Maras and Moray Tour takes you to two prime sites of Peru. These sites are located remotely in the Sacred Valley of Incas. Both sites had a unique importance and distinct use during the Incan civilisation.
Maras is popular for salt pans. They are nestled on the slope of a hill side. These salt pans have been in use since pre Inca times. The locals here have been practising the salt farming techniques just as it was during the olden days. There is no mechanism and it is completely manual.
The farmers here let the natural spring water flow into these geometric shaped puddles. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind crystallised salt. The salt farmers then scrape out the salt. The salt is pinkish in colour and is highly nutritious and had a distinct taste.
Moray has been a prime agricultural centre for Incas. The site has a circular shaped agricultural terrace. It resembles a bit of Roman amphitheatre. To Incas this was more like and agricultural research laboratory. These circular terraces have varied temperatures at each level. This made them learn the growth conditions of crops at different climatic conditions.
We operate the tour both in group and private.
If you are feeling a bit adventurous, check out our tour on ATV Quad Bikes and Bike Tour to Maras Moray.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0600 AM
At 0800 AM we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. We will then embark on an hour and 20 minutes trip to the ruins of Moray. We will be crossing some high altitude Andean farmlands and villages.
Once at the entrance of the site, our guide will assist you to get your entrance ticket. Then we will give a guided tour of the archaeological site. There are three amphitheater-like terraces made by the Incas. These terraces, are carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape. They were thought to be used to determine the optimal conditions of growth of crops. Once you have had your fill of the history, we will drive you to see Maras Salt Flats.
This village is known as the salt-producing centre. It has been in use since the pre-Inca times. There are over 3000 salt ponds. Each of these are carved on a hill side. The salt farmers let in the natural spring water into these geometric shaped puddles. Which when evaporates, leaves behind the crystals of salt. They them scrape them out manually.
After relishing the natural beauty of Sacred Valley, we will start our journey back to Cusco. Along the way we will stop at Chinchero. It is home to a colonial church. The village has the most fertile soil in the Sacred Valley. People living here are known for their handicrafts. We will spend a couple of hours seeing the traditional Andean method of knitting and weaving.
After touring the two iconic Inca sites, we will continue our drive back to Cusco. We will drop you off at Plaza Kusipata (Plaza Regocijo). It is a block away from the main square.
Excellent trip to see the Maras and Moray of the Sacred Valley of Incas off the Cusco city. The tour was conducted very nicely and the guide was well informed with a plenty of knowledge and experience. I can totally recommend this to see and get a good overview of Maras and Moray in the Sacred Valley of Incas.
