Maras and Moray Tour from Cusco | Half Day
Overview
Discover the ingenious Inca architecture and natural wonders of the Sacred Valley with our fascinating Maras and Moray Tour. Just a short distance from the city, we invite you to enjoy one of the best tours in Cusco, perfect for those seeking to explore unique landscapes and the living history of the Andean empire on a half-day excursion.
During this incredible Cusco tourism experience, we'll first visit Moray, a unique archaeological site in the region. You'll marvel at its gigantic circular terraces, which functioned as an advanced biological experimental station and a prototype greenhouse in ancient times. Next, we'll continue to the spectacular Maras Salt Mines, located northwest of the town of the same name. You'll be impressed by its thousands of salt pans, which form beautiful layers in cream and white tones, the result of the evaporation of a natural spring.
Learn firsthand how these vital natural resources are produced and harvested while enjoying the best tourist attractions in Cusco. Book your spot today and experience an unforgettable trip to Cusco, Peru!
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Maras and Moray Tour: Circular Terraces and Salt Wells
Our half-day tour begins with convenient pickup from your hotel.
Pick-up and Travel to the Sacred Valley
At approximately 8:30 a.m., we will begin our adventure by boarding our tourist transport to start our journey to the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Moray Agricultural Terraces
Our first stop will be at the Moray archaeological site, located about 7 km southwest of Maras. We will explore this unique site, comprised of gigantic natural depressions where impressive circular terraces with their respective irrigation canals were built. We will learn how ancient Americans used this space as a biological experimental station and a prototype greenhouse to cultivate key crops such as potatoes and corn.
Maras Salt Mines
Afterward, we will head northwest of the town to visit the famous Maras Salt Mines. Here, we will observe a spectacular panorama made up of approximately 3,000 small pools. You will discover the fascinating process during the dry season, when a natural spring irrigates the salt ponds with saltwater every three days. As the water evaporates, the salt solidifies, creating beautiful cream and white layers, ready to be collected and iodized for human consumption.
Return to Cusco
After enjoying this cultural and natural tour, we will board our transport for the return trip. The tour ends at approximately 2:00 PM with our arrival in the city of Cusco.
What's Included?
Included
- Hotel pick-up to begin the tour.
- Round-trip tourist transportation.
- Bilingual professional guide (Spanish - English).
- Entrance to the Maras Salt Mines.
Not Included
- General Tourist Ticket (BTG) for entry to the Moray ruins.
- Lunch.
- Tips or extras not mentioned.
Recommendations
- Bring your original passport or valid ID.
- Bring cash (essential for purchasing the Moray Tourist Ticket and salt souvenirs).
- Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the Sacred Valley's climate.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking on the terraces and in the pools.
- Bring sun protection (hat or cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen).
- Bring bottled water to stay hydrated.
- Bring a camera with enough storage to capture these unique landscapes.
FAQs
This is a half-day tour. The tour begins with pick-up from your hotel at 8:30 a.m. and ends with the return to the city of Cusco at approximately 2:00 p.m.
During the tour you will visit two main attractions in the Sacred Valley of the Incas: the impressive circular terraces of Moray and the thousands of natural pools of the Maras Salt Mines.
The tour includes only the entrance ticket to the Maras Salt Mines. To enter the Moray archaeological site, you must purchase the Tourist Ticket (BTG) separately.
It is essential to bring your passport or national identity card, and cash to pay for the Tourist Ticket. We also suggest bringing sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and water.
No, lunch is not included. Since the service ends around 2:00 PM in Cusco, you will have plenty of time to have lunch on your own upon your return.
Yes, around the Maras Salt Mines there are local shops where residents sell the natural and iodized salt they collect themselves. Therefore, we recommend bringing cash.