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

Fast wheels, high cables, ancient salt ponds. This Cusco adventure combines individual ATV riding with four zipline cables and visits to Maras and Moray. I like the variety: you get mountain views, outdoor action, and two important Sacred Valley sights in one long day. I also like the small group limit of 10 people, which should keep the activities moving.

The main drawback is time. Moray can feel rushed, with only about 15 minutes available according to one recent booking, and entrance fees are not included. You should also expect a slightly unusual handoff between tour groups at the zipline base. It is manageable, but you need to stay alert and follow the instructions.

Key points at a glance

• Four different zipline cables: Each cable has its own length, with dramatic views across the valley and the chance to try a condor pose.
• Individual ATV included: You ride your own quad bike rather than sharing with another person.
• Maras and Moray are short sightseeing stops: Both are included in the route, but Moray may receive only a brief visit.
• Floyd receives strong praise as an ATV guide: He combines the ride with clear explanations of the sites.
• The zipline team includes Sam and Juan: They handle the safety briefing and cable rides at the separate base.
• Bring money for entry fees and food: Maras and Moray tickets are extra, and no lunch or snacks are supplied.

Two Cusco adventures in one day

This tour is built for people who want more than a standard sightseeing drive. You begin with a morning transfer from Cusco toward Raqchi, where the zipline operation is based. Later, you ride an ATV toward the salt mines of Maras and the circular terraces of Moray.

The combination works because the activities feel different. The zipline gives you speed and height. The ATV gives you control and movement along the mountain roads. Maras and Moray add the cultural and historical side of the day.

I like this format for a short stay in Cusco. You do not need to spend separate days arranging transport to each place. In return, you give up some time at the archaeological stops. This is an action-focused trip with sightseeing included, not a slow archaeological tour with a little fun added.

The total duration is listed as 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours. The return to Cusco is expected around 3:00 p.m., though the exact starting time depends on availability. That leaves your evening open, which matters if you have dinner plans or another Cusco activity booked.

The morning ride toward Raqchi

Pickup is included from your hotel. The guide is expected to call or write on WhatsApp about 15 minutes before pickup, so provide a working number with the full country code when you book.

The road toward Raqchi gives you some of the best views before the activities even begin. The route includes sights of the Sacred Valley, Nevado de Chicón, and Pitusiray. These mountain views help explain why the drive is part of the experience rather than just a transfer.

The early start is useful. It allows the tour to fit both the zipline and the ATV route into one day, but you should eat before leaving or pack food for the road. Lunch is not included, and the operator specifically advises bringing snacks.

Transportation is round trip, but the day may not feel like one continuous group tour. One of the unusual features is that the first group handles the ATV portion and the Maras and Moray visits, then drops you at the zipline base. A separate team runs the cables, and another transport arrangement takes you back toward Cusco.

That change can feel confusing if you expect one guide to remain with you all day. The process is apparently organized, but you should listen carefully when you are told where to wait and how the return transfer works.

Four cables at the Raqchi zipline base

At the base, you receive a helmet, gloves, harness, and other safety equipment. The staff gives a short instruction talk before you begin. This is important because the experience is active, and the correct body position helps you enjoy the ride instead of worrying about the equipment.

You then cross four cables of different lengths. The variety keeps the activity from feeling like the same ride repeated four times. The most praised feature is the view. One participant described the cable rides, especially the condor-style position, as among the strongest views of the entire Peru trip.

The condor pose lets you travel face down with your arms spread, similar to a bird in flight. It is a playful touch, but it also changes the view. Instead of looking mainly at the cable or your harness, you can face the valley below.

The zipline crew includes Sam and Juan, who are specifically praised for making the activity fun and well managed. You should still expect a basic adventure setup rather than a full-day amusement park. The information provided does not describe extensive facilities at the base, so keep your phone, camera, and loose items secure.

The safety gear is included, as is the professional bilingual guide service. English and Spanish are available. The tour is limited to 10 participants, which is a useful size for equipment fitting, instructions, and moving between cables.

ATV riding across the Sacred Valley

After the zipline portion, the adventure shifts to an individual ATV. Fuel, helmet, and gloves are included, so you do not need to arrange those separately. The tour information does not state the exact riding distance or total time on the quad, but the ATV is the main link between the cultural stops.

This is a good choice if you like being active but do not want a long hike. You control your own vehicle and get a closer sense of the roads and open mountain surroundings than you would from a bus window.

The ride is led by a professional bilingual guide. Floyd is singled out for making the ATV section enjoyable while also explaining the history of Maras and Moray. That balance matters. Without some context, the stops could become quick photo breaks. With a guide who explains what you are seeing, the ride has more purpose.

Follow the guide’s instructions and keep your attention on the route. The activity is not suitable for children under 14, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, anyone over 275 pounds or 125 kilograms, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

The equipment list includes a helmet and gloves, but you should still wear practical clothing and closed shoes. Sunscreen is essential at this altitude, and cash is needed for tickets and personal expenses.

Maras salt mines: a worthwhile short stop

The salt mines of Maras are one of the most memorable places on this route. The site consists of many salt ponds cut into the mountainside, where saltwater is collected and allowed to evaporate. The result is a striking patchwork of pale terraces.

The stop is not only scenic. It shows how a working salt system can fit into a steep Andean setting. The guided explanation helps you understand why the ponds are arranged in such a tight pattern and why the site remains important.

