No, you don’t need a driving licence for the ATV tour Maras Moray — a government-issued ID and our pre-ride safety briefing are enough to drive one of our automatic quads. If you’d rather not drive, you can ride as a passenger behind a guide or behind someone else in your group, and that option never requires a licence either. On the danger question: quads move in a supervised line at a controlled speed, with one guide riding in front and another closing the group, so the real risks on this route are dust and loose gravel on the descents, not the machine itself.
How the Route Actually Works
From the pickup point outside Cusco, you drive roughly 25 to 30 kilometers of dirt road and farm tracks to reach the Maras viewpoint, then continue toward Moray. Expect around two to two and a half hours of actual seat time, split by stops for photos, a break at the Maras mirador, and the walk at Moray. The surface is packed earth with washboard sections and a few loose, sandy stretches near the switchbacks above the Sacred Valley — this is where riders unfamiliar with off-road terrain tend to slow down the group.
At Moray itself, quads stay in the parking area; you don’t ride into the site. The circular terraces are closed to foot access on the platforms themselves, so the visit is a walk of about 45 minutes to an hour around the rim, following the path set by the Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura de Cusco, the regional office of the Ministerio de Cultura that manages the park. If you want the fuller story behind these terraces, we’ve written separately about Moray as the Incas’ agricultural laboratory, including why the circular design created different microclimates ring by ring.
If you’re weighing this against other one-day options out of the city, our roundup of the best day tours from Cusco shows where an ATV outing sits next to horseback rides, cycling routes and van-only itineraries. And if you’d rather cover the salt pans in the same trip instead of just Moray, our guide to combining Maras, Moray and the Salineras lays out the timing for that longer version.
Do You Need a Driving Licence?
You do not need any kind of driving licence, national or international, to operate one of our quads on this tour. What we do require:
- Minimum age of 16 to drive, with a signed waiver from a parent or guardian for minors.
- A valid passport or national ID, checked at the start of the briefing.
- A maximum combined weight per quad (driver, or driver plus passenger) — ask us for the current limit when you book, since it depends on the model assigned that day.
- Completion of the on-site briefing, which covers throttle, brakes and hand signals before anyone leaves the parking area.
Riding as a Passenger
If you don’t want to drive, you sit behind a guide or behind a family member or friend who does. Passengers don’t need a licence, don’t need to complete the technical part of the briefing, and can switch with the driver partway through if both of you want a turn — just tell your guide before setting off, since seat changes happen at stops, not on the move.
Is It Dangerous? Speed, Briefing and Insurance
Top speed on this route rarely exceeds 30 to 35 km/h, and it drops further on the switchbacks and near villages. A guide leads the group and sets the pace; a second guide rides at the back so nobody gets left behind or tempted to overtake. Every rider gets a helmet, and the briefing includes what to do if a quad stalls or a passenger needs to signal for a stop.
Operators running adventure activities in the region work under the safety framework set by the Reglamento de Seguridad para la Prestación del Servicio Turístico de Aventura, approved by Decreto Supremo Nº 005-2016-MINCETUR, which sets minimum requirements for equipment, guide qualifications and first-aid provisions. In practice, that means a first-aid kit on route, radio contact with the office, and travel insurance included in the tour price — check your own policy too, since some travel insurers exclude motorized adventure activities unless you add a rider.
The honest risk profile here is closer to “dusty and bumpy” than “extreme.” Most falls we’ve seen over the years happen at walking speed, when a nervous first-time driver brakes too hard on gravel rather than easing off the throttle.
What Gear We Provide and What to Bring
We supply the quad, a helmet, and a basic briefing in Spanish and English. You should bring:
- Sunglasses or riding goggles — the dust kicks up behind the lead quads.
- A buff or bandana to cover your nose and mouth on the dustier stretches.
- Sunscreen and a hat for the walking portion at Moray, where there’s little shade.
- Long sleeves and closed shoes; sandals aren’t allowed on the quads.
ATV vs Classic Van Tour: Which One Fits You
| ATV Tour | Classic Van Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate price | Mid-range, higher than van-only | Lower, shared transport |
| Time on route | 5–6 hours including briefing and walk | 6–8 hours, more stops possible |
| Physical effort | Moderate — driving over uneven terrain | Low — mostly seated |
| Best for | Travelers who want an active, hands-on day | Travelers prioritizing comfort or with mobility limits |
| Group size | Small groups, one guide per few quads | Larger groups possible |
If four wheels of dust isn’t your thing, our guide to the Cusco city tour by bike covers a gentler way to get used to riding at altitude before committing to a longer off-road day.
Best Time of Year to Ride
Dry season, roughly May to September, gives the firmest surface and the clearest views from the Maras mirador. In the wet months, December through March, sections of the track turn slick and muddy, braking distances get longer, and guides slow the group further — some departures get rerouted or shortened depending on conditions that morning. For a fuller breakdown of what each month actually feels like on the ground, see our Cusco weather guide by season. If you’re building a longer Sacred Valley itinerary around this tour, our list of essential locations to visit in the Sacred Valley can help you decide what to pair it with.
Ready to book? See current departure times and pricing on our half-day ATV tour to Maras and Moray page, or check the full-day Sacred Valley tour with Maras and Moray if you want to combine it with more stops — consult the tour page for the current rate before booking.
FAQ
Do I need a driving licence for the ATV tour to Maras and Moray? No. You need a valid ID and to complete our safety briefing before driving. If you don’t want to drive, you can ride as a passenger instead, and that option never requires a licence.
Can I do the tour if I’ve never driven an ATV before? Yes. Most of our riders haven’t. The briefing covers throttle, brakes and turning before you leave the parking area, and a guide sets a slow pace at the front for the whole group.
Is the ATV tour safe for kids? Drivers must be 16 or older with a guardian’s signed waiver; younger children can ride as passengers behind an adult. Ask us about age limits for passengers when you book, since it can depend on the quad model.
How much of the tour is actual driving versus walking? Expect roughly two to two and a half hours of driving and about 45 minutes to an hour of walking around the Moray terraces, since quads stay in the parking area and don’t enter the archaeological site.
What happens if it rains? Tracks get muddy and slower, but tours generally still run with reduced speed and, occasionally, a shortened or rerouted circuit. Check with us the evening before if you’re traveling in the wet season.
Is the ATV tour or the van tour better for someone with a bad back? The van tour is gentler, since you sit on padded seats the whole time instead of absorbing bumps on a quad. If comfort matters more than the driving experience, the classic van tour is the safer pick.
Can I combine the ATV tour with the Maras salt pans in the same day? Yes, several of our departures add the Salineras de Maras to the route. Ask about combined options when booking, or see our separate guide on pairing Maras, Moray and the salt pans for timing details.
