Guardians of the Quarry: The Full-Day Ride

5.0 (7)
8h
Peru
Photo Yojan B.
5.0
Yojan B.
Tour Provider
View Yojan’s tours
Difficulty
Challenging
Weight limit
Duration
8h
Group size
1-10 tourists,
over 8 y.o.

Spend a full day riding through the Sacred Valley, where every turn tells its own story.

Travelers follow the Vilcanota River to the village of Pachar, passing ancient granaries, Inca farming terraces, and the historic military outpost of Choqana. The journey ascends to the Inca Sun Gate and the Cachicata Quarry, where stone blocks remain as a testament to the Andeans’ remarkable masonry skills.

Along the way, riders are rewarded with breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and the lush valley below. Encounters with local farmers and glimpses of traditional rural life make this experience trully unforgettable.

This tour is suitable for advanced riders confident in varied terrain and looking for a challenging mountain ride with panoramic Andean views.

Saddle up!

$160
per tourist
Departing from
Departamento de Cusco, Provincia del Cusco, Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport
Tour date and time
Number of individuals
1-10 tourists, over 8 y.o.
Only in the Horse Tours Club
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Photo Yojan B.
Yojan B. is the provider of this trip
The provider speaks: English, Spanish
A real Andean descendent who comes from a Cusco family who truly love horses and I am married with Karina from the Netherlands. I grew up with horses and it's my passion to work with them. I am also an official tour guide and I like to work with turists from all countries, showing them around in my country Peru and explaining them everything about the history. My riding activities in the Sacred Valley were soon discovered, and our hacienda began to appear in guidebooks and on the lists of highly recommended equestrian tour operators. The riding expeditions high in the Andes are exceptional with my team.

Tour highlights

The Sun Gate
The Cachicata Quarry
Farming Terraces

Route details

Before 09:00, participants meet at the ranch, where the guide provides information about the horses and riding style.

At 09:00, the ride begins along the flat valley trail beside the Vilcanota River. The first village along the route is Pachar, where travelers can see urban areas, ancient granaries once used for storing grains and potatoes in Inca times, and the military structure known locally as Choqana. Along the way, riders pass numerous Inca farming terraces.

At 10:00, the group arrives at the Inca Bridge of Ollantaytambo and starts the ascent toward the Inca Sun Gate.

By 12:00, riders reach the Cachicata Quarry, located near the top of the mountain. A short hike here reveals the Andeans’ remarkable stone-cutting techniques. From this point, there are fantastic panoramic views of the Vilcanota River far below and the snow-covered peak of Verónica.

At 13:00, lunch is served.

At 14:00, the return ride begins, offering views of the pyramid-shaped Inca fields of Ollantaytambo, the Cachicata Quarry, and numerous stone blocks along the trail.

At 17:00, riders arrive back at the ranch.

Difficulty
Challenging
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in a good physical shape
Tour provider's comments

The ride is tailored to advanced riders only.

horse

It's important to know

What is included in the tour price?

The tour price includes an English-speaking guide, a well-groomed horse, and a riding helmet. Please note that private transfers to and from the ranch and entrance tickets for the sights are not included.

What should I bring?
Can I rent a horse without joining the tour?
Is there anything I should be aware of before booking?
What discounts and special offers are available for this tour?
Cancellation of booking

Available dates

Select date
Number of individuals
1-10 tourists, over 8 y.o.
$160
1 tourist

Tickets to group meeting place

Group meeting place
Departamento de Cusco, Provincia del Cusco, Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport

The group meets at: Cusco

The tour’s last location: Cusco

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Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route
You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on
  • the forecasts for this season
  • the statistics from previous years’ trips

Reviews

5.0
Based on 7 reviews
  • C
    Cassandra
    about provider
    29 Feb, 2024
    We had a blast! If you're around, you've gotta try this out. The horses are super chill, and the scenery during the ride is amazing. The owner/operators are really friendly and welcoming.
  • J
    joane
    about provider
    28 Nov, 2023
    I highly recommend this team. The horses are fantastic, and the owners and staff are very friendly.. I had some amazing rides with breathtaking scenery. Thank you for an unforgettable trip of a lifetime !?
  • T
    Tanner
    about provider
    25 Oct, 2023
    My wife and I had a great time. The views were breathtaking, the history was fascinating, and exploring the town was a blast. Our guide Yojan was awesome - super friendly, really knew his stuff, and made the whole experience even better.

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