Everything you need to know before choosing a horse on the Salkantay and Machu Picchu route
The Salkantay Trek is one of the most spectacular, intense, and demanding treks in Peru. Its 70 kilometers, its highest pass at 4,630 meters, and its unpredictable weather lead many travelers to wonder:
Can I use a horse for the Salkantay?
Can I reach the pass on horseback?
Is it safe?
Is it allowed?
How does it really work?
In this EXTENDED guide, you’ll find everything—technical, logistical, ethical, climatic, historical, and practical explanations—about using a horse on this epic route.
🐴✨ 1. Can you do the Salkantay on a horse? The official and real answer
The answer is complex:
➡️ Yes, you can use a horse for certain parts of the Salkantay.
➡️ No, you CANNOT do the ENTIRE trek on horseback.
The horse serves as partial support, not a complete replacement for hiking.
This is due to:
- the geography of the trail
- the type of terrain
- narrow sections with precipices
- loose rocks
- safety restrictions
- ecosystem protection
- animal welfare
- local regulations
Therefore:
✔ You can use a horse for the ascent.
✔ You can use a horse on some wider sections.
- ✖ You cannot use a horse at the mountain pass.
- ✖ You cannot use a horse to enter Machu Picchu.
- ✖ You cannot ride in dangerous areas.
🏔️ 2. Which parts of the Salkantay Trek allow horseback riding?
Here is the REAL map, based on the experience of local muleteers and certified guides.
📍 A. Soraypampa → Salkantaypampa — ✔ Horses are permitted
This section is:
- wide
- relatively stable
- with gradual slopes
- It is the most popular segment.
- Here, most travelers choose to rent horses.
📍 B. Salkantaypampa → Base of the Pass — ✔ Horses are permitted, but only up to a certain point
You can ride to the famous:
“Salkantay Viewpoint / Last Rest Point”
Where the muleteers are required to stop.
Why?
Because from here on, the trail becomes:
- very narrow
- steep
- uneven
- slippery
- prone to falls
The muleteers don’t risk the horse or the traveler.
📍 C. Base of the Pass → Salkantay Pass → start of the descent — ❌ Not possible
Salkantay Pass (4,630 m) is:
the highest point
extremely windy
very cold
technically challenging
full of rocks
Any horse would slip easily.
Here you MUST walk, no exceptions.
📍 D. Pass → Huayracmachay — ❌ Prohibited / Not feasible
The descent is:
- rocky
- narrow
- technical
- with very tight turns
Even walking can be difficult.
Riding a horse would be extremely dangerous.
📍 E. Huayracmachay → Chaullay — ✔ Possible, but depends on the weather
During the dry season:
✔ Some muleteers will take you riding.
During the rainy season:
❌ No one accepts this route for safety reasons.
📍 F. Chaullay → Collpapampa → Sahuayaco Beach — ✔ Theoretically possible, but rarely used
Why is it almost never used here?
- The path is long, but not very steep.
- Travelers are more acclimatized.
- There are many slippery areas if it rains.
- More vegetation means less visibility.
It’s more common for the horse to carry backpacks, but not people.
📍 G. Playa → Lucmabamba → Llaqtapata — ❌ Not recommended
The climb to Llaqtapata is:
- narrow
- steep
- with Inca steps
- with precipices on either side
The horse CANNOT pass safely.
📍 H. Llaqtapata → Hydroelectric Plant — ❌ Completely prohibited
Impossible, as the path is:
- narrow
- uneven
- with slippery, wet areas
- full of roots
- almost vertical in some places
📍 I. Hydroelectric Plant → Aguas Calientes — ❌ Not allowed
This path follows:
- The train tracks
Neither mules nor horses are allowed here.
📍 J. Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu — 🚫 Completely prohibited
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu prohibits animals except llamas within the complex.
