Maras and Moray in Cusco: complete information
Maras and Moray in Cusco: complete information
https://www.ticketmachupicchu.com/maras-moray-how-go/Two of the most famous tourist attractions in the Sacred Valley of the Incas are the salt mines of Maras and the circular platforms of Moray. Both are part of the famous half-day ‘Maras-Moray’ tour. In addition, there are services that offer this tour but adding an ATV or bicycle adventure. All tours can be purchased through a tourism agency, either online or in the city of Cusco.
- How to get to Maras and Moray?
- What will we find in this tour from Cusco?
- The salt wells of Maras
- Tour map
- The circular platforms of Moray
- How is the tour?
- How much does it cost?
- How do I go on my own?
- Adventure tours to Maras and Moray
- Where to buy the tour?
- Gallery – Maras Moray Tour
- More information
- Frequently Asked Questions
Salt mines of Maras
The city of Cusco offers various tours to almost all the tourist attractions in the region. Some of the most popular are: a) the Cusco City Tour for half a day, b) the Sacred Valley tour for 1 day, c) the Machu Picchu tour for 1 day, d) the Rainbow Mountain tour for 1 day and e) the tour Maras-Moray half day. The latter offers two of the best landscapes in Cusco: Maras and Moray.
How to get to Maras and Moray?
In the salt mines of Maras and the circular terraces of Moray, you can find one of the most fascinating trips departing from Cusco. These attractions are rarely visited, but those who came to visit both places, were dazzled by the weather conditions, the beautiful landscapes and also by the locations that each one has to offer.
Thus, in Maras, for example, in addition to the beautiful view of the landscape of the place, you can find a small market with souvenirs and also with the salt extracted from the place. In addition, if you make the tour with a travel agency, it is certain that you will have the presence of a tour guide. He will be in charge of showing you the best way to visit the viewpoints and will also give you updated information about this natural attraction.
On the other hand, in the case of Moray, you will find several constructions of circular platforms. The main form of these platforms is that they have much resemblance with the Greek amphitheaters. But, these constructions were dedicated to agriculture on a large scale. Which, in addition, can be seen in a better way thanks to the different water channels that unite all these Inca constructions. Agriculture in the Tahuantinsuyo was fundamental for the development and survival of the population.
To get to these places you can find different alternatives. Among these will highlight the presence of travel agencies. They usually take care of all the necessary logistics for the trip. They provide transportation, guides and even first aid equipment. On the other hand, there is also the option of visiting both destinations on your own.
| Comparative table on Maras and Moray | ||
|---|---|---|
| Detail | Salt mines of Maras | Circular terraces of Moray |
| Location | It belongs to Urubamba, located 40 kilometers from Cusco. | It belongs to Urubamba, located 50 kilometers from Cusco. |
| Altitude | 3 380 meters above sea level. | 3 500 meters above sea level. |
| Main attraction | More than 3,000 salt wells. Used since Inca times. | Terraces or platforms in circular form. You can find 3 constructions. |
| History | Source of salt since pre-Inca times. | It is considered a laboratory or Inca agricultural center of great value. |
| Ticket | Cusco Tourist Ticket. | Cusco Tourist Ticket. |
| Access | It is easy to reach from Cusco. The road is in good condition. | It is easy to reach, very similar to the route to Maras. |
| Cultural value | Nowadays it is a natural attraction and a source of commerce. | It shows the advanced agricultural state of the Inca culture. |
| Visiting time | The tour can last 1 hour. The complete tour can last up to 6 hours. | The tour can last up to 2 hours. While the full tour, half a day. |
| Experiences | You will be able to appreciate beautiful views. Enter the souvenir market and pink salt of Maras. | Learn more about the circular terraces, their agricultural value and the importance of the water channels. |
| Tour guide | Ideal to have an adequate tour and learn more about the place. | Recommended to appreciate the engineering details of the water conduits. |
| Tour required |
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What will we find in this tour from Cusco?
As we saw both destinations are relatively close to Cusco. In this sense the trip is not very long. The only inconvenience that can be found is to find transportation if you make the trip on your own. In case, you make this trip in a travel agency, you will be able to do it without any problem or inconvenience.
During the trip from Cusco you can find 2 well-defined seasons. These seasons are part of the rainy season and the dry season. In both cases you can have a completely different experience.
