Horseback Riding Tour to the Devil’s Balcony from Cusco

This is one of the more fun ways to get out of central Cusco without losing the cultural thread. Horseback riding near town, paired with Balcon del Diablo on the far side of Saqsayhuaman, turns a normal sightseeing day into something you feel in your legs and remember with your eyes.

I love that the ranch is close, about 15 minutes from Cusco, so you are not spending half your morning stuck in transit. I also love how your guide layers in meaning at the Inca sites along the way, with names like Holger and Jorge showing up often in real trip experiences. One thing to consider: the route depends on good weather, and you will be riding real trails with some uneven spots, so plan for a slightly physical ride even if you are a first timer.

Key highlights to watch for

• No kit scramble: you get saddle and safety helmets, plus water, so you can pack light
• Ranch start, city close: Vieja Estancia Ranch is about 15 minutes from Cusco
• Inca viewpoints, not just a photo stop: you get short walks and pauses at sacred-feeling spots
• Balcon del Diablo on Saqsayhuaman’s backside: a chasm view with a balcony window effect
• Beginner-friendly, with options: easy riding for new riders, with more speed for advanced riders
• Small group cap: up to 15 travelers for a calmer, more personal feel

Cusco on horseback: why Balcon del Diablo is a smart pairing

If you are in Cusco and you want more than another bus-and-ruins afternoon, this is a great mix. You start at a real ranch outside the city, then ride toward an archaeological-natural place that feels intense for reasons beyond the scenery.

The Balcon del Diablo area is famous for a large rock and a dramatic view over a chasm. There is even a window-like balcony perspective where you can look down toward the river and the cave system below. That means you are not only riding through the Andes, you are also arriving at a lookout with a built-in sense of drama.

The value is also practical. At $85 per person for a roughly 4-hour outing, you are not just paying for the horses. Your time is packaged with a professional guide, saddle setup, helmets, a muleteer who cares for the horses, entry tickets, water, and round-trip transportation from your Cusco hotel. You can treat it as a one-stop plan.

From your hotel to Vieja Estancia Ranch (the part that sets the tone)

The day begins with round-trip transportation from your Cusco hotel to the ranch. This matters more than it sounds. In Cusco, traffic and altitude can make meeting points annoying. Here, you get taken care of, so you can focus on the ride instead of logistics.

Vieja Estancia Ranch is about 15 minutes from the city. That short distance is a big deal if you are still adjusting to altitude or if you do not want a long early drive. Once you arrive, you mount up fairly quickly.

You also get the riding basics right there, and the tour format is built for mixed experience levels. New riders are not left behind. From real trip feedback, guides and ranch staff take time to make sure people feel comfortable with the horse and know what to do. That can be the difference between a nervous ride and a fun one.

One small but helpful note: your group is capped at a maximum of 15 travelers. That usually means you spend more time actually riding and less time waiting around for everyone to catch up.

Riding through Cusco: what you will actually see on the trail

The ride out of the ranch is not just a transfer. It is part of the experience. Trails on the way often include scenic sections with trees and open views over the Cusco area, and you may ride through eucalyptus-studded stretches depending on the day.

This is where you start to feel why horseback riding works well in Cusco. You get movement, perspective, and a slower pace than you can manage on foot or in a vehicle. On top of that, your guide stops you at key points so the ride becomes a “walk-and-look” experience, not a nonstop commute on a saddle.

A theme that shows up again and again is how the guide handles questions and small moments. If you want context, you get it. If you want calm, you also get that. The best guides in this setup manage both.

Balcon del Diablo: the chasm view, the balcony window, and the walks

This is the centerpiece. You visit Balcon del Diablo, located on the backside of the Saqsayhuaman archaeological center. It is described as an archaeological attraction and natural architectural heritage left by earlier ancestors, and it is now part of a park where you can hike, camp, and explore.

What makes it memorable is the rock-and-chasm layout:

• You look over a deep chasm from above
• There is a window or balcony-style viewpoint overlooking the river that runs under the rock
• The river moves through a large cave section toward the other end of the rock

In practical terms, this means you will get off your horse for short periods to take in the views and walk around key vantage points. You are not stuck in one spot. The timing is short, about 20 minutes at this stop, but it is enough for a meaningful look and a few photos from different angles.

One extra point from real trip experiences: guides often add additional Inca-feeling stops around this area, including cave sections and places people refer to as the Temple of the Moon. You might also get short pauses that feel more reflective than rushed, like stopping briefly to take in the site.

