in Cusco Licensed operator · GERCETUR Cusco
Safety standards
What we do,
not what we claim
The rules below apply to every tour we run, whatever the route, the season or the size of your group.
What happens on the day, not what the brochure says.
If you’ve read our guide on altitude, or wondered whether Rainbow Mountain is really safe, you probably came here for a straight answer. This page lists what we actually do on every departure: before anyone starts an engine, while we’re on the trail, and when someone doesn’t feel right.
Short version: a briefing and practice run for everyone, helmets and gloves on, no more than 8 riders per guide, oxygen and a first-aid kit with the group, and a guide who would rather turn back early than push a group that isn’t ready. More context in is ATV Rainbow Mountain safe?
Before every tour
Everything on this list happens at the ATV base, before the real route starts. Not on the trail, not “if there’s time”.
Controls, hand signals and riding order, then laps on flat ground. Required for everyone, whatever experience you claim.
Included on every tour. The guide checks each helmet strap before any engine is started.
15+ to drive, with parental consent under 18. Younger travellers and anyone who prefers it ride as passengers.
Spanish and English on every departure, from hotel pickup to drop-off, not only at the briefing.
You choose at the base whether each person drives their own ATV or rides as a passenger. Nobody is pushed onto the driver’s seat.
We operate as an authorized tourism agency, registered with GERCETUR Cusco and authorized under MINCETUR, Peru’s national tourism authority. That makes us accountable to regional and national authorities, not just to online reviews.
During the tour
One guide for every 8 riders at most. We don’t stretch a single guide across a bigger group. Private tours are smaller still.
Once the group is moving, these four rules don’t bend for the schedule.
Not far ahead, not far behind. If someone drops back or struggles, the whole group’s pace changes.
Supplemental oxygen and a first-aid kit travel with the group, ready if someone shows signs of altitude trouble.
We tell every group: if you feel unwell, cold or unsure about the terrain, say so. Guides are trained to act on it, not wave it off.
If symptoms get worse, the plan changes. On Rainbow Mountain that can mean skipping the last walk. Nobody is judged for it.
👉 Read article: “Altitude Sickness and ATV Tours: What First-Timers Should Know”
Altitude, route by route
Close to Cusco’s own altitude. A good first or second day while you acclimatize.
02 · Low Huaypo Lagoon ~3,750 mGentle farmland riding. Comfortable for most travellers after a night in Cusco.
03 · Moderate Morada de los Dioses ~3,850 mShort outing, 45–90 min on the ATV. Bring a layer: it’s windier than the city.
04 · High Rainbow Mountain 5,020–5,200 mLeave it for day three or later. Riding doesn’t change the altitude; the last 1–2 km is on foot.
Fleet & fitness to ride
Our fleet
Our ATVs go through recurring maintenance as part of normal operations, and each one is checked before it leaves the base.
We don’t publish a fixed inspection schedule here yet. If you’d like specifics on our maintenance cadence, ask your guide or write to us before booking.
Talk to us first if you…
- have a heart or lung condition, or high blood pressure that isn’t under control
- are pregnant
- have had severe altitude sickness before
- have a mobility limitation that makes riding or holding on difficult
We’ll be honest about which route fits, or whether a lower one is the better call. Medical questions belong with your doctor. The CDC’s guide to high-altitude travel is a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I feel unwell during a tour?
Tell your guide straight away. Guides are instructed to take symptoms seriously and change the plan rather than push through the schedule. Supplemental oxygen is carried on our tours.
Do I need prior ATV experience?
No. Every tour includes a safety briefing and a supervised practice run before the real route, whatever your experience level.
What’s the minimum age to ride?
15 to drive, with parental consent for anyone under 18. Younger travellers can ride as passengers with an adult.
How many guests does one guide handle?
Up to 8 riders per guide on shared departures. Private tours are smaller, so the guide’s attention is spread across fewer people.
Are you a licensed operator?
Yes. We’re registered with GERCETUR Cusco and authorized under MINCETUR, Peru’s national tourism authority.
Can I ride as a passenger instead of driving?
Yes. On every route you decide at the base whether to drive your own ATV or ride as a passenger. First time? Read ATV tours in Cusco for beginners.
Same rules. Four routes.
Every route below runs with the standards on this page. Pick one to see the itinerary, or ask us which fits your group.