Cusco Quad Tour: Moray & Maras Salt Mines – Review & Guide
So, you’re thinking of zooming through the Peruvian Andes on a quad bike, visiting mind-blowing spots like Moray and Maras Salt Mines near Cusco? It’s almost like you’re in the right place to learn all about it! Getting down and dirty on an ATV might just be the ideal way to break away from the typical tourist trails and inject some thrill into your trip. Basically, what I’m aiming to give you right now is a deep dive, so to speak, into what to expect on such a tour, that covers from the muddy paths to those panoramic views. Get ready, alright? Let’s rev up this review!
Booking Your Cusco Quad Bike Adventure
Before you get that helmet hair going, that is, sorting out your booking should be a priority. Quite a few tour vendors offer this gig, that ranges from those well-known agencies you see plastered around Cusco to smaller, locally-run outfits. A bit of advice? Don’t only pick based on the flashiest advert, see. Reading through customer stories, those firsthand experiences, can certainly show you if a vendor provides a great time that’s worth your money. Like your everyday online marketplaces have them, tour platforms like TripAdvisor or GetYourGuide usually have piles of feedback on tour operators in Cusco. That means sifting through recent stories might just save you from what ends up being a headache, so to speak, okay?
Another aspect to consider very, very carefully is what the tour deal covers. Some packages might just include the ATV and a leader, while others, seemingly, throw in extras, that are transport to and from your hotel, perhaps snacks or lunch, and the entrance fee to get into these special archaeological locations. That is something I would check! The entry to places like Moray and Maras are very frequently sold with a “boleto turistico,” also called a tourist ticket. The prices might vary based on what destinations are on that day’s agenda. Very well!
Speaking of what you pay, price points for quad tours are generally rather similar. Yet, don’t expect that the most expensive selection is almost always the best; quite frequently, that added cost only boils down to how recognized the vendor is or some fancy add-ons you might not even need. Another strategy involves contacting operators locally after arriving to Cusco, potentially cutting out some costs or finding a more suited offer for you. Just consider that last-minute bookings usually mean lesser negotiating potential and maybe fully-booked tours, right?
Gearing Up and Getting Ready
Alright, you’ve signed on the dotted line! Getting set up properly before speeding away on your ATV, so it’s important. I want you to be sure that, almost always, the tour operators offer helmets and possibly, at times, gloves. Now, this next thing depends on how fussy you might be regarding hygiene or, just, those safety measures – give consideration to taking your own protective gear if that causes anxiety, is that something you usually think about. And it’s more than those hard hats, you see.
Those routes surrounding Cusco often, sometimes, include dirt paths; that are rocky at times and frequently dusty, depending upon what the season. What that implies is definitely don’t put on your Sunday best! Dressing in old clothes is just, you know, kind of ideal. Layering tends to be the way, considering the weather changes swiftly up there. Think a T-shirt, that is a fleece, and after that a windproof jacket, that, if the clouds open, might give you what you need to stay rather cozy, is that not so?
Sturdy footwear would do well too, more or less. Leave those stylish trainers for pounding the pavements of Cusco. Walking shoes or hiking boots are often better, actually. Also, sun protection! Cusco is super high up, and sunshine at elevation tends to be rather intense. Pack high-SPF sunscreen, some sunglasses, and very possibly a hat that fits, more or less, under the helmet – sunburn would make a depressing travel souvenir, as I was saying, alright?
Hitting the Trails: The Ride Itself
Then the time’s arrived, as a matter of fact! It might just be the moment you’ve been dreaming of – jumping on that quad bike! Those tour groups commonly begin with just a safety speech, that might have those important guidelines and a run-through of operating the ATV, okay? What this means for a first-timer would be no worries! They are normally automatic, so rather simple to get a handle on. What I’d still recommend: just pay very close consideration to whatever that guide instructs; a bit of common sense should avoid scrapes and possibly even worse scenarios. Pretty much.