The tour does not last long, only 6 hours, so it can be done normally during any season. The only detail to take into account is the rains that can sometimes fall even in dry season. Although this is unlikely. On the other hand, to encourage you to have a better decision, here is a comparative table on the rainy and dry season on the route to Maras and Moray.
| Comparative table of the rainy season in the Maras Moray route | ||
|---|---|---|
| Detail | Dry Season | Rainy Season |
| Months | Starts in April and ends in October. | Starts in November and ends in March. |
| Weather | Days with abundant sunshine, but really cold nights. | Mostly cloudy and rainy days. |
| Approximate daytime temperature | 15 to 20 °C. | 18 to 22 °C. |
| Night temperature | It can drop more than 5 °C. | It drops on average to 10 °C. |
| Landscape | The landscapes are dry, with clear blue skies. It is also ideal for panoramic photos of the Sacred Valley. | Landscapes with some greenery. Cloudy and clear days. Ideal for photographs of some plants and fauna of the place. |
| Activities to do | Ideal for hiking, biking and quad biking in the Sacred Valley. It allows a safe tour. | It is possible to see the growth of flora. You can find wet and slippery trails. Hike with care. |
| Number of visitors | Large presence of tourists, some services may be saturated. | Little presence of tourists, more free spaces to explore in Maras and Moray. |
| Other routes | You can complement your experience with tours to:
| You can complement your experience with tours to:
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| Recommendations |
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| Special Event | During the dry season in Cusco is celebrated every June 24 of the famous Inti Raymi. | You can visit some of the communities of the Sacred Valley and enjoy the carnivals in February and March. |
The salt wells of Maras
- The Salineras of Maras, located 9.3 kilometers from the town of Maras, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Cusco .
- It is a set of salt wells that were formed millions of years ago as a result of a natural process of salinization in the streams and rivers near this Andean region.
- Salt was used by the Incas and the cultures that were predecessors to the Incas for agriculture and livestock.
- Currently, the more than 3,000 salt wells belong to the Maras community, who sell it to the different supply points of the Cusco region.
- The Salineras of Maras is one of the few places in the world where the famous ‘pink salt’ is produced.
- The entire set of salt wells offer one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Cusco region. There are many tourists who like to be photographed there.
- To visit this place you must hire a tour of ‘Maras and Moray’. Otherwise, you must go on your own and pay the entrance ticket (cost of 3 US dollars, approximately).
Maras – Moray tour map
Moray – Maras Salt Mines Tour Map
The circular platforms of Moray
- The circular platforms of Moray, located 8 kilometers from the town of Maras, is another of the most important tourist attractions in Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- It is a group of 3 circular platforms built by the Incas as an agricultural laboratory. That is, there they experimented with different products such as potatoes, quinoa, goose, corn and even the coca leaf.
- Each group of platforms presents a microclimate that varies as one ascends or descends through 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 immense amphitheaters. Tourists like to be photographed there because it is one of the best landscapes of the trip to Cusco.
- The way more visitors get to know Moray is through the ‘Maras-Moray’ tour. However, it is also possible to go on your own. For this, tourists must buy the ‘Cusco Tourist Ticket’ (cost of 22 dollars, approximately), which also includes the entrance to Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.
Moray circular platforms
How is the tour?
- The tour to Maras-Moray lasts approximately 5 hours. Includes everything the tourist needs for the visit: complete transportation, entrance to all sites as well as tour guide service.
This is the itinerary of a tour to Maras and Moray:
| Tour Maras – Moray | Itinerary |
|---|---|
| (8 am) Pick up from the city of Cusco | The tours include the pick-up of tourists at the door of their hotels located in the historic center of the city of Cusco (there are the vast majority of hotels and tourist lodgings in the city) . |
| (8 am – 9.30 am) Trip to the village of Maras | The first trip goes through the towns of the Sacred Valley of the Incas until arriving at the town of Maras (also called the Maras community). During the route, some tours make a stop in the town of Chinchero to get to know a little about this picturesque place. |
| (9.30 am – 10.30 am) Tour of the town | In the company of a tour guide, visitors will learn about the history of the town of Maras, which was an important commercial point during colonial times. Thus, the tourist will know its square, its church and more. |
| (10.30 – 11 am) Transfer to the Salineras | Once again on board the tourist transport we will travel a few kilometers towards the Salineras de Maras, one of the most tourist attractions of Cusco. |
| (11 am – 11.30 am) Tour of the Salineras | Once in the Salineras de Maras, always in the company of a tour guide, we will learn more about the history of the thousands of salt wells that make up this beautiful natural landscape. We will have time to take the respective photos in their viewpoints. |
| (11.30 am. – 12 pm) Transfer to Moray | Once again we will board the tourist transport to head towards the circular platforms of Moray, one of the most impressive works of the Incas. Along the way we will observe the fields and beautiful landscapes of the Andes Mountains. |
| (12 pm. – 1 pm) Moray tour | In Moray, together with the tour guide, we will travel the route enabled to appreciate the impressive circular platforms built by the Incas more than 500 years ago. Of course, we will have time to take photos from the best viewpoints in the place. |
| (1 pm. 2 pm) Return to Cusco | Finally, we will board the transport that will return us to the city of Cusco. The tour ends in one of the central squares, located a few steps from the main square and most of the hotels and restaurants in the area. |
*Example itinerary that may vary depending on the tourism agency you hire.
It is one of the most important natural resources of Cusco. Currently, it allows the production of salt by the community of Maras in the Sacred Valley. This salt, having that particular pink color, is an indication that it has important minerals in its composition. Best of all, it is a 100% natural product. Among the main benefits of the salt of Maras you can find:
- It has properties that help in the purification of the body.
