We will pick you up from your hotel and head by private vehicle to Paucarbamba Bridge (9,512 ft), where you’ll meet your guide and our horses. We’ll begin our Sacred Valley horseback riding tour, which includes an 8-hour ride crossing the Urubamba River and ascending nearly 1,312 feet to the high Andean plateau—this climb takes approximately 3 hours. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the surrounding highlands.
We’ll then reach Moray, a site not of a city or fortress, but an impressive agricultural engineering feat. The ancient peoples of the region transformed four natural depressions into multi-leveled terraces, which served as an agricultural experiment station to cultivate various crop strains centuries ago.
A fascinating climatic phenomenon was discovered here: within just 30 meters of elevation difference, scientist John Earls recorded a temperature variation of 15°C—equivalent to the annual difference between London and Mumbai. Moray played a key role in adapting maize into a high-altitude crop.
After exploring Moray, we’ll continue for an hour to the town of Maras (11,152 ft), a 400-year-old Andean village with a beautiful colonial church. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in Maras before heading on horseback to the Maras Salt Mines (9,840 ft), about an hour away.
Once there, you’ll be captivated by views of the snow-capped peaks of Chicon, Veronica, and Salkantay. The salt mines, or “Salineras,” consist of about 3,000 small pools, each averaging 5 m², built into the mountain slope of Qaqawiñay. During the dry season, these pools are filled every three days with saltwater from a natural spring. As the water evaporates, salt solidifies and is harvested after about a month.
After this visit, we will leave the horses behind and return to Cusco by private vehicle.
Cusco Hotel
Moderate
Embark on a unique adventure through the mystical landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas atop a noble Peruvian horse. Our horseback riding tours take you along ancient Inca trails, through traditional villages, agricultural fields, and scenic overlooks with breathtaking views of the mountains and the Urubamba River.
Accompanied by local guides, you’ll learn about the history, culture, and natural beauty that make this place one of the most special in the world. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, our well-trained horses ensure a safe, comfortable, and magical experience.
Feel the connection to the land and Andean tradition… step by step, at the pace of the horse.
We start the adventure with hotel pickup at 8:00 am and head to the community of Cruzpata, the starting point of our horseback tour (approx. 1h 15min from Cusco).
Upon arrival, our local guides will welcome you and provide a safety briefing. You’ll be equipped with helmets (and ponchos if needed) before mounting your horse.
The route includes breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley and snow-capped peaks. We’ll visit the circular agricultural terraces of Moray, pass through the village of Maras, and descend to the impressive salt mines of Maras.
After the ride, enjoy some free time to rest or try local snacks before returning by private transport.
Horseback riding in the Sacred Valley was such a peaceful and beautiful experience. The horses were calm and well-trained, and the trail took us through amazing landscapes with stunning mountain views. Our guide was friendly and shared interesting stories about the area’s history and culture. It felt like a perfect way to connect with nature and explore the valley at a relaxed pace. I loved every minute!
