Sacred Valley: ATV Quad Bike Tour to Moray & Maras Salt Mines

Summary

Ride ATVs past Moray’s terraces & Maras salt pools with local stories

You’ll climb onto your own ATV for a real taste of Peru’s Sacred Valley—riding out from Cruzpata with a local guide, stopping for snapshots at Moray’s ancient terraces and pausing at Maras salt mines where families still work by hand. Expect laughter, dust on your boots, and maybe a new perspective on what adventure feels like.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the dust — not in a bad way, just that fine powdery stuff that clings to your boots when you step out in Cruzpata. Our guide, Diego, handed me a helmet and gloves (he winked, said they make everyone look tough) and then we were off on our quad bikes. I’d never driven an ATV before but after a few wobbly turns — and Diego’s patient shouts of “más despacio!” — it started to feel like flying low over the earth. The Sacred Valley really opens up here: patchwork fields, the air sharp with eucalyptus, and every so often you catch a whiff of something sweet from the wildflowers.

We stopped near a Quechua village where some kids waved at us (one tried to race our ATVs on foot — he almost won). The next part took us to the Maras salt mines. I didn’t expect it to be so quiet there; just the wind and this faint mineral tang in the air. Over 4,000 salt pools stacked like old tiles down the hillside. Diego explained how families still harvest salt by hand — he pointed out his cousin working one of the wells, actually. Made it all feel less like a postcard and more like someone’s real life.

Moray was last — those circular terraces are stranger in person than in photos. You can stand right at the edge and see how deep they go; apparently each ring has its own microclimate (Diego told us which crops grew best where but honestly I was too busy staring down into that green bowl). My hands were still buzzing from the ride back when we got dropped off near Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. I keep thinking about that moment when everything went quiet at Moray except for birdsong — you know? Sometimes travel is loud but sometimes it’s just…still.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Quad bike tour in Sacred Valley

• Pick up at hotels
• Drive 50 minutes to ATV base
• Start ATV activity at Cruzpata - Chequerec
• Drive 15 minutes to Salineras salt wells
• Explore salt wells area
• Visit Quechua Village and take photos
• Visit Agricultural Terraces of Moray
• Return 50 minutes to Cusco
• Tour ends near Plaza de Armas

Top questions

How long does the quad bike tour from Cusco to Moray & Maras take?

The tour includes about 50 minutes each way by car from Cusco plus several hours riding ATVs between sites.

Is hotel pickup included for this Sacred Valley ATV tour?

Yes, hotel pickup in Cusco is included unless you’re staying in a private apartment—in that case you’ll get a meeting point nearby.

Are entrance fees to Maras salt mines included?

No, entrance fees for Maras salt mines are not included in the tour price.

Can children join the quad bike tour?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult.

What should I wear or bring for this ATV day trip?

You’ll get helmets and gloves; wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dusty. A rain poncho is provided if needed.

Is this tour suitable for people with health issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health.

Do guides speak English during this Sacred Valley ATV tour?

Yes, certified bilingual guides lead the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup or meeting point transfer from Cusco, all transport between sites and back again, use of Honda ATVs with helmets and gloves (which honestly made me feel cooler than I am), bottled water for dusty throats, rain ponchos if needed—and most importantly a bilingual local guide who knows every shortcut and story along these valley roads.