Cuzco Peru Travel

In this half day tour we visit Maras & Moray, perhaps the most unusual of the Inka and Pre Inka remains located nearby the Sacred Valley of the Incas in a beautiful high plateau. (Departure time from Cusco 8 am).

We will pass along Chinchero & continue on to the village of Maras (colonial village) and then to Moray. A pre-Inka & Inka site, though used by the Inkas, Moray is a series of agricultural terraces which were believed to be an experimental agricultural center for different crop strains.

We spend about one hour exploring these huge concentric circular terraces before heading back cross country on foot or bike through traditional farmland to the charming village of Maras. Walking along the cusp of the Sacred Valley we are rewarded with views of the opposite snowcapped mountains.

Before heading to Salt mines of Maras we will pass by the village of Maras to see those beautiful colonial houses and the church, sometimes we will meet farmers and we can stop the car to interact with them (Cultural Connection) then we continue to the amazing salt mines which is basically salty water from underground by salty stream, which is collected by locals through a fascinating process of evaporation. The pools and salt embankments are an incredible sight against the stunning mountain backdrop.

From Maras salt mines our private transport collects us and returns us to Cusco (about 1:30 hours’ drive)

MORAY, MARAS & SALT MINES TOUR

We pick you up at 8:00am or 1:00pm in our private van and you begin your trip to the village of Chinchero, where you will see in the plaza an adobe colonial church, dating from the early seventeenth century, has been built upon the foundations of an Inca temple or palace. The ceiling and walls are covered in beautiful floral and religious designs. In addition, you will discover Inca archeological ruins and agricultural terraces, which are attributed to Inca Tupac Yupanqui who possibly
used Chinchero as a kind of country resort.

We continue on to the village of Maras, where its colonial architectural beauty is still preserved. You will see the building are made of thin stone, and images on lintels with sculptures in bas-relief. Then, we move on to Salineras, the salt mines consists of 3,000 small pools roughly 5 square meters (53.8 ft²) in size. Every three days, during the dry season, workers fill the pools with salt water that comes from a natural spring at the top of the Maras’s complex. When the water evaporates from the pool, the salt is left for collection. This process is carried out over a one-month period until the pools reach an approximate volume of solid salt that is 10 centimeters (4 inches) in height. The salt is ground up, treated with iodine,
packaged and sent to various markets in the region.

Then, we are on our way to the fascinating site of Moray, located at (3,450m/11,318ft), where we find the agricultural terraces of Moray with their complex system of irrigation and terraces. Different levels of terraces are carved into a huge basin, part of which was further excavated by the Incas. The terraces
have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are located. It is thought they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops. These terraces served as a natural greenhouse to grow an extraordinary variety of crops at an altitude normally not conducive for the crops. It has also been suggested that the terraces had a cosmological meaning. The Incas were very advanced in the knowledge of creating specific sub-climates. Then, we return to your hotel in Cusco.

What is Included

Private group
Professional and knowledgeable guide fluent in English
Private comfortable transportation
Tax

What is not Included

Entrance tickets to archeological sites: 70 soles (1 day only) or approximately $22 USD per person, which can only be purchased in soles only at the first archeological site. (See important info for more information)
Meals
Maras Salineras / Salt Mine entrance 10 soles
Tips

WHAT TO BRING

Warm jacket and rain jacket
Hat
Water
Sun protection
Some money for souvenirs
Money in soles to purchase boleto turístico y entrance to salt mine
Original passport
If you are a student, take your student ID card (only works for the 10 day boleto turístico)

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS BOLETO TURISTICO (tourist ticket )

You have the Option to Purchase a 1 Day or a 10 Day Boleto Turistico.

The partial ticket, or 1 Day ticket costs 70 soles ($20 USD) and is valid for 1 day.

You can visit a many sites as you like in one day with no further charge. There are no discounts with this ticket.

Both tourist tickets, of 1 day or 10 day, allows the access to different archeological sites around Cusco, and Sacred Valley. This is the best way to visit all the archeological sites of the region and the Sacred Valley. Most of the main archeological sites are not accessible for free.

The general ticket allows you over the next 10 days to enter 16 archeological and cultural sites in Cusco, the south valley and the Sacred Valley. The price of this ticket is 130 soles (about $40 USD) and is valid for 10 days. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to plan to see different sites in a few days. The cost
for students under 25 (with the presentation of a valid university card) and for teenagers under 18 (with the presentation of an identity card) is 70 soles ($20 USD). Children under 10 are free.

Here is a list of sites where you can use your Boleto Turistico:

Sacsayhuaman
Qenqo
Pucapucara
Tambomachay
Pisaq
Ollantaytambo
Chinchero
Moray
Tipon
Piquillaqta

Note : The entrance ticket to the main archeological sites like Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Tipón and Moray cannot be sold individually; you must buy the Boleto turístico to visit them. You can get it in Avenida el Sol Nearby Main Square or at the time you enter the first site that you are visiting. YOU MUST PAY IN SOLES, NO CREDIT CARD OR US DOLLARS ARE ACCEPTED.
Your briefing will take place the night before your tour. It will be in your hotel, depending on your confirmation email details. We coordinate all these details according to the information you will give us.

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the tour. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry
across many Cuzco Peru Travel destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you would like, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

PRICE

PRICE $175 USD

GROUP of 1 to 4 persons – $175 USD for the total group (not per person)
GROUP of 5 to 10 persons – $200 USD for the total group (not per person)

All our tours are based on private and shared service and can be customized to satisfy your personal needs and preferences. Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@cuzcoperutravel.com and receive more assistance for planning your customized private tour in Peru.

Our prices often vary based on the requirements of your trip, and will depend on number of travelers, length of time, type of accommodation, etc.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us! Get in touch with our travel
experts by our Live Chat Help or by email at: info@cuzcoperutravel.com

In addition, call us at (+51) 979709678

Our travel experts will be glad to assist you at any time!