ATVs Tour Maras Salt Mines and Huaypo Lagoon

The itinerary of the Salineras de Maras and Laguna Huaypo ATV Tour is as follows:

Available departure times: 7:00 AM or 1:00 PM

07:00: Pick up from hotel – Transport to Cruzpata – Maras Salt Mines

This tour starts very early. At 7:00 am, a professional guide picks you up directly at the lodge, to start the tour in a private transport, for about 50 minutes, through the route that goes to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, arriving at the first station: the Cruzpata town. At this point our Guru Explorers offers the instructions for the practice in the ATVs, teaches some maneuvers and the correct use of the equipment.

Once the safety briefing for the proper use of the ATVs is completed, we will begin the adventure of riding for about two hours around Huaypo Lagoon.

Then, in a private transport (due to the road risks to which it would be exposed in ATVs) we move towards the Salineras de Maras, a beautiful and impressive tourist attraction that shows the more than 3 thousand salt pools on a mountain (3,380 masl / 11,080 ft) from where the mineral is extracted with the same artisanal method that the Incas used.

12:00 – 13:00: Return to Cusco

After enjoying half a day of adventures, beautiful views and knowing the ancestral culture of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we will return to Cusco, specifically to your accommodation.

Consider that in private tours it is possible to adapt schedules to a shift in the morning or another in the afternoon. You can check with our customer service team this alternative option of a private tour.

In short, the best gift you can give your life is to fill it with adventures discovering new destinations. Great that it’s on ATVs! With the company, guide and experience of a Guru Explorer.

Price of the Salineras de Maras and Laguna Huaypo ATV Tour includes:

• Transfer from the accommodation located in Cusco’s Historic Center. In some cases, access may be limited due to the narrow streets of the city; if so, the guide will suggest a nearby meeting point, from where you will walk to the transportation.
  Note: This tour is available in the morning (7:00 AM) and in the afternoon (1:00 PM). For the afternoon tour, hotel pick-up is not included, and departure is from Regocijo Square.
• Return to Plaza “Regocijo” (One block away from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco).
• Professional guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese (ask for availability for these or other languages).
• ATV and equipment (helmets and gloves)

Price of the Salineras de Maras and Laguna Huaypo ATV Tour excludes:

• Transfer from hotels outside the city of Cusco (in private tours, ask for extra costs to pick up from the Sacred Valley or other places).
• Travel insurance for the passenger.
• Insurance for the ATV.
• Tips for the guide.
• Beverages.
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner or other food not specified in the itinerary.
• Entrance ticket to the Salineras de Maras and Huaypo Lagoon (can be added during the booking process)

What to bring for the Salineras de Maras and Laguna Huaypo ATV Tour?:

• Comfortable and optimal footwear for walks, warm jacket, caps or hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, bottles of water, clothing or rain poncho (especially between November – April).
• Passport or DNI.
• Travel insurance.
• Devices for audiovisual recording (cell phone, camera, camcorders)
• Cash (Local currency / Soles (S/.)

What considerations should you take into account when doing the Maras Salt Ponds and Laguna Huaypo ATV Adventure?

• What does it mean that the tour is shared?
  • It means that you can share the tour with a group of tourists of different nationalities and ages, both from Guru Explorers and from different operators. It is an excellent opportunity to connect with travelers from different parts of the world! Remember that this type of tour is operated by Guru Explorers or our strategic partners who respond to our same standards. If you prefer a tour where you do not share with other people, please ask us for the Private Tour option.
  • In the shared tour option, a pick-up time range and an approximate return time will be assigned one day before the tour date. Please consider that since it is a shared tour with other people, punctuality is important so as not to cause delays to other passengers. Also, the duration of the tour may vary depending on the pace of the members of the group. The return time may vary depending on the traffic in the area, so we provide an approximate schedule. Please remember that both traffic and the pace of tourists are not the responsibility of Guru Explorers.
• You can include the tickets to the attractions – as an additional – in the process of contracting the Tour, or purchase it on your own directly at the place with payment in cash (prices of entrance tickets may vary without prior notice).
• The streets of the city are narrow, an aspect that limits vehicular access to certain places; in this case the guide will suggest a nearby point to pass looking for you and enjoy the tour.
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
• Remember that, since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and the natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.

Not allowed:

• Pets.
• Smoking.
• Large suitcases or bags.

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry. For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax. 

Thank you for your cooperation!

Cancellation Policy

• More than 30 days in advance: Penalty is 20% of the total amount
• Between 7 and 30 days in advance: Penalty is 40% of the total amount
• Less than 7 days in advance: Penalty is 100% of the total amount

Date changes

• More than 30 days in advance: Penalty is 5% of the total amount
• Between 7 and 30 days in advance: Penalty is 10% of the total amount
• Less than 7 days in advance: Penalty is 100% of the total amount
• Subject to availability.
• There will be no refunds in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather, or other external factors.

Force Majeure Policy

• Guru Explorers values your time and makes every effort to follow the itinerary. However, it may be affected by force majeure events such as weather conditions, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensation will be provided, as these are unforeseeable and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer efficient alternatives and solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs resulting from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not Guru Explorers.