The Maras and Moray Tour combines an informational learning experience about the Andean culture and the Incas, with astonishingly beautiful landscape views and mind-blowing Inca terraces.
During this tour, you will learn about the artisanal production of Llama wool in Chinchero, visit the naturally occurring salt mines of Maras that were already used by the Incas, and finally get speechless about the extraordinary agricultural expertise of the Incas in their circular terrace laboratory of Moray.
Discover the ancient wisdom of the Incas, learn about the Andean culture, and get mesmerized by the captivating beauty of nature. Book with us your Maras and Moray Tour!
Itinerary
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our tour begins with hotel pickup between 8:00 and 8:30 AM, after which we’ll start our visits.
First, we’ll explore the artisan community in Chinchero, where we’ll observe the process of treating llama wool. Next, we’ll travel to the salt mines of Maras. Our guide will explain the salt extraction process, and you’ll have time to take photos and enjoy the site.
Then, we’ll head to Moray, an agricultural laboratory used by the Quechua people to experiment with crops from different regions of their empire.
You’ll walk along designated paths to take pictures and experience the temperature variations caused by the terraces’ depth (reaching a 150-meter difference between the lowest and highest points). After the guided tour, we’ll return by vehicle to Cusco, arriving downtown by 2:00 PM approximately.
Free afternoon.
Included
TOUR INCLUDES
- Transportation roundtrip from your hotel to the tourist places and return
- Guided tour in Maras and Moray
- Services with Professional Bilingual Guide (Spanish or English)
DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Lunch
- Entrance Tickets
- Services not detailed in the program.
CONTACT US
More Information
Did you know that with the Maras Moray and Salineras Tour, you can visit the Sacred Valley by an alternative route that will take you to the town of Chinchero, Maras, Moray and Salineras?
Technical and Cultural Information
Location and Altitudes
- Distance from Cusco: Approximately 50 km (about 31 miles)
- Chinchero: 12,342 ft above sea level – Traditional textile center
- Maras Salt Mines: 11,089 ft above sea level – Historic salt ponds
- Moray: 11,483 ft above sea level – Inca archaeological complex
Fascinating Facts about the Salt Mines
The Maras Salt Mines are one of the most photogenic landscapes in the Sacred Valley. These salt ponds have been in use since pre-Inca times, becoming a fundamental economic source for the region.
Salt Production Process:
- Mineral-rich groundwater emerges from natural springs
- A channel system distributes the saltwater to the ponds
- Solar evaporation concentrates the minerals
- Artisanal harvesting of the characteristic pink salt
The Mystery of Moray
Moray represents one of the most advanced agricultural research centers of the Inca civilization. The circular terraces create unique microclimates that allowed the Incas to:
- Experiment with crops from different regions of the empire
- Adapt plants to various climatic conditions
- Develop resistant varieties of potato, corn, and quinoa
- Optimize agricultural production throughout Tahuantinsuyo (the Inca Empire)
How much is the entrance fee to Maras and Moray?
To visit Maras and Moray, you will need the Partial Tourist Ticket (S/ 70.00 for foreigners, S/ 40.00 for Peruvian nationals) and an additional ticket of S/ 10.00 for the Maras Salt Mines.
What is there to see in Maras and Moray?
In Maras, you will find the traditional salt mines with over 3,000 salt ponds and a colonial town full of history. In Moray, you will see unique circular terraces used by the Incas as an agricultural laboratory.
How much time should I spend at the Maras Salt Mines?
The average visit to the Maras Salt Mines takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour. This is enough time to enjoy the landscape, take photos, and learn about its history.
Maras and Moray
Maras and Moray are two of the most impressive sites to visit in the Sacred Valley. These destinations showcase Peru’s cultural diversity across different eras: pre-Inca, Inca, colonial, and republican.
When is the best time to visit Maras and Moray?
The best time to visit the Maras Salt Mines and Moray is between April and October, during the dry season. During these months, the days are sunny and there is less chance of rain.
Where is the traditional town of Maras located?
The town of Maras is located 74 km (about 46 miles) from the city of Cusco. This colonial town preserves noble family coats of arms on the doors of many houses, remnants of its importance during the viceregal period due to its proximity to the salt mines. It also has an adobe church that houses paintings from the Cusco School of art.
Did you know where the Inca agricultural experimental center of Moray is?
Located 7 km (about 4.3 miles) west of the town of Maras, the Moray complex sits at an altitude of 11,483 ft. This archaeological site is notable for its circular terraces used as a research center for adapting crops to different ecological zones.
