“I’ve never driven one of these.” We hear it at almost every hotel pickup, usually said quietly, as if it were a confession. It shouldn’t be. Most people who join ATV tours in Cusco for beginners have never sat on a quad before, and by the end of the first hour they’re the ones asking if we can take the longer track. This guide explains what happens between pickup and the real route, what the ride feels like, and the questions first-timers usually keep to themselves.
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Who ATV tours in Cusco for beginners are really for
Pretty much anyone 15 or older who can sit on a bicycle and follow simple instructions. You don’t need a driving licence, motorbike experience or a particular fitness level. On our routes the minimum age to drive is 15; younger travellers can ride as passengers with an adult.
What you do need is honesty with your guide. If you’re nervous, say so at the base. The whole morning is set up to adapt to the slowest rider in the group, and it can only do that if we know who that is.
What happens before you touch the throttle
Pickup and the drive to the base
We pick you up from your hotel between 5 and 6 AM. The drive to the ATV base takes 25 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the route. Use it to wake up, drink water and ask the guide anything that’s on your mind.
The briefing
At the base, your guide walks the group around one ATV and explains four things: throttle, brakes, steering, and how to sit. ATVs don’t steer like a car or a bike. They need a firmer push on the handlebars and a wider turning circle, and you shift your weight into the turn. The guide also explains the terrain you’ll meet that day, whether that’s loose gravel near Moray or the dirt tracks above Huaypo Lagoon.
Then you get your gear. Helmets and gloves are included on every tour, and the guide checks the helmet strap before anyone starts an engine. It’s the first of the ATV Safety Institute’s golden rules, and we don’t skip it.
The practice run
This is where the nerves go, and it’s the part that makes ATV tours in Cusco for beginners work. On a flat, open area you’ll start the engine, roll forward at walking pace, brake, turn left, turn right and stop again. Then you do it a few more times. There’s no fixed clock: the guide watches how you handle the machine and only moves the group to the route when everyone looks comfortable.
This is also when you decide between driving your own ATV and riding as a passenger on a shared one. You don’t have to choose when you book; you choose here, after you’ve tried it. Some couples swap halfway through the day.
What the ride actually feels like
Less dramatic than you’re imagining. We ride at low to moderate speeds, in a single line, with the guide setting the pace. The ATV absorbs most of the bumps. Your job is to keep a steady throttle, look where you want to go and keep a safe gap from the rider in front.
The first ten minutes are the steepest part of the learning curve. After that, most people stop thinking about the controls and start looking at the mountains. Your forearms might feel it the next day. Your legs and lungs, apart from the altitude, won’t.
How the four routes compare for a first ride
All four of our routes work as ATV tours in Cusco for beginners. What changes is the length of the day, the altitude and how much riding you do.
Maras, Moray & the Salt Mines
Dirt roads and open farmland at around 3,385 m, close to Cusco’s altitude. It’s a forgiving first ride and one of the most varied: Inca terraces at Moray, then the salt pools. Shared group from $38 per person. Details on the Maras, Moray & Salt Mines ATV tour.
Huaypo Lagoon
Our most relaxed route: farm tracks through Zurite and Huarocondo, about two hours on the ATV in total, and real time at the lagoon. Shared group from $35. See the Huaypo Lagoon ATV tour.
Morada de los Dioses
The shortest outing, 3–4 hours from Cusco and back, with 45–90 minutes of riding. If you’re nervous, this is the gentlest way to find out whether you like it. Shared group from $25, entrance included. More on the Morada de los Dioses ATV tour.
Rainbow Mountain
The riding itself isn’t harder, but the day is. You’ll spend hours above 4,000 m and finish with a short walk to a viewpoint at over 5,000 m. Beginners do it all the time; just give yourself a day or two in Cusco first. Shared group $80, breakfast and lunch included. Full details on the Rainbow Mountain ATV tour, and read altitude sickness and ATV tours before you book.
Your guide rides with the group, not ahead of it
There’s one guide for every 8 riders, and the guide rides with the group all day. If someone is slower, the pace drops to match. Nobody is left alone at the back trying to catch up, and nobody gets pushed into a speed they don’t want. If a section looks tricky, the guide stops the line and explains how to take it before anyone moves.
The worries nobody says out loud
“What if I’m the only beginner?” You almost certainly won’t be. Most groups are a mix, and the practice run is individual, so you get the time you need without holding anyone up.
“What if I stall or panic?” At these speeds, letting go of the throttle slows the ATV right down, and the brakes do the rest. That’s the first thing we practise.
“What if I’m slower than everyone else?” Then the group goes at your speed. That’s the deal.
“I’m not very fit.” ATV riding isn’t aerobic exercise. If you can walk around Cusco’s hills without trouble, you can do the half-day routes.
“Will I get dirty?” Yes, a little. In the dry season, April to October, it’s dust; from November to March it can be mud. Our packing list for an ATV tour in Cusco covers what to wear.
Tips for your first ATV ride
A few small things make ATV tours in Cusco for beginners much easier, and most of them happen before you even reach the base:
- Wear closed-toe shoes with grip and clothes you don’t mind getting dusty.
- Eat something light before pickup, even at 5 AM.
- Skip alcohol the night before. Altitude makes a hangover worse, and you’ll be driving.
- Tell the guide at the base if you’re nervous. It changes how they run the practice.
- Keep two ATV lengths between you and the rider in front.
- Look where you want to go, not at the obstacle. The ATV follows your eyes.
- Pick a shorter route first if you’re unsure, then book Rainbow Mountain later in your trip.
FAQs about ATV tours in Cusco for beginners
Do I need a driving licence?
No. The briefing and practice run are the requirement, not a licence.
Can I ride as a passenger instead of driving?
Yes. You can ride on a shared ATV with a partner or friend and decide at the base, after the practice run.
How long is the practice session?
As long as the group needs. Together with the briefing it usually takes 10–15 minutes.
What’s the minimum age?
15 to drive. Younger travellers can ride as passengers with an adult.
I’ve ridden a motorbike before. Do I still do the practice?
Yes. Everyone does it. An ATV handles differently from a bike, and the guide needs to see everyone ride before going out.
Which route is best for a first ATV tour?
Morada de los Dioses if you want the shortest ride, Huaypo Lagoon if you want the most relaxed one, and Maras Moray if you want the most to see. Our guide to private vs. group ATV tours in Cusco can also help if you’d prefer a slower group of your own.
Still not sure ATV tours in Cusco for beginners are for you? Message us on WhatsApp with your doubts. We’d rather answer them before you book than at 5 AM in a hotel lobby.