Best Quad Tours of Cusco

Cuzco is a city belonging to the Peruvian Andes and the ancient capital of the Inca empire. In it, you will find important archaeological sites and amazing natural spaces, which you can discover and enjoy to the fullest during your stay.

In this sense, quad tours are one of the best things to do in Cusco. It is a different way to explore the city and its surroundings, being able to live an off-road adventure in places like Maras, Moray and Salineras, the abode of the Gods, the waterfalls of Perolniyoc, the Inkilltambo sanctuary, among others.

During your stay of 3 days or more in Cusco, you can be part of one of the quad tours in the city. You will follow the footsteps of the Incas through the rugged trails of Moray and Maras, discovering landscapes, sites and much more.

You will leave by van from the door of your hotel or from a pre-arranged place in the city center. In either case, the driver will take you to Cruz Pata, a community located about an hour away.

There, you will train with your quad for about 30 minutes and then you will start this activity considered among the best ATV tours in Cusco, driving on your own to Moray, about 90 minutes away. In this archaeological site, you will see the terraces used and built by the Incas for the adaptation of crops.

Then, you will return to the van to move to the salt mines of Maras, where you will contemplate the terraces of salt production by evaporation. All of them, framed by the Urubamba mountain range, the Chicon and Veronica mountains. Afterwards, you will return to Cuzco by van by a different route.

Details of interest

• Price: the average cost of this guided quad activity is 35€ per person.
• Duration: the duration of the activity is established for approximately 6 hours.
• Means of transport: van and quad.
• Advantages of this option: you will follow part of the footsteps of the Incas through a quad adventure through the towns of Moray and Maras.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity does not include food and drink.

Enjoying a series of modern stone carvings and traveling the road to them on an all-terrain quad turns out to be another of the best Cuzco quad tours. You will visit the Abode of the Gods and contemplate the impressive sculptures that this place hosts.

This activity usually starts with the pick up from the city center to an area called Tica Tica, about 25 minutes by car. There, the guide will explain how to use the quad and you will have free time to practice a little before hitting the road.

Once on board your quad, you will embark on a route of approximately 20 minutes to the Abode of the Gods. Upon arrival, you will be amazed by the artistic quality of each of the works: a giant puma, a series of representative images of Inca faces, sculptures in honor of the Pachamama, among others.

You will be able to get close to each of the sculptures and take amazing pictures for your social networks and as a souvenir of your trip. In addition, you will enjoy a unique connection with the natural environment. After exploring the site, you will drive back to the starting point.

Interesting details

• Price: the price of the tour to the Abode of the Gods starts at around 27€ per person.
• Duration: the tour usually lasts 3 to 4 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus and quad.
• Advantages of this option: you will live an exciting adventure on a quad, you will contemplate beautiful natural landscapes and impressive rock carvings.
• Disadvantages of this option: usually, the activity does not include the entrance fee for Morada de los Dioses, being necessary to buy it on your own.

Whether you plan to spend 2 to 5 days in Cusco or more, you should incorporate a visit to Rainbow Mountain into your itinerary , as it is a unique place in the world. And what better way to do it, if not through an ATV experience in Cusco.

With this quad tour you will save time, anticipating the characteristic tourist crowds. You will be able to buy tickets to Rainbow Mountain and enjoy the place without inconveniences.

You will travel from downtown Cuzco in a minibus to the town of Japura, about 2 hours and 40 minutes away. From there, you will leave on board your quad to Qosqopata, a route of about an hour. You will get off your ATV and walk for about 35 minutes, which is equivalent to approximately 1.5 kilometers. Thus, you will arrive at the mountain of seven colors.

You will be able to admire this amazing natural work and take pictures. Afterwards, you will return to the place where you left the quad and drive to Japura for lunch and return to the city in time for other activities on your itinerary.

Details of interest

• Price: the Rainbow Mountain tour usually costs €87 per person.
• Duration: this quad experience lasts 10 to 12 hours (Approx.).
• Means of transportation: minibus and quad.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know a unique place in the world with an amazing natural scene.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity may not include the entrance to the Rainbow Mountain, so you will have to buy it on your own.

The Inkilltambo archaeological site is another must-see destination during your stay in the city. And, if you like off-road adventures, then you can combine this visit with a guided quad activity in Cuzco.

The starting point of this tour is usually from the Killawata sector, where you will arrive by private car, thanks to the usual pick-up service offered in these experiences. There, the guide will teach you the basics of driving the ATV and then you will leave for Inkilltambo.

When you arrive at this ceremonial area belonging to the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park in Cusco, you will be amazed by every detail of this huge construction built on a rock. You will see a series of prehistoric canals, narrow passages, rectangular enclosures, an urn, platforms, etc.

Afterwards, you will continue enjoying a 20-minute walk through Yuncaypata. This while observing the natural environment and breathing the fresh air of the region, and then driving back to the base of the quad bikes and, finally, getting into the car to take the road to Cuzco.

