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Thi W TripadvisorMaras and Moray Tour from Cusco
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OVERVIEW
Trip Overview
Some places near Cusco tell their story without needing big temples or long hikes. Maras and Moray do it through land, salt, stone, and the quiet work of Andean families.
This short tour takes you from the city into open highland fields, where snow peaks appear in the distance and small farming villages still move at their own rhythm. In just a few hours, you will stand beside the circular terraces of Moray, a site where the Incas studied crops, temperature, and altitude with surprising precision.
Then the road leads to the Maras Salt Mines, a hillside covered with thousands of salt ponds that have been worked for centuries by local families from Maras and nearby communities. The colors shift between white, cream, and brown depending on the sun, water, and season. It is simple, raw, and deeply Andean.
With Pullman Machu Picchu, this route is planned for travelers who want a meaningful half-day trip from Cusco without rushing through the places that make the Sacred Valley feel alive.
Moray is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket system, while the Maras Salt Mines require a separate local entrance paid in soles.
Itineraries & Prices
Accomodation
Accommodation
Up to 12 people
Group size
15,090 feet (4,600 meters)
Max. altitude
Easy
Difficulty
by Bus
Transport
1B, 1L, 1D
Meals
Trip Details
- Tour name: Maras and Moray Tour from Cusco
- Duration: 1 day, approximately 7 hours
- Departure city: Cusco
- Return city: Cusco
- Pick-up time: Between 8:00 and 8:30 AM
- Approximate return time: Around 3:00 PM
- Main places: Moray Archaeological Site and Maras Salt Mines
- Transport: Tourist transport by road
- Walking level: Easy
- Best for: Families, couples, older travelers, first-time visitors, photography lovers, and travelers with limited time
- Meals: Not included
- Moray entrance: Covered by the Cusco Tourist Ticket
- Maras Salt Mines entrance: Paid separately in cash, usually in Peruvian soles
- Altitude: Similar to Cusco and the highland areas of the Sacred Valley, so light altitude symptoms can still happen for some travelers
- Weather: Dry, sunny, windy, or rainy depending on the season; layered clothing is recommended
The full Cusco Tourist Ticket is commonly listed at S/130, while partial tickets are commonly listed at S/70; Moray is one of the sites included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket network.
Day by Day Schedule
Day highlight: Today you will see two very different sides of the Andean world — Inca agricultural design at Moray and family salt work at Maras.
Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 8:00 and 8:30 AM. From the city, the road moves toward the highland section of the Sacred Valley. The first part of the drive gives you wide views of farming lands, mountains, and rural homes where daily life still depends on the seasons.
The road is paved in several sections, with some rural stretches closer to the sites. The ride is comfortable, though curves and altitude may cause mild discomfort for travelers who are sensitive to mountain roads.
Your first main stop is Moray, one of the most interesting Inca sites near Cusco. The circular terraces sink into the ground like a great amphitheater. Your guide will explain how the Incas used these terraces to work with changes in temperature, sunlight, and elevation. The original text mentions temperature differences of up to 5°C between terrace levels, which helps explain why this site is often linked to agricultural testing.
Technical details at Moray
- Walking time: Short walks around viewpoints and paths
- Ground type: Dirt paths, stone sections, and uneven rural terrain
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best moments: Wide views of the terraces, guide explanation, photography from the upper viewpoints
- Climate feel: Sun can be strong; wind is common in open areas
After Moray, you continue toward the Maras Salt Mines. The view changes quickly as the road approaches a dry valley where thousands of salt ponds cover the mountainside. These ponds are filled by mineral-rich water that comes from the mountain. As the water evaporates, salt remains and is collected by local families. Reports describe this work as a tradition linked to the communities of Maras and Pichingoto, with family management passed down through generations.
At Maras, you will have time to see the salt ponds from the visitor area, take photos, and buy local salt products if you wish. To be honest, this place can feel busier during peak hours, but a well-organized guide helps you understand what you are seeing instead of just taking quick pictures.
Technical details at Maras Salt Mines
- Walking time: Short walking sections near the visitor area
- Ground type: Dirt paths, viewpoints, steps or uneven areas depending on access
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best moments: Salt pond views, photography, local salt shopping
- Climate feel: Dry air, bright light, strong sun at midday
After the visit, you return by tourist transport to Cusco. Arrival is planned around 3:00 PM, depending on traffic, pace, weather, and local conditions.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Professional tour guide
- Tourist transport
- Hotel pick-up in Cusco, according to your hotel location
- Visit to Moray Archaeological Site
- Visit to Maras Salt Mines
- Return transport to Cusco
- Basic tour coordination before departure
What’s Not Included
- Meals
- Moray entrance ticket
- Maras Salt Mines entrance ticket
- Cusco Tourist Ticket
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Snacks and drinks
- Travel insurance
- Private expenses related to shopping or optional stops
More Tour Information
- Walk near Moray’s circular terraces — a place shaped like a great open-air agricultural study field, where the Incas worked with altitude, soil, sun, and temperature to understand how crops could grow in different conditions.
