ATV Riding Cusco: Mountain of 7 Colors and Red Valley

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.

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.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 03:30, 04:00, 04:10 and 05:00

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 68 years) · Youth (6 to 16 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 35

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 15

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets 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.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 16 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How early do I need to wake up for this ATV tour from Cusco?

Pickup happens between 4 and 4:10 a.m. from your hotel, so you'll need to be ready before dawn. The early start is what gets the group to the Mountain of 7 Colors and Red Valley before other tours arrive.

Do I need to know how to ride an ATV before booking?

No. Your guide teaches you how to operate the ATV in a simple, easy way for a few minutes before the ride begins. Most travelers learn quickly and complete the two-hour ride through the Red Valley without prior experience.

What is the Mountain of 7 Colors actually like when you reach it?

The Mountain of 7 Colors sits at 5,036 meters above sea level and displays bands of red, green, gold and purple rock across its slopes. You walk about 30 minutes to reach the summit, where you'll have free time to photograph the Andean landscape and the colored formations before heading back down.

What's included in the price for this ATV tour?

Breakfast, lunch, helmet, oxygen, a professional guide, and a first aid kit are all included. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese, and pickup from your Cusco hotel is part of the package.

How much time will I spend actually riding the ATV?

The ATV ride through the Red Valley takes about two hours round trip, with short stops along the way to appreciate the views. After the ride, you walk for roughly 30 minutes to reach the Mountain of 7 Colors.