ATV Maras & Moray
Ride an ATV through some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley and combine adventure, culture, and history in a half-day experience from Cusco. The ATV tour to Maras, Moray, and the Salt Mines is ideal for travelers who have limited time but want to enjoy something different, active, and fun.
During the route, you will drive an ATV along rural roads surrounded by farmland, mountains, Andean villages, and open views of the Sacred Valley. No previous experience is required, as you will receive a safety briefing and have time to practice before starting the tour.
The experience includes a visit to Moray, one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Cusco, known for its circular Inca terraces. We will also visit the Maras Salt Mines, a unique landscape made up of thousands of salt pools that are still worked by local families today.
This is an excellent option for travelers who want to enjoy half a day outside the city, without long hikes, but with a great mix of landscapes, history, and adventure.
Important Information
- Tour location: Maras, Moray, and the Salt Mines, Sacred Valley – Cusco, Peru.
- Tour type: Adventure, nature, culture, and ATV riding.
- Ideal for: Couples, friends, families with older children, and travelers with limited time.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
- Duration: Half day, approximately 5 to 6 hours.
- Highlights: ATV riding, Andean landscapes, Moray terraces, and the Maras Salt Mines.
- Languages: Spanish and English.
- Group size: Minimum 2 – maximum 18 participants, depending on availability.
- Departures: Morning or afternoon, depending on schedule.
Why You’ll Love This Experience
This tour is perfect if you want to do something different and explore part of the Sacred Valley in a more dynamic way, rather than taking a traditional tour. It is not just about riding an ATV; it is about traveling through rural roads, enjoying open landscapes, and visiting places that are important to the history and culture of Cusco.
Along the way, you will see farmland, mountains, local communities, and the everyday life of Andean villagers. The route is fun, safe, and does not require a demanding hike, making it a great option for travelers looking for a different activity in a short amount of time.
You will also visit two very representative places: Moray, with its impressive circular terraces, and the Maras Salt Mines, where salt production continues as part of a living local tradition.
What Makes This Tour Special
What makes this tour special is the combination of light adventure, rural landscapes, and local history. In just a few hours, you can ride an ATV, visit important sites in the Sacred Valley, and enjoy a more active experience than a traditional tour.
Moray shows the creativity and agricultural knowledge of the Incas, who are believed to have used its circular terraces to experiment with different microclimates. On the other hand, the Maras Salt Mines offer a completely different landscape, with thousands of white salt pools that create one of the most iconic views in the area.
Traveling with a professional guide makes the experience safer and more complete. Your guide will give you instructions on how to ride the ATV, accompany you throughout the route, and explain the importance of the places visited.
Best Time to Visit
The ATV Maras & Moray tour can be done year-round. The best season is usually from April to October, during the dry season, when the roads are firmer, there is a better chance of clear skies, and the mountain views are usually better.
From November to March, during the rainy season, the landscapes look greener, although the roads may be wet or muddy. This can make the experience feel more adventurous, as long as the guide’s safety recommendations are followed.
At any time of year, we recommend bringing comfortable clothing, a light or waterproof jacket, sunscreen, and sunglasses. The weather in the Andean region can change quickly, even during a short tour.
Who This Tour Is Best For
This tour is ideal for travelers who want a short, fun, and different adventure near Cusco. It is perfect for those who do not want to do long hikes but still want to enjoy beautiful landscapes and visit important places in the Sacred Valley.
It is also a great option for couples, groups of friends, and families with older children. You do not need previous ATV experience, as you will receive instructions before starting the route and have time to practice.
For safety reasons, we do not recommend this experience for people with serious back problems, limited mobility, pregnancy, or medical conditions that could be affected by uneven roads.
Included
- Pickup from your hotel in Cusco or a coordinated meeting point.
- Round-trip tourist transportation.
- ATV for the route.
- Safety helmet.
- Briefing and practice before starting the route.
- Professional bilingual guide.
- Guided visit to Moray.
- Visit to the Maras Salt Mines.
- Assistance during the experience.
- Return to Cusco.
Not Included
- Meals and drinks.
- Entrance to Moray, if not included in the confirmed program.
- Entrance to the Maras Salt Mines, if not included in the confirmed program.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for the guide and support staff.
- Services not mentioned in the program.
