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ATV Tour Cusco: Maras + Laguna Huaypo 2026 from $35

• Cusco • Half day (~6 hours)
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  • Availability Daily departures
  • Transport Hotel pickup
  • Languages English, Spanish
  • Service type Not specified
  • Cancellation policy Not specified
  • Maximum altitude 3400 msnm m.s.n.m.

About this activity

The ATV tour to Maras and Laguna Huaypo covers two destinations most Sacred Valley visitors never combine in one go: Laguna Huaypo, a glacially calm Andean lake carrying the Quechua legend of a sunken Inca city, and the Maras Salt Mines, where 5,000 terraced pools have produced mineral-rich salt since before the Inca Empire. The route — approximately 15 km of off-road Sacred Valley trails — is ridden entirely on quad bikes. Most competing operators ride ATVs only to Laguna Huaypo, then switch to a van for the Maras leg. We ride all the way.

At $35 per person, this is among the lowest-priced ATV experiences in the Cusco region — comparable operators charge $37–55 for the same route (or less of it).

Why Choose This Tour?

  • Laguna Huaypo (3,350 m) — Andean lake with Inca sunken city legend
  • Maras Salt Mines (3,380 m) — 5,000+ pools, 100M-year-old salt
  • ~15 km ATV circuit through Sacred Valley back trails
  • Views of Verónica (5,682 m) and Chicón (5,530 m) glaciers

Itinerary

01
Day 01

Itinerario

ATV Tour Cusco: Maras Salt Mines + Laguna Huaypo

  • Two daily shifts: 06:00 hrs (morning) | 13:00 hrs (afternoon)
  • Full ~15 km ATV circuit — both destinations reached on quad bikes, not van
  • Individual 200–250cc automatic ATV for the entire route
  • Bilingual instructor included throughout + 10–15 min practice session
  • Minimum age: 16 years
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hrs before
  • $35 USD per person

The ATV tour to Maras and Laguna Huaypo covers two destinations most Sacred Valley visitors never combine in one go: Laguna Huaypo, a glacially calm Andean lake carrying the Quechua legend of a sunken Inca city, and the Maras Salt Mines, where 5,000 terraced pools have produced mineral-rich salt since before the Inca Empire. The route — approximately 15 km of off-road Sacred Valley trails — is ridden entirely on quad bikes. Most competing operators ride ATVs only to Laguna Huaypo, then switch to a van for the Maras leg. We ride all the way.

At $35 per person, this is among the lowest-priced ATV experiences in the Cusco region — comparable operators charge $37–55 for the same route (or less of it).

What's included

Inclusions

  • Tickets & Permits
    • Individual ATV (200–250cc automatic) for the full ~15 km circuit
  • Guide
    • Bilingual professional instructor for the entire route
    • Guide assistant for groups over 6 people
  • Transportation
    • Round-trip tourist transport Cusco ↔ Chequereq ↔ Maras
  • Other
    • Full-face helmet + motocross gloves
    • Pre-departure practice session
    • Salt tasting with artisan chocolate at Maras
    • First aid kit and emergency oxygen

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the ATV Cusco tour to Maras and Huaypo cost?

The tour is $35 USD per person (shared service, max. 12 people). Includes individual ATV, helmet, gloves, bilingual instructor, tourist transport and salt tasting. Does not include the Laguna Huaypo entrance (~S/. 10) or Maras Salt Mines entrance (~S/. 10–20). Total all-in: approximately $40–42 USD. Guru Explorers charges $37–45 for a shorter route (ATV only to Huaypo, van to Maras). Tayra Tours charges $45 for the same route structure.

Is prior ATV experience required?

No. The ATVs are automatic — throttle and brake only, no gearshift. The instructor runs a 10–15 minute flat-terrain practice at Chequereq before the route begins. The route has no technical obstacles or traffic. Most riders with zero ATV experience are fully comfortable within 5 minutes of the practice session.

Do competitors also ride ATVs to Maras?

Most do not. Guru Explorers and Tayra Tours (and most Viator-listed operators) ride ATVs to Laguna Huaypo and then switch to a van for the Maras segment, explicitly citing "safety reasons." Our route rides ATVs all the way to Maras — approximately 7 km of additional ATV trail that includes the best glacier views on the circuit.

What is Laguna Huaypo?

Laguna Huaypo is a natural lake at 3,350 m in the Anta province, approximately 30 km from Cusco. It sits on the ancient Anta basin, which was a post-glacial lake millennia ago — the flat surrounding farmland is ancient lake sediment. The lake is known for the Quechua legend of a submerged Inca city (gold, buildings and noble mummies hidden before the Spanish conquest) and for an active wetland ecosystem with Andean coot, Andean goose, puna ibis and great egret visible year-round. On calm mornings, the lake reflects the Verónica and Chicón glacier peaks.

How does this compare to the ATV Maras + Moray tour?

ATV Maras + Huaypo ($35) ATV Maras + Moray ($47)
Laguna Huaypo ✅ ❌
Moray (archaeological terraces) ❌ ✅
Maras Salt Mines ✅ ✅
Focus Nature + landscape Inca archaeology + history
Duration ~6 hours ~6 hours
Price $35 $47
Choose Huaypo for the lake, birdlife and glacier landscape. Choose Moray for the Inca agricultural science site. Both tours visit Maras.

Can I book for two people on one ATV?

Yes. Double ATVs (two riders per bike, passenger seated behind) are available for children 8–15 years who cannot ride independently. Inform us at booking. Adult partners can also request double ATVs; note the ride experience differs (the passenger has no controls).

Does altitude affect this tour?

The route altitude (3,350–3,400 m) is at or slightly below Cusco city. Most visitors who have spent at least one night in Cusco experience no difficulty on this tour. This is one of the few active outdoor tours from Cusco that does not ascend significantly above the city.

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