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

Horseback riding to Devil’s Balcony gives you a fine change of pace from Cusco’s busy streets. You ride above the city, pass farms and grazing animals, and reach a dramatic rock opening where a river runs through a cave below. I especially like the calm, well-trained horses and the chance to see lesser-known Inca sites without committing to a full-day outing.

I also like that beginners get a proper riding briefing and a horse chosen for their experience. The main drawback is that the ride can be less predictable for a first-time rider than a walking tour, and the Moon Temple is not a guaranteed stop on this half-day route.

Key points at a glance

• Devil’s Balcony is the star stop: See a natural rock formation with a river, cave, and possible Inca ceremonial use.
• The horses suit beginners: Guides provide basic instruction, and horses are matched to your riding ability.
• You ride above Cusco: The route brings broad views of the city, farms, mountains, and nearby ruins.
• The outing lasts about four hours: Riding time is roughly two hours and 50 minutes, with a short break and walking stops.
• The route visits Lanlakuyoc: This adds archaeological interest beyond the main viewpoint.
• The Moon Temple is not assured: Some outings have included it, but the half-day program should not be booked with that expectation.

Riding out from Cusco toward Sacsayhuaman

Your day begins with pickup at a central Cusco hotel. You wait in the lobby or at the hotel entrance for the guide, then travel by taxi to Vieja Estancia Ranch near Sacsayhuaman.

This transfer matters because the ranch is outside the center, in a setting that feels more rural almost at once. Instead of spending the whole morning among Cusco’s stone streets and souvenir shops, you reach fields, mountain paths, local farms, and open views.

At the ranch, you meet the horses and muleteer. The guide gives a short induction on how to mount, steer, stop, and control the horse. I would take this part seriously even if you have ridden before. Cusco’s altitude, uneven trails, and changing surfaces make a calm start useful.

The horses are selected according to your experience and comfort. That is especially helpful if you are new to riding. Several people with no previous experience found the horses gentle and easy to manage, while more experienced riders were sometimes given the chance to ride at a quicker pace or try the Peruvian gait.

The phrase horse riding can mean different things on different tours. Here, you should expect a guided trail ride rather than an advanced riding lesson or a long gallop. Your horse generally follows the route and responds to simple instructions, but you still need to stay alert and use the techniques you are shown.

One hour through farms, hills, and high views

The first riding section lasts about one hour. The trail passes farms, local animals, and open mountain scenery. You will see Cusco from above rather than from another city lookout, which gives the ride its main appeal.

I like this part because it provides a more local setting than the usual circuit of major city sights. The route is not presented as an isolated wilderness ride. You pass working countryside and ordinary Andean surroundings, with ruins and dramatic natural features appearing along the way.

Expect some uphill riding and uneven ground. The exact pace depends on your riding ability and the horse assigned to you. The stated four-hour duration is approximate, so a beginner group may move more slowly than a confident group.

Your guide may stop at viewpoints and archaeological remains to explain the area’s history, plants, animals, and geography. Guides named in past outings include Holger, Ogir, Benny, and Olgar, though your guide will depend on the date and operator schedule. The strongest part of their work is combining riding help with interpretation instead of treating the outing as a simple horse rental.

Bring a camera, but keep it secure. Guides have helped take photos during stops, which is useful when you want a picture with both you and the horse in view. You should still avoid carrying more than you need.

Devil’s Balcony and the Chacan rock formation

Devil’s Balcony, also called Chacan, is the central attraction. It sits behind Sacsayhuaman and combines a natural formation with an archaeological setting.

The feature is a large rock split by a chasm. A stone opening or balcony looks toward the river below, while the river passes through a large cave underneath the rock and emerges at the other side. It is the sort of place that works on two levels: the scenery is striking, and the formation has cultural meaning.

The cave was used as an Inca shrine. Your guide stops to explain the site, so you get more than a quick photo break. Listen closely here, since the value of the stop comes from understanding how the natural rock and ceremonial use fit together.

You will not spend hours at Devil’s Balcony. The riding portion listed for this stop is about 45 minutes, including the approach and time connected with the visit. The guide may have you dismount and walk near the feature. Wear shoes with a firm sole, and take care around edges and uneven ground.

The setting also brings a practical concern. It is a natural chasm, not a fenced attraction designed for large crowds. Keep your footing, follow the guide’s instructions, and do not treat the balcony as a casual photo platform.

Lanlakuyoc adds a quieter archaeological stop

After Devil’s Balcony, the route continues toward Lanlakuyoc, with about one hour of riding listed for this section. The stop gives the outing a second focus, so you are not simply riding to one viewpoint and returning.

The guide explains the ruins and surrounding area along the way. This is where the small-group format can help. If you have questions about the Incas, local vegetation, animals, or the route, you can ask without trying to keep up with a large crowd.

The archaeological sites here are not presented as a polished museum complex. That is part of the appeal, but it also means you should expect a simpler, more open setting. You may find worn paths, uneven ground, and little infrastructure. The horse ride makes it easier to reach these places, while the walking stops let you see details you would miss from the saddle.

A 20-minute break follows at Lanlakuyoc. That pause is welcome. Even a relaxed horse ride uses muscles you may not normally exercise, especially when climbing and descending. Use the break to drink water, adjust your clothes, take photos, and check that your feet and knees feel comfortable.

The Moon Temple question

Some people have included the Temple of the Moon in their outing, but it should not be treated as part of this half-day booking. The core route described here is Devil’s Balcony and Lanlakuyoc.

If the Moon Temple is important to you, ask before booking and confirm the exact route for your date. The available information indicates that full-day tours are the safer choice for including it. This is a small but important distinction, since an otherwise excellent ride can disappoint if you arrive expecting an attraction that is not part of the half-day plan.

