Half Day /
Daily departures
02 Min - 10 max of travelers
Moderate
Cusco
Moray and Maras Salt Mines Half-Day Tour from Cusco
Moray and Maras Salt Mines Tour from Cusco
The Moray, Maras, and Salt Mines Tour offers a fascinating introduction to the Inca civilization and its deep connection with nature and agriculture. This half-day experience takes you to two exceptional highlights of the Sacred Valley of the Incas: the impressive circular terraces of Moray and the famous Maras Salt Mines, both surrounded by breathtaking Andean landscapes.
The Maras Salt Mines have been in continuous use since pre-Inca times, and even today, local families preserve the traditional salt-harvesting techniques passed down through generations. The site features more than a thousand geometric salt ponds, fed by a natural spring. As the water slowly evaporates under the Andean sun, pure salt crystals are formed and carefully collected by hand, creating a unique and photogenic landscape unlike anywhere else in Peru.
Moray, on the other hand, was an important Inca agricultural research center. Its circular terraces were designed to create different microclimates at each level, allowing the Incas to experiment with a wide variety of crops. Thanks to this advanced agricultural knowledge, Peru is now home to over 800 varieties of potatoes and several types of corn, making Moray a key symbol of Inca innovation and engineering.
This tour is considered one of the must-do experiences in Cusco for travelers interested in history, culture, and unique landscapes. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, you can enhance your visit to Maras and Moray by choosing alternative options such as biking tours or ATV (quad bike) excursions.
We offer the Moray, Maras, and Salt Mines Tour in both small group formats and private tours, allowing you to travel at your own pace with personalized service. Contact us to plan your private experience, and don’t forget to take a moment to check our reviews on TripAdvisor, where travelers share their unforgettable experiences in the Sacred Valley.
Departure & Return Location & Time
Price Includes
- Round-trip transportation tour
- Bilingual local guide for the tour
Price Excludes
- Entrance ticket: Moray 70 soles partial (valid for 2 days) | Full 130 soles (valid for 10 days)
- Maras entrance 10 soles
- Meals
- Entrance fee: Moray
- Any personal expenses
- Food
Additional information
- Original passport
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and water
- Peruvian soles in cash
Itinerary Moray and Maras Salt Mines Half-Day Tour from Cusco
This is the typical itinerary for this product
Stop in: Maras, Maras, Cusco Region, Peru
We will depart from our office for Maras. Maras is home to more than 3,600 salt wells. Strategically carved into the mountainside, thousands of shallow pools filled with saltwater eventually evaporate, leaving behind crystallized salt—a process that has been practiced for over 500 years. It is believed that the saltworks were originally built by the Wari civilization, which predates the Incas. However, the Inca saw the economic opportunity of harvesting salt from Maras and expanded the saltworks further up the mountainside.
- Tour Duration: 2 hours trip
Stop in: Moray, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Maras 08655 Peru
Then we will visit the iconic agricultural terraces of Moray. Moray is located 4.5 miles from the town of Maras and 39 miles from Cusco. The main feature that impresses visitors is its system of circular agricultural terraces, which reach depths of up to 330 feet. They are constructed using retaining walls connected by an irrigation system. Moray can be considered a farming laboratory: the terraces were used to create microclimates and cultivate a variety of crops.
- Tour Duration: 2 hours trip
Frequently Asked Questions – Moray, Maras & Salt Mines Half Day Tour
1. What is included in the Moray, Maras & Salt Mines tour?
This half-day tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco, private transportation, a professional English-speaking guide, and guided visits to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines viewpoints.
2. How long does the Moray and Maras tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 5 hours, making it an ideal half-day experience from Cusco.
3. What time does the tour start?
The tour usually starts at 8:30 a.m., with hotel pickup from Cusco or a nearby meeting point.
4. Is this tour suitable for all ages?
Yes, this tour is suitable for travelers of all ages, including families and seniors, as it involves minimal walking and no strenuous hiking.
5. Do I need a tourist ticket to visit Moray?
Yes, Moray requires the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC), which is not included in the tour price.
6. Is the entrance to the Maras Salt Mines included?
No, the entrance fee to the Maras Salt Mines is paid directly at the site and is not included in the tour.
7. Can visitors walk inside the salt ponds?
No, due to environmental protection regulations, visitors are not allowed to walk among the salt ponds. Viewing is done from designated viewpoints.
8. What should I bring for this half-day tour?
We recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, cash for entrance fees, and a camera.
9. Is this tour available as a private tour?
Yes, the Moray, Maras & Salt Mines tour is available as both a small group tour and a private tour upon request.
10. Does the tour include lunch?
No, lunch is not included since this is a half-day tour. You will return to Cusco in the early afternoon.
11. What altitude are Moray and Maras located at?
Moray is located at approximately 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) above sea level, while Maras is slightly lower.
12. Is acclimatization required before taking this tour?
Basic acclimatization is recommended, especially if you have just arrived in Cusco, but the tour is generally well-tolerated.
13. What makes Moray special?
Moray is unique due to its circular terraces, which were used by the Incas as an agricultural research center to experiment with different crops.
14. Can I combine this tour with other activities?
Yes, this tour can be combined with ATV tours, bike tours, or other Sacred Valley experiences for a full-day adventure.
15. Why choose this tour over others in the Sacred Valley?
This tour offers a perfect balance of history, culture, and scenery, allowing you to visit two of the most fascinating archaeological sites near Cusco in a short amount of time.
Book this tour
-
Price From:$ 00 /per person
-
TOUR NAME:Moray and Maras Salt Mines Tour from Cusco
-
DURATION:Half Day /
Why Book With Us?
Payment Methods
Customer Service
Got a Question?
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
4/7/365 WC speaks English and Spanish
