The perfect day would kick off with an early 7:00 a.m. pickup from my hotel in Cusco, heading north into the mountains. I can just imagine the drive, watching the epic landscapes unfold until the incredible snow-capped peaks of “La Verónica” and “Chicón” loom into view—a truly magical Andean welcome.

Once we arrive at the base camp in a sector called Cruz Pata, the real adventure begins. After getting assigned my own ATV and a quick practice run to get the feel for it, I’d be off. I can’t wait for that 40-minute ride to Moray, speeding along dirt tracks and through lush, green fields. The destination itself is surreal: a series of sunken, amphitheater-like terraces that the Incas used as a kind of agricultural laboratory to create microclimates. I’d plan to spend a good 20 minutes just walking around, trying to wrap my head around their genius.

From there, the journey continues to a viewpoint overlooking five stunning snowy peaks before we ride 40 minutes back to base. Here, we’d swap the ATVs for our transport vehicle. As the guide would explain, the road to the salt mines has steep slopes and curves that aren’t safe for ATVs, a safety measure I completely appreciate.

The final stop is the Salineras de Maras, a place I’m desperate to see. I’ve seen photos of the thousands of shimmering salt pools terraced into the mountainside, fed by a natural saltwater stream. They’ve been used since Inca times to supply salt to the entire region. I’ve also heard the pink salt is amazing for you, so I’ll definitely be buying some to take home. It’s amazing that they are worked year-round and are open for visitors to see this ancient tradition in action.

Finally, we’d head back to Cusco, arriving around 2:00 p.m. It sounds like the most incredible, action-packed day trip, leaving the rest of the afternoon to relax and dream about the adventure.