Llama Picnic + Chinchero, Moray & Maras Salt Mines

• The Maras Salt Mines – a geological curiosity still in use – Around 3,000 hand-carved salt pools arranged in terraces on the face of a mountain. Underground water rises through the rock, fills the pools, and evaporates, leaving behind pink salt that’s been harvested this way since before the Inca arrived. One of four places in the world where this still happens. Your guide walks you through the how and the why.
• Moray – Inca agricultural engineering that still doesn’t have a clean explanation – Concentric circular terraces carved into a natural depression in the landscape. Each level maintains a different temperature, creating distinct microclimates for growing different crops simultaneously. A single panoramic stop at the top gives you the full view. It’s the kind of structure that takes a moment to actually absorb.
• Chinchero Textile Center – weaving as living knowledge – Not a museum. A working demonstration of traditional Andean weaving techniques that have been passed down and practiced continuously for thousands of years. The women from the Chinchero community who run this center do not perform a show – they show you what they actually do and have always done. The difference is clear from the first minute.
• A private picnic with llamas in attendance – This is the part that’s genuinely hard to describe without sounding like we’re overselling it. An outdoor picnic setup, just for your group, with a spread that includes Andean cheese, sourdough seed bread, dried fruit, seasonal produce, infusions, and a full bottle of Intipalka wine. And llamas nearby – monitored, curious, occasionally interested in your bread.
• Andean cheese board that’s worth the trip on its own – Local cheeses, seeds, good bread, fruit. Not a packed lunch in a paper bag. A proper spread in an open landscape at altitude, with views that a restaurant could not replicate.
• A route that mixes shared and private in the right places – The tour of Chinchero, Moray, and Maras runs as a shared group, which means you cover these sites with other travelers from around the world. The picnic is entirely private – your group, your guide, your pace. The structure makes sense once you’re in it.
• Altitude and landscape at their most dramatic – The Salt Mines sit at 3,380 m.a.s.l. Moray sits above 3,500 m.a.s.l. The views from both sites combine mountains, sky, and human engineering in a way that the standard city tour in Cusco simply can’t match.
• Pink salt to take home – At the Maras site, there’s a stop at a local establishment where you can learn how the salt is processed and taste and buy the finished product. Maras salt is sold internationally and recognized for its mineral content. Buying it here, from the people who extract it, is a different thing than buying it in a shop.

Hotel Pickup

Pickup is from your hotel in the Cusco historic center. The narrow streets of the city center mean that some hotels cannot be accessed directly by the vehicle – in those cases, your guide will suggest a nearby meeting point within easy walking distance. This is standard for the area and not an inconvenience – you’ll be notified the day before.

Pickup from hotels outside the historic center or outside the city of Cusco (Sacred Valley, airport area) is available for private bookings – consult Andeara reservations for additional costs.

Luggage Storage

Large bags and suitcases are not permitted on this tour. Bring a small daypack. If you’re between hotels or checking out on the day of the tour, most hotels in Cusco offer luggage storage at the front desk.

Tax Documentation – IGV

Under Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local sales tax (IGV – 18%). As a registered agency, Andeara is required to present documentation proving your entry into Peru to the tax authorities. A few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of your passport or entry document and your Peru entry date.

If this information is not provided before the tour, the 18% IGV will be added to your total. We appreciate your cooperation – this is a legal requirement, not an optional step.

Payment Conditions

• A deposit of 20% is required at booking confirmation
• The remaining balance is due before the tour date according to the schedule communicated by Andeara
• Tourist tickets and site entrance fees are paid directly on-site in cash – they are not collected by Andeara
• Tips are paid directly to your guide in cash at the end of the tour

Cancellation Policy

• More than 30 days before: 20% of the total is non-refundable
• Between 7 and 30 days before: 40% of the total is non-refundable
• Less than 7 days before: 100% of the total is non-refundable

Date Change Policy

• More than 30 days before: 5% fee applies
• Between 7 and 30 days before: 10% fee applies
• Less than 7 days before: No changes possible – treated as cancellation
• All date changes are subject to availability

No refunds are issued for delays caused by flights, trains, weather, or other external factors.

Availability

The Llama Picnic + Chinchero, Moray & Maras tour runs daily, subject to booking.

We recommend booking at least 2 to 4 weeks in advance, particularly during the high-travel months of June, July, and August when spots for the shared format fill quickly.

For private group bookings, contact Andeara’s reservations team directly to confirm availability. Private departures require more lead time to coordinate vehicle, guide, and picnic preparation.

Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible – contact our reservations team by phone or WhatsApp to check. We will confirm within a few hours whether we can accommodate your request, but availability is not guaranteed for same-day or next-day requests.

