Expect colors at 4,000 meters. This full-day cuatrimotos ride is built around big Andean scenery above Cusco, plus the fun of driving the ATVs yourself. I particularly like the combo of a morning start that beats the crowds and the chance to see alpaca and llama-style camelids on the route, then hit Montaña de Colores for photos.

One thing to plan for: the day is long and the altitude can feel intense, and the ATV logistics can get messy if your pickup point or assigned quad is off.

Quick Take: Montaña de Colores by Cuatrimotos

• 04:30 departure with breakfast in Cusipata, then onward toward Kayrahuiri for ATV time
• 20 minutes of practice before you head out to Montaña de Colores
• 30 minutes riding slow to the viewpoint area, plus 40 minutes on site for photos
• ATVs are single use, which is a nice upgrade compared with shared driving
• Entrance fee is extra (25 PEN), so bring cash for the final payment
• If you’re sensitive to altitude or cardio effort, go easy and tell your guide immediately

04:30 Pickup, Cusco-to-Cusipata Morning, and the Long Coach Legs

This tour runs like a proper full-day mission, starting at 4:30am. You’ll get a hotel pickup if you’re staying within Cusco’s historic center, and you can also meet at either Centro Histórico or Plaza de Armas, depending on the option you choose. The vehicle heads south on the Pan-American highway first, which helps you settle in while the early hours still feel quiet.

After about 1.5 hours, you reach the Cusipata district for breakfast. That’s a smart timing choice, because you’ll be climbing in both altitude and effort after you eat. From there, you continue roughly another 1.5 hours, passing through towns including Checacupe, Pitumarca, and Hanchipacha. You’re not just doing transit here. It’s also when you have chances to spot grazing camelids along the way, the kind you associate with the high Andes lifestyle.

What I like about this structure is that it reduces the pressure of trying to time everything yourself. What you need to respect is the early wake-up and the long sit in the coach before you ever touch the ATVs.

The Route Includes a Cultural Stop, Then You Meet the ATV Area at Kayrahuiri

Sometime in the middle of the ride, there’s a built-in break that includes tuk tuk transfers and a visit to Ibn Abdul Wahab Masjid. The itinerary gives time for walking segments and then about 45 minutes at the mosque before you head back onto the longer transport leg. If you prefer to keep everything focused on riding and photos, this may feel like an unexpected stop, but it does add a local angle to a day that’s otherwise purely outdoors and ATV driving.

As you continue onward, the important transition point is Kayrahuiri. Around 9:00am, you leave the coach and shift into ATV mode. Before anyone goes full throttle, you’re given about 20 minutes of practice. This is where the tour earns points for safety and pacing: you learn how the ATV feels before you’re headed into the slower, scenic part of the ride.

At this stage, dress for cold and for dirt. Even if the sun comes out later, the temperature in the mountains can drop fast, and you’re starting high and early.

ATV Training at Kayrahuiri: Go Slow First, Save Your Breath

The practice session is short, but it matters. You’ll typically learn starting, turning, and braking, and then you’ll roll into the route with guidance. One of the review-based lessons I’d take seriously is this: if you’re not used to altitude effort, you can feel breathless. Some people have reported symptoms like feeling like you cannot get enough air and fast heartbeat during more demanding moments.

So here’s the practical approach you should use: during practice and at the start of the scenic ride, keep your movements smooth and your effort calm. Don’t try to “prove” you can handle more than the guide is asking for. If you feel dizzy, stop and speak up. The tour’s own schedule includes slow driving, and you’ll get the views even if you take it easy.

Also, keep your expectations realistic. The drive to Montaña de Colores is described as about 30 minutes and slow. That slow pace is not a waste of time. It’s what makes it possible to enjoy the air, look around, and take photos without bouncing off your line.

Reaching Montaña de Colores by ATV, Then 40 Minutes for Photos

By around 10:00am, you arrive at Montaña de Colores. You get about 40 minutes to tour the area and take pictures. This is the part most people came for, and the timing is good, because you’re on the mountain earlier in the day rather than later.

What you’ll likely notice right away is how the colors read in the light. Shadows can make the rock patterns look different, so move to find an angle, not just one static viewpoint. If you bring biodegradable sunscreen and a hat, you’ll be more comfortable during those photo moments, since the sun can feel strong even when the air is chilly.

Also, don’t forget you’re at high altitude. Take your time walking. If you start to feel overheated or lightheaded, pause, breathe, and hydrate. The tour includes breakfast and lunch, but it does not include drinks, so you’ll want to plan how you handle hydration during the ride and on site.

