Tour overview
This tour is perfect if you have half a day free in Cusco and want to see something different from temples and fortresses. At Moray you'll see huge circular terraces that the Incas are believed to have used to study crops at different temperatures. At the Maras Salt Mines you'll walk among thousands of salt pools that local families have worked for centuries. Along the way you'll cross the Chinchero plateau, with views of the snowcapped Urubamba range. Magone Viajes handles your transport, guide and tickets, so you can simply enjoy the scenery.
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Best time to travel April to October (dry season). The salt pools look whitest from May to November
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Maximum altitude About 3,700 m / 12,140 ft (Chinchero plateau)
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Physical difficulty Easy (short walks)
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Minimum number of passengers 1 adult
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Maximum number of passengers 20 adults in shared service
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Booking lead time 1 to 3 days in advance
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Permits Cusco Tourist Ticket (for Moray) and Maras Salt Mines entrance
Highlights
- Moray and the Maras Salt Mines in half a day from Cusco.
- Route: the Chinchero plateau, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines and back to Cusco.
- Inca circular terraces and pre-Inca salt pools.
- Views of the snowcapped Chicón and Verónica peaks, weather permitting.
- Great for an acclimatization day or as an add-on to other tours.
- Price on request per person.
Itinerary
Pickup in Cusco
We pick you up from your hotel at around 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m., depending on the departure, and drive across the Chinchero plateau, past farmland and snowcapped mountains.
Moray
After about 1 hour 15 minutes we reach Moray. Your Magone Viajes guide explains how the circular terraces worked and why the temperature changes between the top and bottom levels. The visit takes about 1 hour.
Maras Salt Mines
Next we head to the salt mines, where we walk among the pools and see how salt is harvested from a natural saltwater spring. There's time to buy pink salt, herb-infused salt and salted chocolates.
Return to Cusco
We drive back to Cusco, arriving around 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m., depending on the departure.
Tips
- Dress in layers, since the plateau is cold in the morning and the midday sun is strong.
- Wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Wear comfortable shoes with good grip, because the paths at the salt mines can be slippery.
- Carry cash in soles for the salt mines entrance, if not included in the program, and for salt and handicrafts.
- Bring water and a snack, as no meals are included.
- For a fuller day, combine it with Chinchero or an ATV tour.
What's included
Included
- Pickup from your Cusco hotel and tourist transport.
- Professional Magone Viajes guide.
- Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket and Maras Salt Mines entrance, if included in the program.
- Return to Cusco.
Not included
- Cusco Tourist Ticket and Maras Salt Mines entrance, if not included.
- Meals.
- Tips.
- Travel insurance.
- Any services not listed in this program.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour?
About 5 to 6 hours, with morning or midday pickup.
What were the Moray terraces used for?
The Incas are believed to have used them as an agricultural laboratory. Each level has a different temperature, which let them adapt crops to different climates.
Can I walk inside the salt mines?
You can walk the marked paths, but entering the pools isn't allowed, to protect them.
Is it a good tour for acclimatizing?
Yes. It's not demanding and the altitude is similar to Cusco's.
Is it suitable for kids and older travelers?
Yes, the walks are short and easy.
Which tickets do I need?
The Cusco Tourist Ticket, which covers Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines entrance, which is paid separately.
