Adventure & Nature
Adventure & Nature Tours in Peru
Cusco and the surrounding Andes aren’t just for hikers. The region offers some of South America’s most dramatic terrain for off-road adventures — high-altitude plateaus, salt flats, Inca agricultural terraces, and volcanic mountain passes that few tourists explore.Our adventure tours combine adrenaline with genuine cultural discovery. You might ride an ATV through the salt evaporation pools of Maras, accelerate across the altiplano toward Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca, 5,200 m), or explore the circular Inca terraces of Moray at sunrise before most tourists arrive by bus.These tours are designed for travelers who want more than a guided walk — they want to feel the altitude, smell the dust of ancient roads, and come home with photographs that look nothing like the standard tourist shots.
Adventure & Nature Tours
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What are Adventure & Nature tours?
Cusco and the surrounding Andes aren't just for hikers. The region offers some of South America's most dramatic terrain for off-road adventures — high-altitude plateaus, salt flats, Inca agricultural terraces, and volcanic mountain passes that few tourists explore.Our adventure tours combine adrenaline with genuine cultural discovery. You might ride an ATV through the salt evaporation pools of Maras, accelerate across the altiplano toward Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca, 5,200 m), or explore the circular Inca terraces of Moray at sunrise before most tourists arrive by bus.These tours are designed for travelers who want more than a guided walk — they want to feel the altitude, smell the dust of ancient roads, and come home with photographs that look nothing like the standard tourist shots.
Our adventure tour portfolio is built around the unique terrain of the Cusco region:
- ATV Rainbow Mountain (1 day) — The most spectacular ATV route in Peru. Ride from 4,300 m to 5,100 m across open altiplano to reach the iconic multicolored mountain. No hiking required — the ATV does the altitude work.
- ATV Maras & Moray (1 day) — Ride through the Sacred Valley's most photogenic sites: the 5,000+ salt pans of Maras and the circular terraces of Moray. Suitable for complete beginners.
- ATV Maras, Moray & Laguna Huaypo (1 day) — Extended circuit that adds a scenic mountain lake to the Maras-Moray route. Great for photographers.
- Vinicunca Valley Rojo ATV (1 day) — Off-road ride to the Red Valley (Valle Rojo), a lesser-known companion to Rainbow Mountain with intense red hematite formations and almost no crowds.
All ATV tours include helmet, goggles, gloves, and a safety briefing. No experience is required — our guides teach you everything in 15 minutes.
Physical requirements
Adventure tours are generally less physically demanding than treks, but the high altitude means your cardiovascular system still works hard:
- ATV tours — Minimal physical effort (the ATV does the work), but you'll be at 4,300–5,200 m. Altitude acclimatization of 1–2 days in Cusco is strongly recommended.
- Off-road circuits — Moderate handling skill required. No prior ATV experience needed, but you must be comfortable driving a motorized vehicle.
Minimum age for ATV tours: 18 years old (or 16 with parent/guardian present). Passengers may be younger. Pregnant women and people with serious back or neck injuries should not participate in ATV tours.
What to pack
- Warm layers — even sunny days at 4,000+ m get cold when you're moving at speed
- Windproof jacket (essential — ATV speed amplifies wind chill)
- Gloves (provided but bring your own if you have sensitive hands)
- Goggles or wraparound sunglasses (provided in ATV tours)
- Dustproof face covering or buff
- SPF 50+ sunscreen — UV radiation is intense at altitude
- Camera or GoPro with secure mount
- 1.5 L water bottle — altitude dehydration happens fast
- Comfortable pants (not loose — they catch on the ATV)
- Closed-toe shoes or trekking boots (no sandals on ATVs)
FAQ about Adventure & Nature
4Do I need experience to ride an ATV?
No experience is required. Our guides provide a full safety briefing and a practice circuit before departing. If you can ride a bicycle, you can ride one of our ATVs. The machines are semi-automatic — no clutch is required. Children under 16 must ride as passengers.
Is ATV Rainbow Mountain safe at 5,200 m altitude?
Yes, when done with proper acclimatization. We strongly recommend spending at least 2 nights in Cusco (3,400 m) before the tour. Our guides carry supplemental oxygen and first-aid kits. We monitor participants for altitude sickness symptoms throughout the day. The ATV eliminates the exertion of hiking, which is why this route is actually easier to complete than the hiking version for many people.
What is the difference between ATV Maras and ATV Rainbow Mountain?
They are different routes with different landscapes. The Maras & Moray ATV tour (from $35) covers the Sacred Valley floor and Inca sites at 3,350–3,800 m — suitable for beginners and suitable the first day after arriving in Cusco. The Rainbow Mountain ATV tour ($105) goes to 5,200 m on the altiplano — more dramatic scenery and more altitude. We recommend doing Maras first, then Rainbow Mountain on a later day.
Can I take photos on the ATV?
Yes — we stop frequently at scenic viewpoints for photography. Many clients bring action cameras mounted on helmets or chests. We do not recommend holding a phone camera while riding. Our guides know all the best photography stops along each route.
Official endorsement
Associations & Certifications
We operate under the regulations and standards of Peru's leading tourism entities.
