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Explore the ancient agricultural terraces of Moray and the Maras salt mines on an exciting guided quad bike adventure. Whether you depart from Cusco or start directly in the valley, these excursions include safety equipment, briefings, and scenic rides through Andean landscapes.
Free Cancellation Explore the Sacred Valley’s salt flats and Moray ruins on a guided ATV adventure through the Andean highlands.
Free Cancellation Explore the Moray terraces and Maras salt mines on a half-day ATV ride through the Sacred Valley.
Explore Maras and Moray on a guided ATV tour through the Sacred Valley, suitable for all experience levels.
Free Cancellation Explore the Sacred Valley’s landscapes by ATV, visiting the Maras salt mines or scenic lakes in just half a day.
Free Cancellation Explore the Sacred Valley’s Moray terraces and Maras salt mines in a small group with personalized local support.
Free Cancellation Skip the long drive from Cusco and start your adventure directly in the Sacred Valley with expert local guides.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Sacred Valley — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Exploring the Sacred Valley by ATV is an adrenaline-filled way to see some of Peru's most fascinating Inca sites. You'll trade the standard tour bus for a quad bike, riding along rugged dirt trails through the high-altitude Andean plains, passing local farms and massive mountain peaks.
You'll ride out to these massive, circular depressions carved into the earth. The Incas used them as an agricultural laboratory, with temperatures varying up to 5°C between the different terrace levels.
Park your ATV and walk along the observation decks of over 5,000 ancient salt-evaporation ponds. These patchwork pools of pink, white, and tan have been harvested by hand since pre-Inca times.
Most tours kick off at this rural base camp. Here, you'll get fitted with a helmet and gloves, receive a safety briefing, and take a few practice laps before hitting the open trails.
The ride itself is a massive highlight. You'll navigate dirt paths across the valley floor at around 9,000 feet, surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks that reach over 16,000 feet.
As you drive between the major archaeological sites, you'll pass through small, traditional farming communities where locals still speak Quechua and maintain active agricultural terraces.
Before you lock in your Sacred Valley ATV adventure, there are a few logistical details you need to sort out. From understanding what tickets you need to buy on-site to knowing where your pickup actually happens, here is what you should know.
Most ATV tours do not include the entry tickets for the sites you visit. You will need to buy a Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket (S/. 70) for Moray, and pay a separate 10 Soles cash fee to enter the Maras Salt Mines.
Standard tours pick up from hotels in Cusco's historical center. If you are staying in an Airbnb or outside the center, you'll likely need to meet at a central office. If you're already staying in the Sacred Valley (like Urubamba), look for tours that start directly in the valley to avoid paying extra transfer fees.
While you don't need prior ATV experience, you do need a moderate level of physical fitness. These tours are not recommended for pregnant travelers, or anyone with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
You can usually choose to ride your own single ATV or share a quad bike with a partner. Children are allowed on most tours but must ride on an adult's lap.
Dress in comfortable layers, as mornings are cold but the midday sun is intense. Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip. The Ministry of Culture also prohibits clothing with large promotional logos at the ruins, so stick to neutral, unbranded attire.
The majority of operators offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure. However, a few budget options have strict non-refundable policies, so check the fine print before booking.
| Standard Cusco Departure ATV Tour | Sacred Valley Direct ATV Tour | Express ATV Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6 hours | 6 hours | 5 hours |
| Best for | Budget travelers and first-timers | Travelers already staying in the valley | Tight schedules |
| Includes | Cusco hotel pickup, ATV, helmet, gloves, guide | Valley hotel pickup, 250cc ATV, gear, guide | Cusco transfer, ATV, gear, guide (site entries excluded) |
| Price from | $33 | $75 | $49 |
The archaeological sites you will visit on your ATV tour, including Moray and the Maras Salt Mines, are generally open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily.
Most morning ATV tours depart Cusco between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM to get you on the trails early. This is highly recommended to beat the large tour bus crowds that typically arrive at the ruins after 10:00 AM. Afternoon ATV sessions usually kick off around 1:00 PM.
If you book a standard ATV tour, round-trip transportation from Cusco to the ATV base camp in Cruz Pata is included. The drive takes about an hour.
If you are traveling independently to the Sacred Valley first, you can take a local colectivo from Av. Huayruropata in Cusco for S/. 15 - S/. 20, or hire a private taxi for S/. 80 - S/. 100. Note that if your hotel is in a valley town like Urubamba, standard Cusco-based tours will not pick you up without an extra fee, so it's better to book a tour that starts directly in the valley.
The best time to ride ATVs in the Sacred Valley is during the dry season, from May to October. You'll get clear skies, sunny days, and dry dirt trails perfect for riding.
Keep in mind that June, July, and August are the busiest tourist months, so advance booking is smart. The rainy season runs from November to April, with the heaviest downpours between January and April. Riding during these months means muddy trails and potential rain delays.
ATV tours require a moderate level of physical fitness and mobility to steer and control the quad bike over bumpy dirt roads. They are strictly not recommended for pregnant travelers, or individuals with spinal or cardiovascular issues.
As for the sites themselves, the Maras Salt Mines and the main viewpoint at Moray are relatively flat and accessible. However, getting down into the lower terraces of Moray requires navigating steep, uneven stone steps.
