Quad bikes in Moray and Salineras and Picnic with llamas

The best part of this day is its change of pace: you ride a Honda ATV toward Moray’s circular terraces, then switch to a vehicle for the route to Maras’s salt pools. A private picnic with llamas rounds out a full day beyond Cusco.

I like the hands-on ATV lesson before you set off, and the mix of Inca agricultural terraces, working salt ponds, and a llama picnic gives the day more variety than a ride alone. Guides named on past trips include Felix, Lizbeth, and Celinda, though you should not count on a particular guide being assigned.

The main consideration is the price: at $150 per person, you still pay separate entrance fees for Moray and the salt mines, and food is not listed as included. The long day also calls for a good level of physical fitness.

• Ride from Cruzpata toward Moray on a Honda TRX 250 ATV after a safety briefing and practice.
• See Moray’s circular terraces, an Inca agricultural system built to grow and diversify crops.
• Visit Maras by vehicle, not ATV, and learn how salt is harvested from more than 3,000 pools.
• End with a private llama picnic at Mountain View Experiences.
• Plan for extra costs: Moray admission is 70 soles and the salt mines cost 20 soles.
• Expect a small group: the tour has a maximum of 10 people and requires at least two to book.

From Cruzpata to Moray on Four Wheels

The day starts at 7:00 am, with Cusco pickup and a drive of about 50 minutes to Cruzpata. The meeting point is listed as Plaza Regocijo, while the tour description also refers to pickup at your accommodation. Since those details do not fully match, confirm your exact pickup arrangements before the day.

At Cruzpata, staff provide instructions on the ATV, safety equipment, and basic maneuvers. That practice time matters, especially if this is your first time riding. Helmets and gloves are included, as are fuel and a first aid kit. The vehicle provided is a Honda TRX 250.

The ride toward Moray is described as about 1 hour and 40 minutes round trip, while the stop is listed as two hours. The distinction is useful: the day includes time for the journey and a visit to the archaeological site, rather than two full hours of continuous riding. You should expect an outdoor activity that requires attention and a reasonable level of fitness.

The ATV portion is the tour’s most active stretch. It offers a different way to approach the Sacred Valley than simply sitting in a vehicle, but the route is not an all-day ATV expedition. After Moray, the group continues to Maras by vehicle, specifically to avoid road risks on that part of the route.

Moray’s Circular Terraces and Inca Agriculture

Moray is known for its striking round terraces, set in broad concentric rings. Their design is associated with Inca agricultural experimentation: crops were grown at different levels, helping diversify cultivation in the Andean environment. The site gives you a clear visual reminder that Inca engineering was not limited to roads, walls, and temples.

The tour’s approach by ATV makes the visit feel like part of a journey rather than a stand-alone stop. You get the thrill of the ride and then time to look at the site itself. A guide can help explain what you are seeing, and the bilingual guide is listed as speaking Spanish and English. Past trips have included guides named Felix, Lizbeth, and Celinda, praised for clear explanations, support, and attention to safety.

Moray admission is not included in the $150 tour price. The listed fee is 70 soles, so bring enough money for that and the separate salt mine ticket. These entrance charges are important to include in your budget when comparing the outing with other Cusco day trips.

Do not expect the ATV ride to replace a close, unhurried archaeological visit. The schedule includes several destinations, and the ride takes up a meaningful part of the morning. If Moray is your main interest, a tour focused only on the site may allow more time there. This outing makes more sense if you want a varied day with an active component.

Maras Salt Pools, Reached by Van

After Moray, the group travels to the Salineras de Maras in the tour vehicle. This is a deliberate change in transport: the ATV portion is for the route toward Moray, while the road to the salt mines is covered by vehicle to reduce road risks.

Maras is a working salt-producing site, with more than 3,000 pools dug into a mountainside at about 3,380 metres, or 11,080 feet. The pools use an artisanal method associated with Inca times. As mineral-rich water evaporates, salt is collected from the small terraces. The setting is as much an active place of work as a scenic stop, and the scale of the pools helps you grasp how a traditional method can continue across a large site.

The salt mines admission fee is 20 soles and is not included. As at Moray, this is a modest but real extra cost, so account for it before booking. Taken together, the two entrance fees total 90 soles per person, in addition to the tour price.

The two-hour stop allocation is listed for Maras, though it covers the visit and associated timing rather than a guarantee of two hours walking among the pools. The route is planned to include both Moray and Maras in one day, so the pace will be guided by the group schedule. If you want to linger over every detail, ask the operator how much time is typically spent at each site.

