Maras Moray Tour from Cusco | Salt Mines and Inca Terraces

Duration
Half day
Service
Group
Pickup
Hotel
Cancel
Non-refund
Guide
Difficulty
Easy

About this experience

The Maras and Moray Tour will take us to two iconic sites in the Sacred Valley. We will visit Maras, famous for its colonial streets, and explore Moray’s circular Inca terraces. This tour will combine culture, landscapes, and history for a unique experience.

We will walk through Moray’s terraces, learning how the Incas created microclimates for diverse crops. The site will showcase ancestral innovation and engineering.

The salt mines of Maras will amaze us with bright white pools on the mountainside. Generations of families continue using traditional methods, creating stunning views.

In Maras town, we will stroll through historic streets and colonial houses, enjoying authentic Andean culture. This experience will connect us with history, nature, and local life.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Moray – Maras – Cusco

We will start this half-day tour at 08:30 hrs from our hotel in Cusco. We will travel through the Urubamba Valley, surrounded by Andean mountains and traditional villages. The landscape will shift between cultivated fields and snow-capped peaks under clear skies. This journey will prepare us to explore the treasures of Maras and Moray, Peru.

Our first stop will be the archaeological site of Moray. We will explore the impressive circular terraces, which descend about 150 meters above seal level. These concentric structures created microclimates for agricultural experiments. We will learn how the Incas developed advanced techniques for maize, potatoes, and quinoa. We will walk around the terraces, take photos, and enjoy the calm Andean environment.

Next, we will continue to the town of Maras. Here, we will visit the famous salt mines, a unique landscape with over 3,000 salt ponds. Each pond measures about 4 m² . Local families will continue extracting salt using ancestral methods. The ponds will sparkle under the sun, creating a stunning contrast with the surrounding mountains. We will have time to walk near the ponds and appreciate this living tradition.

In Maras town, we will stroll along narrow streets and see colonial houses. This walk will bring us closer to the daily life of Andean people. We will experience authentic local culture before returning to Cusco.

We will arrive in Cusco around 14:30 hrs. This half-day tour will combine history, agricultural innovation, and local traditions. We will leave with lasting memories from the Sacred Valley.

Distance traveled
50 km approximately
Maximum altitude
3,500 m.a.s.l.
Minimum altitude
3,300 m.a.s.l.
Route
Cusco – Moray – Maras – Cusco
Difficulty level
Easy
Note: itineraries are subject to change.

Inclusions & exclusions

What's included

  • Round-trip tourist transportation from Cusco.
  • Professional accredited guide with experience at archaeological sites.
  • Complete first aid kit for emergencies.
  • Oxygen tank and altitude sickness pills during the tour.
  • Entry to the Maras Salt Mines.

What's not included

  • Entry to the Moray archaeological site.
  • Partial or general Cusco Tourist Ticket.
  • Food and drinks during the tour.
  • Personal expenses or tips.
  • Services not mentioned in the itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

We answer your questions about this tour

1 How much does it cost to enter Moray?

Entry to Moray is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket. The general ticket costs 130 soles for 16 sites. The partial ticket costs 70 soles, valid for 2 days, covering 4 sites.

2 Where is Moray located?

Moray is 7 km from the town of Maras, in the Sacred Valley. It lies 38 km northeast of Cusco, surrounded by mountains.

3 What is the entrance fee for the Maras Salt Mines?

Entry to the Maras Salt Mines costs 7 soles per person. Payment is made directly at the ticket office. This is separate from the Cusco Tourist Ticket.

4 What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations 30 days or less before the tour will lose 100% of the cost. For cancellations 31 days or more in advance, conditions may vary. Check with our travel agent for details.

5 What are the altitudes of Maras and Moray?

Moray is at approximately 3,500 meters above sea level. The Maras Salt Mines are at 3,380 meters (11,089 ft). Bring water, a hat, and sunscreen.

6 When is the best time to visit Maras?

You can visit year-round, but the dry season from April to October offers clear skies and better views.

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$30
per person
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Traveler Experiences

What our travelers say about our Machu Picchu tours

Our reputation is built on the experiences of real travelers. With more than 1,200 verified reviews across TripAdvisor and Google, we are consistently rated 4.9 out of 5 — one of the top-rated Machu Picchu tour operators in Cusco.

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See all on TripAdvisor
Tripadvisor

"Punctuality, very attentive guide and perfect organization. From the hotel exit, transit by train, lunch schedule and guided tours."