The included tour only covers transportation and guiding. The entrance fee to the salt mines is listed as $5. One recent participant also described paying about 20 for Maras, so prices may vary by ticket policy or currency conversion. I would bring enough local cash and confirm the current charge before setting out.

Maras receives better value from a short stop than Moray does because the visual impact is immediate. You can understand the basic layout quickly, though a guide’s explanation adds much more than a quick photograph.

Moray and the problem of limited time

Moray is known for its large circular terraces, which sink into the ground in a series of stepped rings. The shape is unlike most other Inca sites in the region and makes it an important addition to a Sacred Valley day.

The drawback is the amount of time available. A recent booking described having only about 15 minutes at Moray. That is enough to see the terraces and take photographs, but not enough for a long walk or a thoughtful exploration of the surrounding area.

Moray also requires a separate entrance ticket. One participant reported paying 70 soles. The exact amount can change, and some visitors may already hold a combination ticket covering several Cusco-area attractions. Check what you already have before paying again.

This is the part of the tour where expectations matter most. If your main goal is ATV riding and ziplining, a brief Moray stop may be perfectly acceptable. If Moray is high on your list of archaeological sites, you may prefer a dedicated tour with more time there.

The same issue applies to the route as a whole. You see several major places in one day, but you do not get a long, quiet visit at each one. I would treat Moray as an introduction rather than a full archaeological visit.

What the $85 price really covers

At $85 per person, the price includes a lot of moving parts: round trip transportation, an individual ATV, fuel, helmet, gloves, zipline equipment, and a bilingual professional guide. For a full morning and early afternoon of transport and activities, that is a reasonable package if you plan to do both adventures anyway.

The strongest value comes from combining the ATV and zipline. Booking them separately could require arranging more transport and coordinating two schedules. This tour removes much of that work and keeps the group small.

The price becomes less attractive if you mainly want to study Maras and Moray. You pay extra entrance fees, receive limited time at Moray, and do not get lunch. Add cash for the salt mines, Moray, snacks, and any other personal expenses.

The most important budget tip is simple: do not arrive with only the tour price. Bring soles as well as a payment card if possible. The supplied details specifically identify cash as something to bring, and the additional entry charges can be easy to overlook.

The group handoff and how to handle it

The tour’s structure deserves special attention. The ATV and sightseeing group may not be the same group that operates the zipline. Your first group can leave you at the cable base before the zipline staff takes over.

This arrangement is not necessarily a problem. Sam and Juan are praised for handling the zipline portion, and the return transport is part of the plan. Still, it may feel strange if your first guide drives away and you are waiting for the next instruction.

I would keep your phone charged, save the operator’s WhatsApp contact, and ask clearly where the return vehicle will meet you. The operator contacts you before pickup, so the same communication channel should help if you need clarification during the day.

A small group of no more than 10 people should make the handoff easier than it would be with a large coach group. Even so, pay attention to names, vehicles, and meeting points. This is one tour where staying organized improves the experience.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to active adults and older teenagers who want a busy day with several different types of scenery. It suits you if you enjoy driving an ATV, like the idea of a four-cable zipline, and are happy with short cultural stops.

It is also a practical pick if your Cusco schedule is tight. You can see Maras and Moray without giving each one a separate day, then return to the city around mid-afternoon.

I would hesitate if you dislike heights, do not want to operate a quad bike, or need a relaxed pace. The tour is not suitable for children under 14, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, people over 125 kilograms, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

It may also be the wrong choice if Moray is your main reason for going. The limited stop could leave you wanting more. A slower cultural tour would make better sense in that case.

What to bring and what to expect

Bring your passport, camera, sunscreen, cash, and snacks. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Since lunch is not included, a packed meal or substantial snack is sensible.

Wear clothes that can handle dust and outdoor activity. The provided details do not list a clothing requirement, but ATV riding and ziplining are not suited to delicate outfits or loose items.

You should expect an early departure, mountain views, safety equipment, short instructions, four cables, an ATV ride, brief stops at Maras and Moray, and a return to Cusco around 3:00 p.m. The exact departure time must be checked when booking.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Cusco plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Maras, Moray, ATV, and zipline tour?

Book it if you want action first and sightseeing second. The ATV riding and four zipline cables receive the strongest praise, and the views around Raqchi give the day real visual appeal. Floyd’s guiding adds useful context to the ATV section, while Sam and Juan help make the zipline portion fun and organized.

Think twice if you want long visits at both archaeological sites. Moray can be limited to about 15 minutes, and entrance fees are extra. Budget carefully, carry cash, and accept that the tour’s unusual group handoff may require a little attention.

For the right person, the $85 price buys a lively, efficient day in the Cusco Region. It is not the most relaxed way to see Maras and Moray, but it is an appealing way to add speed, height, mountain views, and a taste of Sacred Valley history to one outing.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour duration is 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours. The return to Cusco is expected around 3:00 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 the Maras and Moray entrance fees included?

No. The salt mines of Maras have a separate entrance fee listed as $5, and Moray also requires its own ticket.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you are advised to bring snacks for the road.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity is offered as a small group with a limit of 10 participants.

Which languages are available?

The tour is available in English and Spanish, with a live bilingual guide.

What age is required to participate?

The activity is not suitable for children under 14 years old.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup from your hotel is included. The guide is expected to call or write on WhatsApp about 15 minutes before pickup.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, camera, sunscreen, cash, and snacks.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.