Entrance to the site is 25 PEN, purchased on site. That means you should carry cash so you’re not scrambling while the group is waiting.

The Descent, ATV Swaps, and Getting Back for a 2:00 Lunch in Cusipata

The return is just as scheduled as the outward trip. You’ll head back down on the ATVs for about 30 minutes to the parking lot where the vehicles meet. Then you board the transport for the longer ride back to Cusipata for lunch around 2:00pm.

Here’s the caution that comes from real-life complications that have happened: on the way down, sometimes the quad you expect is not the one you end up with. One case involved a swap at the bottom where the participant was left on a larger ATV that was difficult to control without help. That is not how you want your day to end after you’ve already been riding.

So do this before you commit to the descent. When your guide gives the go-ahead, confirm you have the same ATV you were using before you leave the top area. Check seat position and control reach. If anything feels off, ask immediately, not after you’re already moving.

Lunch is included, and it’s a real relief because you’re usually hungry after the early start plus the altitude effort. After lunch, you return toward Cusco for about 1.5 hours, and the tour’s last stop is in the historic center, finishing around Plaza Regocijo.

Price, Value at $75, and What Costs Extra (25 PEN)

At $75 per person for a 13-hour day, the main value comes from three places: your transport, your guide, and the fact you ride an ATV single use. A day that long often means you’re paying for organization, not just the fun part, and this tour includes hotel pickup (within the historic center), transport, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, and the ATV.

What’s not included is the Montaña de Colores entrance fee of 25 PEN, plus drinks. That’s the part people can forget. If you budget cash for the entrance and maybe small extras, you’ll avoid the last-minute scramble.

When comparing value, also think about how much stress you would have managing ATVs and timing on your own in the Cusco area. This is set up so you can show up, get instructions, ride when it makes sense, and eat afterward without hunting down logistics in the cold morning.

What to Bring for High Altitude ATV Comfort (and Safety)

This tour starts before sunrise and spends time above 4,000 meters. That combo means you should prepare for cold, sun, and dust.

Bring:

• Warm clothing (layers are your best friend)
• Hat
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Cash (especially for the 25 PEN entrance)
• Clothes that can get dirty
• Closed-toe shoes
• Personal medication
• Passport or ID card

And in your head, plan for the possibility that you will get short of breath at altitude. You’re riding ATVs, but you’re also working your body a bit, and the cold can make breathing feel harder.

Who Should Think Twice, and How to Avoid Altitude Trouble

This experience is not suitable for:

• Children under 12
• Pregnant women
• People with heart problems

That’s a serious filter for a reason. Even for healthy people, the altitude plus the physical effort can feel demanding. One review mentioned feeling asphyxiation-like discomfort and fast heartbeat. Another highlighted that if you’re fatigued from the start, the day can feel harder on the way down.

So if altitude hits you fast, do the safest version of the day:

• Tell your guide early if you’re feeling off
• Slow your input on the ATV, keep movements calm
• Don’t rush the on-site walking at Montaña de Colores
• If you need a pause, take it

Also, children may be a bad fit for another reason: ATV handling and the long day start at 4:30am, with long coach segments and early cold.

Should You Book This Cuatrimotos Day to Montaña de Colores?

I think this tour is worth booking if you want an active day that mixes high Andes scenery, a real ATV experience, and built-in meals. The single-use ATV and the guided structure are big reasons it feels like good value at $75.

Skip it or choose a gentler plan if any of these apply:

• You have a heart condition or you know you struggle at altitude
• You’re likely to get panicky when breathing feels different
• You hate long days and early starts

If you do book, go in with a simple checklist mindset. Confirm your pickup point the day before, bring cash for the entrance, and when it’s time to descend, verify the quad you’re using so you do not end up on the wrong one.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

The activity starts at 4:30am and runs for about 13 hours.

Where can I get picked up, and where does the tour end?

Pickup is included within Cusco’s historic center, with meeting options at Centro Histórico or Plaza de Armas. The tour finishes at Plaza Regocijo.

What is included in the price?

Included are hotel pickup (within the historic center), tourist transport, a professional guide, breakfast, lunch, and ATVs for single use.

How much is the entrance to Montaña de Colores?

The entrance is 25 PEN and is purchased on site.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, biodegradable sunscreen, cash, closed-toe shoes, clothes that can get dirty, personal medication, and your passport or ID card.

Is the tour available in English and Spanish, and can I cancel?

The live guide works in Spanish and English. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.