their calm behavior and training.
• The views begin quickly: From the hills behind Sacsayhuaman, you can look down across Cusco and its surrounding countryside.
• Devil’s Balcony is more than a viewpoint: The rock includes a natural cave, a river, and a balcony-like opening once used as an Inca shrine.
• The ride is broken into manageable sections: The main horseback portions last about one hour, 45 minutes, one hour, and a short five-minute return.
• Guides add real context: Guides such as Holger, Benny, Ogir, and Galan have been praised for their riding help and explanations of Inca sites, plants, animals, and geography.
• You need practical clothing: Wear long pants and hiking shoes, bring a daypack, and remember that travel insurance is not included.

Leaving Cusco for the Vieja Estancia Ranch

Your guide collects you from your central Cusco hotel. The pickup is included, but wait in the lobby or at the hotel entrance, not in your room. One booking had a mix-up over the hostel address, so double-check that your accommodation name and location are entered correctly.

The ranch, called Vieja Estancia, is near Sacsayhuaman and outside the tight center of Cusco. The short transfer matters because it gets you away from city traffic without using up the day. You are not spending hours in a vehicle to reach a distant riding center.

At the ranch, you meet the horses and muleteers. The guide gives a short introduction to controlling and safely leading a horse, then selects animals according to your riding experience. This matching process is one of the strongest parts of the outing. First-time riders have been given gentle horses, while experienced riders have had the chance to try a faster pace and, in one case, the Peruvian gait.

Do not expect a formal riding school lesson. The instruction is practical and brief. You learn the basic technique, how to mount and dismount, and how to guide the horse along the path. The horses are trained to follow the route, which takes pressure off beginners, but you still need to listen closely and stay alert.

Helmets and saddles are provided. Long pants are a much better choice than shorts because you will spend several hours in the saddle. Hiking shoes are also advised, especially for the walking portions around the rock formations and archaeological sites.

One hour through farms, animals, and high views

Once mounted, the first major riding section lasts about an hour. The route passes farms, local animal herds, forested areas, and hills above Cusco. This is the part that gives the outing its sense of escape. You are close to the city, yet the setting changes quickly from streets and hotels to open paths and rural views.

I like this route for people who have already seen the main Cusco sights and want a slower afternoon. You are not simply riding in a fenced area. The horse carries you through working countryside, with views back toward the city and nearby ruins.

The pace depends on the group. Beginners may spend much of the time walking, while experienced riders may be allowed to move faster when conditions permit. The guide controls the rhythm, so this is not a free-for-all ride. That is a good thing on mountain paths.

The high altitude is worth taking seriously. The activity is not described as strenuous hiking, but riding still uses your legs and balance. If you have just arrived in Cusco, you may prefer to schedule this after a little time to adjust rather than on your first morning.

Devil’s Balcony, where stone frames the river

The main stop is Devil’s Balcony, known locally as Chacan. It sits behind Sacsayhuaman and combines natural rock with an archaeological setting.

The feature is a large rock split by a chasm. A balcony-like opening looks toward the river below, while the river passes through a large cave beneath the rock. The cave formed over thousands of years and was used as an Inca shrine.

This is not a grand ruin with towering walls. Its appeal comes from the meeting of stone, water, and sacred use. The natural formation gives the place an unusual shape, and the opening provides the dramatic view that gives Devil’s Balcony its name.

You should expect to get off the horse here and walk around with the guide. The guide stops to explain the site, its setting, and its connection to Inca worship. The exact amount of walking depends on the group and riding ability, but the stop is not only a quick photograph from the saddle.

The rock can be a little challenging for anyone who dislikes uneven ground or heights. Wear shoes with a firm sole and take care near edges. There is no need to rush the best photograph. Let the guide position you safely, and ask for help when mounting or dismounting.

Lanlakuyoc and the quieter Inca sites

After Devil’s Balcony, the ride continues toward Lanlakuyoc. The schedule allows about an hour on horseback, followed by a 20-minute break in the area.

Lanlakuyoc adds a second side to the experience. Devil’s Balcony is the natural feature that grabs attention, while Lanlakuyoc helps you see the surrounding area as a place of older settlements, paths, and sacred sites. Your guide provides explanations at the stops, so the value comes from both the location and the story attached to it.

Several riders have especially liked reaching ruins and viewpoints with no crowds around. That is a real advantage over the busiest archaeological stops near Cusco. You get time to look, ask questions, and take photographs without feeling pushed along by a large group.

The 20-minute break is useful. It gives your body a rest after the riding sections and lets you walk around the site. The schedule is sensibly divided rather than treating four hours on horseback as one long stretch.

Some descriptions of this experience have included a visit to the Temple of the Moon, and one booking expected it but did not receive it because the temple belongs to a full-day route. Another ride did include the site. The safest advice is to ask exactly what your half-day departure includes before you pay. Book this excursion for Devil’s Balcony, Lanlakuyoc, and the mountain views. Treat the Moon Temple as an extra only if the operator confirms it.

A riding experience that works for beginners

You do not need advanced riding skills. The strongest pattern in the feedback is that first-time riders felt comfortable because the horses were steady and the guides were patient.

Arianna learned to ride during the outing, while Jakob and other first-timers described the experience as easy to manage. Guides helped people get on and off the horses and adjusted the horse choice to the rider. That support is important in Cusco, where a mountain trail is a less forgiving place to learn than a flat paddock.

