Horseback riding at Salineras, Maras & Moray

Horseback Riding at Salineras, Maras, and Moray

Explore Maras and Moray in a different way with your expert guide.

Horseback Riding at Salineras, Maras, and Moray (BL)

Explore Maras and Moray in a different way with your expert guide.

Spend a very special day on a custom horseback ride, visiting several treasures of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, off-the beaten path, and away from the crowds.

Our bilingual guides are locals knowledgeable about the area and dedicated to this ride for the day. Our support team will prepare and serve your delicious organic lunch, carry your gear, assist you at every turn and provide door-to-door service. Last but not least, our horses are exceptional: well trained and well-cared-for specimens of the Peruvian Paso horses. You will be fully taken care of.  Everything has been figured out, to minute detail, and with ultimate care, all you have to do is enjoy your day of horseback riding along the footsteps of the Incas.

The day starts when our private vehicle (a comfortable sedan or a van) picks you up from your accommodation in Cusco or the Sacred Valley to bring you to the Salineras Ranch, located just outside the town of Urubamba, in the Pichingoto Community on the Urubamba River. Here you will be given horseback riding and safety instructions and have the opportunity to get to know your horse.

We will start the ride by going up an ancient, steep path for 45 minutes to the Salineras salt mines where we will observe the fascinating and ancient process of pink salt collection and harvesting. After visiting Salineras on foot, and having a snack, we will continue riding for another hour and 15 minutes up to the quaint, colonial village of Maras. We will ride through the streets, where you can see one of the first Spanish churches, and the coats of arms from different Spanish colonial families carved into the stone doorways.

Just outside of Maras village there is a beautiful meadow, where our advance-team has set everything up for your box lunch break. We will take the time to admire the breathtaking views of the valley and the snow-capped peaks. After riding for another 45 minutes across the plains we will reach the archeological site of Moray, agricultural experimentation and development center of the Incas. You’ll have an opportunity to will visit the impressive architecture of Moray on foot. Once you have explored Moray, we will continue riding for another 45 minutes through large expanses of farmland. Throughout our descent back to the Ranch, we will have spectacular views of the mountains and fields. This part of the ride is a beautiful mix of peaceful landscapes and adventurous riding, as we can gallop or canter depending on your comfort level and desires.

For the safety of the riders and the horses, at the very end, we will hike to the ranch down a steep path for about 20 minutes. Back at the ranch, our private vehicle will be ready to take you back to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.

Start time: To avoid crowds, we start this ride early – at 8:30 am, with introduction to your guides and horses and horseback riding and safety instructions.

Pick-up time: Varies depending on the location of your hotel. If you are coming from Cusco, your driver will pick you up from your accommodations at 7:00 am, if you are already in the Sacred Valley pickup will be at 8:00 am.

Time spent in transit: (all times are approximations, depending on road and traffic conditions)
Cusco – Salineras Ranch: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Urubamba – Salineras Ranch: 15 minutes
Ollantaytambo – Salineras Ranch: 25 minutes

Total duration of ride/tour: Approximately 7 hours, depending on the rider skill level and desired pace (does not include time in transit)
Time spent riding: Approximately 3.5 hours
Time at Salineras salt mines: Approximately 45 minutes (visit on foot)
Time for picnic-style lunch break: Approximately 1 hour
Time at Moray: Approximately 30 minutes (visit on foot)
Time spent hiking: Approximately 20 minutes

Distance:  21 kilometers / 13 miles
Altitude: Salineras Ranch:  2,800 m.a.s.l. / 9,186 feet
Salineras salt mines: 3,221 m.a.s.l. / 10,567 feet
Maras: 3,400 m.a.s.l. / 11,155 feet
Moray:  3,600 m.a.s.l. / 11,811 feet

Group size: Minimum of 2 people
Type of horses: Peruvian Paso / Creole Horse
Weight limit: 82 kg / 180 pounds

Price per person: 2 or 3 people US $225, groups of 4 or more US $210