There are many ways to journey through Peru, but few feel as timeless as exploring the Andes on horseback.

The Salkantay Equestrian Ride to Machu Picchu by Mountain Lodges of Peru offers travelers a rare perspective on one of the country’s most dramatic routes. This lodge-to-lodge experience follows ancient trails through glacier-fed valleys, high mountain landscapes, cloud forests, and rural communities before reaching Machu Picchu, the crown jewel of the Inca Empire.

It is designed for travelers who want something more distinctive than a traditional trek: the freedom of riding through open Andean landscapes, the comfort of thoughtfully selected mountain lodges, and the cultural depth of a journey shaped by history, nature, and local hospitality.

Why Explore Salkantay on Horseback?

The Salkantay route is known for its scale and diversity. Over the course of the journey, travelers move through more than 15 ecosystems and cross a mountain pass above 15,000 feet, experiencing one of the most spectacular transitions in Peru: from snow-capped peaks and high-altitude trails to lush cloud forest and coffee-growing valleys.

On horseback, the experience takes on a different rhythm. The journey feels immersive and connected to the land, echoing the ancient paths once traveled by Inca messengers. Riding allows travelers to experience the vastness of the Andes in a way that feels both adventurous and graceful, with each day revealing a new landscape, a new pace, and a deeper sense of place.

Adventure with Lodge-to-Lodge Comfort

What makes this journey especially compelling is the balance between wilderness and comfort. After days spent riding through mountain trails, open roads, valleys, and cloud forest, travelers return to the warmth of Mountain Lodges of Peru’s hospitality.

The experience includes stays at signature lodges along the Salkantay route, where guests can enjoy hot showers, gourmet dining, select wines, outdoor hot tubs, massages, and personalized service from local staff.

This is not a standard horseback riding vacation in Peru. It is a carefully designed adventure where the challenge and beauty of the Andes are matched by comfort, care, and a strong sense of place.

Highlights of the Journey

Along the route, riders encounter some of the most memorable landscapes of the Salkantay region. The experience includes the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake, the dramatic ascent toward the Salkantay Pass, the descent into the high cloud forest, the agricultural richness of the Santa Teresa River Valley, and the first distant views of Machu Picchu from Llactapata Pass.

Each moment builds toward the final visit to Machu Picchu, but the journey is not only about reaching the citadel. It is about how you arrive — through ancient trails, changing ecosystems, Andean hospitality, and the quiet connection that comes from moving through the landscape on horseback.

Ride Into History with Mountain Lodges of Peru

More than a horseback journey, the Salkantay Equestrian Ride to Machu Picchu is an invitation to experience Peru with depth, movement, and wonder. It brings together the spirit of adventure, the beauty of the Andes, the comfort of lodge-to-lodge travel, and the unforgettable reward of arriving at Machu Picchu.

Ready to discover Salkantay on horseback? Contact us and let our travel specialists help you plan the Salkantay Equestrian Ride to Machu Picchu.