For those seeking an adventurous exploration of Peru’s Sacred Valley, this private half-day ATV tour offers a unique and thrilling way to experience the region’s most iconic sites. At a price of US $95 per person, the tour combines the excitement of off-road adventure with visits to significant historical and cultural landmarks.
The journey begins with a convenient pickup from your hotel in either Cusco City or the Sacred Valley, followed by a 55-minute transfer to the tour’s home base in Maras Town. Here, participants receive a comprehensive briefing and the opportunity to practice handling the ATVs before embarking on the main adventure.
The tour’s itinerary is packed with breathtaking landscapes and fascinating sites. Riders will navigate their own quad bikes through the scenic terrain of Maras, leading them to the remarkable circular terraces of Moray, an ancient Incan agricultural laboratory. The adventure continues with a visit to the beautiful colonial Church of Tiobamba.
A key highlight of the excursion is the exploration of the world-renowned Salt Mines of Maras, where a professional guide will provide insightful information about this unique and historic site. The tour of the Salt Mines itself is conducted in a vehicle for accessibility.
After a memorable half-day of exploration and adventure, you will be conveniently transported back to your hotel, concluding a unique and personalized tour of the Sacred Valley.
Tour Details at a Glance:
| Feature | Details |
| Price | US $95 per person |
| Duration | Half-Day |
| Tour Type | Private |
| Key Destinations | Moray, Salt Mines of Maras, Church of Tiobamba |
| Inclusions | Hotel pickup and drop-off (Cusco or Sacred Valley), private transport, professional English-speaking guide, ATV and safety equipment, tour of Salt Mines (in vehicle), visit to Moray and Tiobamba, and a bottle of water. |
| Exclusions | Entrance fees to Moray (70 Soles) and the Salt Mines (20 Soles), personal ATV insurance, and gratuities. |
There are some destinations that firmly nudge their way to the top of your bucket list, and for me, the combination of Maras and Moray has been calling my name for a long time. This isn’t just a standard tour; it’s an experience that I’m desperate to have. I’m completely captivated by the images I’ve seen of the Maras Salt Mines, a surreal, glittering patchwork of thousands of salt pools that cascade down a mountainside—it looks like something from another world.
Then there’s the sheer genius of Moray. It’s not just a collection of old stones; it’s a legendary Incan agricultural laboratory, a testament to a level of scientific understanding that is just staggering. The thought of standing there, feeling the history and ingenuity of the Quechua civilization, is incredible. I can’t wait to finally see these places with my own eyes. This trip is an itch I have to scratch, a chance to connect with something ancient and truly unique in the heart of the Andes.
Trip Details
The plan is to kick things off with a pickup from the hotel in Cusco (elevation: 3,399 meters / 11,152 feet) around 7:30 AM. I’m already picturing the drive out towards Maras and Moray, leaving the city buzz behind for those epic, wild Andean landscapes. I’m hoping to see plenty of the local flora and fauna along the way.
Our first major stop will be the archaeological site of Moray (elevation: 3,500 meters / 11,483 feet), situated 38 km from Cusco. Honestly, this is the part that feels most essential to my hit list. Moray is this stunning example of Incan engineering—a series of four concentric circular terraces, known as muyus. The largest one is impossibly deep, plunging down 80 meters, with the lowest terrace measuring 36 meters across. I find it absolutely fascinating that the temperature can shift by 0.5 to 1.5°C from one level to the next, creating something like 20 different microclimates. The guide will explain the prevailing theory: that the Incas used this incredible structure to experiment with and acclimatize crops that wouldn’t normally grow in the area. Getting my history fix here is a top priority.
Next, we’ll head over to the Maras Salt Mines (elevation: 3,380 meters / 11,089 feet). The name itself sounds magical. These are active salt mines, made up of around 3,000 small, terraced pools. I’ve read that each pool can produce between 50 to 80 kilograms of salt per season and that they’ve been in use since before the Incan empire to supply the entire region. The entire operation is fed by a natural subterranean saltwater spring—a process that takes almost two months for a single harvest. I’m particularly craving the chance to see the famous pink mineral salt up close. I’ve heard it has medicinal properties, and I definitely plan to buy some products made from it as a souvenir.
After a day spent soaking in these two spectacular sites, our transport will take us back to Cusco, wrapping up the tour around 2:00 PM. It sounds like the perfect, all-out trip to explore some of the most unique sites the region has to offer.
A highly qualified professional with extensive experience in the art of guiding will lead your tour. They have years of dedication to nature walks, have medical certifications and an overflowing passion for leading people on unforgettable adventures.
We understand how essential a delicious hot meal is to revitalize and comfort your body after a challenging hike. Therefore, on each expedition with Ausangate Peru, you will find chefs with extensive experience in preparing meals during the hikes.
All our hiking trips offer a varied selection of delicious meals, rich in carbohydrates, proteins and essential fats. We have carefully selected foods that adapt perfectly to the natural environment.
Our experienced muleteers and their faithful horses are responsible for all our equipment and will always be available in the safe and comfortable camps, ready to receive us.
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
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