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

The best part of this Cusco day trip is the mix: you get the speed and dust of an individual ATV ride, the history of Maras and Moray, and four zipline cables above the Sacred Valley. It is an active way to see several major sights without spending the day on a standard sightseeing bus.

I like the small-group format, limited to 10 people, and the generous blend of adventure and scenery. I also like that guides such as Floyd explain the sites rather than simply pointing you toward them. The main drawback is time: Moray can feel rushed, with only about 15 minutes to look around, and entrance fees are not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Four zipline cables: Ride cables of different lengths, with the option to use a condor-style flying pose.
• Individual ATV included: You ride your own quad bike, with fuel, helmet, gloves, and safety equipment provided.
• Two famous Sacred Valley sites: Stop at the Maras salt mines and the circular terraces of Moray.
• Early start, return around 3 p.m.: Bring snacks because lunch is not included.
• Cash is essential: Maras costs $5 to enter, and Moray has a separate entrance fee.
• The tour changes groups: Your ATV group may transfer you to the zipline operation, then a different vehicle may take you back to Cusco.

Four ziplines above the Sacred Valley

The zipline section gives this tour its biggest burst of energy. At the base in Raqchi, you receive your helmet and other safety equipment, then listen to a short instruction talk before using four cables of different lengths.

You do not need to be an expert. The staff handles the safety setup, while you follow instructions on how to position yourself and move from one cable to the next. The attraction is not just speed. The high point is the view over the Sacred Valley, with open mountain scenery spread around you.

A condor pose is one of the memorable touches. You stretch your arms and legs as you fly, creating the feeling of a giant bird crossing the valley. You should still expect a guided commercial zipline operation, not a private wilderness adventure, but the four-cable format gives you several chances to settle your nerves and enjoy yourself.

This is a good fit if you want a real thrill without committing an entire day to one activity. The zipline portion is also useful for people traveling with different interests. One person can enjoy the views and history later, while another gets the adrenalin rush they wanted from Cusco.

The morning drive to Raqchi is part of the experience. Along the way, you can look for views of the Sacred Valley, Nevado de Chicón, and Pitusiray. These mountain views help put the later attractions in context, since you are moving through the same broad Andean setting that shaped the valley’s farming and salt production.

What the ATV ride is really like

After the zipline activity, you move on to the ATV portion of the day. Each person receives an individual ATV, along with fuel, a helmet, and gloves. That matters because you are not sharing the steering or sitting behind someone else while they handle the route.

The ride is intended as an active way to reach Maras and Moray. Expect a combination of riding and brief sightseeing stops rather than a long, technical off-road expedition. The appeal is the movement between sites. You get to feel the road, see the surrounding mountains from a lower and more open position, and arrive at the attractions with a stronger sense of the area.

Floyd has been singled out as an especially effective guide for this part of the day. His role includes both the ATV ride and explanations of the historical sites. That combination is valuable. The scenery catches your eye first, but a good explanation helps you understand why Maras and Moray matter.

You should wear clothes that can handle dust and road grime, though the supplied information does not specify road conditions or clothing requirements. Closed shoes are a sensible choice for an activity that combines ATV riding, walking, and ziplining. Bring sunscreen, since the high-altitude sun can be strong even when the air feels cool.

The tour is not suitable for children under 14, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, anyone over 275 pounds (125 kilograms), or people with pre-existing medical conditions. Those limits are important here because the day involves equipment, movement, and active participation at more than one stop.

Maras salt mines: the most satisfying sightseeing stop

The salt mines of Maras are more than a quick photo stop. The site consists of many small salt ponds built into the mountainside, where saltwater is collected and allowed to evaporate. The result is a striking patchwork of pale terraces that looks very different from the nearby green and brown mountain slopes.

Your guide provides a short visit to the attraction, with time to see the ponds and learn how the site works. This is where the tour’s history and local geography come together. The salt comes from a natural spring, and the pools show how a simple resource can support generations of local production.

The Maras stop appears to be one of the stronger sightseeing parts of the day. It is both visually unusual and easy to understand, even if you have limited time. I would plan to pay attention to the guide here rather than treating the visit as only a photo opportunity.

Entrance to the salt mines costs $5 and is not included in the tour price. Keep that money ready before you arrive. Cash is also listed among the things you should bring, and you will need it for entrance fees and any extra expenses.

Moray’s circular terraces and the time problem

Moray is one of the Sacred Valley’s most distinctive archaeological sites. Its huge circular terraces descend into a natural hollow, forming a series of rings that look almost like an amphitheater carved into the earth.

The site is often discussed in connection with Inca agricultural experimentation, though this tour description does not promise a long specialist lecture. Your guide should give you useful historical context, then allow a brief look at the terraces.

The weak point is the amount of time. Plan on roughly 15 minutes at Moray, which is enough to see the main view but not enough for a relaxed visit. You may take photographs and listen to an explanation, but you probably will not have time to linger at every viewpoint.