AS

Andrey S.

October 14, 2025

Google

"Machu Picchu Peru Tours full day Sacred Valley was an amazing highlight of our trip to Peru. Do not miss it! Our driver Julio Cesar took us on time and safely to all amazing places and experiences beating the crowds. The guide, Erik, was the most passionated guide I've met. An incredible story teller, knowledgeable and giving us a superb experience. It was a real perfect day and an amazing almost private tour feeling like a super engaging history class. Don't think twice."

PN

Patricia N.

A year ago

Tripadvisor

"A very enriching experience, a lot of history, although it rained that day, was a good for nothing our tour. Our guide was very attentive and professional."

MR

Maria R.

October 12, 2025

Google

"We had a amazing tour with Machu pichu Peru tours to the vinicunca mountain, or the rainbow mountain. Tour was well organised and your tour guide took really good care of us. Also the breakfast and lunch was quite good. We can totally recommend this tour organisation."

DK

Daniel K.

2 years ago

Tripadvisor

"The tour starts very early type 3-4 am, how good you can sleep on the way, we breakfast in a very good buffet and then depart for the mountain. Here the height is the problem, you can walk up but it requires a lot of condition, the good thing is that there are horses that you can pay and for 90 suns they leave you 15-20 minutes from the top. Wear layered clothes as you can warm up when climbing. We already walk down and the road is much easier. On horseback you go up in 40 minutes, you are on the mountain an hour to take pictures and the return is about 1 hour or so. In the end we still had lunch in the same very rich buffet!"

AC

Alejandra C.

October 12, 2025

Google

"I highly recommend Machu Picchu Peru Tour. Their service is incredible. I highly recommend their guides, especially Rocio and Jhordi. They are very professional and super friendly. My recommendation is because they have everything arranged and structured so we can fully enjoy the experience: transportation, lodging, food, and tourist attractions. I hope you can take advantage of traveling with them and enjoy it as much as we did."

CG

Cesar G.

8 months ago

Tripadvisor

"I liked the Service and attention I received, plus the quality of the guide who touched us to know the sacred valley on the way to Machu Picchu was first class, with extensive knowledge of the Inca culture and with very good explanation, I highly recommend them."

SM

Salvador M.

September 19, 2025

Google

"It was a wonderful experience. Getting to know one of the wonders of the world and learning its history in detail was very rewarding. We had an excellent guide who answered every one of our questions and her support was unconditional. The guide, Veronica Quispe, and the drivers who supported us were incredible. Thank you so much. They made the trip wonderful."

PN

Patty N.

10 months ago

Tripadvisor

"They were exceptional! Everything very organized, took care of all the details, we hired all the tours, lodging and transfer, we do not regret!"

SE

Sarah E.

October 12, 2025

Google

"The quality and friendliness of the staff were impressive. Wendy served us and was always very attentive to everything, responding quickly. They offer good options without breaking your budget. A short but substantial excursion. The guide Jaime knew everything in detail and provided excellent explanations. I recommend him, especially if you're traveling with children or older adults, as he really has everything under control."

AS

Ara S.

3 years ago

Tripadvisor

"Recommended! What a beautiful place!!! Most of us went up there on mules. Important to clarify if the person weighs more than 110 kg he will not be able to carry it and will have to walk up. It is still very expensive, to have proper footwear."

VL

Veronica L.

October 12, 2025

Google

"I had the wonderful experience of coordinating a group trip with Carolina from this agency, and it was very positive. They were always willing to help and facilitate the trip. On the tours, we had the opportunity to meet Alex on the Sacred Valley tour. He is an excellent guide, very friendly and knowledgeable about all the sites, making the tour very entertaining. In Machu Picchu, we were guided by Edmar, an excellent, knowledgeable, and friendly guide."

KD

Kevin D.

2 years ago

Google

"I loved that the travel agency made everything easy for me in Cusco. All I had to worry about was being on time for pickup and choosing what to eat at the buffet. The agency itself took care of everything. If I could highlight anything, it's the fact that I had a different guide on each tour, and they were all very kind and polite. They did their jobs well and knew how to explain the history of each place."

EG

Enrique G.

10 months ago

Google

"The excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas was a great one. Our guide, Veronica, accompanied us the entire time and did her best to make the experience as informative as possible."

AG

Agustin G.

A year ago