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

The best part of this Cusco outing is the mix of four zip lines and an individual ATV ride through the Sacred Valley. You get fast fun in the morning, then time at the Maras salt mines and Moray, two very different archaeological and cultural stops.

I like the broad views of Nevado de Chicón and Pitusiray, and I like that the group is limited to 10 people. The main drawback is time: Moray can feel rushed, and entrance fees are not included, so bring more cash than the $85 tour price suggests.

Key points

• Four cables at Raqchi: The zipline section uses cables of different lengths, with a possible condor-style flying position.
• Individual ATVs included: You ride your own quad bike, with fuel, helmet, and gloves supplied.
• Maras and Moray in one outing: You see salt terraces and an Inca circular site during the ATV portion.
• Small group format: The group is capped at 10 people, with English- and Spanish-speaking guides.
• Plan for extra fees: Maras costs $5, while Moray requires a separate ticket that can be much higher.
• Two-part transportation: Your first group may leave you at the zipline base, with another vehicle later taking you back to Cusco.

Why this Cusco combo works

Cusco offers no shortage of day trips, but this one gives you more physical action than a standard Sacred Valley visit. You are not only sitting in a minibus and stepping out at viewpoints. You ride an ATV, zip across four cables, and still see two of the region’s best-known attractions.

The trip costs $85 per person and lasts about 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours. That is a fair price if you want both activities and round-trip transportation in one day. It is less attractive if your main goal is a relaxed visit to Maras and Moray, since the schedule gives priority to movement and excitement.

The tour begins early and normally returns to Cusco around 3:00 p.m. Your guide should contact you about 15 minutes before pickup, so keep your phone available and provide a WhatsApp number with the correct country code when booking. That small detail matters in Cusco, where pickup points and traffic can make timing less exact.

The morning drive through the Sacred Valley

The ride toward the activity base in Raqchi is part of the experience. You pass through views of the Sacred Valley and may see Nevado de Chicón and Pitusiray, two notable mountain peaks in the region.

The drive gives you a useful sense of scale. The Sacred Valley is not just a collection of isolated ruins. It is a broad mountain corridor, and the road views help connect the salt mines, Moray, villages, and high peaks into one setting.

You will want your camera ready during the transfer. The tour information specifically recommends bringing one, along with sunscreen, a passport, and cash. The early start also means you should eat beforehand or pack snacks. Food is not included, and lunch is not provided during the outing.

Four zip lines at Raqchi

At the base in Raqchi, you receive a helmet and the other required safety equipment. The staff gives a short instruction session before you begin. That briefing is important, especially if you have never used a zip line or are unsure about body position and braking.

The course has four cables of different lengths. The variety keeps the activity from feeling like one quick ride followed by a long wait. One particularly memorable option is the condor position, where you extend your arms and legs while flying over the valley. The mountain views are the reason to pay attention between the bursts of speed.

The zipline team may include guides such as Sam and Juan. The staff working this section has been singled out for making the activity feel organized and fun. Still, remember that this is an active attraction, not a quiet viewpoint. You will spend more time preparing, clipping in, and moving between cables than simply looking out over the valley.

Wear clothing that lets you move freely. The supplied information does not specify a dress code, but sunscreen is essential, and your camera should be secure. You do not want to hold loose items while being fitted into the safety gear.

The ATV ride to Maras and Moray

After the zip lines, you continue by ATV. Each person receives an individual quad bike, and the price includes fuel, a helmet, and gloves. That is a useful advantage over a shared vehicle tour because you take an active part in the route rather than simply watching it through a window.

The ATV section is also where the day’s structure becomes less ordinary. The first group may take you to the Maras and Moray area, then leave you at the zipline site or transfer point. This can seem confusing if you expect one guide and one vehicle to remain with you all day.

The handoff is part of the operating setup. Keep calm, follow the instructions from the staff, and confirm how you will return to Cusco. Another transport arrangement brings you back later. You should know this before booking if you prefer a single, continuous tour with one guide.

Floyd has guided the ATV portion and is especially useful for travelers who want context along with the ride. The guide provides information about the sites as you go, so the ATV journey is not just a motorized shortcut between photo stops.

The exact riding conditions are not described in detail, so do not assume a technical off-road course. What you can count on is an ATV-based route connecting the two attractions, with safety equipment and fuel supplied. The appeal is the freedom of riding and the mountain setting, not a promise of extreme driving.

Maras, where the mountains turn into salt

The Maras salt mines are one of the most unusual stops near Cusco. Salt pans cover the mountainside in a patchwork of small terraces, creating a striking pattern that changes with the light and season.

The site also gives the tour some cultural weight. You are not simply stopping for a quick photograph. A guide can explain how the saltworks fit into local life and why this place has remained an important attraction in the Sacred Valley.

Maras is one of the stronger parts of the itinerary for visitors who want something different from another ruin. The small salt pools, pale terraces, and steep surroundings offer a view you will not get at Moray or at the better-known stone sites around Cusco.

Entrance to the salt mines is not included. The listed cost is $5, so set that money aside before leaving Cusco. The tour calls for cash, and it is wise to carry enough for both attractions, transport-related needs, and snacks.