Moray also requires a separate entrance ticket. One person on this tour paid 70 soles for the Moray entry, while another account described the cost as roughly 20 dollars. Prices and ticket arrangements can change, so confirm the current charge before you leave Cusco. If you already hold a combined ticket covering Moray, check whether it can be used here.

This is the point where you need to set the right expectation. If Moray is your main reason for booking, a dedicated archaeological tour with more time may suit you better. If your priority is ATV riding and ziplining, the short stop is easier to accept. You will see the site, but you will not explore it at a leisurely pace.

A two-part tour with an unusual handoff

The day has a slightly unusual structure. The group handling the ATV ride, Maras, and Moray may drop you at the zipline base. That first group then leaves, and the zipline staff takes over.

There is no need to panic if your first guide departs. The transfer is part of the planned arrangement. Sam and Juan are among the zipline staff connected with the experience, and the return to Cusco is handled by a different transport arrangement after the flying portion.

Still, this is worth knowing before you book. Some people prefer a single guide and vehicle for the whole day. Here, the handoff can feel less polished than a standard private excursion, even though it allows the operator to combine two separate activities in one booking.

The benefit is clear: you can fit both experiences into one day and avoid arranging separate transport. The tradeoff is that you should pay attention to instructions about where to wait, which vehicle to use, and how the return transfer works. Keep your phone charged, and provide a WhatsApp number with the correct country code so the operator can contact you before pickup and during the day.

Timing, pickup, and what to pack

The excursion lasts about 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours. It begins early in the morning and returns to Cusco at around 3 p.m. Your guide is expected to write or call about 15 minutes before pickup at your hotel.

An early departure is useful because it leaves the afternoon free. You can rest, eat a late lunch in Cusco, or continue with an evening plan. The downside is that you need to be ready before the day has properly started, especially if your hotel pickup time is early.

Food is not included. Bring snacks for the road, and do not assume that lunch will appear between the ATV ride and the archaeological stops. Water is also a sensible addition, although it is not specifically listed among the included items.

Pack:

• Passport
• Camera or phone
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• Snacks
• Clothes suitable for dust and active movement

The passport requirement is worth taking seriously. Even when you are not crossing a border, tour operators or attractions may require identification. Keep it secure but accessible.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. You should also tell the operator about relevant health concerns before booking, since the tour is not suitable for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Is $85 good value?

At $85 per person, the tour offers transportation from Cusco, an individual ATV, fuel, helmet, gloves, zipline equipment, and a bilingual English or Spanish guide. For an active day that combines two separate activities with two major Sacred Valley sights, that is a reasonable package price.

The listed price is not the full cost of the day. You must add the $5 Maras entrance, a separate Moray ticket, and lunch or snacks. The Moray charge can be significant, with 70 soles reported for one visit, so budget for that before deciding the tour is inexpensive.

I see the value mainly in convenience and variety. You do not need to coordinate a zipline booking, an ATV operator, and transportation to Maras and Moray on your own. You also get a bilingual guide and a small group capped at 10 people.

The value is weaker if your goal is detailed archaeology. The short Moray stop limits what you can see, and the itinerary gives more weight to activity than to quiet time at the sites. Think of the price as payment for a full active day, not as the cheapest way to visit Moray.

Who should book this Cusco adventure?

I would recommend it to you if you want movement, mountain views, and several different experiences in one day. It suits couples, friends, and active families with teenagers aged 14 and older who are comfortable following safety instructions and riding an ATV.

It is also a good choice if you have limited time in Cusco. Rather than spending one day on transport and another day on adventure activities, you combine both. The return around 3 p.m. gives you a useful evening back in the city.

You may want a different tour if you dislike dust, early starts, equipment changes, or tight sightseeing schedules. It is also not the right option if you want a slow archaeological visit, need wheelchair access, have a visual impairment, or have a medical condition that makes ATV riding or ziplining unsuitable.

The guide can make a real difference. Floyd is associated with the ATV and site explanations, while Sam and Juan are part of the zipline team. Their roles are separate, so expect a change in staff rather than one guide leading every minute of the day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if ATV riding and ziplining are your main goals, and treat Maras and Moray as valuable additions. The four zipline cables provide the strongest thrill, the ATV gives you an active way to move through the valley, and Maras offers the most satisfying sightseeing stop.

Think twice if Moray is the priority. Fifteen minutes is a short visit, and the separate entrance fee adds to the cost. For the right kind of day, though, $85 is fair: you get transport, equipment, two adventure activities, and a small group without having to arrange the pieces yourself.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours. It begins early in the morning and usually returns to Cusco around 3 p.m.

What is included in the price?

The price includes round-trip transportation, an individual ATV, fuel, helmet, gloves, zipline equipment, safety equipment, and a professional bilingual guide.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Maras requires a $5 entrance payment, and Moray has a separate entrance ticket. The Moray price is not included in the tour cost.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Bring snacks for the road and cash for extra expenses.

What languages are available?

The tour offers live guiding in English and Spanish.

Who cannot participate?

The tour is not suitable for children under 14, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, people over 275 pounds (125 kilograms), or people with pre-existing medical conditions.