Sacred Valley ATV Tour to Maras and Moray is one of the popular half day tours in Cusco. We highly recommend you to experience this on your first days in Cusco, while acclimatising. Apart from offering enchanting views of the Sacred Valley and around Cusco, the quad bike tour also gives you an introduction to Inca civilization.
It is easier riding the ATVs on a downhill road with absolutely no prior experience. Our tour guide will also be giving you a short training before the tour. All our Quad Bikes are in excellent condition and are frequently serviced.
The tour starts with a downhill ride to Maras Salt Mines and continues to Moray.
Maras Salt Mines have been significant since the pre Inca era. They are nestled on the slope of a hill. These salt puddles are geometric shaped. The salt farmers let in the natural spring water and wait for it to evaporate. When it evaporates it leaves behind crystals of salt which is manually scrapped out.
This is a traditional method that has been practised since pre Inca era. It is passed down from generation to generation.
The salt of Maras is pink in colour and has a distinct taste. It is very nutritious as the extraction process does not involve any chemical use. Locals say that once if you taste the salt of Maras you won’t be liking the regular salt ever after.
Moray is home to farming terraces. They are circular and barely resemble the Roman amphitheatre. These terraces have different levels dug into the ground. Each of these levels have a different temperature. There is a difference of 15 degrees celsius from the top to the bottom of the terrace.
To Incas this was like an agricultural laboratory. They experimented with the growth conditions of crops here. Thanks to that, Peru now produces over 800 varieties of Potatoes and some 5 different types of corn.
At Machu Picchu Amazon Peru, we have dedicated guides who have an extensive knowledge about the culture. We maintain high safety standards. All our guides are trained on first aid and using oxygen cans.
Do take a moment to check our reviews on Trip Advisor.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
07:30 AM or 01:00 PM
This great experience starts with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We will then be driving you through the Sacred Valley to Cruz Pata. Here our crew will hand you over the Quads and kits. Then we will have a short time to get your hands on it before cruising through the scenic valley.
Our first stop will be Maras, locally known as Salinas de Maras. Here our guide will give you a detailed tour of the site. On this tour you will understand how salt farming has evolved into the primary source of income of the community.
You will then be walking along the puddles. It also gives you the opportunity to see and interact with the salt farmers.
We will then continue the tour to Moray. Here you will understand the prominence of farming in today’s life. Our guide will also be sharing some insights that only a handful of locals know about.
After the tour, we will be riding back to Cruz Pata, the meeting point. Here our driver will be waiting for you. We will then drive you back to Cusco. We will be dropping you off at Plaza Regocijo.
