The Most Famous Hike in Peru & South America
1 Days & 0 Nights
This half-day Chinchero, Moray and Maras Salt Mines experience will take you off the beaten track to enjoy the stunning scenery of the snow-capped Andes Mountains in the Sacred Valley, Chinchero with its colonial church and Inca ruins, also known as the “Green Houses” of the Incas, Moray with its impressive circular terraces and the stunning Maras Salt Mines.
The tour begins with the pick up from your hotel at 8:00 am in our private transport heading towards the town of Chinchero. Upon arrival we will walk through the beautiful colonial streets of Chinchero until we reach the archaeological site where you will see in the square a colonial adobe church, dating back to the early 17th century, which has been built on the foundations of an Inca temple or palace. The roof and walls are covered with beautiful floral and religious designs. In addition, you will discover the Inca archaeological ruins and agricultural terraces, which are attributed to the Inca Tupac Yupanqui, who possibly used Chinchero as his summer palace. You will have time to explore with our guide and ask any questions you may have and then return to our transport and continue with our tour.
Now we will head towards the MARAS salt mines where we will be dazzled by the beauty of more than 3 thousand salt pools that are still used for salt extraction since the time of the Incas. A thermal spring located at the top releases water loaded with salt that is diverted to the wells and evaporates to produce salt that is sold in the region. Do not worry, we will go down to the lower part of the salt pools where you will take the beautiful photos that you see on our website and on social networks. Likewise, our guide will answer any questions you may have. At the end of our visit to the Maras salt mines, we will board our transport again to continue to our next destination, which is the archaeological site of Moray, which is 20 minutes away.
Upon arriving at the archaeological site of Moray, our guide will tell us the history of this incredible place.
Moray is also known as “The greenhouses of the Incas.” A unique and fascinating place. Where we will find several concentric terraces that have been excavated within a large natural bowl. Each terrace has a microclimate that allowed the Incas to adapt certain crops to the high Andean climate conditions; only in this way were they able to define the optimal conditions for the crops. It is also thought that this place served to create new varieties of plants.
After finishing the explanation, we will take a 20-minute walk around Moray to better appreciate such a beautiful place and take photos for our memories.
At the end of our visit to Moray, we will board our transport for the last time, which will be waiting for us, to return to the city of Cusco and finally leave you at your hotel. The tour will end at approximately 2:30 pm.
Remember:
You can rent with us, request it in the briefing or at the time of making your reservation.
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Read MoreThis experience focuses on unique sites like Moray and Maras Salt Mines, instead of the classic Sacred Valley circuit.
Moray is believed to have been an Inca agricultural laboratory, where different microclimates were used to experiment with crops.
The salt mines consist of thousands of small pools fed by a natural spring, still harvested using traditional methods by local families.
In Chinchero, you can see traditional weaving demonstrations and learn about Andean textile techniques.
Yes, it is a half-day tour, making it ideal for travelers with tight schedules.
Some sites like Moray require a tourist ticket, while the salt mines usually have a separate entrance fee.
Expect a mix of Andean mountains, agricultural terraces, and unique salt formations.
No, it involves light walking and is suitable for most travelers.
Yes, the circular terraces of Moray and the white salt pools of Maras are highly photogenic.
Definitely, it combines history, agriculture, and living traditions in one experience.
👉 Book your Chinchero, Moray & Maras tour and discover one of the most unique landscapes in the Sacred Valley.
3762msnm / 12343ft M.S.N.M
Up to 2- 4 people People
Group
Van
easy
Meta Peru Travel is a licensed and certified luxury travel agency recognized by Peru’s leading tourism and sustainability organizations, ensuring every journey meets the highest international standards.
