Horse Riding Chacan Mountain And Temple Of The Moon

The unusual draw here is reaching the Temple of the Moon on horseback, then riding toward mountain views above Cusco. It is a half-day outing that trades city streets and busy archaeological sites for open country, an Inca site, and time in the saddle.

I like two things in particular: Gabriel’s careful approach to his horses and the chance to hear about Inca and Peruvian culture from a local guide as you travel. Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel also make this an easy outing to fit into a Cusco stay.

The main consideration is that this is a short ride, not a full-day trek. The route is described as a loop, and horse care may not feel equally consistent on every visit, so ask about the horses and pace before setting out if those details matter to you.

At a glance

• Temple of the Moon: Visit an Inca site on horseback, with time to hear about its history.
• Chacan Mountain: Ride toward a viewpoint with broad views of Cusco and the surrounding mountains.
• Gabriel’s ranch: The horses are a key part of the experience, with many accounts describing them as well cared for and rotated between rides.
• About three and a half hours: Choose a 9:00 am or 1:00 pm departure.
• Hotel transfers included: The price covers transport to the ranch and back, safety equipment, a bilingual guide, horses, and snacks.
• $65 per person: A convenient half-day option, though drinks are extra and the ride itself is relatively brief.

Leaving Cusco for the Inca trails

This ride gives you a different way to explore Cusco’s outskirts. Instead of heading out by vehicle to a large site, you travel on horseback along old Inca trails, with a local guide leading the way toward the Temple of the Moon and Chacan Mountain.

The tour lasts about three and a half hours, including the transfers between your hotel and the ranch. That makes it a manageable choice if you want a taste of the countryside without giving up a whole day. It also suits a day when you would rather be outdoors than add another lengthy visit to a museum or archaeological complex.

The tour offers morning and afternoon starts, at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Choose the morning if you want the rest of the day free, or the afternoon if you prefer a slower start. The exact time you spend riding, and the balance between riding and stops, are not specified, so think of the stated duration as the full outing rather than three and a half hours in the saddle.

Hotel-to-ranch-to-hotel transport is included. That is useful in Cusco, where arranging a separate ride to an unfamiliar ranch would add a small but real planning chore. It also means the experience begins with a pick-up rather than a search for the meeting point. Confirm your pick-up details when booking.

Gabriel’s horses are part of the appeal

The ranch is closely associated with Gabriel, whose family has bred and trained Peruvian Paso horses for more than a century. These horses are known for their distinctive gait, and the experience is designed around riding them, not simply using them as transport to a site.

The care of the horses is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. Many riders describe Gabriel as attentive to their animals, and say the horses are calm, well trained, and rotated between rides rather than kept saddled all day. That matters if animal welfare is part of your decision. A few accounts are less certain about the consistency of horse care, however, so it is fair to ask how the horses are rested and matched to riders.

Gabriel is also frequently named as the guide. Sergio and Grimaldo have been mentioned as members of the guiding team, too, so you may not have Gabriel leading every ride. The guide speaks English and Spanish, and the outing combines riding with explanations about local history and culture.

You do not need to be an experienced rider to consider the tour. People with little or no prior experience describe feeling comfortable, and the horses are often characterized as steady. Still, horseback riding is a physical activity, and comfort depends on your balance, confidence, and the horse you are assigned. Tell the team about your riding experience before you mount. Families with children have also taken part, with guides helping select suitable horses and keeping a close eye on younger riders.

The Temple of the Moon, reached at a walking pace

The Temple of the Moon is the named stop on the route and the main archaeological highlight. It offers a chance to pause, look around, and hear about the site’s Inca past from your guide. Reaching it on horseback gives the visit a quieter, more rural feel than a stop in the center of Cusco.

One rider described going through an underground tunnel at the temple. That detail may depend on the day’s route or access, so treat it as a possible feature rather than a guaranteed part of the tour. In any case, the site visit gives the ride a clear purpose: you are not just circling through the countryside, but heading to a place with cultural significance.

The guide’s explanations are an important part of the stop. Gabriel is often described as able to speak about Inca history, local traditions, and the land around Cusco. That informal context can make a modest site visit more meaningful, especially if you have already seen the region’s major ruins and want a smaller-scale encounter.

Allow for a relaxed pace. The tour is not presented as a long archaeological walk or a deep site exploration. If you want hours to study ruins, this is not a substitute for a full-day cultural excursion. It is better understood as a horseback outing with a worthwhile historical stop.

Chacan Mountain and the views above Cusco

The ride also heads toward Chacan Mountain, where the route offers a viewpoint over Cusco and the surrounding mountains. The scenery is a major part of the appeal: from outside the city, you get a sense of how Cusco sits among the high Andean terrain.

