Top Cusco Horseback Riding

We had a fantastic experience on this horseback riding tour. Our guide, Diego, was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and spoke excellent English, which made the entire experience easy and enjoyable. The horses were gentle, well behaved, and very friendly, so everyone in our group felt comfortable riding them. We also had the opportunity to let the horses run, which was an unexpected and wonderful bonus. It was easily one of the highlights of our trip, and we would highly recommend this tour.

Our family of four, including 2 teens, enjoyed a beautiful day exploring Machu Picchu. We received all of our tickets (train, bus, and site entrance) the night before and downloaded them to our phones. Communication from the tour company regarding the itinerary and transportation transfers was detailed so we felt prepared. We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the train station (about a 25-minute shuttle van ride). We booked the Vistadome train and it was absolutely worth it! The large panoramic windows including glass panels in the ceiling allowed us to enjoy the scenic views throughout the ride. The train ride was about 3.5 hours which gave us plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery and the onboard entertainment of live music and dancing. Each passenger received a complimentary beverage (coffee, tea, or water) along with a snack box containing a granola bar, healthy chips, chocolate, and candy. Additional snacks and drinks were also available for purchase. Adult passengers each received a small bottle of pisco in a souvenir bag. When we arrived at the Aguas Calientes train station, we were greeted by a transfer guide holding a sign with our name on it. She escorted us to the bus which took about 25 min to reach the Machu Picchu entrance. At the sanctuary, we met our English-speaking guide, Hector, who was knowledgeable and personable. We ended up having a private tour which made the experience more enjoyable. Because we booked our tickets 3 months in advance, we were fortunate to secure Circuit 2 which includes the classic viewpoints and far more access to much of the citadel compared to Circuits 1 and 3. We were able to walk through the ancient ruins, which was an incredible experience. Hector shared fascinating stories about the history, architecture, and significance of Machu Picchu. He also took family photos for us and knew all the best locations for memorable pictures. Our guided tour with Hector lasted about 2 hours. Afterward, we had a couple of hours before our return train which gave us time to enjoy a meal and browse the souvenir shops in the marketplace near the train station. The return trip on the train was similar to the ride there with complimentary snacks and a souvenir. Instead of live music and dancing, the onboard entertainment featured a fun fashion show. By the end of the day, we were exhausted from a 15-hour day from start to finish, but it was absolutely worth it. Visiting one of the new Seven Wonders of the World was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This was one of the BEST experiences I have had with a tour group in all of my worldly travels. I was picked up and returned at my door. I enjoyed leaving at 8:00 AM rather than 4:00 AM. I was greeted by hiking guide, Alex and the driver, Yober. Alex gave me a bag with water and a lot of great snacks! We stopped at a restaurant to use the extremely clean restroom along the way and place our lunch order for the post hike meal. Once we arrived at the hiking start point we walked a short ways where he helped the other hiker in my group get settled on a horse. The two of us took off and hiked all the way to the top and with the bonus of the last high peak to reach one of the “hands” so I could get more great photos. He knows all the primo photo spots and was kind to take lots of photos for me. I enjoyed listening to some history about the mountain, Cusco and practicing my Spanish with him along the way. Upon returning to the van, Yober handed me a warm wash cloth that smelled and felt great. He also asked me what type of tea I would like. Top notch service again! We drove back to the restaurant and our food was ready. WOW, my quinoa soup and trout were delicious. I also tried my hiking mates chicken, which was excellent too. The dessert was a Lucuma mousse and I’d like another one. I only have great things to state about this trip and that you receive a lot of great service for what you pay. I highly recommend this trip. If at all possible allow yourself to acclimate to the altitude before you go on this hike to Rainbow Mountain. I exercise a lot and hike but not at this extreme altitude. You might have to consider a horse to get you up. It can also be cold and windy so wear layers, bring a sun hat and sunscreen. One last important point to mention is that the office staff did a great job about responding to my pick up questions. They also needed some information in advance and that was smooth as well. Thank you for an amazing day Alex and Yober!!!