Horseback Riding in Cusco: Temple of the Moon & Chacan Mountain

Ride to where the Incas honored the moon, then climb to views that frame the whole valley.

A horseback riding tour from Cusco that takes you to the Temple of the Moon, an Inca ceremonial site where moonlight once illuminated the inner chamber, and then up Chacan Mountain for panoramic views of the city and valley. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional bilingual guide, protective equipment, snacks during the ride, and a briefing at the ranch before you set out. You choose a morning or afternoon departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Horse riding tour and cultural visit

• Pick up at hotel
• Meet horses at ranch
• Receive briefing
• Visit Temple of the Moon
• Explore Chacan Mountain
• Enjoy snack break
• Return to ranch
• Transport back to hotel

The experience

You're picked up at your hotel at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm and driven to the ranch, where you meet the horses and get a briefing on what to expect. The guide walks you through the basics before the ride begins, and you're outfitted with a helmet and protective gear. Then you're in the saddle, heading toward the Temple of the Moon: a small ceremonial cave where the Incas performed rituals in honor of the moon. The guide explains the site's significance: a natural opening above the cave aligns with moonlight during the winter solstice, turning the interior luminous on certain nights. It's the kind of detail that makes the Inca engineering feel less like history and more like something you're standing inside.

From there, the route climbs to Chacan Mountain. The ride takes you through the landscape at a pace that lets you absorb it: the river running below, the huacas (Inca sacred sites) scattered across the terrain, the mountains layering into the distance. At the top, you stop and take in the panoramic views of Cusco and the surrounding valley. A snack is provided during the break, and you have time to rest the horses and catch your breath before heading back down to the ranch.

The whole experience runs about three and a half hours from pickup to drop-off. Your guide speaks both English and Spanish, so the explanations of what you're seeing come through clearly. The horses are described as quality animals, and the operation handles the logistics (transport to and from your hotel, all the gear, the route itself), so you show up ready to ride.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• protective helmet and equipment.
• snacks during the ride.
• a briefing at the ranch before departure.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Spanish09:00

Guide in English or Spanish13:00

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 timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:00

AgesAdult (20 to 40 years) · Senior (41 to 70 years) · Youth (13 to 19 years) · Child (8 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 7 years)

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by HORSEBACK RIDING IN CUSCO GABRIEL´S RANCH

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want to ride while the light is fresh and have the afternoon free. The afternoon slot works if you prefer a later start or want to ease into the day before heading to the mountains. Either way, the guide's explanations of the Temple of the Moon and the Inca sites you pass make sense of what you're seeing, so you're not just riding through the landscape. You're reading it.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 19 years); Child (8 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 7 years).

What is the Temple of the Moon and why does it matter to this ride?

The Temple of the Moon is an Inca ceremonial cave where rituals honoring the moon took place. A natural opening above the cave creates an alignment with moonlight during the winter solstice, illuminating the interior chamber on certain nights closest to that date: an example of how precisely the Incas engineered their sacred sites.

Can I choose between a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. Pickups happen at either 9:00 am or 1:00 pm, and you select which one suits your schedule when you book. Both departures follow the same route and include the same stops and inclusions.

What do I need to bring or wear for the ride?

Bring sunscreen, a waterproof jacket, a water bottle, and a camera. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dusty and closed-toe shoes suitable for riding. A helmet and protective equipment are provided as part of the tour.

How long is the ride, and what's included in the price?

The tour runs approximately three and a half hours from hotel pickup to drop-off. Included are hotel transportation both ways, a professional bilingual guide, protective equipment, use of quality horses, a briefing at the ranch, and snacks during the ride.