What the horses and riding feel like

The horses are repeatedly described as well trained, calm, responsive, and well cared for. That matters more here than the breed or appearance of the animals. A steady horse lets a beginner concentrate on posture and direction instead of worrying about sudden behavior.

The horses are not automatic, though. You will still need to listen to the guide and use the reins correctly. The initial instruction covers the basics, and the muleteer helps manage the group.

If you already ride, tell the guide what you are comfortable doing. Experienced riders have sometimes been allowed to move faster or try the Peruvian gait, a distinctive movement associated with Peruvian horses. Do not assume that every group will have the same pace. The guide will set limits based on the route, the horses, and the ability of everyone in the group.

The ride is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone over 200 pounds, or 91 kilograms. Wear long pants to reduce rubbing, hiking shoes for the walking sections, and a small daypack. Helmets and saddles are included.

I would not wear loose clothing, sandals, or a large backpack. The provided information does not specify the exact tack or riding style beyond the included saddle and safety helmet, so pack for a practical trail ride rather than a polished equestrian event.

How the four-hour schedule works

The timing is roughly arranged like this:

• Hotel pickup and transfer to the ranch
• About one hour of riding from the ranch
• About 45 minutes connected with Devil’s Balcony
• About one hour of riding toward Lanlakuyoc
• A 20-minute break at Lanlakuyoc
• A short five-minute final ride back at the ranch
• Return transfer to Cusco

The total duration is about four hours, but your actual day can vary. Riding experience affects the pace, and stops may take longer if your group has many questions or needs extra help mounting and dismounting.

The listed riding time totals nearly three hours, so this is not a tour where you sit in a vehicle for most of the morning. If you want a short photo stop with only a few minutes on horseback, choose another activity. If you want a manageable riding outing with several breaks and sightseeing stops, the timing is sensible.

The $85 price and what you receive

At $85 per person, the price is reasonable if you value a small, active excursion rather than just transport to a viewpoint. The fee includes central hotel pickup and drop-off, a bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking guide, saddle, safety helmet, and muleteer.

You are paying for more than the horse. The transfer, horse matching, instruction, trail supervision, and explanations at the archaeological sites all matter. A self-arranged taxi and horse rental might appear cheaper, but it would not offer the same level of route control or interpretation.

The price does not include travel or activity insurance. I would arrange suitable cover before the ride, particularly because horseback riding and uneven terrain carry risks that a standard sightseeing walk does not.

Private groups are available. If you care about pace, photography, or extra time for questions, a private group may be worth considering. A shared outing can still work well, but your speed will be influenced by the least experienced rider.

The cancellation terms are practical: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times before committing, since the four-hour duration is approximate.

Who should book this ride

I would recommend it most strongly if you want:

• A half-day activity close to Cusco
• Wide views without a full-day mountain excursion
• A gentle introduction to horseback riding
• Smaller archaeological sites rather than only major ticketed attractions
• A break from museums, churches, and busy streets
• A guide who can explain both riding technique and Inca sites

It is also a good fit for couples or friends with mixed riding experience, since beginners can receive calm horses while experienced riders may have more room to use their skills.

I would hesitate if you dislike uneven ground, feel nervous around horses, or want a fully predictable timetable. The ride is active, the duration can shift, and a natural chasm is not the same as a controlled tourist attraction.

Practical advice for a better ride

Wear long trousers and shoes made for walking. The trail includes riding and short walks around archaeological and natural sites, so comfort matters more than appearance.

Bring a small daypack with water and personal items. The supplied information specifically recommends a daypack, and you should avoid overpacking because a large bag becomes awkward on horseback.

Wait in your hotel lobby or at the entrance for pickup. Central hotel pickup is included, but make sure the accommodation details are correct. One pickup confusion has occurred when the wrong hostel was used, so I would confirm the hotel name and address before the morning of the tour.

Tell the guide if you are a first-time rider. That helps with horse selection and lets the guide set a suitable pace. The horses are well trained, but honest information about your ability is still the best safety tool.

If you hope to visit the Moon Temple, confirm the route in advance or choose a full-day option. For this half-day trip, Devil’s Balcony and Lanlakuyoc are the reliable attractions.

Should you book the Devil’s Balcony ride?

Book it if you want an active, scenic half-day that combines well-managed horseback riding with small archaeological sites. The horses make the experience accessible to beginners, while the views above Cusco and the Chacan rock formation give experienced riders plenty to enjoy.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed Moon Temple visit, a fast-paced riding adventure, or a fully polished attraction with level paths and fixed timing. For most visitors who want to get beyond central Cusco without giving up the convenience of hotel pickup, the $85 price buys a thoughtful mix of countryside, history, and time in the saddle.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding experience?

The tour lasts about four hours, including hotel transfers, riding, stops, and a break. The exact duration can change according to your riding experience and the pace of the group.

Where does the horseback riding begin?

After pickup in central Cusco, you travel to Vieja Estancia Ranch near Sacsayhuaman. You meet the horses and muleteer at the ranch.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The guide provides an introduction covering how to control the horse, and horses are selected according to your experience. Several first-time riders have completed the route comfortably.

What sites will I visit?

The route includes Devil’s Balcony, also called Chacan, and Lanlakuyoc. Devil’s Balcony features a rock formation, chasm, river, cave, and former Inca shrine.

Is the Moon Temple included?

The Moon Temple is not guaranteed on this half-day route. The available information indicates that full-day tours are more likely to include it, so confirm the route before booking if it is important to you.

What does the $85 price include?

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

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes, long pants, and a daypack. These items suit both the horseback riding and the walking sections near the sites.

Are there restrictions on who can join?

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

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, subject to the available booking terms.