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

The best part of this Cusco day trip is the mix: you get four zipline cables over the Sacred Valley, then trade the harness for an individual ATV and ride toward the salt mines of Maras and the circular terraces of Moray. It packs two very different kinds of fun into one long morning.

I like the sweeping views on the way to Raqchi, especially toward Nevado de Chicón and Pitusiray. I also like the small-group format, capped at 10 people, which keeps the ATV portion more manageable. The catch is time: Moray can feel rushed, and entrance fees are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Four zipline cables: You receive safety gear and instructions before riding cables of different lengths, including the option to pose like a condor in flight.
• Individual ATV included: Fuel, helmet, and gloves are covered, so you ride your own quad rather than sharing one.
• Two major Sacred Valley sights: The route includes the Maras salt mines and Moray, but admission is not part of the $85 price.
• A split-group handoff: The ATV group may drop you at the zipline site, where a different crew takes over. This is part of the operation, not a mistake.
• Early start, back around 3 p.m.: The full outing lasts 450 minutes, and food is not included, so bring snacks.
• Best for active visitors age 14 and older: The tour is not suitable for children under 14, wheelchair users, visually impaired people, people over 275 pounds, or anyone with pre-existing medical conditions.

Four zipline cables above the Sacred Valley

The day begins early with transport from your Cusco hotel. The guide is expected to contact you by WhatsApp or phone about 15 minutes before pickup, so provide a working number with the proper country code when you book.

The drive to the base in Raqchi is part of the appeal. You will see broad views of the Sacred Valley and mountain peaks such as Nevado de Chicón and Pitusiray. The route gives you a useful sense of the area before the activities begin, though the exact amount of time spent looking from the vehicle depends on the day’s schedule.

At the base, you receive a helmet, gloves, and zipline safety equipment. A short briefing covers the basics before you start on four cables of different lengths. This is not a single quick ride followed by a long wait. The four-cable setup gives the activity a proper rhythm, with repeated chances to settle your nerves and enjoy the views.

The most memorable position is the condor pose, with your arms spread as you cross the cable. You should listen closely to the crew’s instructions, especially on body position and braking. The equipment and safety briefing are included in the price, and the zipline staff may include Sam and Juan, who have been associated with this part of the route.

The zipline section is the tour’s clearest hit for anyone who wants a shot of adrenaline without committing an entire day to an extreme-sports outing. It also gives you a different view of the valley than you get from a road or archaeological site. The tradeoff is that this is an organized activity, not a quiet scenic stop. You are there to ride, follow instructions, and keep the group moving.

ATV riding from Raqchi toward Maras

After the zipline portion, you switch to the ATV part of the excursion. Each person gets an individual ATV, with fuel, helmet, and gloves included. That matters for both comfort and cost. You are not being asked to share a quad or pay a fuel charge at the end.

The route is designed to combine driving with sightseeing. The ATV ride is the main reason to choose this package over a standard van tour. You get the pleasure of handling the vehicle and seeing the countryside at a slower, more open pace than from a bus window.

You should expect dust, uneven ground, and a hands-on ride rather than a polished sightseeing transfer. The supplied information does not specify the exact driving distance, road surface, or required license details, so ask the operator about those points if they matter to you. You should also be comfortable following instructions and managing an ATV for the duration of the riding section.

The group limit of 10 is useful here. A small group usually means less waiting at stops and a better chance to hear the guide. Floyd has been singled out for combining a fun ATV ride with detailed explanations at the historical sites. If you are interested in the places as well as the machines, that guide-led context adds real value.

Still, do not confuse this with a leisurely archaeological tour. The activity has a fixed schedule and two adventure components. You will have time to see the main sights, but not unlimited time to wander, take photographs, or sit quietly.

The Maras salt mines, bright terraces in the hills

The salt mines of Maras are one of the most unusual stops in the Sacred Valley. Instead of a single mine entrance, you see many small salt ponds cut into the hillside. Water flows through the system, and evaporation leaves salt behind. From a distance, the terraces create a striking pattern across the slope.

The stop is valuable because it shows a working local tradition rather than only a monumental ruin. Your guide can explain how the salt ponds function and why the site matters to the surrounding community. The stop is also visually strong, particularly when the terraces catch the light.

Admission to the salt mines is not included. The activity information lists the charge as $5, but prices can change, so carry cash and confirm the current amount. This is an easy cost to overlook when comparing tours, especially because the headline price already sounds substantial at $85.

Allow yourself enough cash for both Maras and Moray, plus personal expenses. One person on this route arrived with only a small amount and found the added admissions higher than expected. You do not want a shortage of soles to become the main memory of an otherwise enjoyable day.

The Maras stop is also a good reason to bring a camera, though the site is more than a photograph. Take a few minutes to look at the channels, the stacked ponds, and the way the salt production fits into the mountainside. The tour’s pace may not allow a long independent visit, so listen while the guide explains what you are seeing.

Moray’s circular terraces and the time problem

Moray is the more famous archaeological stop, with large circular terraces cut into the earth. The rings descend into a natural hollow and create one of the Sacred Valley’s most distinctive sights. The design is often linked to agricultural experimentation, although the information provided for this tour does not set out a detailed interpretation.