Details of interest

• Price: this quad adventure in Cuzco has an approximate cost of about 88€ per person.
• Duration: the duration of this tour to the Inkilltambo archaeological site is usually about 5 hours.
• Means of transportation: tourist car and quad.
• Advantages of this option: you will visit an archaeological site that is sometimes forgotten by tourists, but that has a great historical and cultural importance.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will have to bring a bottle of water and a snack, as the activity does not usually include these additional benefits.

Among the best activities in Cusco, the guided quad tour of the Perolniyoc waterfall stands out. You will be able to discover this waterfall of approximately 100 meters high through an all terrain route, where you will be surrounded by floral species and varied plants.

This important natural reserve is located about 90 minutes away by car from the center of Cuzco, being this the usual route to travel in this type of tours. When you arrive at the Sacred Valley you will get on the quad, but first the guide will give you some instructions on how to drive it.

You will ride your quad following the path marked by the guide at all times, entering the jungle terrain of the Peruvian Andes. You will arrive at the imposing Perolniyoc waterfall and have time to contemplate the scenery, take pictures and explore.

Afterwards, you will hike to the top of the waterfall. There, at about 3560 meters above sea level, you will find the archaeological site of Raqaypata, with a series of well-preserved ruins. On the way down, you will drive by quad to the Sacred Valley Brewery to taste some local drinks and then drive back to Cuzco.

Details of interest

• Price: the price of the tour is around 129€ per person.
• Duration: the Perolniyoc waterfall activity lasts approximately 6 hours.
• Means of transportation: minibus and quad.
• Advantages of this option: you will explore an important natural reserve with an impressive waterfall and some archaeological sites.
• Disadvantages of this option: Generally this tour does not include meals and drinks.

Any time is the best time to go to Cusco and participate in an ATV tour of the Sacred Valley. You will be amazed by the mountain environment and the natural treasures hidden in the village of Mara.

As is customary in this type of experience, you can choose between a pick up at the door of the hotel or at an agreed location in Cusco. From there, you will depart on a route of approximately 50 minutes by van to Cruz Pata, located right in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

In this community, the guide will teach you how to drive the quad and give you the necessary safety equipment. After about 20 minutes of practice, you will drive freely to the Huaypo Lagoon. This is a natural space of about 1.5 kilometers, where several species of birds and fish coexist.

Afterwards, the adventure continues aboard the van to the Maras salt pans. There, you will see the salt terraces from a viewpoint, while the guide tells you the history of the place. You will also be able to buy some local products made with salt.

Interesting details

• Price: the value of this experience starts at about 36€ per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts at least 6 hours.
• Means of transport: van and quad.
• Advantages of this option: you will contemplate one of the best preserved treasures of the town of Mara and enjoy the mountain scenery that frames this place.
• Disadvantages of this option: this type of tour does not usually include entrance to the attractions visited.

Before embarking on a quad tour in Cuzco, it is important that you take into consideration some basic tips. This way, you will be able to avoid some inconveniences and, thus, improve your off-road experience.

• Take with you a bottle of water and sunscreen. This will keep you hydrated and reduce the impact of radiation on your skin.
• Wear closed-toe shoes with high traction. This way, you will keep your feet protected when driving and walking on uneven terrain.
• If you are traveling with children, remember that children under 16 are not allowed to drive in these tours, so they can participate, but as your companions in the same ATV.
• Do not wear your best clothes, because after a few minutes driving you will start to get dirty with the dust, sand, mud, water, depending on the terrain you are riding on.

One of the biggest attractions in the city are the day trips to Machu Picchu from Cusco; finally, it is one of the seven wonders of the world. However, there are other natural spaces of great cultural importance, which you can explore in a different way through quad tours in Cusco.

In this type of adventure you will see amazing places like the Rainbow Mountain or Vinincunca, whose particularity is that it combines seven different colors, offering a true visual spectacle. Also, the Inkilltambo Sanctuary, which is an archaeological site built on a large rock.

Through the quad tours in Cuzco you will also have access to the Abode of the Gods; with representative sculptures of the Inca civilization, the Salt Mines of Maras; where a series of terraces of salt production and a privileged landscape led by the Cordillera de Urubamba, the Chicon and Veronica Mountains, among others.

The quad tours in Cuzco usually last from 3 to 12 hours. Of course, this time span will depend on the destinations you wish to visit in the same activity and the distance they are from the city.

For example, if you plan to go to the Abode of the Gods you will need about 1 hour 30 minutes (round trip by quad) and at least a couple of hours to explore the place on foot. In total, that would be 3 hours. But if you want to visit the Moray and Maras sites, you will need approximately 6 hours. This includes the transfer, the quad tour and some hiking.

On the other hand, there are the tours to the Rainbow Mountain, which usually take 10 to 12 hours, since the place is remote. In either case, when you return you will have enough time to continue with other activities of your itinerary or connect with the transfer service to Cusco Airport, assuming it is your last day in the city.