ATV Tour Review: Exploring Salt Mines, Maras, and Moray near Cusco
So, you know, heading out to Cusco? Well, if you do, doing the Salt Mines of Maras, Moray, and going by ATV, is like your total blast-from-the-past, super exciting day out of town that’s really gaining in popularity. The andean scenery is absolutely incredible and just too awesome to overlook!. Seriously, it offers sights that really get you thinking. That said, with the increasing number of tour operators, picking one that isn’t a dud is, too it’s almost essential. As a matter of fact, I was in your boots not too long ago. I’m going to give you the rundown, what I saw and experienced, along with hints so your own ride is amazing!. Hopefully my review, it gives you an insider’s look so you make the right decisions about it. It also gives an accurate picture of your outing expectations and what’s waiting. By the way, before you go to the trouble of packing, it is really wise to research and plan it all correctly.
What Makes the Maras, Moray, and Salt Mines ATV Tour Special
Alright, this adventure isn’t like your average tourist thing, you see, it’s got something different going on. Unlike those bus trips, this is getting to see things in the wild, like how a explorer would experience. When I actually stood among them, that’s what changed how I saw it, not from looking at something on a map, the awesome Incan history, and the landscapes, as I actually was, experiencing. Like when, on one minute, the ride really winds, it passes near old Inca buildings, where people in Inca times lived, while the second minute it’s the stunning look of how salt extraction had been done like way back in Inca history is pretty crazy. And just imagine those mountain views are the biggest draw you have!
Those round terraces at Moray, they’re like, basically an Incan lab where they use to grow crops at different elevations, it’s a little more advanced than just looking pretty! Next is riding into Maras, it’s a small town, still with old-school colonial things going on. Basically, that leads to the crazy Salt Mines which are a thousand years old, those shallow pools they have going on really reflect that area around. I, by the way, actually found it extremely humbling to realize how old these really still were and how little some things actually have changed.
Selecting Your ATV Tour Operator: Things To Consider
Choosing the right company, it makes or breaks things, so take some time to read tour descriptions to, sort of, see how great the day would be. What is typically included, what the total costs add to. Here are key items I would focus on, it’s all about making an excellent choice for safety and satisfaction. After those few clicks to compare things to make sure everything meets a standard and your checklist it makes a world of difference and gives security. I almost was in shock to see how easy it actually was.
- Safety is important, so make sure they have this: You definitely need those helmets and eye protection things. Any business that does the right things must explain everything they have ready for handling problems, also the quality rating. Some research can keep you in safe conditions with secure equipment.
- ATV Fleet quality matters: Can their ATVs handle the Andean terrain, you should check this!. Well taken care machines greatly limit having a flat tire or breakdowns on rough roads. What a tour uses definitely shows their overall company image, its reliability and their standards!.
- Skilled Tour Guides: Do your tour leaders actually talk, I mean actually speak both Spanish and English really, so foreigners are aware? Is the guide actually experienced with both local settings and fixing ATVs? This makes all the difference. Getting someone who understands Peru and explains it will grow an awesome and secure travel!.
- The Itinerary (Time Well Spent): Is your itinerary actually feasible, so time at each spot isn’t a waste, or in order to move the schedule faster?. Make sure you are okay with a set number of quick breaks. Some outfits make rushing around the theme.
- Check those costs too: Exactly, what are you paying, what doesn’t it cover? Some tours advertise one price and it’s just lacking. Things like transport back to the center of Cusco, all fees to sites, that snack pack or meal; that could definitely alter things. Read it carefully.
My Experience on the ATV Tour
Honestly, when our tour was started I did sense I’d planned just great after all the research, because I knew things were legit as a matter of fact. Our guides really explained a good amount to get started, and actually gave a lot to prep riders prior to when you ever hit dirt! Actually they seemed to check that everyone gets the equipment for sure. As for the ATVs: they were fairly new and looked like they’d been taken care of alright, it shows with how simple the things drove. So we departed to, really see the area, going down routes along stunning vistas.
That first break we had, we were overlooking the terraces of Moray, which was the great. Our tour guide gave tons of details like all on those circles. I guess how they are all set with differing temperatures, so the Incas can determine ideal places for types of crops, right!. Following this education segment, our next thing would be driving straight at Maras to glimpse town vibes up closely. So the last step involved our traveling near and over to all of the Salt Mines and their amazing scenery!.
Highlighting Maras Salt Mines: An Ancient Wonder
So the place the Maras Salt Mines holds makes sense because those views into an operating location of such antiquity and tradition, that it can bring real quiet self reflection! It comes out from hillsides, with tons of individual salt evaporation ponds built up over a large and vast valley in a great quilt looking array. A little, slightly shocking too to learn these existed previous to all Inca happenings!. I honestly observed how some families pass certain ponds to, I mean, their next line and things remain identical by comparison back into past times as I really enjoyed these historic items and local connections. We stayed maybe nearly one hour, a bunch like going around, doing pictures to take home plus the total views!. Actually I really enjoyed these little moments where there still was interaction with all area people regarding such location activities. So now I was completely convinced how such spot completely becomes that highlight coming up.
Important Tips for your ATV Tour
Before getting off and away for an excursion, the planning and things, I’m basically describing below can add, perhaps a greater and pleasant tour. Being ready physically as conditions and equipment, all these details build good trips. These pieces give awesome insight for really handling conditions.
- Proper clothing and gear: Put many items to protect sun, dust plus being just safe out to such trek!. It is very valuable. Such like covering garments, glasses plus sunscreen and more. Such gear gives amazing days out with nature.
- Know Altitude Tips: Because of Andes ranges existing so elevated you may be at higher altitude: let things transpire, or allow you be calm upon onset plus avoid those physical activity. That avoids health events caused from rising!.
- Always listen when Safety briefings Exist: Seriously ensure you listen while instruction because this avoids incident. Hear attentively upon operation/equipment handling while also rules as following each. So it improves that ride safely.
- Think about bringing water plus light snacks along: Get that high power moving!. When doing things there are such remote chances getting eateries during hours. Get energy snacks along at altitude to sustain performance as something little helps so huge.
- Watch ecological sensitivity: Respect settings. Keep things like debris packed when proceeding ahead through, to conserve locales which we move past for continued tour use ahead through years. Reduce touch plus respect wildlife including any local traditions found upon those areas explored because the environment will matter for things to occur correctly moving onward through your tour use ahead through the years..