8:00 a.m. | Pickup in Cusco
We will start with pickup from your hotel or a coordinated meeting point in Cusco. Then, we will travel toward the Maras area, enjoying Andean landscapes, farmland, and views of the Sacred Valley along the way.
9:00 a.m. | Arrival at the ATV Base
Upon arrival at the base, you will receive a safety briefing, instructions from the guide on how to ride the ATV, and a short practice session before starting the route.
9:30 a.m. | Start of the ATV Adventure
We will begin the ATV ride along rural roads surrounded by mountains, farmland, and open landscapes. The guide will set the pace to keep the experience safe and enjoyable.
10:30 a.m. | Visit to Moray
We will visit the archaeological site of Moray, famous for its circular Inca terraces. Your guide will explain the importance of this site and its possible use as an agricultural experimentation center.
11:30 a.m. | Visit to the Maras Salt Mines
We will continue to the Maras Salt Mines, where you will see thousands of salt pools still worked by local families. You will have time to take photos and learn more about this Andean tradition.
12:30 p.m. | Return to the Base
After the visit, we will return to the ATV base or to the meeting point with our transportation, depending on the day’s organization.
Around 2:00 p.m. | Arrival in Cusco
We will finish the tour with the return to Cusco. The exact time may vary depending on traffic, weather, and the group’s pace.
What to Bring
We recommend bringing:
- Comfortable clothing
- Closed-toe sneakers or light hiking shoes
- Windbreaker or waterproof jacket
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Hat or cap
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera or phone with enough battery
- Personal medication
- Cash in Peruvian soles for entrance tickets, snacks, drinks, tips, or personal expenses
- Bandana or light face covering, especially if you are sensitive to dust
- Rain poncho or waterproof jacket, especially during the rainy season
If you take the tour during the rainy season, it is very important to bring a waterproof jacket or rain poncho. We also recommend wearing clothes that are not too delicate, as the roads may be dusty or muddy depending on the season.
Price
Price from: USD 70 per person.
The price may vary depending on availability, season, number of travelers, type of service, whether the tour is group or private, and whether the ATV is individual or shared.
Important note:
In some services, entrance tickets to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines may be included. In other cases, they are paid directly in the area. We recommend confirming this detail at the time of booking.
Options to Customize Your Experience
- Private Service
Ideal if you want a more personalized experience, with greater flexibility in timing and a more relaxed pace during the route. This is a great option for families, couples, or groups of friends who prefer to travel with a private guide and transportation.
- Individual or Shared ATV
You can choose to drive your own ATV or share one with another person, depending on availability and service conditions. If you are traveling as a couple or with friends, this can be a good way to adapt the experience to your comfort.
- Add Chinchero
If you would like a more cultural experience, a visit to Chinchero can be included. Chinchero is known for its traditional textiles, Inca terraces, and beautiful views of the Sacred Valley. This option depends on available time and the type of service booked.
- Combine It with the Sacred Valley
For travelers who want to make the most of the day, Maras and Moray can also be combined with other Sacred Valley attractions, such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, or lunch in Urubamba, turnin
No. Previous experience is not required. Before starting the route, the guide will give you instructions and you will have time to practice. The most important thing is to drive calmly and follow the instructions.
No, it is not a difficult tour, but it does require attention and responsibility while driving. The difficulty is considered easy to moderate, mainly because of the dirt roads and altitude.
The tour lasts approximately 5 to 6 hours, depending on the chosen schedule, traffic, weather, and the group’s pace.
Yes. The tour normally includes a visit to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines. Depending on the confirmed program, it may also include Chinchero or other nearby sites.
It depends on the confirmed program. In some services, entrance tickets are included, while in others they are paid directly in the area. We recommend confirming this detail before booking.
Yes, in many cases it is possible to share an ATV, depending on availability and service conditions. You can also choose an individual ATV if you prefer to drive alone.
It may be recommended for families with older children, as long as they meet the operator’s safety conditions. Young children usually cannot drive and may only participate as passengers if the service allows it.
Bring comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a light or waterproof jacket, water, a camera, and cash in soles for entrance tickets, snacks, or personal expenses.
Yes, it can operate year-round. However, during the rainy season, the roads may be wet or muddy. In case of strong weather conditions, the route may be modified for safety.