💰 3. Horse Rental Prices on the Salkantay Trek
Prices vary depending on:
- distance
- weather
- season
- availability
- muleteer
- daily demand
- traveler’s weight
- type of horse
Here are the most realistic costs:
1. Soraypampa → Base of the Pass (most popular section):
📌 $80 – $120 USD
2. Intermediate sections (Chaullay – Collpapampa – Playa):
📌 $30 – $60 USD
3. Backpacking / porters with a horse:
📌 $10 – $20 USD per day (maximum weight 7–8 kg per backpack)
4. Horse rental for the entire day:
📌 $100 – $140 USD
Common payment methods:
- cash
- Peruvian soles
- direct payment to the muleteer (cheaper)
⚠️ 4. Is it safe to do the Salkantay Trek on horseback?
Riding a horse is only safe when:
- the weather is stable
- the terrain is dry
- the muleteer is experienced
- you maintain proper balance
- you don’t force the animal into dangerous areas
The greatest dangers include:
- cliffs
- narrow trails
- rain
- hail
- crosswinds
- dense fog
- loose rocks
- overweight traveler
The muleteers ALWAYS have the final say.
If they say “no,” it means no.
🧠 5. Is riding a horse on the Salkantay Trek comfortable?
Not always.
Especially for inexperienced travelers.
You might experience:
- stiff legs
- tailbone pain
- chafing
- back tension
- fatigue Knee pain when dismounting
- Shoulder fatigue from maintaining posture
Horseback riding isn’t complete rest.
It’s tiring in other ways.
For some travelers, it’s a blessing.
For others, it’s worse than walking.
🧘 6. How much of the trek can be avoided by riding a horse?
Of the total trek, you can only ride on approximately:
- 30% – 40% of the trail
The rest:
- is hiking
- is too narrow
- is too dangerous
- is protected by regulations
🌱 7. Animal welfare on the Salkantay Trek — What NO ONE tells you
The horses of the Salkantay Trek are strong and adapted to the terrain.
But that doesn’t mean they can do just anything.
Good practices for tourists:
- Choose muleteers with well-fed horses.
- Don’t ride if you weigh more than 90 kg (198 lbs).
- Avoid hiring in rain or hail.
- Check that the saddle is properly fitted.
- Dismount if the terrain narrows too much.
- Don’t put too much weight on the horse.
Signs that you should NOT ride that horse:
- Prominent ribs
- Visible wounds
- Lameness
- Dull eyes
- Heavy breathing even without exertion
Travelers should ALWAYS prioritize animal welfare.
🧭 8. REAL Advantages of Using a Horse on the Salkantay Trek
- It helps you overcome the toughest sections
- It prevents knee injuries
- It reduces the risk of extreme exhaustion
- It allows less-trained people to enjoy the route
- It makes it easier to reach the pass in good condition
- It allows older travelers to complete the trek
- It’s an authentic cultural experience with Andean muleteers
🛑 9. Real Disadvantages of Using a Horse
- It can’t be used the entire way
- It’s expensive
- It can be uncomfortable
- Limited by the weather
- It increases the time if the horse is slow
- Some sections are dangerous to ride
- Muleteers don’t accept nervous passengers (you could fall)
⭐ 10. Is it worth using a horse on the Salkantay Trek?
Using a horse doesn’t make the trek an easy tour, but it does make it more accessible.
It’s worthwhile if:
- You have doubts about your stamina
- You’re traveling with seniors
- You have knee problems
- Walking at high altitudes exhausts you
- You want to enjoy the climb without so much effort
- You prefer to save your energy for Machu Picchu
It’s NOT worthwhile if:
- You’re an experienced trekker
- You’re looking for a complete physical challenge
- You’re traveling on a tight budget
- You’re uncomfortable riding a horse
Final conclusion:
- Yes, you can use a horse on the Salkantay Trek.
- You can’t do the entire route on a horse.
- Yes, it’s a useful aid.
- Yes, it requires responsibility.
- Yes, you must walk key sections of the trek.
The horse doesn’t replace your effort. It simply accompanies you on your journey.