Horseback riding Cusco: Temple of the Moon with anthropologist

Ride to sacred Inka temples and learn their cosmovision from an anthropologist

A 4-hour horseback tour of Cusco led by a professional anthropologist explores the Temple of the Moon, Chuki Marka, and Inkilltambo: hidden archaeological sites most travelers never reach. Limited to 5 guests, the tour includes hotel pickup, all entrance fees, safety gear, water, and expert guidance on Andean cosmovision and ritual practices. English-speaking guide. Children welcome from age 8.

The experience

The Temple of the Moon sits at the heart of this tour, a site where the energy of fertility still registers in the stone. You ride there on horseback through Cusco's high terrain, moving past the crowds that pack the main tourist routes. The anthropologist leading the group is not a guide reciting facts. They are a researcher steeped in Andean cosmovision and their own family heritage, and they explain what you are standing in front of (the 'Llamado del Ánima', the call of the soul in Inka ritual) as someone who has studied it and lived it. The group stays at 5 people, which is why the sites stay quiet and the conversation stays deep.

The ride itself is built for all levels. You get personalized instruction on your horse before you leave, and the pace offers trot and canter for riders who want it. The anthropologist watches the group's comfort and the horses' wellbeing at once. You stop at Chuki Marka and Inkilltambo, archaeological sites that sit outside the standard itinerary, and at each one the guide unpacks the cosmovision: how the Inka understood the world, the sacred geography they built into the landscape, the ceremonies that still echo in the places where they happened. This is not a sightseeing pass. It is an immersion in how the Inka saw.

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco's city center are included, which means you do not arrange transport or navigate the high altitude on your own. Safety gear (helmets and protective equipment) comes with the tour. Bottled water is provided throughout the 4 hours, and all entrance fees to every site are already paid. The anthropologist is available by message before the tour to advise on altitude adjustment and to point you toward other hidden spots in the city if you want them.

What’s included

• Safety gear including helmets.
• expert anthropologist guide speaking English.
• private round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco's city center.
• all entrance fees to every Inka archaeological site.
• fresh bottled water throughout the tour.
• continuous horse handling support and local guidance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 13:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Youth (8 to 17 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Arnold Luque

Is this one for you?This tour is built for travelers who want to understand Andean cosmovision and sacred sites from an anthropologist's perspective rather than a standard script, and who are comfortable on horseback for 4 hours at high altitude. The 5-person limit and timing of visits ensure you experience the Temple of the Moon and hidden sites in a quiet, intimate atmosphere: the opposite of the crowded main routes.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 17 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

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 24 h before the start.

What is the Temple of the Moon and why does it matter in Inka cosmovision?

The Temple of the Moon is a sacred Inka site where fertility rites and celestial ceremonies took place. The anthropologist explains how the Inka understood the moon's role in their cosmovision and how the temple's location and design reflect that knowledge.

Do I need horseback riding experience to join this tour?

No. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and you receive personalized instruction before riding. Trot and canter are available for riders who want them, but the pace is set to the group's comfort.

What makes this tour different from the standard Cusco archaeological tours?

The anthropologist-led approach means you explore hidden sites like Chuki Marka and Inkilltambo that most travelers never see, and you learn Andean cosmovision from a researcher's perspective rather than a standard script. The strict 5-person limit keeps the atmosphere quiet and sacred at every stop.

Is hotel pickup really included, and does it work from anywhere in Cusco?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco's city center and surrounding areas. The driver coordinates with you to confirm the exact location and time.

What happens if I have altitude concerns before the tour?

Message the anthropologist before your tour date to discuss altitude adjustment strategies and get personalized advice. They are available to answer questions and can suggest preparation steps.