The Salt Mines of Maras
Comprising over 3,000 small pools carved into the mountainside, the Maras Salt Mines are one of the most visited places in the Sacred Valley. The saltwater comes from the Qaqawiñay mountain spring and is stored and crystallized using ancestral methods.
These salt mines are worked by the local community members using traditional techniques inherited from the Inca era. The Maras Salt Mines offer a unique landscape and a spectacular view for travelers.
Where is the Chinchero artisan market located?
Chinchero is located 28 km (about 17 miles) from Cusco, on the route to Urubamba. This town is home to the remains of the royal estate of Túpac Inca Yupanqui and a colonial temple built on top of Inca structures. Its main attraction is the artisan market, where agricultural products are traded and textiles made with ancestral techniques are sold. The market is a true spectacle of color and living culture.
Moray:
Moray is located 7 km (about 4.3 miles) southwest of Maras. It is a unique archaeological complex in the region. It consists of natural depressions in the terrain where the Incas built concentric terraces with irrigation channels. This site is considered one of the great Inca laboratories and played a key role in the agricultural development of the Andean civilization. Thanks to Moray, over 1,500 varieties of potato and more than 150 types of corn are known today, preserved by the Andean people through generations.
Maras:
Maras is at 10,827 ft above sea level, and from there you can see the snow-capped peaks of La Verónica and Chikón. Its importance grew when Inca nobles were forced to leave Cusco and settled in towns like Maras. During the visit, we will stop at the Maras Salt Mines, which are fed by a hypersaline spring that originated 110 million years ago. Today, the Maras Salt Mines are worked by the local community members and are one of the most photographed natural attractions in the country.
Tourist Ticket Prices
General Tourist Ticket (BTG):
- Foreign adult: S/ 130.00
- Peruvian adult: S/ 70.00
- Includes entry to: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara, Tambomachay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, Tipón, Pikillaqta, and several museums.
Partial Tourist Ticket (BTP):
- Foreign adult: S/ 70.00
- Peruvian adult: S/ 40.00
- Includes entry to: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Moray.
Entrance to the Maras Salt Mines:
- S/ 10.00 (foreigners and Peruvians)
Tour Recommendations
What to Bring
- Camera to capture the salt mines and Moray
- Sunscreen and hat (high altitude)
- Comfortable clothes for walking on the terraces
- Non-slip shoes for the salt ponds
- Cash for buying crafts and Maras salt
Best Times to Visit
- Dry season (May-September): Ideal for photography and hiking
- Morning hours: Best lighting at the Maras Salt Mines
- Midday: Perfect contrast at Moray
Recommended Purchases
- Maras Pink Salt: A unique gourmet product
- Chinchero Textiles: Authentic Andean crafts
- Salt-derived products: Natural cosmetics and seasonings
The Maras Moray tour is an essential cultural experience that combines Inca history, living traditions, and unique landscapes. It’s perfect for travelers interested in archaeology, ancestral agriculture, and immersive tourism in the Sacred Valley.
Note:Â If you want to make the most of your stay, we recommend the VIP Sacred Valley Tour, which includes Maras, Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines, along with other destinations in the Valley of the Incas. Ideal for those with limited time in Cusco who want to see the best of the Inca legacy.
Price
How Much Does The Maras & Moray Tour Cost?
We have price alternatives that accommodate all budgets, prices per person, expressed in US Dollars.
Make your quotes and reservations by email [email protected], you can also communicate with one of our sales executives at the telephones detailed below, we will be happy to assist you.
- Phone – WhatsApp: +51 969 787 221
- Phone – WhatsApp: +51 986 994 218
How To Book The South Valley Cusco Tour?
To start the reservation process, please send us the following information:
- Name and surname:
- Passport number:
- Nationality:
- Date of Birth:
- Phone:
- Very important – We need the address and information about the hotel that you are staying at, in the city of Cusco, to be able to pick you up at the time when the tour starts
To confirm reservations it is required to pay 50% in advance and the other 50% can be paid upon arrival at your destination.
Payment Methods
- IZIPAY
- PAYPAL
- WESTER UNION
- MONEYGRAM
- TRANSFER TO OUR BANK ACCOUNT PERU
General Conditions
- All rates for our Peru Packages are expressed in US dollars (subject to currency exchange rates) and are priced per person
- The rates for Peruvians only include VAT
- All our rates are subject to availability and circumstances
- Children under 2 years and 11 months are considered INF (babies) and are not permitted on this tour
- Children from 3 to 10 years and 11 months are considered DCC (child) and thus eligible for special rates and obliged to share the room with their parents
- Children over 11 years old are considered adults
- Minors must travel with an identity document
- Rates do not apply to holidays, Easter, long weekends, national holidays, Christmas, or New Year
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