Half Day Guided Tour to Maras Salt Mines and Moray Terraces

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco and will embark on a drive to Chinchero in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is 45 minutes away.

   1 h

2. Chinchero unfurls its splendor succinctly yet impactfully. As you step into this traditional Andean village, the first sight that often captivates is the intricate web of agricultural terraces, a living testament to Incan engineering genius. These terraces, with their earthen tones, contrast beautifully against the backdrop of the soaring Andes, painting a picture of nature and human ingenuity in perfect harmony. Chinchero's essence is most vibrantly alive in its crafts. Even in a brief span, you will be drawn to local artisans at work, especially the weavers. The brilliant textiles, dyed using native plants, and woven with ancient techniques, are a visual and tactile delight. Observing them you can witness the creation of patterns that have been passed down through generations, each telling its own story. Visit to Chinchero on our Sacred Valley Tour offers a distilled essence of the place—a blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and the living legacy of the Incan civilization.

   1 h

3. We will embark on a 25 minutes drive, off the road to Maras. Here you will be transported to a realm where nature's magic and human enterprise merge. In one hour, the essence of Maras unravels before the your eyes, providing an experience that lingers long after. One of the mesmerizing sights in Maras is undoubtedly its famed salt ponds. As you approach, you will be greeted by a shimmering mosaic of crystalline pools, each catching the light differently, creating a dazzling spectacle of varying hues. These terraced salt evaporation ponds, some of which date back to pre-Incan times, stretch along the mountainside, with each shallow pool glistening under the sun. As you meander alongside these ponds, you can see the traditional salt-harvesting methods, unchanged for centuries. The sight of local workers carefully tending to the ponds, guiding the natural spring water through channels, and harvesting the crystallized salt, offers a genuine peek into the sustainable practices.

   1 h

4. Our next stop will be in Moray. Here you will find confronted with one of the most enigmatic and remarkable archaeological wonders of the Andean region. The distinctively terraced circular depressions in the landscape immediately capture the imagination and transport one back to an era of Incan ingenuity and mystery. Moray isn't your typical archaeological site. At first glance, it might appear as an ancient amphitheater, sculpted by nature and time. However, as one draws closer, the genius behind its design becomes evident. These concentric terraces, resembling giant rings carved into the earth, represent an astonishing mastery over agriculture and climatology. Each level corresponds to a different microclimate, a design believed to replicate varied environmental conditions across the Incan Empire. Guided through this intriguing labyrinth, you will learn about the hypotheses surrounding its purpose.

   1 h

5. After our enlightening tour of Moray, a testament to Incan innovation and resilience, we'll embark on a scenic drive back to the historic heart of Cusco city. As the landscapes of the Sacred Valley give way to the bustling energy of Cusco, you can reflect on the day's experiences, with the tapestry of Incan history fresh in your mind. The journey back will take approximately two hours, allowing you ample time to relax and enjoy the picturesque vistas along the way. As we approach the city, we'll conclude our journey at Plaza Regocijo, a serene square that's just a short stroll away from the vibrant pulse of Cusco's Main square - Plaza de Armas. This location ensures you're at the heart of Cusco's cultural and historical epicenter, making it convenient for further exploration or a restful evening. Safe travels and cherish the memories!

   2 hAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 4 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Cusco

• Its from-price is 67% below the median of the 1358 day trips we list in Cusco.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 537 of 1358.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Cusco

Cusco, the old Inca capital high in the Peruvian Andes, blends massive stone walls with colonial churches and is the gateway to Machu Picchu.

The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the city, framed by the cathedral and the Jesuit church of La Compañía. Inca stonework survives throughout the centre, most famously at the Qorikancha, the sun temple on which the Spanish built a monastery, and in the twelve-angled stone on Hatun Rumiyoc street. San Blas, the artisans' quarter, climbs steeply with workshops and cafés.

Top-ranked sights in Cusco: Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo Ruins.

See all 4460 experiences in Cusco