ATV ride on a rural road in Cusco
ATV ADVENTURE HALF DAY

Cusco ATV Tour: Huaypo Lake and Maras Salt Mines

  • Half Day (5–6 hours)
  • Cusco · Chinchero · Maras, Peru
  • From $45 USD ≈ S/ 155
Shores of Huaypo Lake on the ATV route
Huaypo Lake on the Chinchero plateau
Huaypo Lake, Cusco

Ride a quad bike across the Chinchero and Maras plateau, skirt Huaypo Lake and finish facing the ancient Maras Salt Mines.

DURATION Half Day (5–6 hours)
MAX ALTITUDE 3,600 m (Huaypo Lake)
DIFFICULTY Easy
GROUP SIZE Shared group (max. 12)
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Experience Overview

The Huaypo Lake and Maras Salt Mines ATV tour is a half-day adventure across the Chinchero and Maras plains, with the snowcapped peaks of Chicón and Verónica as a backdrop. You will ride along country roads through farmland and rural communities to Huaypo Lake, a mirror of water fringed by totora reeds and Andean birds, and continue to the Maras Salt Mines (Salineras de Maras), thousands of salt pans worked since before the Incas.

Highlights

  • Ride an ATV along the country roads of the Sacred Valley.
  • Huaypo Lake with views of the snowcapped Urubamba range.
  • Maras Salt Mines: more than 3,000 salt pans clinging to the mountainside.
  • Fields of potatoes, quinoa, fava beans and corn, depending on the season.

Useful information

  • Morning (08:00) or afternoon (13:00) departures. Approx. 5 to 6 hours.
  • Approx. 2.5-hour ATV ride with photo stops.
  • You must be 18 or older to drive; minors ride as passengers.
  • Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a buff or bandana for the dust and a light jacket.

Signature Highlights

Ride an ATV with views of the snowcapped Urubamba range.
Circle Huaypo Lake, a haven for high Andean birds.
Visit the Maras Salt Mines and see how the salt is harvested.
Full safety gear and riding briefing.
Half-day tour that pairs easily with other activities.
STEP BY STEP

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Each day has been carefully planned to optimize acclimatization and avoid peak tourist hours.

DAY 01

Cusco – Cruzpata – Huaypo Lake – Maras Salt Mines – Cusco

⛰ 3,600 m a.s.l. 🚶 Approx. 30 km by ATV ⏱ 5 to 6 hours total ⛺ Return to Cusco

We pick you up from your hotel and drive about 45 minutes to the ATV base near Cruzpata. After the briefing and safety gear, we set off on dirt roads between farm fields to Huaypo Lake, where we stop for photos. We continue across the Maras plateau to the viewpoint and the entrance to the Salt Mines, where we learn about the traditional craft of salt harvesting. We ride back to the base and return to Cusco.

FULL TRANSPARENCY

What's Included in the Expedition

✓

Included Luxury Services

  • Pickup from your hotel in Cusco and round-trip tourist transportation.
  • ATV (shared by two) with helmet, gloves and briefing.
  • Adventure guide throughout the ride.
  • Bottled water.
✕

Not Included

  • Maras Salt Mines entrance (paid locally).
  • Single ATV supplement.
  • Food.
  • Tips.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP

Optional Upgrades & Perks

Complement your journey with exclusive comfort experiences and panoramic summits.

Single ATV

Ride your own ATV for the entire route.

+ $20 USD ≈ S/ 69
WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions about Cusco ATV Tour: Huaypo Lake and Maras Salt Mines

Do I need experience to ride the ATV?

No. You will get a briefing before setting off and the ATVs are automatic. The guide sets the pace for the group.

What should I wear?

Long pants, closed-toe shoes, a light jacket, sunglasses and something to cover your mouth and nose from the dust.

Can I combine this tour with another one on the same day?

Yes. Since it is a half-day tour, you can pair it with the Cusco City Tour in the afternoon or choose the afternoon departure.