Review: Horseback Ride Near Sacsayhuaman & Qenqo, Cusco

Okay, so picture this: you are in Cusco, Peru, surrounded by mountains that seem to touch the sky, and you are about to hop on a horse to explore ancient Inca sites. This horseback riding tour near Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo? It’s a pretty unique way to get up close and real with Cusco’s history and landscape. Forget those big tour buses for now; this is a ride that gets you off the main trails and offers a more intimate look at what this region is all about.

Choosing Your Ride: What to Consider

You might be asking, “how do I pick the right tour?” Well, there are, actually, many companies offering these horseback rides, and each has its own way of doing things. Some things you might keep an eye on: the length of the ride, the route they take, and what’s included. Shorter rides, like the two-hour trips, are, in some respects, awesome if you are just dipping your toes into the whole horseback thing or you are tight on time. The longer ones, maybe four hours or more, give you a far more in-depth experience and cover way more ground. I think it’s also rather helpful to read reviews and ask around, you know, to get the lowdown on which companies treat their horses humanely and offer a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone. What that means is well-cared horses make for a much nicer ride, and a safe tour, of course, lets you enjoy yourself without stressing over, say, falling off a cliff.

Safety First: What to Expect in Terms of Guidance

No matter how experienced you are with horses, safety always comes first, that is absolutely a thing, especially on these tours. Before you even think about getting on a horse, the tour guides tend to give a briefing, just to go over the basics of riding and how to handle your horse. They will, in fact, match you with a horse that suits your skill level and make absolutely certain that your equipment fits correctly, that way, it will be rather comfortable. What they tend to do is that they’ll lead the way during the ride, offering advice and keeping a watch on everyone to see if they are doing alright. Honestly, it is useful to listen to their instructions and, please, don’t be afraid to ask questions. They’ve seen all kinds of riders, from total newbies to experienced pros, and they’re there to help everyone have a fantastic and pretty safe ride.

What to Bring With You

Packing smart can actually make a difference, especially with how much you’ll enjoy your horseback adventure. You’re, like your mom told you, going to want to dress in layers because the weather in Cusco can really switch on you, going from a little bit sunny to a bit chilly in no time. Long pants are actually essential to prevent chafing from the saddle, that would be unideal. A hat and sunglasses are also rather important for sun protection, mostly, and sunscreen, too, because the sun at that altitude? Strong. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to take water and some snacks to keep your energy up during the ride. What happens if it rains? Well, bring a poncho or a light rain jacket. Also, and I find it useful to, wear closed-toe shoes, like boots or sturdy sneakers. Leave the sandals at home, basically. And if you’re hoping to get photos, I’m suggesting bringing a small backpack to carry your camera, basically your phone, because whipping out big cameras is dangerous and unideal. And then of course you need to bring cash so that you can, optionally, tip the horse-wranglers!

The Ride Itself: Experiencing Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo

Okay, here’s where it actually gets good. The ride actually weaves you through some stunning landscapes. Sacsayhuaman? Impressive, that one. It is this ancient fortress with huge stones that fit together like puzzle pieces, in a way, a lasting thing from the Inca period. Riding by on horseback actually gives you this unique viewpoint, where you can take in the scale of the site and, I would say, the effort that went into building it. It really gives you, you know, an appreciation of that era, and is much better than a tourist bus where you can’t even roll the windows down, or aren’t allowed to wander around and see. The air? Clear. And it offers amazing views of Cusco way down below. I’m thinking, what you want to do is, stop there for a moment, breathe deep, and let yourself kind of imagine what life would have been like hundreds of years ago, very different for sure. Qenqo, which is your second spot, is different but cool, because this site has these rock formations and caves, that are carved into the earth, used for ceremonies. That one tends to be kind of spooky.

Connecting with History and Nature

The magic is that you don’t just see these locations; you kinda, sort of, connect with them. When you are trotting along on your horse, you’re, like your horse, part of the scenery, part of the narrative of Cusco’s area. The clip-clop of the horse’s hooves? Kind of makes it authentic, very tangible and not some stuffy, plastic show put on to make the people feel good about giving money. The guides actually share stories and local folklore, they might even tell stories they are explicitly told *not* to tell you because they might reveal secrets. So the whole time, that gives context to everything you see. And the smells, by the way. The earthy smell of the soil, the fresh mountain air – it really wakes up your senses. It’s a whole package that sticks with you well after the ride is over.

The Horses: Companions on Your Adventure

It wouldn’t be an experience without these four-legged buddies. The horses are often well-trained and used to the terrain, they need to be if they work in those areas, after all. They may come in various shapes, breeds, sizes, personalities and some might, like they are people, are a little nicer than others, it may be something of a metaphor for life itself! The cool thing is watching them do their job, and a guide that cares will always provide an animal with adequate shade, adequate rest, and is observant about their emotional state. Of course you might get a nag that’s very lazy but still does its best. The wrangler/guides usually keep a pretty close eye on your demeanor to make sure that everyone, person or horse, is enjoying themselves to the fullest possible degree.

Building a Bond, if Only for a Few Hours

This one is kind of cute: even though it is just a few hours, you may actually develop a sort of connection with your horse. A bit like the connection you get when walking a random person’s dog – the love flows through you and the dog – a bit the same with the horse but perhaps a little one-way given horses don’t talk or necessarily display emotion in a way people expect. You kind of rely on them to carry you safely, and they, as beasts of burden and trained professionals, trust you to guide them well and stay balanced. Saying thanks to your horse after the ride isn’t just politeness; it is just actually recognizing the contribution they made to your experience. What you do is give them a pat or a gentle rub on the neck, and it actually feels like a meaningful way to say, “Hey, you did awesome.”

Is it Worth It? Weighing the Pros and Cons

So, big question, right? Is the horseback ride near Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo worth your money and, very importantly, your time? Well, let’s think of some positives. You have great views, get to explore archaeological sites in a way that is maybe different from how you expected, it is nice for families, and you can bond with some gentle, giant animals! But there’s, you know, the physical part. You’re on a horse for hours, and it can be tough if you’re not used to it. It might, could be, also, cost a pretty penny compared to other tours, like bus-tours that everyone can use. Plus, sometimes the weather does not play nice. Still, I feel like if you want something off the beaten path, something personal and authentic, then a horseback tour near Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo can absolutely be worth it. For now I would just focus on finding an animal friendly horse-wrangling operation with modern practices of treating the animals. It’s kind of awesome if the operation will also take disabled people, and this makes for some good Karma. If there’s any downside, maybe you will start getting urges to become a cowboy.

The Verdict: A Unique Perspective on Cusco

I feel, and am suggesting, a horseback riding tour offers a pretty neat perspective on Cusco’s history and scenery. It is, maybe, not just another tourist activity; it is just a chance to actually connect with the land and its past in a very memorable way. If you go into it with the right expectations and you maybe prepare properly, it just may be one of the highlights of your time in Cusco. It would also feel good to make a donation in a foreign place as most operators there, while still very human, come from backgrounds perhaps significantly less-wealthy than you or I. Just don’t go flashing wads of money, alright? Consider having some photos or videos from back home handy too. Some people simply have no idea what other cultures look like and are curious. These are the types of conversations worth having as, really, at the end of the day you, your horse and your horse guide will probably create some long-lasting friendship together, that, at the end of the day is pretty hard to get without such an active, outside, experience.