Cusco: Horseback Riding to Devil's Balcony & Inca Ruins

Ride Through Cusco's Hidden Valleys to a Cliff That Overlooks Everything

You ride from a ranch near Cusco up through working Andean villages and past Inca temples to the Devil's Balcony, a rock formation with a window overlooking a river gorge. The tour includes your horse, helmet, professional guide, hotel pickup, and water. Plan for a few hours and wear long pants and closed shoes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Horseback ride to Devil's Balcony

• Arrive at ranch near Cusco
• Mount horses for tour
• Ride through Andean communities
• See farming and livestock care
• Visit ancient Inca temples
• Explore Devil's Balcony site
• Enjoy views of river chasm

The experience

You swing up into the saddle at the ranch just fifteen minutes outside Cusco, and the horse moves you straight into the rhythm of the Andes. The path climbs through Andean communities where people are working the land the way they have for centuries: tending sheep, llamas, alpacas, farming in the high fields. Your guide walks you through what you're seeing, not rushing it. The air gets thinner as you go higher, and the city falls away behind you.

The Devil's Balcony sits on the backside of Saqsayhuaman, and when you get there, you understand why it has that name. It's a massive rock formation with a window carved straight through it, opening onto a chasm so deep the river running underneath disappears into a cave. Some people cross through the opening, there's a narrow passage, but most just stand at the edge and look. The view holds the whole valley. Your guide points out the ancient Inca stonework nearby, the temples built into the landscape, and you can feel how deliberate the placement was. This wasn't random. They knew exactly where they were building.

The whole horseback riding tour to Devil's Balcony takes a few hours. You get a professional guide who knows the route and the history, a horse that's used to the terrain, safety helmet, and all the gear. The ranch provides water, and transport picks you up from your Cusco hotel and brings you back. The weight limit is two hundred pounds, and the guide recommends long pants, jeans work, closed shoes with grip, and a rain jacket if the forecast looks uncertain. Don't wear jewelry or anything you'd worry about losing on the ride.

Book this if you want to move through the landscape instead of watching it from a vehicle, and if you want to see how people actually live in these communities rather than just passing through. The half-day timing means you're not exhausted by evening, and the fixed pickup from your hotel takes the logistics off your hands.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transportation from your Cusco hotel to the ranch, a saddled horse with safety helmet, a professional guide, a muleteer to care for the horses during the ride, and mineral water or natural water. Gear and all riding equipment are provided.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Spanish09:00 and 13:30

Guide in English or Spanish09:00 and 13:30

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:30

AgesAdult (8 to 80 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Horseback Riding Cusco

Is this one for you?This tour works well if you want to explore Cusco's high valleys and Inca sites on horseback without arranging transport or a guide yourself: the fixed pickup and included professional guide handle both, leaving you to focus on the ride and the landscape.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How far is the ranch from Cusco city?

The ranch is located fifteen minutes from Cusco city center.

What's included in the horseback riding tour?

Round-trip hotel pickup, horse and saddle, safety helmet, professional guide, muleteer to care for the horses, and water.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, it's suitable for participants with little or no riding experience and all fitness levels.

What is the weight limit?

The weight limit is two hundred pounds (ninety kilos).

What should I wear?

Wear long pants (jeans recommended), closed shoes with rubber soles or walking shoes, and bring a rain jacket if rain is forecast. Don't wear jewelry or valuables.

What is the Devil's Balcony?

It's an archaeological site on the backside of Saqsayhuaman featuring a large rock with a window opening onto a chasm and river gorge below.

Will I see Inca ruins?

Yes, you'll pass ancient Inca temples and see Inca stonework near the Devil's Balcony site.