Cusco: Zipline + ATV’s | Salt Mines of Maras and Moray |

The best part of this Cusco day trip is the mix of ATV riding and four zipline cables. You get moving quickly, then trade the dusty road for wide views over the Sacred Valley and a playful flight through the air.

I like the individual ATV, since you do not have to share the machine, and I like the chance to see the Maras salt mines with a guide before returning to Cusco. The main drawback is timing: Moray may receive only about 15 minutes, and the extra entrance fees can catch you short if you bring little cash.

Key points to know before booking

• Four separate zipline cables: Each cable has a different length, with safety equipment and a short briefing before you start.
• Individual ATVs included: Fuel, helmet, and gloves are part of the $85 price.
• Strong mountain views on the way out: Look for the Sacred Valley, Nevado de Chicón, and Pitusiray.
• Moray can feel rushed: Plan on a brief stop rather than a long archaeological visit.
• The day may use two connected groups: Your ATV group can leave you at the zipline base, with another vehicle handling the return.
• Bring cash for entrance fees and food: Maras and Moray tickets are not included, and lunch is not provided.

Two big Cusco attractions, one active day

This outing combines two very different ways to see the Cusco region. You spend part of the morning on an ATV, following roads toward the salt mines of Maras and the circular terraces of Moray. You also get four zipline runs, which add speed and a little nerve to what could otherwise be a standard sightseeing trip.

The price is $85 per person, including round-trip transport from Cusco, an individual ATV, fuel, helmet, gloves, zipline equipment, and a professional bilingual guide. That is a fair package if you want transport and both activities arranged in one day, though the separate site tickets and lack of lunch raise the final cost.

The tour lasts about 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours, and generally returns to Cusco around 3:00 p.m. The early start matters. You get the main activities done before late-day fatigue sets in, but you should eat beforehand and carry snacks for the road.

The group is limited to 10 people. That is small enough to keep instructions and equipment changes fairly manageable, though the day still depends on how the two activity teams coordinate.

The early road to Raqchi

Pickup begins early at your hotel. The guide is expected to write or call about 15 minutes before pickup, so keep your phone active and provide a WhatsApp number with the correct country code when booking.

The drive toward the base in Raqchi is part of the appeal. You can look out for views of the Sacred Valley and the snow-covered peaks of Nevado de Chicón and Pitusiray. This is not simply dead transport time, especially if the weather is clear.

Your guide speaks English or Spanish. A bilingual guide is useful here because the day combines safety instructions, local sites, transport changes, and a short explanation of Maras and Moray. One particularly well-regarded guide named Floyd handled both the ATV ride and the site explanations, while the zipline crew included Sam and Juan.

Do not expect a luxury coach program with long pauses and a fixed rhythm. This is an active shared excursion. You need to be ready when the vehicle arrives, listen when the guide gives instructions, and accept that the schedule can feel brisk.

Four cables at the zipline base

At the base, you receive a helmet, gloves, and the required zipline safety equipment. The staff gives a short instruction talk before you begin, so this is not a case of being sent to the first platform without guidance.

The course uses four cables of different lengths. That variety helps the activity build from one run to the next, though the supplied information does not give the exact length or height of each cable.

The big reward is the view. You can take in broad scenes of the Sacred Valley while moving across the cables, and one noted option is the Condor pose, with your arms and legs spread as you fly. It is a simple bit of showmanship, but it makes the ride more memorable and gives you a fun photo idea if cameras are allowed by the staff at the time.

The zipline section is not presented as a technical mountaineering activity. It is designed for straightforward fun, with safety equipment and staff instruction included. Still, you should be comfortable with height, speed, and being active outdoors. Anyone with a medical condition should not book, and the activity is not suitable for children under 14.

The zipline portion may not follow the same group from Cusco all day. The ATV group can drop you at the zipline base and leave, while the zipline team takes over. This handoff can feel odd if you do not know about it in advance, but it is part of the operating setup rather than a sign that something has gone wrong. Pay attention to the instructions about your return vehicle.

Riding an individual ATV toward Maras

The ATV ride is the core of the day for many people. Each participant gets an individual quad bike, with fuel included, rather than sharing one machine with another person.

You receive a helmet and gloves, then follow the guide along the route toward Maras and Moray. The precise riding surface is not described, so you should expect an outdoor ATV excursion rather than a paved sightseeing transfer. Wear clothes and shoes that can handle dust and changing mountain weather.

I like the ATV because it adds a sense of movement to the visit. You are not only being driven to the attractions, and the ride gives you a more active connection to the countryside. It also makes this a better choice for someone who has already seen Cusco’s central sights and wants a day with more energy.

The tradeoff is that an ATV route takes attention. You cannot study every view or listen to every historical explanation while riding. If your priority is a slow, detailed archaeological visit, a traditional sightseeing tour may suit you better.

Follow the guide’s pace and safety directions. The tour excludes people over 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms, and is not suitable for wheelchair users, visually impaired people, or anyone with a pre-existing medical condition. These limits are important because both quad biking and ziplining require physical participation.

Maras salt mines: the stronger sightseeing stop

The salt mines of Maras are one of the day’s most unusual sights. Instead of a single mine shaft, you see many small salt ponds arranged across the mountainside. Their pale, layered appearance gives the site a distinct look, and the stop also offers a practical lesson in how salt is collected.

The visit is guided, so you can ask about what you are seeing rather than treating the area as a quick photo stop. The salt mines are also a good counterpoint to the zipline and ATV sections: after speed and noise, you get a place where the main interest comes from the pattern of the ponds and the local method of production.