A Private Picnic With Llamas

The final main stop is Mountain View Experiences, where a private picnic with llamas is included. It gives the day a quieter finish after the ATV ride and two cultural stops. The llamas add a close-up animal encounter to a tour otherwise centered on transport, landscape, and historic production.

The word picnic tells you that a meal is part of the plan, but the tour details do not specify the menu. Feeding is explicitly excluded, so do not assume you can feed the llamas or that animal treats are provided. If you have dietary needs or want to know exactly what food is served, ask before booking.

This stop is listed as three hours, with the return journey to Cusco taking about one hour. The tour is expected to be back around 4:00 pm, making the overall day approximately nine hours. That is a substantial outing, but the picnic gives you a pause rather than stacking one more fast-paced sightseeing stop at the end.

What the $150 Price Includes, and What It Does Not

The $150 per-person price covers the air-conditioned vehicle, a professional bilingual guide, one Honda TRX 250 ATV, helmet, gloves, gasoline, first aid kit, and the private picnic with llamas. Those inclusions cover the main transport, riding equipment, guidance, and closing activity, which makes the price more meaningful than a simple ATV rental.

However, entry to Moray and the Maras salt mines is extra. At the listed rates, budget another 90 soles for both admissions. Food is also listed as not included, even though a private picnic is included, so check whether that means a meal is supplied but extra food is not, or whether the picnic has other limits. Tips for the guide are optional and not included.

Value depends on what you want from your day. If you would otherwise book transport to both sites, arrange an ATV ride, and pay for a separate animal experience, combining them can make the package convenient. If your priority is the lowest-cost way to see Moray and Maras, the additional entrance charges and tour price may make a simpler transport option more appealing.

The small group size is a plus for anyone who prefers a more manageable outing. The maximum is 10 people, and the tour needs at least two to operate. That cap can make instructions and group movement easier than on a large coach tour, although it does not guarantee a private tour.

Timing, Fitness, and Practical Details

Plan for an early start and a full day. The stated start time is 7:00 am, and the return to Cusco is expected at approximately 4:00 pm. You will spend part of the day riding an ATV, part in a vehicle, and time walking around the archaeological and salt sites, so the physical fitness requirement is worth taking seriously.

The operator provides helmets and gloves, but you should follow the guide’s safety briefing closely and ask questions during the practice session if you are unsure about the controls. The tour information describes instruction and practice before the ride, while the feedback about guides highlights clear explanations and support. Names mentioned on past outings include Felix, Lizbeth, and Celinda, but guide assignments can vary.

The tour is weather-dependent. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations inside that window are not refundable. Because the activity needs a minimum of two people, it may also be rescheduled or refunded if that minimum is not met.

Who Should Book This Cusco Day Trip?

This outing suits you if you want a mix of activity and sightseeing, rather than a day spent entirely on foot or in a vehicle. The ATV ride is the draw for anyone keen to add a little adrenaline to visits to Moray and Maras. The picnic with llamas makes the schedule feel more varied and gives the day a gentle finish.

It is also a good fit for couples or small groups who want a guided day with transport and riding gear arranged. The bilingual guide can help connect the stops, and a capped group of 10 keeps the outing relatively small. The positive points most consistently attached to the experience are safety instruction, helpful guides, punctual service, the fun of the ATV ride, and time to take in the sites.

I would look elsewhere if you want a low-cost, slow-paced visit, have limited physical fitness, or care most about spending extended time at one archaeological site. I would also clarify the meal details and pickup location before paying. For a full day that combines an ATV ride, Inca agricultural terraces, traditional salt production, and llamas, it offers a distinctive set of experiences in one trip.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 7:00 am. The tour is expected to return to Cusco at approximately 4:00 pm.

Where does the tour begin?

The stated meeting point is Plaza Regocijo in Cusco. The tour description also mentions pickup at your accommodation, so confirm the exact arrangement with the operator.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours, from the 7:00 am start to an expected return around 4:00 pm.

Which places are included?

The route includes Cruzpata, the archaeological site of Moray, the Maras salt mines, and Mountain View Experiences for a private picnic with llamas.

Is the ATV included in the price?

Yes. The tour includes a Honda TRX 250 ATV, gasoline, helmet, and gloves.

Are the Moray and Maras admission fees included?

No. Moray admission is listed at 70 soles, and the Maras salt mines admission is 20 soles.

Is the tour guided in English?

A professional bilingual guide who speaks Spanish and English is included.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 10 people. A minimum of two people is required for the tour to operate.

Is the picnic included?

Yes, the private picnic with llamas is included. Feeding is listed as not included, and the menu is not specified.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund.