Maras, Moray and Chinchero Private Day Trip from Cusco
Description
In this full day tour you will know the best archaeological sites in the entire Sacred Valley of the Incas. Discover this enchanting and historic valley as we visit the enigmatic Moray archaeological site, where crops were produced at different heights in a stunning terrace system. Then, we will visit the town of Maras and the Salineras, where a salt water springs from the mountains and descends into individual evaporation chambers that have been in operation since the time of the Incas to the present day. Finally we will arrive at the colorful town of Chinchero, where we will learn a little more about Inca history and the creation of Andean textiles.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Maras, Moray & Chinchero Tour begins with a hotel pickup around 8 AM, setting off on a scenic drive through the Andes. The journey, lasting about 1 hour and 20 minutes, winds past snow-capped peaks, golden wheat fields, and traditional villages, offering a stunning introduction to the Sacred Valley’s landscapes. Our first stop is Moray (3,500 masl / 11,482 ft.), an ingenious Inca agricultural site. Here, three bowl-shaped terraces descend into the earth like an ancient amphitheater, designed to experiment with microclimates for optimizing crop growth. The symmetry and engineering of this site reveal the depth of Inca agricultural knowledge, blending science and spirituality with the land.
After exploring Moray, we continue just 2 miles (3.2 km) downhill to the Maras Salt Mines (3,380 masl / 11,090 ft.), a striking landscape where history and tradition merge. This ancient salt-producing site, believed to date back to pre-Inca times, remains a vital part of the local economy. Over 3,000 salt pools, carved into the mountainside, create a breathtaking mosaic of white terraces cascading down the slopes. Each pool is filled daily by a naturally mineral-rich spring, and as the sun evaporates the water, the salt crystals left behind are carefully harvested using centuries-old techniques. The contrast between the brilliant white salt flats and the rugged Andean mountains makes this site unforgettable.
Our final stop is Chinchero (3,762 masl / 12,343 ft.), a charming Andean village where Inca heritage and colonial influences intertwine. Here, we admire the well-preserved Inca walls that frame the main square, along with ceremonial altars that still resonate with the spiritual energy of the past. We then visit the colonial church, a hidden gem adorned with vivid murals and intricate artwork, offering a fascinating blend of Inca and Spanish traditions. To conclude our journey, we immerse ourselves in the world of Andean textiles, where local artisans share their ancestral weaving techniques. Using natural dyes and hand-spun wool, they create intricate patterns that tell the stories of their people—a craft passed down through generations, long before the Incas. After this enriching cultural experience, we return to Cusco, carrying with us the essence of the Andes.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We'll pick you up from the lobby or front door of your hotel, Airbnb, hostel, or any accommodation located in Cusco's historic center.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- It is recommended that you bring a sun hat, sunscreen, a waterproof jacket, water and a camera
Reviews(133)
The guide, Mr. Fredy Torres, and the driver, the young Dany, were very kind. They were punctual in picking us up.
We were contacted the day before the trip by Nohemi who picked us up from the hotel with a driver at 8am. Nohemi made it clear that the day was ours from the offset and that we would work around lunch (not included) depending on how the day paned out. The private tour started with about 1hr drive to Chinchero where we stopped on the way at a textile workshop. I must admit I thought that this would be a hard sell on their products only but we were greeted with traditional dress and a talk through the process of getting Alpaca wool, washing, dyeing and weaving. Along with meeting the Alpacas this was a very interesting talk. On to Chinchero where entrance needs to be paid but we had already purchased the Cusco tourist card the previous day. Nohemi talked about the area in great depth as it was her home town. We took the tour at our own pace and never felt pressured into moving on more quickly than we were ready for. Throughout this visit Nohemi talked about the history and took multiple pictures for us. Following this we headed on to salt mines at Maras. On the drive down you can see the mines below and when you get to the car park the viewing area is approximately 15 min walk down a fairly steep hill. Nohemi explained in detail the process of collecting the salt and we could see people working their plots. The entrance fee was 20s per person which was paid at the entrance to the site. Finally on to Moray and the 'laboratory' where the Inca's studied the micro climates for growing crops. Again we took our time and Nohem walked us around the whole site climbing some of the very steep hills at our pace. The entrance fee is also included in the Cusco tourist pass. We then decided to head back to Cusco rather than stopping for lunch as we had brought snacks with us for the journey. If you can I would recommend a private tour as it is so nice to take your time exploring at your own pace rather than being part of a large group of which we saw many
Tour that takes you to amazing places, impossible not to know if you are in cuzco. Nohemí was our guide, excellent, willing, explained in detail everything visited. Very grateful
The trip has been an extraordinary experience, our guide July cesar was very attentive at all times, pending our needs and giving clear and precise indications, do not hesitate to come
It is a unique experience in its class, please do not miss the opportunity to do this tour, our Guide Julius Caesar was very attentive to us at all times, with clear instructions and always with a smile on his face, we leave very grateful and very happy, Peru is full of wonders!
Friedrich was very friendly and super nice despite the weather was not the best... He brought a smile with us throughout the tour and also for the Machi Picchu tour!
Too good experience with the company. Our guide Freddy was great and told the stories of the Incas with passion. Merciii
Our guide Freddy was absolutely amazing. We loved everything about that day. What a beautiful memory and moment we shared. Thank you so much!
Very well the guide Jhonatan especially in the punctuality and kindness and the yimi driver who make our experience a good memory
After a 15 hour day with Machu Picchu, I was glad to find this half day trip. It was really well organized and our tour guide was great. Since it was a private tour, they were very flexible with our start time which we pushed back to 9:30AM. All 3 stops were a good length and she would have adjusted the tour to fit our liking. I loved the culture in Chinchero, the agriculture terraces in Moray were beautiful, and the Salt Mines were very unique. You also can't take a way the feeling of driving down to the valley - the views are stunning. We were back in Cusco by 4:30 which gave us time to relax and then head to dinner. Perfect for a little "slower" day.
