Visit the Salt Mines of Maras and the gigantic agricultural laboratory of Moray.
When visiting the imperial city of Cusco, one of the most exciting moments is going on excursions outside the city to the Inca archaeological sites and other points of interest. The Maras Salt Mines and Moray are two of the region's most essential and intriguing sites. You will also have a special experience in the small town of Chinchero.
You will witness impressive Inca constructions and enjoy a typical demonstration of artisanal weaving in Chinchero. Afterwards, you will visit the famous Maras Salt Mines to witness one of the fascinating places and have the opportunity to purchase one of the unique products available in Cusco: Pink Salt from Maras. Finally, you will head to the agricultural experimental station of Moray, where the Inca culture developed new crops.
Moray and Maras Salt Mines Full Day Tour Map
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Before You Go
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Do you want to leave the city for a day and experience something different? Are you interested in ancient history? How about enjoying unique and unforgettable views and getting to know the customs and traditions of local communities? Then, this trip is for you. Join us alone, as a couple, or as part of a larger group on this fun and interesting day outside of Cusco.
In the small town of Chinchero, you can enjoy a typical demonstration of artisanal weaving done by local women. Afterwards, you will visit the Maras Salt Mines, which will undoubtedly amaze you as they are located on the mountainside. Next, you will head to the gigantic agricultural laboratory of Moray, one of the most intriguing Inca archaeological complexes.
Then, we will go to the village of Misminay, where the locals will warmly welcome you and have the opportunity to participate in an authentic gastronomic experience. You will learn about the preparation of the typical spicy sauce of the region, "uchucuta," and taste a delicious traditional meal accompanied by native music and dance.
Throughout the journey, you will be surrounded by the Andean mountains, enjoying breathtaking views, observing the local inhabitants' daily lives, and working in the fields. Additionally, we will pass by the Huaypo Lagoon (3,510 m / 11,515 ft), a beautiful expanse of crystal-clear water.
So, organize this exciting journey before the moment of departure, you will learn a lot and enjoy incredible landscapes. You won't have to worry about anything as we have planned every detail down to the smallest one. All you have to do is enjoy this thrilling trip.
Highlights
- Learn about the weaving process as explained by Andean women in Chinchero and admire their beautiful handmade art pieces.
- Make a stop at the Maras Salt Mines, an impressive array of terraces filled with water that collect salt and have been used since pre-Columbian times.
- Visit the Inca agricultural terraces of Moray, extraordinary stone terraces built as an amphitheater.
- Savor a traditional lunch from the region in a community in Cusco and learn about the uchucuta process, a typical chili sauce.
- Marvel at the fantastic views of the Sacred Valley's mountain range throughout the day.
- Take a break at the beautiful Huaypo Lagoon with its crystal-clear waters.
- Learn more about the history of the Incas.
Detailed Itinerary
Cusco | Chinchero - Maras Salt Mines - Moray - Misminay - Huaypo Lagoon - Cusco
Highlight of the day: Enjoying these unique sites and learning about the region and its history.
Day Out to Some of the Most Interesting Sites in the Mountains of Cusco
In the morning, we will pick you up from your accommodation and head to the small town of Chinchero. You will learn about the local textile art before continuing to the Maras Salt Mines, which will surprise you with their mountainside location – another unique view you have probably never witnessed before.
Next, you will visit Moray. Unlike any other archaeological site you have seen, this site was an Inca agricultural laboratory. You will also learn about the history of the place before moving on. Later, we will have a typical lunch in Misminay, pass by the beautiful Huaypo Lagoon, and see some small communities. Finally, we will return to Cusco in time for you to find a place to have dinner.
This incredible day outside the city starts with pick-up from your accommodation around 8:00 a.m. We will head towards the small town of Chinchero. The journey takes just over an hour and is a beautiful ride through the mountains, providing the most spectacular views. You will discover immense snow-capped mountains, vast fields of corn, and beautiful villages.
Upon arrival, we will attend a demonstration of the handwoven textiles made by the local women. They are experts in this art, which has been a tradition for hundreds of years, using entirely natural dyes.
Next, we will continue our journey to board our private transportation towards the Maras Salt Mines, located just another 3 km away, and they will surprise you once again with views you have probably never seen before. The site has been producing salt since ancient times, and over 3,000 salt ponds are filled daily with underground water. You will have a surreal landscape to take the most incredible photos with the Salt Mines in the foreground.
