Maras & Moray + Salt Mines
Maras, Moray and Salt Mines Tour: Inca Engineering and Tradition
Traveling to Cusco is a constant discovery of places that defy the imagination, and the Maras, Moray, and Salt Mines tour is the perfect example. This half-day excursion will take you through the fascinating landscapes of the Andes Mountains to places where agricultural engineering and ancient traditions are still alive. It’s the ideal complement to your acclimatization before embarking on more demanding routes, offering an unparalleled visual and cultural experience.
During this tour, you’ll explore the impressive circular terraces of Moray, a veritable botanical laboratory where the Incas experimented with microclimates to adapt various plants to the high altitude. Afterward, you’ll marvel at the spectacular canyon that houses the Maras Salt Mines, a complex of thousands of handcrafted pools from which the famous pink salt has been extracted since pre-Columbian times. A short trip, but full of contrasts, history, and unforgettable photographs.
ITINERARY
Itinerary
The following outline details the chronological route of this half-day excursion (morning tour model). Times are approximate and depend on traffic flow and the group’s pace.
- 8:00 – 8:30 – Pick-up from your hotel in the historic center of Cusco or the designated meeting point to board the tourist transport.
- 8:30 – Scenic drive to the province of Urubamba, passing through colorful fields and beautiful Andean plains near the town of Chinchero.
- 10:00 – Arrival at the Moray archaeological complex. We will take a guided tour of its enormous concentric terraces, understanding their sophisticated function as an Inca agricultural research and acclimatization center.
- 11:15 – Short drive to the historic town of Maras. From the transport, we can admire the old colonial doorways carved in stone that some of its houses still retain.
- 11:45 AM – Descent into the impressive Maras Salt Mines canyon. Hike along the designated viewpoints to observe the more than three thousand salt evaporation ponds and learn about the traditional extraction process that local families maintain.
- 1:00 PM – Boarding of tourist transport for the return journey.
- 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM – Arrival in the city of Cusco, ending the tour near the Plaza de Armas.
INCLUDES
Includes
- Pick-up from hotels located in the historic center of Cusco.
- Modern and safe tourist transportation throughout the tour.
- Professional bilingual tour guide (Spanish and English).
- On-site assistance and first-aid kit in the vehicle.
Not Include
- Cusco Tourist Ticket (required for entry to the Moray archaeological site).
- Entrance fee to the Maras Salt Mines (separate payment managed by the local community organization).
- Meals, bottled drinks, or snacks during the tour.
- Personal expenses and purchases of pink salt or handicrafts.
- Tips for the guide and driver.
- Travel insurance.
Recomendaciones
Recommendations
- Bring cash in local currency (Peruvian Soles) in small bills or coins to purchase your entrance ticket to the salt mines directly at the control booth, as well as to buy handcrafted salt souvenirs.
- Purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket (partial or full) in advance in the city or bring cash to buy it at the entrance to Moray.
- Wear comfortable clothing in layers. Mornings are usually cool, but the Andean sun at midday quickly increases the perceived temperature.
- Use constant sun protection, including sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, due to the strong radiation and intense reflection of the sun on the white salt ponds.
- Wear comfortable shoes with good traction for walking safely on the dirt paths in Moray and the trails surrounding the salt mines.
Información adicional
Additional Information
- Difficulty: Easy. The tour does not require strenuous physical effort. It is primarily a scenic excursion with short, flat walks, ideal for starting your Cusco itinerary.
- Climate: Temperate and dry. The Maras and Moray area is usually warm and sunny during the day, with a marked difference between the dry season (May to October) and the rainy season (November to April).
- Altitude: The highest point of the tour is Moray, located at 3,500 meters above sea level, a very similar altitude to that of the city of Cusco, making it an excellent option for the first few days of acclimatization.
- Recommended Age: Suitable for travelers of all ages. It is an excellent, comfortable, and safe alternative for families with young children or for seniors.
- Approximate Schedule: This tour departs daily in both the morning and afternoon. Exact return times may vary slightly depending on traffic leading into the city.