- See the Maras Salt Mines from a wide viewpoint — thousands of salt ponds fall down the mountainside in layers of white and earth tones. The site is still tied to local families and salt work that predates the Inca period.
- Travel through open Andean farmland — the route passes potato fields, small adobe houses, grazing animals, and wide views toward the Sacred Valley mountains.
- A calm half-day plan from Cusco — ideal for travelers who do not want a demanding hike, but still want something deeper than a simple photo stop.
- Local guide focused on clear storytelling — your guide explains how Moray may have worked as an agricultural testing zone and how the Maras salt ponds are still managed by families from the area.
- Good route for families and mixed-age groups — the walking is short, the ground is mostly firm, and the pace can be adapted in private service.
- Time for photography without forcing the schedule — Moray gives wide geometric views, while Maras offers strong light, textures, and patterns that change during the day.
- A strong choice for your first or last day in Cusco — the tour is short, close to the city, and does not require a full-day commitment.
Hotel Pick-Up
Pick-up is scheduled between 8:00 and 8:30 AM from your hotel in Cusco. Some narrow streets in the historic center may not allow direct vehicle access, so in those cases we may coordinate a nearby meeting point.
Please send your hotel name and address in advance so our operations team can organize the route properly.
Luggage Storage
This is a half-day tour, so you should only bring a small daypack. Large suitcases are not needed during the route.
If you need to store luggage, please coordinate with your hotel or with our team before the tour date. Do not bring large luggage inside the shared transport unless it has been approved in advance.
Payment Conditions
A reservation payment may be required to confirm your space, especially during busy travel months. This helps us organize transport, guides, and daily operation in advance.
Any remaining balance should be paid before departure or according to the terms given by the reservations team. Local entrances are usually paid separately in cash because some sites do not manage payments through tour operators.
Availability
This tour does not include Machu Picchu, so availability is generally easier than tours involving Machu Picchu tickets or Inca Trail permits.
You can often book this tour with at least 24 hours of notice, but last-minute reservations depend on transport space, guide availability, hotel location, and operational timing.
For private service, earlier booking is recommended, especially for families, groups, or travelers who need custom timing.
During high season, holidays, strikes, or local road interruptions, availability and departure times may change.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light jacket or windbreaker
- Rain poncho during rainy season
- Sun hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Small daypack
- Reusable water bottle
- Passport or valid ID
- Personal medication
- Motion sickness medication, if needed
- Camera or phone with enough battery
- Cash in Peruvian soles
- Personal snacks
- Any special medical items you may need
If you travel with special requirements such as mobility aids, professional filming equipment, service animals, medical devices, or any condition that needs extra support, please inform our reservations team in advance.
Cusco Tourist Ticket for Moray
Moray is part of the Cusco Tourist Ticket network. Travelers can use either the full ticket or the correct partial ticket depending on their Cusco itinerary. The full ticket is commonly listed at S/130, while partial tickets are commonly listed at S/70.
Maras Salt Mines Entrance
The Maras Salt Mines are not included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket and usually require a separate payment in soles at the entrance. Recent tour operators commonly list this fee around S/15 to S/20, but the final amount should be confirmed close to the travel date because local fees may change.
Transportation Included
The tour includes tourist transport from Cusco to Moray, then to Maras Salt Mines, and back to Cusco.
The road includes urban sections, paved road, rural road, curves, and open highland areas. Travelers who are sensitive to altitude or motion should bring personal medication.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included because this is a half-day tour from Cusco. Travelers usually take this tour while staying at a hotel, hostel, Airbnb, or other lodging in Cusco.
Travel Restrictions
Strikes and Demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may interrupt some tours. Roads can be blocked, and transport routes can change without much notice.
Under these circumstances, tours may be modified, delayed, rescheduled, or canceled. If this happens, our operations department will coordinate directly with you. Your safety comes first, and all decisions will be made with that in mind.
Lost Objects
Please pay attention to your personal belongings during the tour. Check your seat before leaving the vehicle and keep your phone, passport, wallet, and camera with you.
You are responsible for your personal items during the tour.
Health and Mobility
This is an easy tour, but it still takes place at high altitude. Some travelers may feel light headache, tiredness, dry throat, or shortness of breath.
The walking is short, but the ground may be uneven in some areas. Travelers with mobility concerns should request private service and inform the reservations team before booking.
Older travelers, pregnant travelers, or people with heart, respiratory, or serious medical conditions should ask their doctor before traveling to high-altitude areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy salt in Maras?
Yes. There are local sales points where you can buy salt products from the area. Bring cash in soles because card payment may not always be available.
Is this tour good for older adults and children?
Yes. The route is easy and the walking sections are short. Private service is better if you need a slower pace or extra assistance.
What is the Cusco Tourist Ticket?
It is an entrance ticket that gives access to several archaeological sites and attractions in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, including Moray. It can usually be purchased in person at official points or at some included sites.
Is food included?
No. Meals are not included. We recommend bringing water and a small snack.
What time does the tour finish?
The tour usually returns to Cusco around 3:00 PM, depending on traffic, weather, group pace, and local conditions.
Is this tour physically hard?
No. It is considered easy. The main things to consider are altitude, sun exposure, and some uneven ground.
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