The horses receive unusually consistent praise. Riders describe them as responsive, calm, sure-footed, and well cared for. Names such as Fuego, Sol Andino, Galan, and Holger’s horses appear in personal memories of the trip, which gives the experience a more personal feel than a generic stable ride.

That said, do not confuse gentle horses with a risk-free activity. You are still riding outdoors on uneven mountain trails. Listen to your guide, do not try to force a faster pace, and tell the guide honestly if you are nervous or inexperienced.

Experienced riders may find the trip a little tame if they want long stretches of cantering. The route is built around scenery, historic stops, and a mixed range of abilities. A few riders were allowed to go faster, but the group pace remains the priority.

The operator does not list the ride as suitable for pregnant women or people over 200 pounds, or 91 kilograms. Those restrictions should be taken seriously when deciding if this is the right activity.

What the guides add to the ride

The guide is more than the person who points toward the trail. The best part of the commentary is its range. You may hear about Inca history, local geography, plants, animals, and the meaning of the sites you visit.

Guides named in the feedback include Holger, Benny, Ogir, and others. Holger is praised for his horse training and for explaining the area, while Benny is remembered for combining riding help with clear information about the Incas. Ogir received particular praise for his riding instruction and explanations at the viewpoints.

Guides also take photographs for the group and share them later, according to several accounts. That is a small but useful service, since holding a phone while riding is a poor plan. Still, ask when and how the photographs will be shared, as the supplied details do not promise a particular delivery method.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. A private group is available, which may be worth considering if one person is a nervous beginner, if your group has mixed riding ability, or if you want more time for questions at the sites.

Is $85 a fair price?

At $85 per person, the outing costs more than simply hiring transport to a viewpoint. The value comes from the package: central hotel pickup and return, a horse, saddle, helmet, muleteer, instruction, a bilingual guide, and roughly two hours or more of riding divided across several sections.

You are also paying for access to a route that is awkward to arrange independently. A taxi could take you toward Sacsayhuaman, but it would not provide a horse, riding support, or a guide explaining the cave and Inca sites. The price makes more sense if you want an organized half-day with transport and a personal guide.

The value is strongest for a private group or for people who would otherwise need to arrange several separate pieces. If you are only interested in a quick look at Devil’s Balcony, the price may feel high. If you want rural scenery, riding instruction, and historic stops in one outing, it is easier to justify.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Travel or activity insurance is not included, so arrange your own coverage if that matters to you.

Who should book this Cusco horseback ride?

I would point this trip toward several kinds of visitors:

• You want a break from museums, plazas, and busy archaeological sites.
• You are a beginner who wants a gentle introduction to riding.
• You already ride and would enjoy a scenic route rather than an intense equestrian challenge.
• You want photographs of Cusco from above.
• You prefer a small or private outing with time for questions.
• You have a half-day free and do not want to commit to a full-day excursion.

I would choose another activity if you are pregnant, above the stated weight limit, uncomfortable on uneven trails, or hoping for a long, fast ride. I would also avoid booking it solely to see the Moon Temple unless that stop is confirmed in advance.

Practical details that make the day easier

Bring a daypack with only what you need. A phone, water, sunscreen, and a light layer are sensible choices, but the supplied information specifically calls for hiking shoes, long pants, and a daypack.

The duration is listed as four hours, but it is approximate. Riding ability affects the pace, and a group with first-time riders may move more slowly. The rough schedule includes one hour from the ranch, 45 minutes around Devil’s Balcony, one hour toward Lanlakuyoc, a 20-minute break, and a final five-minute riding section back at the ranch.

Central Cusco hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The pickup area is limited to central hotels, so confirm that your accommodation qualifies. The tour description also notes a separate entrance arrangement, but the real benefit here is less about avoiding a queue and more about having a guide and horses ready at the ranch.

Should you book it?

Book this ride if you want beautiful views, calm horses, and a less common way to see the hills around Cusco. The steady horses and patient instruction make it unusually friendly to beginners, while the natural cave and Inca shrine at Devil’s Balcony give the outing more substance than a simple trail ride.

I would book it after you have had time to adjust to Cusco’s altitude, and I would confirm the exact stops before departure. If the plan clearly includes Devil’s Balcony and Lanlakuyoc, $85 is a reasonable price for the transport, equipment, guide, and riding time. If your main goal is the Moon Temple or an advanced riding workout, this half-day option may not match your expectations.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The full activity lasts about four hours, including pickup, instruction, riding, site visits, and the return to Cusco. The total time is approximate and can change with riding ability.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Where do I meet the horses?

You travel to the Vieja Estancia Ranch near Sacsayhuaman. You meet the horses, muleteers, and guide there.

Is this tour suitable for a first-time rider?

Yes. The guide provides a short safety and riding induction, and horses are selected according to your experience. Several first-time riders found the horses easy to handle.

What sites does the route visit?

The route visits Devil’s Balcony, also called Chacan, and Lanlakuyoc. The guide explains the sites and stops at viewpoints along the way.

Does the tour visit the Temple of the Moon?

The Temple of the Moon is not guaranteed on this half-day experience. It is associated with full-day tours, so ask the operator to confirm the stops before booking.

What is included in the price?

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

What should I wear and bring?

Wear hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a daypack.

Is insurance included?

No. Travel or activity insurance is not included.

Who should not take this tour?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.