Huaypo Lake and Maras Salt Mines ATV Tour from Cusco
Full Day Adventure
Up to 10 travelers
3,550 m / 11,647 ft
Easy to Moderate
An ATV ride to Huaypo Lake, then the salt pans
This tour from Cusco combines an ATV ride on the high plain northwest of the city with a visit to the Maras salt pans. The ride crosses farmland and small farming communities, with distant snow peaks on the horizon, and reaches viewpoints around Huaypo Lake. After the ATV section, tourist transport takes you to the salt pans viewpoint. A professional bilingual guide accompanies the group, which has a maximum of 10 travelers.
What's Included
Included 6
- Pre-tour coordination
- Professional bilingual guide
- Round-trip tourist transport
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Small-group assistance
- ATV, helmet and safety equipment
Not Included 4
- Tourist entrance fees unless expressly stated
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
- Services or activities not described in the itinerary
What Should You Bring? 8
- Passport or ID
- Water
- Sun protection
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm layers
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Small amount of cash
- Gloves and clothes that can get dusty
Itinerary
1
Departure and briefing
Cusco – ATV base
Morning pickup in Cusco and transfer to the countryside. At the ATV base you are fitted with your equipment and receive safety instructions and practice time.
2
Huaypo circuit
Andean plateau – Huaypo Lake
Guided ATV ride through farmland to viewpoints around Huaypo Lake, with stops for photos of the lake and the surrounding countryside.
3
Maras salt pans and return
Maras – Cusco
Continue by tourist transport to the authorized viewpoint above the Maras salt pans for a guided explanation, then return to Cusco.
Good to know
Highlights
- Huaypo Lake: a high Andean lake at 3,507 m (11,506 ft) in the province of Anta, about 50 km or one hour by car from Cusco, according to Andina. The route includes stops for photos at viewpoints around its shore.
- The ride: dirt tracks between fields on the plateau, after equipment fitting, safety instructions and practice at the base. ATV, helmet and safety equipment are included.
- Maras salt pans: more than 3,000 salt pools still worked by local families (Andina). Since 2019 visitors may not walk among the pools, so the visit is from the authorized viewpoint, where your guide explains how they are fed and worked.
Difficulty and altitude
The tour is rated easy to moderate. Driving an ATV on dirt tracks takes concentration and some physical effort, and the route is dusty in the dry months. The maximum altitude is about 3,550 m (11,647 ft), slightly above Cusco, which stands at 3,439 m (11,283 ft) according to INEI. The salt pans are at about 3,380 m (11,089 ft), according to Andina. Spend at least a day in Cusco first and read our guide to altitude sickness in Cusco.
Who this tour is for
It suits travelers who want an active day with open landscapes and fewer archaeological visits. Before setting out you receive safety instructions and practice time. Ask us about age and driving requirements before booking. If you would rather include the Inca terraces of Moray, choose the Moray and Maras ATV tour; if you prefer not to drive, the Chinchero, Moray and Maras half-day tour goes by van.
Best time to go
Mornings on the plateau are cold: PromPerú gives 1 °C to 20 °C (34–68 °F) for nearby Maras and Moray. In the Cusco region the rains can last until the first half of April, according to Senamhi as reported by Andina. The tracks are muddier in the wet months and dustier in the dry ones.
What to bring
- Passport or ID
- Water
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Warm layers
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Gloves and clothes that can get dusty
- Some cash in Peruvian soles
Good to know
- Weather, road conditions, community access and site schedules may require the guide to change the order of the visits without dropping the main experience.
- The Maras salt pans have their own community-managed entrance and are not part of the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
- More ideas nearby in our guide to things to do in the Sacred Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Huaypo Lake?
Huaypo Lake is in the province of Anta, about 50 km or one hour by car from Cusco, at 3,507 m (11,506 ft), according to Andina.
Do I need experience driving an ATV?
Before setting out you receive your equipment, safety instructions and practice time at the base. Ask us about age and driving requirements before booking.
Is the whole tour done by ATV?
No. The ATV section is the circuit to Huaypo Lake. The drive from Cusco and the visit to the Maras salt pans are by tourist transport.
How high does the tour go?
The maximum altitude is about 3,550 m (11,647 ft), slightly above Cusco (3,439 m / 11,283 ft). The salt pans are at about 3,380 m (11,089 ft).
Does this tour visit Moray?
No. This route visits Huaypo Lake and the Maras salt pans. If you want to see the circular terraces of Moray, choose the Moray and Maras ATV tour.
Can I walk among the salt pools?
No. Since June 2019 visitors may not walk among the pools, according to Andina. The visit is from the authorized viewpoint, and the salt pans have their own community-managed entrance. Ask us before booking whether your fare covers it.
What should I wear?
Closed shoes, warm layers, a rain jacket, sun protection, gloves and clothes that can get dusty. The helmet and safety equipment are provided.
When is the best time to go?
You can ride year-round. The rains in the Cusco region can last until the first half of April (Senamhi, via Andina), so expect mud in the wet months and dust in the dry months.
