Maras Moray, Half day
Explore Maras and Moray – Half-Day Cultural Excursion
Set off on a captivating half-day trip from Cusco to the Andean highlands, where you’ll discover the fascinating sites of Moray and Maras. The tour begins with a scenic ride through the Sacred Valley, offering stunning views of rural landscapes and snow-capped peaks.
Our first stop is Moray, home to a series of impressive circular agricultural terraces believed to have been used by the Incas as a sophisticated agricultural research center. These concentric platforms, which created distinct microclimates, showcase the advanced understanding the Incas had of farming and environmental adaptation.
We then continue to the salt mines of Maras, known as the Salineras, where thousands of salt pans cascade down the hillside. Used for centuries, these traditional pools still function today, producing salt through a natural evaporation process. It’s a striking and photogenic landscape that also reveals the enduring legacy of ancient techniques.
After exploring both sites, we return to Cusco, enriched by the cultural heritage and scenic beauty of this highland experience.
Itinerary
We begin our journey from Cusco, heading into the scenic highlands with beautiful views across the Sacred Valley. Our first destination is Moray, a fascinating site featuring circular Inca terraces thought to have served as an advanced agricultural laboratory. Here, our guide will explain how the Incas ingeniously created microclimates to cultivate a variety of crops at different temperatures and conditions. The elevated viewpoint offers a stunning perspective on this impressive feat of Inca engineering.
Next, we make our way to the Maras Salt Mines (Salineras), a remarkable network of over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountainside and still in use today. As we stroll among the pools, you'll learn about the traditional salt harvesting techniques passed down since pre-Inca times. The dazzling white pools framed by rugged hills create a truly unique and photogenic landscape.
We conclude our tour with a return drive to Cusco, taking in the expansive Andean vistas along the way—an enriching cultural and visual experience not to be missed.
General data
Best Season
All Year
Recommended Ages
All ages
Duration
Half Day
Difficulty
Easy
