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

Hold on tight, then look down. This full-day outing combines four zipline cables with an ATV ride through the Sacred Valley to the Maras Salt Mines and Moray. I like the strong mix of adventure and culture, and I especially like that the group is limited to 10 people. The main drawback is the tight schedule at Moray and the extra entrance fees, which can catch you short on cash.

You start early and return to Cusco around 3:00 p.m., so this is a busy 7.5-hour day rather than a relaxed sightseeing trip. The zipline section earns the biggest praise, with wide views and a chance to fly in a Condor pose. The ATV ride is also a highlight, though the handoff between the ATV group and zipline crew can feel confusing if you do not know it is planned.

Key points before you book

• Four zipline cables: The route uses cables of different lengths, with safety equipment and a short briefing before you begin.
• One ATV per person: You ride your own quad bike, with fuel, helmet, and gloves included.
• Maras and Moray are quick stops: Both sites are included in the route, but Moray may receive only about 15 minutes.
• Extra cash is essential: The Maras and Moray entrance fees are not included, and the exact total can be significant.
• The groups may change: Your ATV group may leave you at the zipline base, where another crew takes over.
• Best for active visitors aged 14 and up: The tour is not suitable for children under 14, wheelchair users, visually impaired people, people over 275 pounds, or those with pre-existing medical conditions.

An early start through the Sacred Valley

Pickup takes place in Cusco early in the morning. The guide is expected to call or message you about 15 minutes before pickup, so provide a WhatsApp number with the correct country code when booking. That simple step matters in Cusco, where hotel access and morning traffic can make meeting points less obvious.

The ride to the activity base in Raqchi gives you an attractive start to the day. Along the way, you can look for broad views of the Sacred Valley and mountain peaks including Nevado de Chicón and Pitusiray. The route itself is part of the experience, not just transport to the activities.

This is a long morning, and the tour does not include breakfast, snacks, or lunch. Bring food for the road. You will also want water, sunscreen, and a camera. Cash is important for the site fees and any other personal costs.

The small-group limit of 10 people is useful here. You spend less time waiting for equipment and instructions than you would with a large coach group. It also gives the guide a better chance to keep an eye on ATV riders and answer questions at the archaeological sites.

Four cables above the valley

At the Raqchi base, you receive a helmet, gloves, and the rest of the zipline safety equipment. The staff gives a short safety briefing before sending the group onto four cables of varying lengths.

The appeal is not just speed. The cables give you different angles over the valley, and the views are one of the strongest parts of the whole outing. You may also have the option to use a Condor pose, flying face-down with your arms spread. It is a playful touch, but it also gives you a memorable view of the mountains below.

Sam leads the zipline operation, with Juan helping at the site. The available feedback gives both men high marks for running the activity well and making people feel comfortable. That matters because the zipline section moves quickly from instruction to action. You need a crew that can explain the basics clearly without turning the whole morning into a lecture.

The tour is described as suitable for people aged 14 and older, but it is still a physically active outing. You should be comfortable with heights, short periods of standing, and wearing safety gear. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which is a sensible rule for an activity involving cables, platforms, and ATVs.

The zipline is the most purely fun section of the day. If you are booking this mainly for an adrenaline hit, it delivers more strongly than the archaeological stops. If you dislike heights, though, the four-cable format means you cannot simply treat it as a brief optional extra.

ATV riding toward Maras and Moray

After the zipline portion, you continue by ATV. Each person receives an individual quad bike, along with fuel, a helmet, and gloves. The route leads toward the Maras Salt Mines and Moray, with a guide accompanying the group.

Floyd has been singled out for making the ATV ride especially enjoyable while also explaining the sites along the way. That combination is valuable. You are not simply being driven between photo stops. You get an active way to move through the countryside, plus some context for what you are seeing.

The ATV ride is also where you should keep your expectations sensible. This is not an all-day wilderness motorbike expedition. The ATVs are the transport and activity that connect the two major sights. The amount of riding time depends on the day’s schedule, site access, and group movement.

You should follow the guide’s pace and instructions closely. A quad bike can feel easy in a quick practice, but mountain roads and uneven surfaces still require attention. The tour includes basic protective equipment, but you remain responsible for riding carefully.

One unusual feature is the change between tour groups. The ATV group may drop you at the zipline base and leave, while the zipline crew later arranges a different ride back to Cusco. That can sound alarming if nobody explains it. It is a planned part of the operation, but ask the guide what happens next before your first group departs. Knowing who is responsible for your return removes needless confusion.

The Maras Salt Mines in a short stop

The Maras Salt Mines are one of the most memorable cultural stops on this route. The site consists of many small salt ponds cut into the mountainside, where salt is collected from mineral-rich spring water. The stepped pattern makes the area easy to recognize in photographs, but it is better appreciated in person, where you can see how the ponds fit into the slope.

The stop includes a brief visit with explanation from the guide. The cultural value is strong because the site is not just an attractive viewpoint. It shows an ongoing method of salt production tied to the local environment.

The entrance fee is not included. The tour information lists an entrance cost of $5, but the amount paid can depend on the current ticket arrangement and local pricing. Bring extra cash in Peruvian soles rather than counting on a small dollar amount.

