Horse Riding to the Temple of the Moon + Guided Visit to Sacsayhuaman – Cusco

Cusco’s hills make a fine saddle ride. This four-hour outing combines a horse ride to the Temple of the Moon with a guided visit to Sacsayhuaman, giving you two major archaeological sites without arranging separate transport. I especially like the quiet ride through the eucalyptus forest and the fact that guide Benicita brings real energy and context to the ruins.

I also like the practical setup: hotel pickup and drop-off, a private transfer, helmets, bottled water, and well-cared-for horses are included. The main drawback is that the Sacsayhuaman entrance ticket is extra, so the $85 price is not the final cost. You also need to stay within the 200-pound, or 90-kilo, weight limit.

Key points to know before you book

• Ride first, then explore Sacsayhuaman: The described route begins at the Temple of the Moon and ends at Sacsayhuaman by private vehicle.
• The Temple of the Moon visit is short and guided: You leave the horses for a small tour of this unusual pre-Inca and Inca ceremonial site.
• The horseback route includes Huayllarcocha’s eucalyptus forest: The ride continues through land belonging to the peasant community before reaching the Inkilltambo viewpoint.
• Sacsayhuaman gets a detailed route: You visit the Chinkanas, the slides, and the huge stone walls rather than making only a quick stop.
• Benicita has earned special praise: Her friendly, fun approach and clear explanations can make a major difference at Sacsayhuaman.
• The tour is small enough to stay manageable: No more than 15 people are allowed, and morning or afternoon departures are available.

Why this half-day outing works well in Cusco

Cusco offers no shortage of ruins, but many visits involve a car, a guide, and a lot of standing around. This outing changes the rhythm. You spend part of the day on horseback, then switch to a guided archaeological visit where walking and explanation take over.

That mix makes sense if you want more than a standard city tour but do not want to commit to a full-day excursion. The total duration is about four hours, so you still have much of the day available for Cusco’s center, a museum, or a slow lunch.

I also appreciate the way the sites complement one another. The Temple of the Moon is a smaller and more atmospheric stop, while Sacsayhuaman is grand and heavily built. You get a taste of ceremonial rock spaces first, then see the massive masonry that makes Sacsayhuaman one of Cusco’s essential sights.

The tour is recommended by all 17 people who rated it, with a perfect five-star score. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as a guarantee. Still, the praise points to two things that matter here: the horses are well cared for, and the guide can turn a pile of stones into a place you can understand.

Starting at the Temple of the Moon

The outing begins with the ride toward the Temple of the Moon. You remain on horseback for the approach, then dismount for a short guided visit.

This site was probably used for fertility-related ceremonies during pre-Inca and Inca times. That wording matters. The exact purpose of many Andean sites is not always certain, so a careful guide should explain what is known and what is inferred rather than present every theory as fact.

The Temple of the Moon is a good first stop because it gives you a smaller setting in which to get oriented. Your guide can point out the stonework and explain the role the place may have played before you move on to the larger complex at Sacsayhuaman.

Do not expect a long archaeological lecture here. The visit is described as a small guided tour, not an extended study session. If you prefer a slow, highly detailed examination of every carved surface, this part may feel brief. If you want a clear introduction without using up half your morning, the shorter stop is a plus.

You also need to be comfortable getting off the horse and walking around the site. The supplied details do not specify how long the walking portion lasts or how demanding the ground is, so I would choose sensible footwear and be ready for uneven archaeological terrain.

Riding through Huayllarcocha’s eucalyptus forest

After the Temple of the Moon, you ride through an eucalyptus forest connected with the peasant community of Huayllarcocha. This is one of the more appealing parts of the route because it moves you away from a simple point-to-point transfer.

The forest gives the ride a rural setting, and the route leads to a viewpoint over the archaeological center of Inkilltambo. In other words, the horse ride is not only transport to the next stop. It links several places around Cusco and gives you views that would be easy to miss from a vehicle.

The information provided does not promise a visit inside Inkilltambo. You should treat it as a viewpoint stop rather than expect a full guided tour of that archaeological center. That distinction helps set the right expectation.

The horses are described as well cared for, and helmets are included. Those are important basics, particularly if you have limited riding experience. Still, no riding skill level is specified, so you should ask the operator directly if you are a complete beginner, have mobility concerns, or need a particular type of horse.

The weight limit is firm: 200 pounds or 90 kilos. It applies to participation, so check it before booking rather than hoping the limit is flexible at pickup.

Leaving the ranch for Sacsayhuaman

The riding portion ends at the ranch. From there, you use private transportation to reach Sacsayhuaman, finishing the activity with the major archaeological visit.

