ATV Riding Cusco: Mountain of 7 Colors and Red Valley

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/7

Duration12h–13h

GroupUp to 35

LanguagesEN · PT +1

PickupAt your hotel

You'll ride ATVs through high-altitude Andean landscape before most other groups arrive.

An ATV tour from Cusco that combines riding through the Red Valley with a walk to the Mountain of 7 Colors, departing at 4 a.m. and returning by 5 p.m. The early start gets you to both sites before crowds build, and a professional guide teaches you to ride before the adventure begins. Breakfast, lunch, helmet, oxygen and a guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese are included; children from age 6 are welcome.

12h–13h

Step-by-step itinerary

ATV tour to Mountain of 7 Colors

Pickup from hotel early morning
Travel 2 hours to Cusipata
Have breakfast in Cusipata
Visit colonial and Inca bridges
Travel 1 hour to Red Valley
Learn to drive ATVs
Drive ATVs through landscape
Stop at Red Valley viewpoint
Walk 30 minutes to Mountain of 7 Colors
Take photos at mountain summit
Return to transportation
Enjoy lunch
Return to Cusco and hotel

The Experience

The day starts with a 4 a.m. pickup from your hotel, followed by a two-hour drive to Cusipata for breakfast. From there, you'll travel another hour to the Red Valley, where your guide gives you a short lesson on how to handle the ATV—the instruction is designed to be simple, and most travelers pick it up quickly. Once ready, you ride for roughly two hours through the landscape, guided the whole way, with short stops to take in the views: snow-capped peaks, local herders in traditional dress, llamas and alpacas scattered across the terrain.

After the ride, you walk for about 30 minutes to reach the Mountain of 7 Colors. The early departure means you're likely to be one of the only groups on this stretch. The path climbs to 5,036 meters above sea level, where the rock formations shift through bands of red, green, gold and purple. You'll have time to photograph and film before heading back down to where the vehicle waits. Lunch follows, then the drive back to Cusco, with arrival between 4:30 and 5 p.m. at your hotel.

Groups stay under 30 people, and the guide rides with you throughout. The operator prioritizes early arrivals—being first to the sites is how they keep the experience less crowded. Oxygen is provided because of the altitude, and a first aid kit travels with the group. The terrain suits all fitness levels, though the ride itself requires you to operate the ATV and the walk involves climbing to high elevation.

What’s included

Pickup from your Cusco hotel between 4 and 4:10 a.m.
breakfast in Cusipata.
instruction on how to ride the ATV before you start.
a professional guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
the two-hour ATV ride through the Red Valley with short photo stops.
a 30-minute walk to the Mountain of 7 Colors at 5,036 meters.
lunch after the walk.
oxygen for the altitude.
helmet.
first aid kit.
return transport to your hotel by 5 p.m.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Chaska Andina Travel

Is this one for you?The 4 a.m. start is early, but it's what puts you on the trail before crowds and gives you the best light and space for photographs at both sites. If your schedule can't absorb a full day—pickup to return spans roughly 13 hours—or if you prefer to sleep past dawn, a later departure would suit you better.