Okay, picture the settings, actually. Leaving Cusco probably involves riding over smaller towns. Soon enough, you’re seemingly among golden valleys dotted with animals. So, there you are! The road can surely get rugged in certain sections, right? Now expect lots of bumps and remember it can be very, very muddy after rains! That should always give you the freedom to navigate it on an ATV when getting beyond standard tours.
A skilled guide usually directs the way, adapting to different people’s abilities that come along, so consider staying fairly near to that individual, okay? Respect, always, that country code: be nice to village people, just avoid creating any bad impressions and just don’t pollute. Do that, and you have a higher possibility of having nothing but those fun times out there.
Moray: The Incan Agricultural Lab
Moray, so to speak, presents a visual delight! These deep terraced circular depressions always are said to have functioned, basically, as an agriculture testing site. The Incas seemingly used differing heights to make mini micro-climates; testing the productivity of vegetation and determining how better they may develop various crops, such as potatoes, at certain altitudes, you see.
Now, you’ve got some options to investigate at your own speed the location before maybe, more or less, hearing facts out of your tour guide. This just might include strolling to the lower parts of those terraces if, of course, the stairs aren’t too taxing. In that case, you should try to take some photos. Don’t miss checking to see how these systems once did things: a genuine ancient Incan creation.
Maras Salt Mines: A Landscape of White Gold
Riding ahead through all those undulating hills gives way to what turns out to be possibly one of the absolute most spectacular panorama views in the Sacred Valley, as I was saying. The Maras Salt Mines can be composed of literally thousands of little terraced pools; carving right up a mountain like a honeycomb, right?
And here is a cool fact: Residents within Maras continue using those same conventional practices that are dating way back, actually. That means getting the salt from these ponds, just like old times. Your tour may bring you pretty darned near to it to permit the photo to be captured, but it seems essential that all should listen carefully to those guidance on locations where you could go wandering about. Be really cautious as you stroll, the edges might sometimes prove to be slippery!
I would keep in mind too, you’re seemingly supporting smaller networks through your visit here; purchasing salts locally, flavoring salt, and lots more is almost a good idea, is that right? Do this: take little bits along to distribute amongst family or friends, as well. Pretty much.
What to Bring With You
Okay, summing up what to have close for what tends to be a relaxed and pleasant ride, here you have my brief personal shopping directory:
- Sunscreen that helps, alright? The Andean sunshine isn’t mucking around at such a height.
- Sunglasses, like your coolest ones; so glare must not impair any sights!
- Headwear for beneath your hard hat: to shield against that sunshine, just to deal with all the hair madness post-helmet!
- Water. Stay more or less hydrated!
- Snacks; but think, trail-type goodies so you keep charged in those breaks.
- Money (Peruvian Soles): If, of course, you are thinking of those trinkets or maybe even give that worker some gratitude, come to think.
- Cam; go for fully charged devices and a battery charger; what a tale it might turn into.
- Windbreaker coat/rain jacket: Mountainy conditions can and may be unexpected; also stay relaxed/comfy when weather moves to “rain”
Other Important Considerations
What about some more recommendations to ensure things are fun? You see… First: Adjust for Acclimatization; just devote one or several earlier days throughout Cusco enabling this acclimation to make things smoother – the final thing required would be what goes by height problems through an ATV.
Check the climate before riding too; rainfall might render routes impassible, and tour postponements/adjustments become rather prevalent given how that season looks at you from week-to-week too!
Know, for starters, medical facilities for these environments will come rather differently- have proper protections at hand with something similar (consult with a skilled medical professional before embarking when conditions look unfavorable though. Consider yourself quite wise from that choice- if problems flare because not, those tour operators come almost never well equipped too for whatever those significant emergencies turn around and happen on ya). Alrighty now?
With basic knowledge; those Cusco Quad outings right onto Maray’s gorgeous Salinas almost become that incredible personal experience, almost- you probably see; prepare intelligently although respect whatever guidelines will surely boost/support everything towards those remarkable adventures on Peruvian hills. So, okay! Stay alert too though okay?!