Your tour operator will provide all necessary safety gear at the Cruz Pata base camp, including helmets, gloves, and a first-aid kit.
The Peruvian Ministry of Culture enforces strict rules at Sacred Valley archaeological sites to preserve the ruins.
No prior experience is necessary. The tours start at a base camp in Cruz Pata where guides provide a full safety briefing and instructions. You will have time to practice on the quad bikes before heading out onto the valley trails.
Generally, no. You will need to purchase a Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket (S/. 70 for foreigners) to enter Moray, and pay a separate 10 Soles cash fee directly at the Maras Salt Mines.
You can use a drone at the base camp or on the open trails if your guide permits it, but drones are strictly banned over all archaeological sites like Moray and Maras. Unauthorized use will lead to immediate confiscation.
Most budget ATV tours only offer pickup from the historical center of Cusco. If you are staying in the Sacred Valley, you will either need to pay an extra fee for a private transfer or book a specific tour that departs directly from the valley.
The Sacred Valley floor sits at about 9,000 feet, which is lower than Cusco but still high enough to cause altitude sickness. It's highly recommended to spend a day or two acclimating, staying hydrated, and avoiding heavy alcohol before your ride.
Yes, many operators offer a shared ATV option where two people can ride on the same quad bike. This is a great option for couples or if one person isn't comfortable driving.
Wear comfortable, athletic clothing you don't mind getting dusty, and closed-toe shoes with good grip. Bring layers, as the morning air is chilly but the midday sun is very strong. Avoid clothing with large logos, as it's restricted at the ruins.
Yes, the Sacred Valley is family-friendly and children can join the ATV tours. However, they are not allowed to drive and must ride on the lap of an accompanying adult.
Most standard ATV tours from Cusco take about 5 to 6 hours total. This includes the round-trip drive to the base camp, the safety briefing, the ATV riding time, and the stops at Moray and Maras.
You can buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket at the Moray entrance using Visa, Mastercard, Plin, or Yape, but there is a 3.15% fee. The Maras Salt Mines entrance fee (10 Soles) is strictly cash only, so bring small bills.
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This tour offers a direct way to explore the Sacred Valley’s most famous landmarks by quad bike. Departing daily from Cusco, the route covers the ancient agricultural terraces of Moray and the Maras salt mines, where thousands of individual pools have been used for salt extraction since Inca times. Riding an ATV allows you to navigate the mountain trails and open landscapes of the Andes with more flexibility than a traditional bus tour. The experience is suitable for groups and families who prefer an active itinerary. You will have control of your own vehicle as you follow a guide across the dirt tracks that connect these archaeological sites. For those who have booked the optional zipline, please plan for an additional one to two hours of activity time. This extra session can be scheduled either before or after your ATV ride, depending on the specific option you have chosen.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This half-day tour covers the highlights of the Sacred Valley on an ATV. Starting near the town of Maras, you’ll ride through local Andean villages and across open fields to reach two of the region's most significant historical sites. The first stop is Moray, where the Incas built deep, circular stone terraces to study how different crops grew at varying temperatures. From there, you will head to the Maras salt mines, a massive collection of evaporation ponds built into the side of a canyon. These ponds have been used to harvest salt since before the Inca Empire and are still maintained by local families today.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour starts in Cruz Pata, where you will be provided with an ATV and a safety briefing. Because all equipment and instructions are included, the ride is accessible to everyone from first-time riders to experienced drivers. You will follow a guide along the dirt trails of the Sacred Valley, heading toward several of the region's most significant landmarks. The route includes stops at the Maras salt mines, where thousands of ancient pools are still harvested by hand, and the Moray archaeological site, known for its deep, circular agricultural terraces. You will also pass through the village of Maras. The trip focuses on visiting these historic sites while riding through the open Andean landscape.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
English, Spanish
This half-day excursion from Cusco offers two distinct routes through the Sacred Valley. You can choose to visit the historic Maras salt mines or ride toward the region's high-altitude lakes, both of which offer expansive views of the surrounding agricultural terraces and mountain scenery. You have the option to ride solo on your own ATV or share a vehicle with a companion. Please note that for the Maras route, the final portion of the trip to the salt mines is completed by car, as local regulations currently prohibit ATV access directly within the mine area.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This small-group tour explores the Sacred Valley, the most significant region of the Incan Empire after Cusco. Led by an engaging local guide, you will travel with high-quality equipment to visit two of the area's most distinct sites. First, you will see Moray, an ancient agricultural laboratory consisting of circular terraces built to adapt various plant species to different altitudes and climates. The tour also visits the Maras salt mines, a complex network of thousands of small pools built into the mountainside. These mines are still managed by local families who harvest and export salt using traditional methods. Throughout the trip, we provide flexible support and remain in constant contact to ensure you have everything you need for a smooth experience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
By starting this tour directly in the Sacred Valley, you avoid the three-hour round-trip commute from Cusco. This logistics-first approach saves your energy for exploration and allows for a more relaxed pace at each site. Our small-group size ensures you receive personal attention and can easily navigate the landscape without the delays common in larger tours. Our local guides have years of experience operating in this specific region, providing practical insights into the history and culture of the land. We prioritize a well-organized itinerary that balances safety with genuine discovery, making it an ideal choice for travelers who want to maximize their time in the valley while learning from those who live and work here.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish