Cusco Temple of the Moon Horseback Ride: A 25-Hour Review

So, you’re thinking of checking out the 25-hour horseback ride to the Temple of the Moon from Cusco? That’s pretty cool! Very adventurous. I’m here to tell you what to expect, give you the lowdown on what’s actually going on, and share a few tips I picked up so that your trip is smooth, maybe even amazing. As someone who loves getting out into nature and having some very unique experiences, I was really pumped to do this. I can tell you for sure that it’s not your everyday tourist thing. So let’s get to it, okay?

Booking the Ride: What to Consider

Alright, so, getting your spot reserved. It’s not just about picking a date. In a way, it is, but also very much isn’t. You need to look into a few things, you see? First, figure out who’s actually running the show. There are some pretty reliable tour operators in Cusco. It might be worth reading up on them, and then maybe digging around for reviews. Also, what’s the deal, that way, you kind of get an idea of their general vibe.

And very, very important, because you can run into trouble here: Ask what’s covered in the price, okay? In other words, is food included? What kind of equipment will they be handing out? Like your helmet and all that? Will there even be transport to and from the ranch? Those extras? They really do add up, they become important. Also, check out their cancellation policy, in case life throws a curveball at you. I had to move my trip by a week because I got the flu! Not ideal, for sure. It might be very sensible to know you’re not going to lose everything, I guess.

Meeting Your Horse: First Impressions

I gotta tell you, that first meeting with your horse is kinda like meeting a new teammate. Like, it totally sets the tone. Now, I’m no horse whisperer, or something, but the guides I had were super good at pairing people with horses, depending on our skill level. I think that helped so much! They basically picked out a mellow, sweet horse for me. She just liked going at an ambling pace. That was awesome, because the views! Oh man, I just wanted to soak those up, in a way. Also, be sure, really check your gear before you take off. You will thank me later. Like make sure your saddle fits well and your reins are good. Seriously, that can just stop issues from cropping up during your ride.

You need to get used to each other too. The horse. I think you need to do that, is what I’m saying? Get comfy with how the horse responds, I mean, just take the time. Simple stuff, I’m talking like practicing how to hold the reins, and learning how to start and stop. Even though the horses are mostly trained already, it’s always good to get the hang of how yours specifically moves. Also, trust your horse. So your gut feeling, actually, or just a vibe, you have it for a reason, anyway? That is, if something feels unsafe, say something. Safety is always top priority, in my book. If there’s something bothering you about the equipment or animal, make it known. Always!

The Ride Begins: Cusco to the Countryside

Right from the jump, leaving Cusco kind of behind and riding straight out into the countryside is amazing, to be honest. In a way, you move straight out of the very busy, very loud city streets, and you soon hit dirt paths. Those rolling hills are absolutely stunning! We passed, so too it’s almost magical, a few little villages where kids ran out waving. The mountains were off in the distance? Super beautiful. It’s very gorgeous. The air? Cleaner! Also, I spotted lots of cool birds and flowers and things. It’s like viewing a totally new side of Peru that a lot of folks just miss when they are sticking to the main tourist stuff.

Because this part of the ride is quite long, try and pace yourself. I’m really telling you. The high altitude will catch you out if you are not prepared. In the days before your trip drink water, and just relax a bit? Because altitude sickness isn’t great when you’re spending all day on a horse, believe me. Very early on in our ride, our guide, he stops everyone for small breaks to let both people and animals chill and have a sip. The trip just makes the experience loads nicer, in that case. Enjoy that stillness. That view.

Exploring the Temple of the Moon

I thought this was one very important part of the whole trip, of course, finally reaching the Temple of the Moon itself! You might have heard bits about it, and seen photos? Very cool? Right. So what’s what: It’s also, maybe equally, called Quillarumiyoc. The Temple of the Moon is a pre-Inca archaeological place just kind of sitting in the mountains outside Cusco. Some folks suspect that this was used as a temple or some sort of spot to worship the moon, so too it’s almost used for other ceremonies in old times. I got all emotional! Standing right there.

Walking around this site actually gives you the shivers. As I was saying, our guide told a cool story on its story, its value to different peoples, so that really put everything into context, right. Loads of the old carvings and stonework remain intact and have the details. Very cool! Because you’re already very high up on this ride, then getting to look around a holy place which sits way up in the mountains? In a way it gave it some mysterious atmosphere. Basically I am suggesting give yourself loads of time to poke around and absorb the history and vibes of that spot.

Night Under the Stars

I will not be exaggerating to tell you that actually camping underneath the Peruvian stars was, I’m being really serious here, a peak adventure thing I have done in my life. So peaceful! Very still. It was super different from my normal routine. You get set up. Someone, that might have been us, makes a very basic camp area, eats, and it tells stories near the fire. The very cold air up there makes the stars shine extra hard at night. It’s quite clear!

