Maras & Moray Tour
1 day
Group
3,500 m.s.n.m
Easy
Discover some of the most fascinating attractions of the Sacred Valley on this half-day tour. Visit the traditional village of Chinchero, known for its colonial church, Inca archaeological remains, and skilled local weavers. Continue to the remarkable agricultural terraces of Moray, often referred to as the Inca agricultural laboratory, before exploring the impressive Maras Salt Mines, where thousands of salt ponds have been used since Inca times. All of this takes place amid the breathtaking scenery of the Andean mountains, just a short drive from Cusco.
Please note: This tour is exclusively available for travelers who have booked a 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, or longer tour or trek to Machu Picchu with us.
Tour Highlights
- Hotel pick-up at 8:00 am or 1:00 pm (your choice).
- Private transportation throughout the tour.
- Visit the archaeological terraces of Moray.
- Explore the famous Maras Salt Mines.
- Discover the colonial village of Chinchero, its Inca ruins, and traditional weaving culture.
- Enjoy spectacular views of the Sacred Valley and the Andes.
- Return transportation to your hotel in Cusco.
Itinerary
Your tour begins with hotel pick-up at either 8:00 am or 1:00 pm in our private vehicle. The first destination is the charming village of Chinchero, where you’ll visit its beautiful colonial church, built during the early seventeenth century on the foundations of an ancient Inca temple or palace. Inside, admire its colorful floral and religious artwork decorating the walls and ceiling.
While in Chinchero, you’ll also explore impressive Inca archaeological remains and agricultural terraces believed to have been developed during the reign of Inca Tupac Yupanqui, who is thought to have used this area as a royal retreat.
The journey then continues to the famous Maras Salt Mines, a remarkable complex of nearly 3,000 individual salt ponds. These pools continue to be supplied by a natural underground spring, following traditional harvesting techniques that have been preserved for centuries. As the water evaporates, the salt is naturally collected, processed, and distributed throughout the region.
Next, visit the extraordinary archaeological site of Moray (3,450 m / 11,318 ft), famous for its circular agricultural terraces. These unique formations create different microclimates that allowed the Incas to experiment with crop cultivation under varying environmental conditions. Moray is considered one of the finest examples of Inca agricultural engineering and scientific innovation.
After completing the visit, return comfortably to your hotel in Cusco.
Included
- Private tour service.
- Professional English-speaking guide.
- Comfortable private transportation.
- All applicable taxes.
Not Included
- Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) for archaeological sites (70 soles for the 1-day ticket, payable in soles).
- Meals.
- Entrance fee to the Maras Salt Mines (20 soles).
- Tips.
Recommendations
HOW TO BOOK THE TOUR?
FIRST, to book your Bus to Puno from Cusco, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase your Bus to Puno from Cusco without the following information:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
SECOND, we require a deposit of $53.00 USD per person in order to purchase a your entrance to Machu Picchu and train ticket. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address.
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) per person 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) per person 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) per person. Children under 11 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 Peru office 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.
Important: These entrances are not included in the Boleto Turístico.
- The entrance to Qoricancha or Santo Domingo Convent (10 soles)
- The entrance to the Cathedral (25 soles)
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 Lares trek to Machu Picchu. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Auki Cusco Explorers 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.
ARE WE SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a locally sustainable & responsible tourism operator. That incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
Packing list
- Warm jacket and rain jacket.
- Hat or cap.
- Water bottle.
- Sunscreen and sun protection.
- Cash for souvenirs.
- Peruvian soles to purchase the Tourist Ticket and Salt Mine entrance.
- Original passport.
- Valid student ID (if applicable, for the 10-day Tourist Ticket discount).
🔒 Secure payment · Flexible cancellation
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- Best Local Certified Guides.
You need assistance?
- Inquire Now
- +51 906 725 270
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Travel Experience In Peru
Why Travel with Auki cusco Explorers?
- Superior Service
- Inca Trail Specialists
- 100% value for money
- Small Groups with a maximum of 8 people
- Delicious and nutritious meals
- Sustainable Travel
- Years of Professional Inca Trail Experience
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