I like this arrangement because it keeps the horse ride focused. You do not spend the final stretch of the day riding when your attention may be better spent on the ruins. The private transfer also avoids asking a mounted group to negotiate the practical details of reaching the site.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which is useful in Cusco. You do not need to arrange a taxi to a distant meeting point, and you can return directly to your hotel after the visit. Morning and afternoon departure choices let you fit the tour around other plans.

The tour can include up to 15 people. That is not a private tour for every participant, but it is still a limited group size. The private transfer refers to the transport arrangement listed for the tour, not necessarily a private guide exclusively for you, so confirm that point if you are booking for a special occasion.

Exploring the Chinkanas and stone walls at Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman is often reduced to photographs of enormous zigzag walls. The described visit promises more than that. You begin in the Chinkanas, or Inca cavern sector, then continue to the slides before reaching the huge walls.

That route gives the visit a useful order. The caverns and slides show that the site is not simply a defensive-looking wall on a hill. Your guide can connect the different areas and explain how the site was used and why the stone construction demands attention.

The walls are the main event. Their huge blocks were fitted with remarkable precision, and seeing them close up gives you a better sense of the work than a distant photograph ever can. A guided visit also helps you notice details you might otherwise walk past.

This is where Benicita’s role becomes especially important. One five-star comment singled out her friendly, fun manner and her ability to explain what you are looking at. That is exactly the sort of guide you want at Sacsayhuaman. Without context, you may admire the stones but miss the meaning of the layout, the caverns, and the surrounding features.

The visit is described as detailed and different, but the exact length is not stated. Plan for active walking at the site. You should also remember that the Sacsayhuaman entrance ticket is not included in the $85 price.

What the $85 price really covers

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Sacsayhuaman. It is also not just an admission ticket with a horse ride attached. Your payment covers roughly four hours, a professional guide, private transfer, horses, helmets, bottled water, and hotel pickup and return.

I see the strongest value in the combination. If you separately arranged a horseback ride, transport to the ruins, and a guide at Sacsayhuaman, the costs and coordination could add up quickly. This tour puts those pieces into one half-day plan.

The missing entrance ticket keeps the advertised price from telling the whole story. Add that expense to your budget before deciding. The tour also needs good weather and a minimum number of people. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

For flexibility, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, you receive no refund, and changes are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time in Cusco.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would choose this tour if you want an active half-day with a clear cultural focus. It suits you especially well if you like seeing famous sites but do not want every minute spent inside a vehicle.

It is also a good match if you value a guide’s explanation. Sacsayhuaman rewards interpretation, and the mention of Benicita suggests that the human side of the tour can be one of its best features.

The tour may not suit you if you want a long, technical riding session. The horse ride is part of a larger program, and the day includes dismounting, transportation, and a guided site visit. It may also be a poor fit if you are over the 90-kilo limit or uncomfortable with horseback riding.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, and service animals are allowed. Even so, the details do not explain riding conditions, horse size, or the exact walking demands at the ruins. If those points affect your decision, contact Horseback Riding Cusco before paying.

Morning or afternoon: which departure should you choose?

The choice depends on how you want to use your Cusco day. A morning departure leaves your afternoon open for the city or another activity. An afternoon departure may work better if you want a slower start or have morning plans.

Since the tour depends on good weather, I would choose the time that gives you the best practical fit rather than assuming one departure is always better. The information does not give exact departure times or promise a particular light level, so do not book based on a specific sunset or photography plan.

Hotel pickup makes either option easier. You should still confirm the pickup time and location after booking, since those details are not supplied here.

My verdict: book it for the mix, not just the horses

I would book this for a well-organized introduction to two important sites north of Cusco, especially if you like the idea of reaching the Temple of the Moon on horseback and then giving Sacsayhuaman your full attention on foot.

The best reasons to choose it are the forest ride, the Inkilltambo viewpoint, the structured visit through Sacsayhuaman’s Chinkanas and slides, and the chance to have a guide such as Benicita explain the setting. The main cautions are the extra entrance fee, the 90-kilo weight limit, weather dependence, and the fact that the riding segment is only one part of a four-hour program.

If you want a relaxed city sightseeing loop, pick another tour. If you want horses, open mountain views, archaeological sites, and a guide who can make the stonework readable, this is a strong half-day choice.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding and Sacsayhuaman tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

What sites are included?

The tour includes the Temple of the Moon and Sacsayhuaman. The route also passes through the eucalyptus forest of the Huayllarcocha peasant community and reaches a viewpoint of Inkilltambo.

Is the Sacsayhuaman entrance ticket included?

No. The entrance ticket to Sacsayhuaman is not included in the tour price.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off provided?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with private transfer during the experience.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The maximum weight is 200 pounds, or 90 kilos.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. The tour offers a choice of morning or afternoon departure.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.