On this half day tour from Cusco we’ll visit two of the most exciting sites around the Sacred Valley: Moray and Maras. Know for it’s circular terraces, Moray was used as an agricultural laboratory by the incas to try and experiment different seeds and agriculture techniques during their times, and it’s still today an object of study and researches about how the incas developed their agricultural skills and simulated different kind of weathers using the height of each terrace level. After this visit we’ll visit the amazing Salt Mines in Maras that is still to this day controlled by hundreds of local families that live off the production and exportation of salt to local and international markets. There are more than 3000 natural salt pools, each one owned by one local family. This is a half day tour with morning departure only.
On this tour, you will travel through the Peruvian historic Urubamba Valley. Located between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Urubamba Valley is known for its lush scenery, picturesque colonial towns, and magnificent Inca fortresses.
We will pick you up from your hotel between 8 and 8:15 a.m. and head to Moray. The drive will last around 1 hour and 20 minutes and is absolutely beautiful. You will drive through the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, the lush yellow wheat fields, and traditional Andean villages. You will ultimately arrive in the fascinating terraces of Moray. Moray is made up of three amphitheater-like terraces made by the Incas. These terraces are carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape, and have been used as an agricultural laboratory to determine the optimal conditions for cropping.
After exploring Moray, you will head to the Salt Mines of Maras, which are just 2 miles away. Dating back to colonial times, Maras was considered a salt-producing center. Carved into the mountainside are over 3000 salt pools, which are filled daily by a little stream of water. Once the water evaporates, it leaves behind a glistening patchwork of salt. The Salt Mines are a great spot to take pictures and capture the amazing beauty of both the Andes and the spectacular Salines. We will then head back to Cusco.
INCLUDES
- Professional guide
- Transportation
NOT INCLUDED
- Entrance fees:
- Moray is part of the tourist ticket that you may have already purchased. If not, it is 70 soles for the partial ticket or 130 soles for the general ticket. We recommend purchasing the general ticket if you plan on doing the city tour or visiting other ruins sites around Cusco, valid for 10 days.
- Maras salt flats has an additional cost of 15 soles
- You can buy both entrance tickets when we arrive at the sites
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Backpack for personal items
- Comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear
- Extra money for souvenirs and handicrafts
- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Water and snacks
- Sunglasses
- Personal medications
- Extra money in Soles
