Breakfast and Hotel Pick-up
We start the day with an energizing breakfast at the hotel before hotel pick-up. Our specialized guide will welcome you to begin this cultural adventure to Maras Cusco and its surroundings.
Transfer Cusco – Chinchero
We begin a scenic 1-hour journey through the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas until we reach Chinchero (3,762 m.a.s.l.), known as the “Rainbow Town” for its colorful textiles.
Visit to Chinchero – Andean Textile Center
We explore the artisan community of Chinchero, where local weavers will demonstrate the traditional process of llama wool treatment, from shearing to dyeing with natural pigments. You will learn about ancestral weaving techniques passed down through generations, preparing us to continue toward the Maras salt mines.
Tour of the Maras Salt Mines
We arrive at the spectacular Maras Salt Mines, also known as the Maras Salt Pans Peru. This salt complex includes more than 3,000 salt pools that have been in operation since pre-Inca times.
During the guided visit, we will discover the fascinating salt extraction process in Maras Cusco:
- Solar evaporation technique used for centuries
- Inca canal system for distributing salty water
- Traditional methods of harvesting and processing pink salt from Maras
- Economic impact of the Maras salt mines on the local community
The Maras salt pans offer unique photo opportunities, especially during the morning golden light, when the contrast between the white pools and the Andes creates a surreal landscape.
Exploration of the Moray Archaeological Site
We continue to Moray Cusco, one of the most enigmatic archaeological sites of the Inca Empire. This circular agricultural laboratory is a masterpiece of Inca engineering and experimental agriculture.
During the walk along the designated paths, we experience the climate variations between different levels and understand how the Incas used this natural amphitheater to adapt crops to different altitudes across the empire.
Return to Cusco
We head back to Cusco, concluding our Maras Moray tour with arrival in the historic center around 2:00 p.m., leaving the afternoon free for other activities.