The open-air setting makes this a useful counterpoint to time spent in the city. You can take in the mountains, enjoy the slower rhythm of riding, and get away from the crowds around Cusco’s best-known sights. The views are a natural highlight, though the route is described as a short loop. If your ideal horseback trip means hours of open trail, long-distance riding, or a remote wilderness journey, this outing may feel limited.

The pace can be adjusted to the rider and the horse. Some riders describe a calm walk, while one account mentions being allowed to trot and move into a faster jog. Do not assume you will be able to ride at speed: that depends on safety, conditions, your ability, and the guide’s judgment. If you want a faster pace, ask about it before the tour begins.

The terrain and the altitude around Cusco are worth keeping in mind. The tour information says most people can participate, but it does not give a detailed fitness requirement or a precise route profile. If you are unsure about riding or the conditions, ask the operator before booking rather than relying on a general assurance.

What the three-and-a-half-hour outing includes

The $65 price includes hotel transfers, a professional bilingual guide, a horse, safety equipment, and snacks. That package is handy because you do not need to arrange transport separately or bring riding gear of your own. Drinks are not included, so plan to bring money or ask in advance whether you should carry your own.

Snacks are provided, with at least one account describing them as available before riding. The exact snacks are not specified, so do not count on a particular meal or dietary option. If you have dietary needs, contact the provider before the tour.

The group can have up to 20 people. That is a maximum, not a promise of a small private ride. Some outings have been described as just two people, while larger groups are possible. A smaller group may allow more time for questions and individual attention, but the group size for your chosen departure is not stated in advance.

The overall value depends on what you want from the experience. At $65, the transfer, equipment, horse, guide, and snacks remove several practical costs and tasks. You are also paying for a local, guided way to see an Inca site and the countryside, rather than for a long riding expedition. If riding time is your main priority, the short loop may make the price feel less compelling. If you value the guide, horse care, cultural context, and easy transport, it is a more appealing package.

A good fit for new riders, families, and a lighter day

This tour suits you if you want a relatively easy introduction to riding near Cusco, or if you already ride and are happy with a short outing. The accounts of novice riders feeling comfortable and families riding together suggest that the team can match horses to a range of skill levels. Tell the guide clearly what you have done before; that helps them choose a horse and set a suitable pace.

Families with children may find the personal attention reassuring. One family described the guide walking alongside a young rider for much of the trip. That is encouraging, but it is not a formal guarantee of supervision arrangements for every child. Ask about age limits, child-sized safety equipment, and how the guide manages younger riders before you book.

The trip can also work well when you want a change of pace from Cusco’s churches, markets, and major ruins. It combines nature and history without asking you to commit to a full day. Solo riders are accommodated, too, and hotel transfers make it simpler to join the outing without needing a companion to arrange transport.

It is less suited to someone seeking a long, challenging ride, a detailed archaeological tour, or a guaranteed private experience. The route is short, and the group may be as large as 20. If those are deal-breakers, ask specific questions about riding time, group size, and the route before paying.

Booking details worth checking

The tour is commonly booked around 13 days ahead on average, but last-minute bookings have sometimes been possible. Availability can change, so do not treat that average as a required lead time. The provider confirms bookings at the time of reservation.

The activity is near public transportation, although hotel transfers are included. Service animals are allowed. The tour states that most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information or specific age and weight limits. Contact the ranch directly if you need those details.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable, and changes within that same 24-hour window are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time in Cusco.

Should you book the ride?

Book this if you want a short, scenic ride with a real cultural stop, and if a local guide and thoughtful horse care matter as much to you as the ride itself. The mix of the Temple of the Moon, Chacan Mountain views, hotel transfers, and a bilingual guide makes it a practical way to spend half a day outside Cusco.

Before you commit, be clear about the trade-off: the loop is short, and the experience is not a long trek. Ask who will guide your departure, how much time you will spend riding, and how the team matches horses to riders. If those answers suit you, Gabriel’s ranch looks like a strong choice for a relaxed, informative outing.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding tour?

The experience lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes, including the hotel-to-ranch transfers.

What time does the tour depart?

Departures are offered at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.

What sites does the ride visit?

The route includes the Temple of the Moon and a viewpoint on Chacan Mountain, traveling along Inca trails.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $65 per person.

Are hotel transfers included?

Yes. Transport from your hotel to the ranch and back to your hotel is included.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transfers, safety equipment, a horse, a professional bilingual English-Spanish guide, and snacks.

Are drinks provided?

No. Drinks are not included.

How many people can join?

The tour has a maximum group size of 20 people.

Can beginners take part?

The tour information says most people can participate. Riders with no previous experience have taken part, but you should tell the team about your riding ability so they can advise you.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and the cut-off follows local time.