Tours Relacionados
Sacred Valley Private Tour Full day
Private Sacred Valley Tour: Discover the Andes at your own pace Exploring the heart of the Inca Empire is a transformative experience, but doing so with complete exclusivity makes it an unforgettable journey. Our private Sacred Valley tour is designed for travelers who value privacy, comfort, and flexibility. Far from the crowds and the rush […]
$ 180 por persona
Sacred Valley Full Day
Sacred Valley Full Day Tour: Andean Culture and Landscapes Discover the cradle of the Inca civilization with our Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, a must-do for anyone visiting Cusco. This tour will take you through breathtaking mountain landscapes, fertile agricultural plains, and picturesque villages that seem frozen in time. Along the Urubamba River, you’ll learn […]
$ 90 por persona
Last Inca Bridge Tour – Q’eswachaka Full day
Last Q’eswachaka Inca Bridge Tour: Millennial Engineering Traveling south of Cusco is to delve into territories where the customs of the ancient Peruvians remain intact. The Q’eswachaka Last Inca Bridge tour offers you the unique opportunity to see and cross an authentic marvel of Andean engineering that has survived the passage of centuries. Suspended over […]
$ 60 por persona
Paracas – Ica Full Day Tour
Paracas and Ica Full Day Tour: Sea, Desert and Adventure Exploring the southern coast of Peru is to immerse yourself in a world of fascinating contrasts where the desert meets the Pacific Ocean. Our Paracas and Ica Full Day tour is designed to take you on an unforgettable journey through two of the region’s most […]
$ 120 por persona
Ausangate Lagoons Full Day Tour
Ausangate Lagoons Tour: Hike to the Sacred Apu Venturing into the vastness of the Vilcanota mountain range is an experience that transforms any traveler’s perspective. The Ausangate Lagoons tour invites you to explore the circuit of shimmering lakes nestled at the foot of the highest and most sacred snow-capped peak in the Cusco region. Throughout […]
$ 60 por persona
Full Day Ballestas Islands Tour
Ballestas Islands Tour: Encounter with Nature in Paracas Exploring the Pacific coast reveals extraordinary natural secrets, and the Ballestas Islands tour is the perfect gateway to one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. Located off the coast of Paracas Bay, these rock formations are home to abundant biodiversity that will leave you in […]
$ 35 por persona
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Full Day
Palcoyo Mountain Range Tour: The Alternative Rainbow Mountain Exploring the wonders of the Peruvian Andes doesn’t have to be exhausting. The Palcoyo Mountain Range tour is the perfect alternative for travelers who want to marvel at the colorful mountains without the extreme physical demands of other traditional routes. In this remote valley, nature displays its […]
$ 50 por persona
City Tour, Water Park
Lima City Tour and Water Park: History and Nighttime Magic Discovering the Peruvian capital at dusk reveals a completely different side of the “City of Kings.” Our Lima City Tour and Water Park perfectly combines the architectural majesty of the historic center with one of the most dazzling visual spectacles in South America. It’s the […]
$ 30 por persona
Lima City Tour
Lima City Tour: Discover the City of Kings Lima, the gastronomic and cultural capital of South America, holds within its streets a fascinating blend of viceregal history and vibrant modernity. Our Lima City Tour invites you on a journey through time, exploring the most emblematic corners of a metropolis that was once the most important […]
$ 40 por persona
Rainbow Mountain Full Day
Rainbow Mountain Full Day Tour: Adventure in the Andes Discover one of the most breathtaking and photographed destinations in the Peruvian Andes with our Rainbow Mountain Full Day Tour. Known locally as Vinicunca, this geological wonder offers an unparalleled visual spectacle where minerals have tinted the earth over millions of years, creating vibrant red, yellow, […]
$ 55 por persona
Humantay Lake Full Day
Humantay Lake Full Day Tour: Trekking to the Turquoise Waters In the heart of the imposing Vilcabamba mountain range lies a mirror-like body of water that seems straight out of a fairytale. The Humantay Lake Full Day Tour invites you to disconnect from your daily routine and immerse yourself in the immensity of the Peruvian […]
$ 45 por persona
City Tour Cusco Full day
Cusco City Tour: Discover the Capital of the Inca Empire Walking the cobblestone streets of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire is a true journey through time. Every wall, plaza, and corner tells a fascinating story where the grandeur of Inca engineering and the majesty of colonial architecture converge. Our Cusco City Tour is […]
$ 40 por persona
ATV Maras Moray
ATV Tour Maras and Moray: Adventure in the Sacred Valley If you’re looking to add an adrenaline rush to your trip to Cusco, the ATV tour to Maras and Moray is the perfect choice. This exciting excursion lets you leave behind the traditional bus tours and take control of your own all-terrain vehicle through the […]
$ 50 por persona