This is a place where a guide adds real value. Without context, you may see rows of white and brown ponds and move on. With an explanation, the terraces become an example of how people have worked with the mountain water for generations.

The stop is still brief. You should expect a focused visit rather than free time to wander at length. Keep your camera ready, listen to the explanation, and confirm the meeting point before walking away from the group.

Moray and the price of a fifteen-minute visit

Moray is known for its large circular terraces carved into the ground. The rings descend toward the center, creating one of the most unusual archaeological sights near Cusco. The shape is impressive from the lookout, and the site has a very different feel from the bright salt ponds at Maras.

The drawback is time. A stop of about 15 minutes may be all you receive, which is enough for a view, a few photographs, and a short explanation. It is not enough for a slow walk around the area.

Moray also requires a separate entrance ticket, and the price can be much higher than visitors expect. One recent outing involved a payment of 70 soles for Moray, while Maras cost about 20 soles at the time. Some visitors may already hold a broader ticket covering several Cusco-area sites, but you should not assume that your existing ticket includes Moray.

This is the weakest value point of the trip if you care most about archaeological sightseeing. Paying a substantial fee for 15 minutes can feel unsatisfying. If Moray is your main reason for booking, look for a tour that gives the site more time.

If your main goals are ATV riding and ziplining, the calculation changes. Moray becomes one quick part of a larger active day, rather than the reason you paid for the excursion. You can also ask whether it is possible to wait at the parking area if you already have an appropriate ticket or decide not to pay the extra entrance fee. That choice may affect your group timing, so confirm it with the guide first.

What the $85 price really covers

The listed price is $85 per person. For that amount, you receive round-trip transportation from Cusco, an individual ATV, fuel, helmet, gloves, zipline equipment, and a professional bilingual guide. English and Spanish are available.

That is a fair package for a long day with two paid activities and transport between several sites. The individual ATV is especially important. You are not sharing one quad bike with another person, so you get the full riding experience.

The price looks less attractive once the entrance fees are added. Maras costs extra, and Moray costs extra. Lunch and snacks are also on you. Before booking, budget for the tickets in soles and pack something to eat.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies give you some flexibility, but they do not change the need to plan for the site fees on the day.

Who will enjoy this Cusco combination tour

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a busy day with physical activity, mountain views, and two well-known Sacred Valley sights. It suits friends, couples, and older teenagers who prefer doing something active rather than spending the entire day on a coach.

You should book it if the zipline and ATV ride are your priorities. Those are the parts most strongly praised, and together they give the day its energy. The Condor pose and views from the cables add something you will not get from a standard sightseeing circuit.

I would be more cautious if your main interest is archaeology. The stops at Maras and Moray are useful, but they are short. Moray in particular may feel rushed, and the entrance cost can seem high for such limited time.

The tour is not suitable for children under 14, wheelchair users, visually impaired people, people over 275 pounds, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. If any of those conditions apply, choose a gentler outing instead.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Bring your passport, camera, sunscreen, cash, and snacks. The passport is specifically requested, and cash is needed for the entrance fees. Wear clothing that can handle a full day outdoors and possible dust from the ATV route.

Keep your phone charged. The operator uses WhatsApp to communicate pickup details, and a working phone can also help if the groups separate during the handoff.

Do not arrive expecting a long lunch break. The tour returns to Cusco around 3:00 p.m., but food is not included. A packed breakfast or substantial snack is the sensible choice.

Ask two questions early: how much time will the group have at Moray, and who will take you back to Cusco after the zipline? The answers help you decide how much cash to carry and prevent confusion when the first group leaves.

The tour has a perfect rating from four available ratings, but the small number means you should read the details rather than rely on the number alone. The consistent praise centers on the zipline, ATV fun, the Maras Salt Mines, and the guides. The consistent warning is the rushed Moray stop and the extra ticket cost.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want ziplining and ATV riding first, with Maras and Moray added for cultural interest. The four cables, panoramic Sacred Valley views, individual ATV, and small group make the $85 base price reasonable for an active day.

Skip it if you want slow, detailed visits at both archaeological sites or dislike paying extra entrance fees. For the right kind of visitor, this is a lively and memorable Cusco outing. Just bring snacks, carry more cash than you think you need, and treat Moray as a quick stop rather than a full tour.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts 450 minutes, or about 7.5 hours. The return to Cusco is expected around 3:00 p.m.

What activities are included?

The tour includes four zipline cables and ATV riding to the Maras Salt Mines and Moray.

Is transportation from Cusco included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation is included, with hotel pickup.

How will I know my pickup time?

The guide will call or write to you about 15 minutes before pickup. You must provide a WhatsApp number with the correct country code.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you should bring snacks for the road.

Are the Maras and Moray entrance fees included?

No. The Maras entrance fee is listed separately, and Moray also requires a separate entrance ticket.

Is the ATV shared?

No. The tour includes one individual ATV per person.

What languages are available?

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

Can children join the tour?

Children under 14 cannot join this activity. The tour also is not suitable for wheelchair users, visually impaired people, people over 275 pounds, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.