This is where the schedule deserves careful attention. The tour may give you only about 15 minutes at Moray. That is enough for a quick look and photographs, but it is not enough for an unhurried visit. If Moray is the main reason you want to book, this may not be the right format.

The entrance ticket is separate from the $85 tour price. One recent cost noted for Moray was 70 soles, though admission fees can change and some visitors may already have a broader ticket that includes the site. Ask before booking which ticket you need and how much time the group will spend inside.

That extra fee changes the value calculation. The tour works well if you want ATV riding and ziplining first, with Maras and Moray added to the route. It is less convincing if you are paying mainly for extended archaeological sightseeing.

You may find yourself deciding between paying for a short Moray visit or waiting near the parking area. I would not choose the second option unless you already know the site well or have a tight budget. Even a brief visit gives you the famous view, but you should know exactly what you are paying for.

A useful warning about the mid-tour handoff

The operation has an unusual structure. The ATV group may take you to Maras and Moray, then drop you at the zipline area while the first vehicle and group continue elsewhere. A different transport arrangement then returns you to Cusco.

This can feel confusing if nobody explains it clearly. Do not panic if the first group leaves after dropping you at the zipline site. The handoff is expected, and the zipline crew, including staff such as Sam and Juan, takes over that part of the outing.

I would ask the guide at the beginning how the transfer works and who will take you back to Cusco. Keep your phone charged, and keep the WhatsApp contact available. These are simple precautions, but they remove uncertainty from a tour with two separate activity crews.

The split arrangement also explains why the tour can combine two strong experiences at a fairly moderate price. You are not staying with one guide and one vehicle all day. You are joining connected parts of a larger operation. That can be efficient, but it is not as personal or simple as a private tour.

What $85 covers, and what it does not

At $85 per person, the price includes round-trip transportation, an individual ATV, fuel, helmet, gloves, zipline equipment, and a professional bilingual guide. English and Spanish are available. For an active day with transport from Cusco and two adventure activities, that is a fair package if you plan to use every included part.

The price does not include:

• Maras admission, listed at $5 in the activity details
• Moray admission
• Lunch
• Snacks
• Personal expenses

The admission fees are the important extra. The exact cost of Moray can be significant, and one reported amount was 70 soles. Some broader archaeological tickets may include Moray, so check what you already have before paying again.

Food is another practical point. The tour returns to Cusco at about 3 p.m., but no lunch is provided. Bring sandwiches, fruit, or other snacks for the road, along with water if needed. You should not assume that a meal stop is built into the schedule.

I see the best value here for someone who wants transportation and activities in one booking. If you only want Maras and Moray, a sightseeing tour with more time at each site may serve you better. If you want ziplining and ATV riding, the archaeological stops make the day feel fuller.

Who will enjoy this active Cusco day

This outing suits you if you want to combine outdoor action with major Sacred Valley sights. It works particularly well for couples, friends, and families with older teenagers who are comfortable with ATVs and ziplining.

The minimum age is 14. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or visually impaired people, and it is not recommended for people with pre-existing medical conditions. People over 275 pounds, or 125 kilograms, are also excluded.

You should bring your passport, camera, sunscreen, and cash. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Sunscreen matters because the route includes open-air activity and high-altitude mountain sun, though the supplied details do not specify how much shade is available.

This is not the right choice if you want a calm day with long museum-style explanations. It is also not ideal if you dislike changing vehicles or following a tight schedule. The tour’s strengths are motion, views, and variety.

Booking advice for the weather and schedule

The full duration is 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking. The early departure helps fit in both the zipline and ATV sections, but you should expect to spend most of the day away from your hotel.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Cusco schedule is still shifting. Those terms are useful, but they do not remove the need to check the pickup time and admission costs.

The tour has a rating of 5 from four published ratings, with especially strong praise for the ziplining, ATV riding, and the quality of the views. I would treat that as encouraging but not as proof that every day will run identically. The two-part structure and short Moray stop are the practical details that matter most.

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

Book it if your priority is a high-energy Sacred Valley day with four zipline runs, your own ATV, and brief visits to two famous sites. The combination is unusual, the views are a major reward, and the small group size helps keep the day from feeling like a large coach excursion.

Think twice if Moray is your top priority, since about 15 minutes may not satisfy you. Also budget for both admissions, bring food, and ask how the handoff between the ATV and zipline crews will work.

For the right person, this is a strong value at $85. You are paying for movement, scenery, and variety rather than a slow archaeological study. Go in prepared for the extra fees and quick schedule, and the day should deliver exactly what it promises: mountain views, fast rides, salt terraces, and a good deal of controlled fun.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts 450 minutes, which is about seven and a half hours. The group is expected to return to Cusco around 3 p.m.

What activities are included?

The tour includes four zipline cables and ATV riding to the salt mines of Maras and Moray.

Is transportation from Cusco included?

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

Do I get my own ATV?

Yes. The package includes an individual ATV, along with fuel, a helmet, and gloves.

Are the Maras and Moray entrance fees included?

No. Admission to the salt mines of Maras and the entrance ticket for Moray are extra.

How much is the entrance to the Maras salt mines?

The activity information lists the Maras entrance fee as $5. Carry cash, and confirm the current price before departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You should bring snacks for the road.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is offered with live guides in English and Spanish.

How large is the group?

The tour is limited to 10 participants.

Who cannot join this activity?

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