The Best ATV & Quad Tours In Cusco – Peru

Hey, adventurers! If you’re planning a trip to Cusco, you’ve come to the right place. This city, renowned for its rich Inca history, is a true treasure trove of culture and tradition. But Cusco isn’t just about its stunning archaeological sites like Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley; it also offers breathtaking natural wonders like Lake Humantay, Salkantay, Ausangate, and the incredible Rainbow Mountains. If you’re looking for some excitement, exploring the area on an ATV is a fantastic way to take in the beautiful scenery.

Beyond the traditional hikes that lead you to these destinations, there are more thrilling ways to explore them. ATVs and horseback riding are among the top options, offering you a unique and exciting way to experience the landscapes. In this article, we’ll focus on the ATV tour options available in Cusco, so you can embark on an unforgettable adventure while exploring this magical region. Get ready to discover everything Cusco has to offer!

Maras and Moray Tour

Maras and Moray are two of the most iconic tourist destinations in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Mentioning Maras Moray also brings up the famous salt mines of Maras. These stunning landscapes sit at 3,500 meters above sea level. To explore these natural wonders, an exciting option is to opt for ATVs, allowing you to enjoy the journey in a unique and fun way.

Start of the Tour

The ATV adventure usually starts in Cusco, and you have two options: you can leave early in the morning between 6 and 7 a.m., or, if you prefer, begin your ride in the afternoon around 1:00 p.m. After that, it’s about an hour-and-a-half drive to Cruzpata, where the ATVs will be waiting for you to kick off your adventure. This is where the real fun begins!

ATV Ride Duration

The ATV ride lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, and trust me, every minute is worth it. Don’t have experience driving ATVs? No worries! The tour guides take care of everything. Before you start, they’ll give you a simple briefing, practical tips, and even let you do a short practice run. That way, you’ll be ready to enjoy the adventure without any worries.

Highlights of the Ride

Along the way, there will be strategic stops where you can take photos or just relax for a moment—it’s up to you! As mentioned earlier, this route gives you the chance to explore Maras and Moray, although only to a certain extent since vehicles are not allowed inside these sites. The same goes for the Maras Salt Mines, where you’ll have to leave the ATVs and continue on foot to fully appreciate these incredible landscapes up close.

End of the ATV Tour

To wrap up your ATV adventure through Maras and Moray, you’ll return along the same path you took at the start of the excursion. There, the transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco. If you prefer, you also have the option to end the tour in Urubamba, where you can explore more of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Two Lagoons Tour

Huaypo and Piuray are two lagoons that absolutely deserve a spot on your itinerary if you’re visiting Cusco. Both are surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains like Salkantay, Pacchaicoc, Chicón, and Veronica, creating a dreamlike landscape. What makes them truly special are their deep blue, crystal-clear waters that will make you feel a profound connection with nature. Though they are relatively close, only a few kilometers apart, each one has its own unique charm. Huaypo sits at 3,507 meters above sea level, while Piuray is slightly lower at 3,435 meters.

Start of the Tour

Typically, the tour begins in Cusco between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m., although the schedule can be adjusted to suit your preferences. You’ll then enjoy an exciting journey of about 1 to 1.5 hours to the Chinchero district. The adventure begins at the base located in Maras, where the ATVs will be waiting for you.

ATV Ride Duration

If you’re eager for some adventure and want to explore both lagoons by ATV, you’re in for 3 to 4 hours of pure excitement! Don’t worry if you’ve never driven an ATV before—there’s a quick 10 to 20-minute training session before starting, just enough to make sure you feel confident and ready to hit the road. One important note: some tours don’t include insurance, so if you damage the ATV, repair costs will be on you. But don’t stress! Follow the instructions, and you’ll be fine—just enjoy the stunning scenery and the thrill of the ride.

Strategic Stops

As you drive the ATVs, you’ll pass through Andean villages steeped in history, where locals continue to live by the same traditions as their ancestors from centuries ago. At the end of the route, you’ll arrive at the beautiful Huaypo Lagoon, followed by Piuray. To enter, you’ll only need to pay 3 soles, a minimal fee for everything these lagoons offer. Once there, you can hop into a kayak or take a boat ride—though keep in mind that these activities come at an extra cost, typically around 80 soles or more, depending on how long you want to stay out on the water.

End of the Tour

To wrap up this incredible adventure, we’ll return along the same route that brought us here, enjoying the Andean landscapes once more until we reach the base in Maras. From there, our transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.

Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca Tour

You’ve probably already heard about the famous Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca, and you might know that there are several ways to get there. But did you know there’s another equally impressive rainbow mountain that could make your journey much easier? Meet Wilcacunca, a lesser-known alternative that offers the same breathtaking beauty, and the best part is that you can rent ATVs to get there with ease, First, let’s talk about the ATV tour to Vinicunca:

Vinicunca ATV Tour

The first thing you should know is that this tour offers different routes: a short route and a long route, each with different departure times, but all of them will take you directly to the Rainbow Mountain of Vinicunca.

Morning ATV Excursión

This tour usually starts very early, between 3 and 4 a.m. To make the most of it, it’s recommended to book with a travel agency specializing in this route since they handle all the logistics. From the moment they pick you up at your hotel, you’ll head south for approximately 4 hours until you reach the base of Vinicunca. There, the ATVs will be ready and waiting for you to begin your adventure.

Route

The route you’ll take on this excursion is the short one, starting from the base of Vinicunca. You’ll have around 40 minutes to enjoy the thrill of riding the ATVs until you reach the summit. Once there, it’s just a brief 10-minute hike to the final viewpoint.

One important note: ATV are only available along the Pitumarca route, so make sure to keep that in mind when planning your adventure.

Midday ATV Tour

In this version of the tour, you have more flexible departure times, ranging from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. However, most tours usually start at 10 a.m. to avoid worrying about rain or storms. Once they pick you up at your hotel, you’ll follow the same route as the morning excursion until you reach a spot known as the “Rainbow Mountain Restaurant.” This is where the base and ATVs will be waiting for you to start the adventure.

Route

The route you’ll take this time is the long one, designed exclusively for ATV, giving you a more extended ride of about 1.3 to 2 hours until you reach the hiking start point. This option is considered the best, as it gives you more time to explore and discover hidden spots around Vinicunca. Just like on the short route, you’ll need to take a 2-hour hike at the end of the ride to reach the viewpoint.

End of the Tour

The ATV route details can seem a bit confusing, so let’s clear up a few common questions you might have:

• The base for the midday tour is the same as the one for the morning tour.
• Both the long and short routes are on the Pitumarca trail. The long route ends exactly where the short route begins.
• The afternoon tour usually lasts a bit longer than the morning one, giving you more time to enjoy the experience.

Wilcacunca Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour

Wilcacunca is a recently discovered tourist destination that has started gaining popularity among travelers. According to those who have visited, this new attraction rivals or even surpasses other rainbow mountains in the region. One of its greatest advantages is that you can also rent ATVs to reach the summit, which stands at 4,950 meters above sea level. The true reason why you should visit this place will surprise you!

Start of the Tour

This adventure begins early, between 4 and 5 a.m. After picking you up from your hotel, we head south, following the same route that leads to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, a journey of approximately 4 hours. The route passes through Pitumarca, where we take a small detour in Karwi to continue towards Uchullujllo, finally arriving at the ATV base located in Qallanqa.

ATV Riding Time

Once in Qallanqa, we prepare to head towards the Wilcacunca Rainbow Mountain. The ride lasts approximately 1 hour, following a specially designed path for ATVs. This part of the journey is truly thrilling, as you’ll have the chance to see some of the colorful mountains from a distance along certain sections of the road.

An important note: all ATV tours include a brief training session to assess your driving skills. This quick practice will help determine whether you can ride solo or need to be accompanied by someone experienced in ATVs. It’s a great way to ensure you enjoy the ride safely and confidently.

Strategic Stops

If at any point during the ride you’d like to stop to take photos or need a break due to altitude sickness, you can ask your guide to pause. However, the true highlights along the way are the colorful mountains, where you’ll get the chance to see up to four of them, featuring formations similar to those of Pallay Punchu. Don’t forget that to access this attraction, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee of 30 soles, approximately 8 USD.

End of the Excursión

The tour concludes once you’ve finished exploring the Rainbow Mountain. Afterward, you’ll return along the same path you took to ascend, with the vehicle that brought you to the base waiting to take you back to Cusco.

Red Valley ATV Tour

The Red Valley is another new destination that also offers ATV rentals, allowing you to enjoy the stunning landscape without worrying about long hikes. This valley, rich in reddish and crimson-toned minerals, is considered by many as a truly unique spot, almost like something out of a movie. Although it’s closer to Vinicunca and along the same route, what makes it interesting is that there’s an alternate path to reach the Red Valley.

