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 an 8:00 a.m. pick-up from your hotel. We'll travel in our private transportation to Chinchero, located 1 hour and 10 minutes from the city of Cusco. Upon arrival, we'll stroll through the charming colonial streets of Chinchero to reach the archaeological site. There, you'll admire a colonial adobe church in the main square, dating back to the early 17th century, built upon the foundations of an Inca temple or palace. The ceiling and walls are adorned with beautiful floral and religious designs. You'll also discover the Inca archaeological ruins and agricultural terraces, attributed to the Inca Túpac Yupanqui, who may have used Chinchero as his summer palace. You'll have time to explore with our guide and ask any questions you may have before returning to our transportation to continue the tour.
Next, we'll head to the Maras salt mines, located 30 minutes from the town of Chinchero. Upon arrival, you'll be amazed by the beauty of over 3,000 salt ponds, still used for salt extraction since Inca times. A thermal spring located above releases salt-rich water that is diverted to the ponds and evaporates to produce the salt sold in the region. Don't worry, we'll go down to the bottom of the salt ponds where you can take the beautiful photos you see on our website and social media. Our guide will also be available to answer any questions you may have. After our visit to the Maras salt mines, we'll board our transport again to continue to our next destination: the Moray archaeological site, located 20 minutes away.
Upon arriving at the Moray archaeological site, our guide will tell us the history of this incredible place. Moray, also known as the "Greenhouses of the Incas," is a unique and fascinating place. It features several concentric terraces carved into a large natural depression. Each terrace has its own microclimate, which allowed the Incas to adapt certain crops to the high Andean climate; only in this way could they define the optimal conditions for their growth. It is also believed that this place served as a breeding ground for new plant varieties.
After the explanation, we will take a 20-minute walk through Moray to better appreciate this beautiful site and take photos to remember it by.
At the end of our visit to Moray, we will board our transportation for the last time, which will be waiting for us, to return to the city of Cusco and finally drop you off at your hotel, thus concluding a unique and enriching experience with Meta Peru Travel.
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
Private
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.