- In some cases, as a therapy, it can help to lose weight.
- It improves mood.
- It is an important power of energy sources.
- It helps to improve the body’s defenses.
- The best thing is that it can be used in daily food preparation.
How much does it cost?
- The half-day ‘Maras-Moray’ tour has an approximate cost of 30 to 50 US dollars per person (the price may vary depending on the tourism agency you choose).
- Tours include everything: transportation, entrance fees, and tour guides. The vast majority do not include food.
- Likewise, most tourism agencies do not include discounts for university students or minors.
Salt deposits – Salt mines of Maras
How do I go on my own?
- The first step to go to Maras and Moray on your own is to take public transport in the city of Cusco. The bus stop on ‘Pavitos’ street offers minivans that, after approximately 45 minutes of travel, will leave you at the ‘Desvío de Maras’ bus stop. The cost of the trip is 5 Peruvian soles (2 dollars on average).
- Once at the ‘Desvío de Maras’ stop, you must take a ‘collective taxi’ (shared service with other people) to the town of Maras. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes and costs an average of $ 1.
- The town of Maras is the midpoint from where you can leave for the ‘Salineras’ or ‘Moray’. As there is no public transport, the best option here is to take a taxi. The cost to go to each site is approximately 10 dollars (take into account that you will need to make round trips).
- Due to the difficult organization required to go to Maras and Moray on your own (especially getting transportation), it is best to go with an all-inclusive tour.
Tourists at the salt mines of Maras
Adventure tours to Maras and Moray
- The classic tour of ‘Maras-Moray’ offers some variations in its itineraries by including a route by ATV or bicycle. These adventurous routes are a great way to add adrenaline to your trip.
- Tours to these destinations by ATV or bicycle have a duration of 7 or 8 hours as they require more time. In addition to everything offered, they include lunch as well as implements such as helmets, bicycles, ATVs, gloves, etc.
- These tours have slightly more expensive prices compared to the classic Maras and Moray service. These vary from 40 to 70 dollars per tourist.
Where to buy the tour?
- You can get a tour to Maras-Moray in two different ways: a) at a tourism agency located in the city of Cusco or b) on the website of a tourism agency.
- To properly choose the tourism agency I tried to verify that it has all the necessary permits. An excellent idea is to observe the comments of other tourists on internet forums such as TripAdvisor, for example.
Gallery – Maras Moray Tour
More information
- In addition to the visit to Salineras de Maras and the circular platforms of Moray, all tours They include a tour of the town of Maras, a place with a lot of history where its colonial church and its façades stand out.
- If you are looking to go to these destinations on your own, keep in mind that you will have to take public transport in three sections to reach both Maras and Moray. Due to the difficulty of the route, most tourists prefer to go with a tour, which already includes transportation service to all places.
- In addition to Maras and Moray, the Sacred Valley of the Incas offers other incredible destinations such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. The visit to these three Inca sites is done through the famous ‘Sacred Valley of the Incas 1 day’ tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Where are Maras and Moray?
Maras and Moray are located very close to the district of Maras in the Sacred Valley. It is from this district where the excursions to the salt mines of Maras and the circular terraces of Moray begin. Leaving from Cusco they are located less than 2 hours away.
2) How far is it to Maras and Moray?
Maras and Moray are very close. Normally, at the time of making the trip with a travel agency, the time it takes is less than 20 minutes. Of course, you could also do the route on foot, but you have to be prepared to hike about 10 kilometers. Doing this would require much more time. The ideal is to visit both places, once in one of these destinations it is very easy to complement the trip.
3) Is it possible to do the tour to Maras and Moray with children and older adults?
Yes, the trip from Cusco is quite comfortable to do. In addition, there is also the possibility of hiring transportation during the route, in case you do not want to do this route with a travel agency. Normally, the transports are located near the access points. But it will be safer to board them in the district of Maras. Thanks to the large amount of transportation available, this trip is recommended for children and older adults.
4) Is it possible to visit some handicraft centers or markets?
Yes, just near the bus parking lot, both in Maras and Moray, you can find small stands selling handicrafts and souvenirs. To visit other places, it is also recommended to make a stop in Chinchero, where there is a larger market.
5) Is it necessary to carry a waterproof poncho?
Yes, this recommendation applies to both the rainy season and the dry season. Sometimes in the middle of the dry season it may rain, so it will be necessary to bring a waterproof poncho. However, if you visit during the rainy season, it is almost obligatory to bring a waterproof poncho. This is the only way to have a pleasant tour and enjoy the attractions of each destination.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Santiago L.“Fascinating experience“
“I arrived in Cusco at the end of November, there were some rainy afternoons so I wasn't sure about doing any tours. Luckily, I decided to go on this short tour. The day was sunny and allowed me to take beautiful pictures of the Sacred Valley and the circular terraces of Moray. All in a fascinating green color.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, September 27, 2024