TOUR MARAS MORAY SALINERAS

TOUR MARAS MORAY SALINERAS

DURATION

• 1/2 Dia 

TOUR TYPE:

• History and Adventure.

DURATION OF THE TOUR:

• 1/2 Dia

AVAILABILITY:

• All year

MAXIMUM ALTITUDE:

• 3500mt.

DIFFICULTY

• Easy.

The excursion Maras Moray and Salineras. It is a perfect complement to your visit to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. Visit the salt mines of Maras and observe the salt extraction process. Then, continue your trip to the experimental agricultural center of Moray, observe in detail its ring-shaped terraces and overlapping, these are two special places in the Sacred Valley and even the trip from Cusco offers spectacular views of incredible landscapes.

On our way back to Cusco, we will visit Lake Huaypo, a beautiful body of crystal clear water located at an altitude of 3657 meters (11,915).

ITINERARY

Moray and the Salt Mines of Maras

Our transfer will visit you at your hotel between 08:00 hrs and 8:30 hrs approx. to transfer you to the starting point of the tour, we will start visiting Moray which is located 38 km from the city of Cusco, Moray is considered as an Inca agricultural laboratory. Which is made up of 4 muyus or circles, which are circular platforms in concentric form, the deepest is 80 meters of depression having the lowest platform 36 meters in diameter. Also found within the platforms temperature variations ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 ° c per platform, which can reproduce up to 20 different types of microclimates.

Then we will visit the salt mines of Maras, as its name indicates, they are salt mines formed by around 5000 small ponds producing each pond approximately between 50 to 80 kilos of salt per season. These are irrigated by a subway salt water spring, this process is completely natural and lasts almost two months for a growing season, the salt of Maras is very sought after and the highest quality variety is the pink mineral salt. We return to Cusco where our tour ends at approximately 14:00 hours. Near the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, culminating our tour to the salt mines of Maras.

Maras Moray and salt mines in Cusco

Two of the most famous tourist attractions in the Sacred Valley of the Incas are the salt mines of Maras and the circular terraces of Moray. Both are part of the famous half-day 'Maras-Moray' tour. There are also services that offer this tour but with the addition of an ATV or bicycle adventure. All tours can be purchased through a tourist agency, either online or in the city of Cusco.

The salt wells of Maras

Las Salineras de Maras, located 9.3 kilometers from the town of Maras, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Cusco.

It is a group of salt wells that were formed millions of years ago as a result of a natural salinization process in the streams and rivers near this Andean region.

Salt was used by the Incas and their predecessor cultures for agriculture and livestock raising.

Currently, the more than 3,000 salt wells belong to the community of Maras, who sell it to the different supply points in the Cusco region.

Las Salineras de Maras is one of the few places in the world where the famous 'pink salt' is produced.

The whole set of salt wells offer one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Cusco region. There are many tourists who like to take pictures there.

To visit this place you must hire a tour for 'Maras and Moray'. Otherwise, you will have to go on your own and pay the entrance fee (cost of approximately US$3).

Maras Moray Salineras Tour

The circular platforms of Moray

The circular terraces of Moray, located 8 kilometers from the town of Maras, is another of the most important tourist attractions of Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

This is a group of three circular terraces built by the Incas as an agricultural laboratory. That is to say, there they experimented with different products such as potatoes, quinoa, oca, corn and even coca leaves.

Each group of platforms has a microclimate that varies as one ascends or descends the concentric circles. It is estimated that in total there are a little more than 20 different microclimates in Moray.

Currently, Moray resembles a group of huge amphitheaters. Tourists like to take pictures there because it is one of the best landscapes of the trip to Cusco.

The way most visitors get to know Moray is through the 'Maras-Moray' tour. However, it is also possible to go on your own. To do so, tourists must buy the 'Boleto Turístico del Cusco' (costing approximately US$22), which also includes admission to Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.

Maras Moray Salineras Tour

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?