Remember though it will get very chilly as soon as that sunlight dies down so? Prepare for all the weather! Basically put a layer on under another layer to have a fantastic night’s sleep. At about this temperature and level in the mountains in Cusco, there’s usually this quiet noise to nature. Very much just some insects doing noise or something, really just the wind, something easy for your hearing? It all just blended smoothly with us laughing with new people. Also, remember a travel towel? That’s one.

The Return Trip: Reflecting on the Experience

That return trip gave me lots of time to process every detail I’d experienced. Although it was really painful! Ouch! Just physically! We followed paths and terrains that we have already explored during our trip to the moon’s holy space, we noticed new shades to a perspective which may already been familiar to each other. With the sun beating onto your back in early mornings, you and some very weary friends ride home to a much welcoming, I mean, much loved, warm shower. You know the horses too seem more aware than before of where we’re heading. In some respects, there exists no destination than a sort of reflective peace once we come to the edge.

One suggestion. Is that you shouldn’t plan everything tight to schedule in quick sucession so, just chill and consider that adventure before going into all your other destinations. The Temple of the Moon trek. I understand how much it may affect my view for new, very exciting trips in this world in our universe. In general I am telling people to not dismiss, but seriously get outside and go for unique opportunities which exist there at your doorsill.

What to Pack for a 25-Hour Horseback Ride

Alright, what should you haul along? Packing smarts helps, okay? You could take the perfects clothes to stay cosy and safe, actually. Okay?

Layers, Layers, Layers: Days will get hot but as night creeps by, it tends to get arctic-like pretty rapidly. Pack some layers that easily adjust to temperatures that quickly rise then fall to protect yourselves in changing times of climate.
Comfortable Riding Pants: Choose things to wear which you do not get chafed at with long sitting on tops of a saddle. Try hiking or riding tight apparel for minimizing frictions/maximizing comforts along you journeys.
Sturdy Boots: Boots and a great ankle protections just assist well as some insurance to give secure base while at backs and along rough spots. Also ensure them already been well fitted as no to yield new blisters by then end from your outing.
Sun Protection: Take sunscreen caps, that are long sleeves one’s self. Cusco elevation mixed sunlight can become somewhat aggressive against skins hence safety when on travels out here very great option.
Rain Gear: Not only will they not even ever assume a nice shower would strike even on arid period because they often can occur, the thin parka with rain repellent coating should assist when getting drenched with no ones expectations it may transpire when.
Headlamp: Outdoor spaces, are extremely, I’m being deadly deadly serious when in nighttime and owning bright lamps can just show up things, especially while just walking within our tents at campsites.
Water Bottle: Retain liquids because heights plus animals equals dehydrated and its usually great maintaining yourself filled by lots drink during treks also on routes.
Snacks: Put food that you like in packets that would ensure the vitality, like your dry oats or things or like that in the routes by days when it needs to get very active ones through adventures from outdoors for an ongoing stream or supply from power to hold us doing such things.
First-Aid Kit: Wipes with alcohol and plasters are helpful enoughs through slight injuries as we could probably treat some mini cuts by the journey before, with little care stuff or kits ready to carry from homes here or close by, you may do better or feel great during trip.

Is This Ride Right for You? A Quick Self-Assessment

Just now we gotta find it is probably the adventure tailored according me right? Lets perform fast examine ones skill set fitness requirements against everything necessary, should to perform best for ones escapades. Firstly ones experiences along riding that the beast before it. Should we have by our belts certain number while driving or piloting animals as such there’s that additional ease right thru trip or else the initial time there is this need along much careful steps with constant guides’ aid always within ones radius in trips in addition within journey when we starts things .

Fitness Level: Did a jog a while at such recent phases now or maybe often participates regular things as work with, hikes or in general actions there so with a 25 trip hours it tends in quite manageable otherwise beginning get selves by stages for months towards these treks we like now we begin ones exercises slowly building stamina so could overcome all kinds challenges by this travels
Altitude Acclimatization: Before starting there with climb those elevations we will let selves adapting to it we begin some days within locations by heights so that persons tend make themselves used into with decreased or scant of available or needed air so the thing don’t result badly when performing adventures outside with nature so that with elevations there are in region over cusco.
Adventure Mindset: With escapades similar our ride here you are gonna feel good, for times just when doing items off comforts’ sites while accepting unexpected things is part over such whole thrills together with satisfaction along that exploration. Prepare we mental aspects into it we’ll take with all the small glitches within roads that don’t just reduce total fantastic feelings.