Horseback riding in Peru. Photo courtesy of KP via Flickr.
From the Andean Morochucos (Peruvian cowboys) in their wind-battered ponchos and chullos (alpaca wool hats), to the rodeos, horseback parades and ‘Jala-toro’ (bull-roping) events that take center stage at many of the country’s traditional festivals, Peru has a long history with horses. Today, horseback riding in Peru has become a popular activity for visitors, with a host of day and multi-day treks making the most of the varied terrain and offering a unique, off-the-beaten-track adventure – scrambling up mountain passes, galloping across open fields and ducking through dense jungle, before stopping off for refreshments at remote Andean villages.
Peru is most famous in the equestrian world for its unique native breeds, most notably the Peruvian Paso, known for its unusual four-beat lateral gait – the ‘paso llano’ – and offering a smooth, comfortable ride ideal for covering long distances.
There are many areas where it’s possible to enjoy horseback riding in Peru, but the most popular region for trekking include is the rugged tablelands between Arequipa and Cusco. There are also an abundance of small ranches all around the country, offering 1-3 hour trail rides in locations like the Iquitos rainforest, the coastal beaches or the Pisco vineyards, just an hour from Lima.
For multi-day horse treks, head to the Colca Canyon near Arequipa, the world’s deepest canyon and a hotspot for hikers as well as horse riders, or the dramatic Callejón de Huaylas valley, which stretches for 150km along the Santa River, north of Lima, bordered by the Cordillera Blanca (White Mountains). Finally, the top destination for adventurous equestrians is Cusco’s Sacred Valley, where it’s possible to follow the Llactapata and Salkantay Inca trails on horseback, trekking for anything from 2 days up to 12 days. A location famously selected by National Geographic as one of the ’10 best horseback rides in the world’, this is the ultimate challenge for riders, navigating ancient Inca roads and steep mountain trails, crossing wildflower-filled valleys and vast lagoons, and riding through some of Peru’s most spectacular archeological sites.