Documents

• Passport or national ID – required for tourist ticket purchase and for Andeara’s tax documentation (see service notes)
• Travel insurance documentation

Clothing & Footwear

• Closed-toe walking shoes with grip – non-negotiable for the Maras section
• Layered clothing – base layer, mid-layer, and a jacket. Morning temperatures at Chinchero and Moray can sit below 10°C
• Gloves for the morning portion – optional but worth having if you run cold
• Hat or sun cap – both for sun and for wind
• Light rain layer or compact poncho – especially important November to April (wet season). The picnic and llamas move indoors in rain, but the site visits happen in light rain

Personal Items

• Sunscreen – SPF 50 or higher, applied before departure
• Sunglasses – UV protection at altitude
• Personal medication, including altitude medication if recommended by your doctor

Cash

• Soles for the tourist ticket, Salt Mines entrance, and market purchases
• Small denomination soles for tips and incidentals
• Approximate cash needed: S/ 90 to S/ 120 per person to cover tickets plus small purchases

Gear

• Small daypack – enough for water, jacket, camera, and personal items. Large bags are not permitted on the tour vehicle
• Reusable water bottle
• Camera or smartphone with charged battery – Moray and the Salt Mines both reward photography, and the picnic with llamas is a specific kind of image that’s hard to replicate elsewhere

Special requirements: If you use mobility aids, carry professional photography equipment (tripods, lighting gear), travel with medication that requires refrigeration, or have any other specific need, notify Andeara’s reservations team before confirming your booking.

Tourist Ticket – BTC Partial Circuit III

The Boleto Turístico del Cusco (BTC) Partial Circuit III covers entrance to Pisac, Chinchero, Moray, and Ollantaytambo. For this tour, you need the ticket for Chinchero and Moray.

• Foreigners: S/ 70 per person
• Peruvians: S/ 40 per person
• Payment: Cash only – accepted only in Peruvian soles
• Where to purchase: At the entrance of each attraction, or you can arrange purchase through Andeara as an add-on service (consult reservations)

The Maras Salt Mines operate under a separate community entrance fee:

• Entrance fee (adults and students): S/ 20 per person – paid on-site in cash

Carry enough soles before departure. ATMs in Cusco are the most reliable place to withdraw local currency before the tour.

Transport

• Outbound: Private vehicle from hotel to all three sites (shared with the group in standard format)
• Between sites: Same vehicle moves the group between Chinchero, Moray, and Maras
• Return: Private vehicle from the picnic site back to your hotel in the Cusco historic center – this portion is exclusive to your group regardless of the service format chosen

Accommodation in Cusco

If you’re still planning your accommodation, staying in the Cusco historic center puts you within pickup range and walking distance of most evening activity after the tour. The return is approximately 3:30 p.m., leaving the rest of the afternoon and evening free. If you need accommodation suggestions for any budget range, contact Andeara’s reservations team.

Travel Restrictions & Important Notes

Strikes and Demonstrations

Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and can affect road access to the Sacred Valley sites. In the event of a road closure or demonstration that prevents the tour from running as planned, Andeara will make every effort to offer an alternative or reschedule. If the tour must be canceled entirely due to these circumstances, no refund is issued under force majeure policy – but our operations team will work with you to find a workable solution.

Your safety is the determining factor in all decisions related to disruptions.

Lost Objects

Pay attention to your belongings across all three sites and in the vehicle. You are solely responsible for personal items during the tour. The markets at Chinchero and Maras are busy – keep bags closed and close to your body while browsing.

Not Permitted on This Tour

• Pets
• Smoking at any point during the tour or at the picnic site
• Large bags or suitcases in the vehicle

Health Considerations

This tour involves walking across three sites at altitudes ranging from 3,380 to 3,500+ m.a.s.l. over a six-hour period. It is rated moderate.

• Spend at least 24 to 48 hours in Cusco before this tour to allow initial altitude adjustment
• The path at the Maras Salt Mines has narrow sections with uneven ground and lateral drops – walkers should be steady on their feet and wearing appropriate footwear
• Avoid alcohol the night before – the combination of altitude, morning cold, and an early departure makes a clear head worth more than a good dinner
• Drink water consistently throughout the day, not just when you feel thirsty
• Coca tea (mate de coca) is widely available in Cusco and helps with mild altitude discomfort – have a cup before departure
• If you have a heart condition, respiratory condition, or significant mobility limitations, consult your doctor before booking this tour and inform Andeara at the time of reservation

This tour is not recommended for travelers using wheelchairs. The terrain at Moray, the Salt Mines path, and the picnic site are not accessible for wheelchair users. Travelers with limited mobility should contact Andeara before booking to discuss options.