Moray and the cost of a short stop

Moray is an archaeological site made up of large, circular terraces cut into the earth. The rings descend toward a lower center and create one of the most distinctive views in the Cusco region.

The site is visually powerful, but this is where the schedule needs careful attention. You may have only about 15 minutes to look around Moray. That is enough for a view, photographs, and a short explanation, but not enough for a slow walk or a long study of the terraces.

Moray also requires its own entrance ticket. The price is not stated in the tour details, but one recent cost was 70 soles. That is a serious extra charge when you have already paid $85 for the day, especially if you are visiting several other Cusco sites that use combined tickets.

Check your ticket situation before the excursion. Some visitors already hold a broader ticket that includes Moray. If you do not, carry enough soles and decide in advance how much the stop matters to you. If the ticket feels poor value for such a short visit, you may prefer to remain near the parking area rather than pay simply to rush through.

That choice is not ideal, but it is better to know the tradeoff beforehand. The tour works best when you see Moray as one brief stop within an active day, not as a complete archaeological visit.

Guides, groups, and the unusual transfer plan

The tour is limited to 10 participants and is offered in English and Spanish. A small group should make safety instructions and ATV organization easier than on a large coach outing.

You may not have one guide for every part of the day. The ATV and sightseeing portion can be handled by one team, while the zipline section uses its own staff. Guides such as Floyd, Sam, and Juan have worked different sections, so expect a change in personnel.

The transfer between the two sections deserves a clear explanation. The first group may drop you at the zipline base and continue elsewhere. You then complete the cables with the zipline staff and use different transportation to return to Cusco. This arrangement is workable, but it is not as simple as staying with the same minibus all day.

If you are comfortable following instructions and adapting to a changing group, the setup should not cause trouble. If you need a tightly controlled schedule, ask the operator to explain the handoff before you pay.

What the $85 price really covers

At $85, the cost includes round-trip transportation, an individual ATV, fuel, helmet, gloves, zipline equipment, and a bilingual professional guide. Combining two paid activities with transport makes the price reasonable for an active day in the Cusco region.

The value depends on what you would otherwise book separately. If you want an ATV ride and four zip lines, this package saves you from arranging two outings and coordinating transfers. It also gives you a chance to see Maras and Moray on the same day.

The advertised price is not your full spending total. Add $5 for Maras, the separate Moray fee, snacks, and any other personal expenses. Since Moray may cost 70 soles, the extra admission can change your calculation considerably.

Food is another cost to plan. The tour does not include lunch, and you are advised to bring snacks. The return is around 3:00 p.m., so a substantial breakfast and portable food will make the day more comfortable.

Who should book this outing

I would choose this tour if you want an energetic day with several different sights. It suits people aged 14 and older who are comfortable with heights, motorized activity, and a fairly brisk schedule.

It is also a good fit if you want a taste of the Sacred Valley without committing a whole day to a traditional ruins circuit. The zip lines add real excitement, while Maras and Moray give the day cultural and historical interest.

I would hesitate if Moray is your top priority. Fifteen minutes is not much time, and the additional ticket may feel hard to justify. A slower sightseeing tour would serve you better if you want detailed interpretation, quiet photography, or time to explore each site.

The activity is not suitable for children under 14, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, people over 275 pounds or 125 kilograms, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. These limits are especially important because the day combines ATV riding with zipline equipment.

Practical preparation for a better day

Bring your passport, camera, sunscreen, cash, and snacks. Keep your phone charged because pickup communication takes place through calls or WhatsApp.

Wear practical clothing and shoes suitable for an active day. The supplied equipment includes helmets and gloves, but not food or personal outdoor items. Secure your camera before each zipline and follow the staff’s instructions at the ATV base.

Confirm the pickup message before the morning of the tour. Your guide is expected to write or call about 15 minutes before pickup, and the operator asks for your full WhatsApp country code. Clear communication is especially useful because the day may involve more than one group and vehicle.

The cancellation policy is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Cusco schedule depends on weather, altitude adjustment, or another booking.

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

Book it if you want action first and sightseeing second. The four zip lines and individual ATV ride are the main attractions, while Maras and Moray add variety and context. The views of the Sacred Valley, Chicón, and Pitusiray make the transfers worthwhile, and the small group keeps the outing manageable.

Think twice if you want a slow archaeological visit or dislike changing vehicles and guides. The short Moray stop and separate entrance fees are the main weaknesses.

For most active visitors, the $85 price is sensible once you understand the extras. Bring enough cash, pack food, accept the two-part structure, and treat Moray as a quick stop. Do that, and this is a lively way to fit four memorable experiences into one Cusco day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

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

What activities are included?

The tour includes four zipline cables, an individual ATV ride, and stops at the Maras salt mines and Moray.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from Cusco is included, along with fuel for the ATV.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. Maras requires a $5 entrance fee, and Moray has a separate entrance ticket. The Moray price is not included in the tour cost.

Is lunch provided?

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

What languages are available?

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

How large is the group?

The tour is limited to 10 participants.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, camera, sunscreen, and cash. Snacks are also recommended because food is not included.

Who cannot join the activity?

The tour is not suitable for children under 14, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, people over 275 pounds or 125 kilograms, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.