The one thing to plan for

The viewpoint is dramatic, so do not bring valuables. The tour specifically notes not to wear jewelry or valuables during the ride, and it is good advice. Between sitting on the saddle, handling your phone for photos, and moving around rocky viewpoints, it is easier to stay relaxed when you keep your hands free and your valuables in a secure place.

Horses, helmets, and comfort: what beginner riders need to know

This tour gives you the saddle and safety helmets, and there is a muleteer who helps with horse care during the outing. That translates into one big benefit for you: you spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the ride.

From experience in similar setups, the biggest fear for first-timers is controlling the horse and staying steady. Here, the format is built to manage that. The ride is suitable for people with little or no experience, and staff tend to guide people on how to handle speed and direction safely.

Also, the horses are described as well trained and calm in many real accounts. That is exactly what you want if you are visiting Cusco for the whole experience and you do not want the day dominated by anxiety.

If you are more advanced, there is sometimes room for extra speed. Some accounts mention trotting and even galloping for capable riders, which is a nice option if you want a little thrill along with the culture.

Finally, you have a clear weight limit: 200 pounds (90 kilos). If you are close to the limit, it is worth double-checking when you book, so you do not show up and then lose the day.

Price and value: what $85 buys you in Cusco time

At $85 per person for an approximately 4-hour activity, you are paying for a lot of built-in items:

• Professional tour guide
• Saddle and helmet
• Muleteer support
• Water (mineral or natural)
• Round-trip hotel transportation in Cusco
• Entry tickets for the ranch riding part and the Balcon del Diablo stop
• Group size capped at 15 travelers

For many Cusco tours, you pay once and then discover you still have to figure out transport, ticket lines, and gear. Here, the gear and tickets are handled in the package.

The other value piece is time. You are not looking at an all-day scramble. This is short enough to fit into a packed Cusco itinerary, including days when you just want a half-day break from museums and bus rides.

And if you care about planning flexibility, the experience is weather dependent. When conditions are not right, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is better than being stuck with an irreversible “no show” plan.

What to wear: your outfit affects how much you enjoy the ride

This is one of the most practical tours in Cusco to prepare for, because the requirements are clear.

Wear:

• Long pants, preferably jeans
• Closed shoes with rubber soles or walking shoes
• Bring a rain jacket if rain is possible in the forecast

Avoid:

• Jewelry or valuables during the ride

Why this matters: trails can include thorny or brushy sections, and your pants and shoes do the heavy lifting. If you wear sandals or thin fabric, you will feel it in your legs. The weather tip matters too, because Andes trails can get slippery if rain hits.

If you like comfort touches, sunglasses can help with dust on drier days. That is not required, but it is a smart add-on.

Timing and pace: how this half-day feels in real life

The outing is designed to balance riding time with viewing and walking time. The first ranch segment is described as about 10 minutes for the ticketed start at the ranch area, and the main cultural lookout stop is about 20 minutes at Balcon del Diablo.

That means you get a clear structure:

1. Quick setup, mount, and ride out of the ranch
2. Scenic riding with guided stops
3. A focused arrival at the Devil’s Balcony viewpoint
4. Ride back, keeping the whole day to a manageable block

This pace is a big plus if you are trying to acclimate. Horseback riding gives you a gentle change from high-altitude wandering. It still involves some climbs and uneven terrain, but you are moving at a human scale rather than sprinting through a long ruin circuit.

Who this tour is best for (and who should think twice)

This is a strong choice if you want:

• A fun, outdoor activity that is still culturally meaningful
• A day that mixes scenic views with Inca-era sites
• A tour where beginners can feel supported
• Round-trip hotel pickup so you do not waste time figuring things out

It is also a good fit for families, including kids over about the “short attention span” threshold, because you can do both riding and brief walking stops without a long, exhausting grind.

Think twice if:

• You hate uneven trails. Even though the horses help, the ground can be rocky or sloped.
• You are very sensitive to weather. The activity requires good weather, and they will adjust the plan if conditions are poor.

If you want an easy win for a Cusco itinerary, this is it. It is active, scenic, and guided, and you do not need special equipment skills to participate.

Should you book the horseback ride to Balcon del Diablo?

If you are deciding between another ruins tour and something more hands-on, I would book this one. The blend is the point: you ride out of town, then reach a lookout with a real sense of place, where the view down into the river and cave system is hard to forget.

Book it if you:

• Want a half-day plan with transport, tickets, and gear included
• Plan to be a little outdoorsy but not extreme
• Want your guide to connect the dots about the sites, not just point at rocks

Skip it if you:

• Need a fully seated, low-steps experience
• Travel in poor weather season and cannot be flexible with dates

If you fit the first group, this is one of the most memorable ways to feel Cusco beyond the city center.