An entrance fee is not included. The supplied price information lists Maras at $5, while a separate account described paying about 20 soles, so I would confirm the current amount before departure and carry extra cash. Fees can change, and the amount you need may depend on how the local admission is collected.

The stop may be brief, but it is still worth keeping in the plan. If you care about local working traditions and unusual mountain sites, Maras is likely to leave a stronger impression than a fast ride past another scenic viewpoint.

Moray and the problem of limited time

Moray is known for its large circular terraces set into the ground. The rings create a striking pattern, and the site is one of the most recognizable stops in the Cusco region.

This is where you should adjust your expectations. The schedule may allow only around 15 minutes at Moray. That gives you time to see the attraction and take in its shape, but not enough for an unhurried walk or a long period of quiet observation.

The entrance ticket to Moray is separate from the tour price. One recent booking account reported a charge of 70 soles, which made the short visit feel expensive. You may already have a valid combination ticket covering Moray and other attractions, so check your existing tickets before paying again.

If you already hold the correct ticket, the stop can be easier to justify. If you do not, ask yourself how much you value a quick look at Moray. You can also decide to wait near the parking area, but that means giving up the site itself while the rest of the group visits.

I would not choose this tour solely for Moray. The limited time works better if you view Moray as one part of a larger active day, with the ATV route and zipline carrying equal weight.

How the unusual group change works

The day can operate as two linked activities rather than one group staying together from hotel pickup to hotel return. The first group covers the ATV route, Maras, and Moray. Afterward, that group may leave you at the zipline base.

A second team then runs the zipline section. Staff members at the base handle the four cables, and another transport arrangement brings you back toward Cusco.

This setup is the main logistical wrinkle. If you expect one guide and one vehicle throughout, the handoff may be confusing. I would ask at the start where you will meet your return transport, who is responsible for you during the change, and whether you need to carry all your belongings between vehicles.

The benefit is that you can combine two activities that are often sold separately. The cost is a less tidy flow between them. Go in prepared, and the change should feel manageable rather than alarming.

What the $85 price really covers

The $85 price covers the expensive practical pieces: round-trip transport, your ATV, fuel, protective gear, zipline equipment, and a bilingual professional guide. That makes the package useful if you want to avoid arranging separate transport to several sites and an activity base.

It does not cover lunch, snacks, Maras admission, Moray admission, or personal spending. The missing lunch is easy to handle, since the tour returns around 3:00 p.m., but you should bring food for the road.

The entrance fees deserve more attention. The advertised information gives a $5 Maras fee and does not state a fixed Moray price, while a booking account described 70 soles for Moray and about 20 soles for Maras. Carry enough soles or other accepted cash, and confirm the current fees before setting out.

In value terms, this is best for you if you want several active and scenic elements in one booking. It is less attractive if you only want a careful archaeological visit, need lunch included, or dislike paying extra fees at the gate.

Packing for a dusty, active morning

Bring your passport, camera, sunscreen, and cash. The passport is specifically requested, and cash is needed for the separate entrances and any extra expenses.

Add snacks, since food is not included. Water is a sensible practical choice, though it is not listed among the required items.

Dress for an outdoor day rather than a formal sightseeing outing. You will need to handle an ATV, wear a helmet and gloves, and use zipline safety equipment. Clothing that can tolerate dust is preferable to anything delicate.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. You should also keep valuables secure during the activity changes and follow staff instructions about where to leave bags.

Who should book this Cusco day trip?

I would recommend it to an active adult or older teenager who wants a busy day with several different experiences. The minimum age is 14, and the small group size is a plus if you want a more personal feel without paying for a private excursion.

It suits you especially well if your priorities are ATV riding, ziplining, mountain views, and a first look at Maras and Moray. The four cables provide the main thrill, while the salt mines add a more unusual cultural and working-site visit.

I would hesitate if you have limited mobility, a visual impairment, a pre-existing medical condition, or a concern about the stated 125-kilogram weight limit. The tour is also not a good match if you want to spend an hour or more at Moray.

You should be comfortable with a full morning outdoors, a quick change between activity teams, and extra payments for the sites. If those conditions sound fine, the combination gives you more variety than a standard minibus circuit.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want your Cusco day to include real motion and mountain views, not only ruins viewed from a roadside stop. The ATV and zipline sections are the main reasons to choose it, and the Maras salt mines give the day a worthwhile cultural stop.

Skip it if Moray is your top priority and you want time to explore it properly. Also skip it if you dislike carrying cash for changing entrance fees or prefer one guide and one vehicle all day.

My practical advice is simple: bring snacks, carry more cash than the minimum, confirm the Moray fee, and ask about the transport handoff before the ATV group separates. With those details sorted, the $85 price offers a lively way to see several Cusco-area highlights in one long morning.

FAQ

How long does the Cusco ATV and zipline tour last?

The activity lasts 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours. Return to Cusco is expected around 3:00 p.m.

Is transportation from Cusco included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation and hotel pickup are included.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Are the ATVs shared?

No. An individual ATV is included for each participant.

Are Maras and Moray entrance fees included?

No. The Maras entrance fee and the Moray entrance ticket are separate. The supplied information lists Maras at $5, while a booking account reported paying about 20 soles for Maras and 70 soles for Moray.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so bring snacks for the road.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is available with a live guide in English or Spanish.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 14 cannot join. The activity also excludes wheelchair users, visually impaired people, people over 275 pounds or 125 kilograms, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.