Our next stop is Moray. You will marvel at the formation of Moray, which compares to an amphitheater or extraterrestrial. However, it was a gigantic Inca agricultural laboratory. Your guide will explain the history, and you will have time to explore and take photos.
Lastly, we will go to Misminay, where you will have the best gastronomic experience. Upon arriving at this beautiful place, you will be welcomed by locals who will explain the process of the traditional chili sauce known as "uchucuta," made with typical plants from the area. After learning about preparing this delicious spicy sauce, you will go to the dining area to enjoy a traditional dish with freshly made ají.
Now it's time to return to Cusco, but don't worry. Our tour is not over yet. During the journey, we will pass by the beautiful Huaypo Lagoon. This serene place is another fantastic spot for photos. Finally, we will be back in the city just in time for you to find a place to enjoy your dinner. After a day of adventure, you will have plenty to discuss as you savor your meal and rest well.
Why Travel with us
At Salkantay Trekking, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
What Is Included?
High Quality Service & Safety
Experienced Tour Guide
English and spanish speaking official tour guide. All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. We choose them for their professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness, unbridled passion for exploring, and sincere desire to proudly share in our culture and history. He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Medical Kit or First AID Kit
All Salkantay Trekking guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers' diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
24/7 Customer Service
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Salkantay Trekking leading up to your tour.
Meals
Traditional Lunch
Transportation
Transport
All transportation is included in this tour. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and after the end of the trip, we’ll drop you back at the door of your hotel in Cusco.
Permits & Entrance Tickets
Entrance Ticket to Maras Salt Mines
What Is Not Included?
Cusco Tourist Ticket
This ticket is necessary and allows you admission to many of the most popular attractions in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, including archaeological sites and museums.
From PEN 70.00 (US$ 20.00) to PEN 130.00 (US$ 40.00) per person.
Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is the norm on any excursion in Peru. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
Here we leave you with a brief list of extras that you can enjoy during this package.
Huayna Picchu Mountain
Huayna Picchu is the mountain behind Machu Picchu and which can be climbed in 45 minutes. Although this excursion is up to you, our guide will take you to the place of entry. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can assure for you if we have enough time in advance.
Your entry ticket will be purchased to coincide with the dates of your excursion on the Inca Trail. The entry can be done in two shifts: from 7:00 am to 8:00 am or from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. We buy the tickets in the second shift so that our clients can fully enjoy their guided tour of Machu Picchu. Remember, the shifts only indicate the time of entry. You can go up and down Huayna Picchu without haste.
The ticket for Huayna Picchu costs US$ 75.00 per person.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain is another of the mountains that surround the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It offers even more incredible views than Huayna Picchu, but it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can assure for you if we have time in advance.
The excursion entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain is open in two shifts as well, the first from 7:00 am to 8:00 am, and the second from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.
The ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain costs US$ 75.00 per person.
Vistadome Train
All our tours include the PeruRail Expedition train. This train leaves Aguas Calientes at 4:22 pm. The Vistadome train is a higher category service that offers more comfortable seats, a panoramic design that will allow you to see through the roof, as well as an entertainment show on board. The Vistadome train leaves Aguas Calientes at 4:43 pm and goes to Ollantaytambo train station. From there, we’ll take you on our transport to your hotel in Cusco.
You can access this service for an additional payment of US$ 60.00 per person.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Salkantay Trekking in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
Have another question that we haven’t answered here? Drop us a line and we will get back to you asap!
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pick up of guests
Salkantay Trekking can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historical Center of Cusco. Your guide will coordinate the pickup time in the briefing session, but please keep in mind that the time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic.
Cusco is an old city, meaning it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.
It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects
Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our transport or restaurant. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
ESSENTIAL
CLOTHING
EQUIPMENT
RECOMMENDED
The "Maras Salt Mines and Moray" can leave any day of the week, the whole year.
2023 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 60.00 per person
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that PayPal charges a fee of 5%, which we ask the client to cover since it's due to the use of its service. This tax is just for online deposits.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Salkantay Trekking. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. The Salkantay Trekking Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
Remember | One of our Travel Experts will contact you soon to confirm the availability of the trip you chose, give you more information, and/or provide you alternative options. Once availability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 958 191 179 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
Note | Due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we don't offer this trek during the whole month of february. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!
Feel free to reach us via email at sales@salkantaytrekking.com or by calling us directly at (+51) 958 191 179
Every Day: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Triunfo Street 346 - Main Square of Cusco, Peru