Start of the Adventure

To embark on this exciting adventure, you’ll need to head in the direction of Vinicunca and Wilcacunca, with a total travel time of approximately 4 hours to the ATV base located at the “Mountain of Colors Restaurant.” It’s worth noting that there is another base located at a different point, where the hike towards Vinicunca begins and where other ATVs are available. As with Vinicunca, there are two options for accessing the Red Valley: a long route and a short one, both leading you to this impressive attraction.

Long Route Duration

The long route to the Red Valley takes approximately 2 hours and starts from the Mountain of Colors Restaurant. This path is the same as the one that leads to Vinicunca, with a small detour guiding you to the Red Valley. As you progress, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views, and in some areas, you’ll even ride through the valley’s minerals.

Short Route Duration

The short route to the Red Valley, in this case, is the same as the one leading to Vinicunca and begins from the other base. This shorter route means you’ll ride the ATVs for around 40 minutes until reaching a section of the valley. From there, you’ll need to take a 20-minute walk to reach your destination.

Note: The Red Valley is at the same altitude as Vinicunca, standing at 5,200 meters above sea level. Additionally, depending on the travel agency you choose, there’s a possibility to visit both the Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley in a single excursion. Keep in mind that Vinicunca, Wilcacunca, and the Red Valley are located along the Pitumarca route, not the Cusipata route. If you decide to explore the Red Valley, be aware that there is a small chance of seeing the famous Red River, which is only visible during the rainy season.

Killarumiyoq ATV Tour

Killarumiyoq is another fascinating tourist destination where you can rent ATVs and explore its impressive surroundings. This site is located in Anta, approximately 48 km from Cusco, with travel time to the ATV base ranging between 1.3 and 2 hours. Situated at 3,650 meters above sea level, Killarumiyoq is known as the “Moon Stone.” This sacred site is considered a place of worship for honoring the moon and offering tributes to the earth in hopes of receiving its blessing.

ATV Riding Time

The approximate riding time from the base to Killarumiyoq is between 1 hour and 1.3 hours. During this thrilling journey, you’ll have the chance to visit several remarkable spots, including:

• Tankarqaqa or Qaqatoqo
• Phaccha
• Ceremonial Plaza
• Qorihuayrachina
• Inkaraqay
• Killarumiyoq

7.ATV Tour to the “Morada de los Dioses”

The Morada de los Dioses, also known as Apukunaq Tianan, is an extraordinary new destination in Cusco that you won’t want to miss. This site is renowned for its awe-inspiring sculptures, masterfully carved by a talented Cusco-based artist. Some of these sculptures stand as tall as 5 to 8 meters, showcasing intricate representations of important figures, such as the mighty Apu in the form of a puma, the revered Pachamama, and more.

Located at an altitude of 3,850 meters above sea level in Poroy, the Morada de los Dioses is easily accessible with just a 40 to 50-minute journey from Cusco.

ATV Riding Experience

The total ATV ride lasts approximately 40 minutes, offering stunning views along the way, including a glimpse of the Colonial Aqueduct Fortress before reaching the magnificent Morada de los Dioses. If you join a tour with a travel agency, you will have ample time to explore this fascinating place and take unforgettable photos.

Once the tour is finished, you’ll return to the starting point where your ATV adventure began. The experience concludes by midday, leaving you with plenty of free time in the afternoon to explore other destinations.

Tips for Your ATV Adventure

• Sunscreen: Don’t forget to bring sunscreen to protect yourself from the wind and intense sunlight.
• Hat or Cap: Ideal for shielding yourself from the cold, especially at high altitudes.
• Sunglasses: Use sunglasses to protect your eyes from dust, sun, and wind for a more comfortable ride.
• Hydration & Snacks: Carry a bottle of water and some snacks, like dried fruits, to keep your energy up.
• Rain Poncho: A rain poncho is essential as the weather can change unexpectedly.
• Cash: Always carry some cash for any unforeseen expenses.
• ID: In some tourist spots, you may need to present your ID or a copy.
• Proper Protective Gear: Before heading out on the ATVs, ensure you are equipped with the right protective gear. Tour operators usually provide essentials like a helmet, gloves, and, in some cases, knee pads. Don’t hesitate to ask for these items, as safety is key to enjoying the experience worry-free.
• Slow Down in Populated Areas: When passing through villages and communities, make sure to slow down. These areas are often home to local residents, including children, going about their daily activities.
• Ride with Lights On: Always keep your lights on! This simple act increases your visibility to other drivers and pedestrians, enhancing road safety. It’s a small precaution that can make a big difference.
• Follow the Guide’s Instructions: Be sure to follow all instructions from your tour guides to avoid any unwanted issues.