Moray and Maras Salt Mines ATV Tour from Cusco
Full Day Adventure
Up to 10 travelers
3,500 m / 11,483 ft
Easy to Moderate
Moray and the salt pans, partly by ATV
This tour from Cusco combines an ATV ride across the Maras plateau with two of the region’s best-known sites: the circular Inca terraces of Moray and the Maras salt pans. The ride starts at the ATV base in Cruzpata, crosses open farmland and traditional communities and reaches Moray. From there, 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
Transfer and briefing
Cusco – Cruzpata
Morning pickup in Cusco and drive to the ATV base in Cruzpata. You receive your helmet and safety equipment, followed by a complete safety briefing and practice time with the vehicle.
2
ATV ride and Moray
Cruzpata – Moray
Guided ATV ride through the Maras countryside, between fields and small farming communities, to Moray. Guided visit of the circular agricultural terraces.
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
- The ride: dirt tracks between fields on the plateau, with time at the base to get comfortable with the vehicle before setting out. ATV, helmet and safety equipment are included.
- Moray: concentric circular terraces, known as muyus, which according to PromPerú appear to have been an Inca center for agricultural experimentation. PromPerú itself lists riding a four-wheeler as one of the activities around Maras and Moray.
- 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.
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 3,500 m (11,483 ft). Moray and Maras are at about 3,481 m (11,421 ft) according to PromPerú, slightly above Cusco, which stands at 3,439 m (11,283 ft) according to INEI. 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 and are comfortable driving a vehicle off-road. Before you set out, the team gives a full safety briefing with practice time. Ask us about age and driving requirements before booking. If you prefer to travel only by van, the Chinchero, Moray and Maras half-day tour visits the same sites; for a lake instead of Moray, see the Huaypo Lake and Maras ATV tour.
Best time to go
PromPerú gives 1 °C to 20 °C (34–68 °F) for Maras and Moray, so the morning ride can be cold. 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, so dress for both.
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.
- Moray is part of the Cusco Tourist Ticket; the Maras salt pans are not. See the FAQ below.
- More ideas nearby in our guide to things to do in the Sacred Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience driving an ATV?
Before setting out, the team gives a complete safety briefing with practice time so you can get comfortable with the vehicle. Ask us about age and driving requirements before booking.
Is the whole tour done by ATV?
No. The ATV section runs from the base in Cruzpata to Moray. 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 3,500 m (11,483 ft). Moray and Maras are at about 3,481 m (11,421 ft) according to PromPerú, slightly above Cusco (3,439 m / 11,283 ft).
Which entrance tickets does this route require?
Moray is covered by the Cusco Tourist Ticket; the partial Sacred Valley ticket (circuit III) costs S/ 70 for foreign visitors and is valid for 2 days, or S/ 40 and 1 day for Peruvian nationals (COSITUC). The Maras salt pans have their own community-managed entrance. Ask us before booking which tickets your fare covers.
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.
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. PromPerú gives 1 °C to 20 °C (34–68 °F) for the area.
How does it compare with the Huaypo Lake ATV tour?
Both include an ATV ride on the plateau and the Maras salt pans. This tour visits the terraces of Moray; the Huaypo Lake and Maras ATV tour rides to viewpoints around Huaypo Lake instead.
