The Moray to Maras Hike allows you to explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas in 1 day from Cusco. Your hike to Maras Salt mines from Moray passes through colorful fields, Andean villages with stunning landscapes. This private day trip is perfect for those looking to immerse in the local culture of Cusco.
The Hike from Moray to Maras shows the oldest agricultural experimental station and the beautiful salt mines. This personalized full-day hike allows you to visit these sacred valley highlights as you learn the history of the Incas. Your hike also offers a continuous country experience with frequent chances for local interaction.
The Inca site of Moray consists of four circular depressions, where the Incas built concentric stone terraces. This created an optimal climate conditions to adapt a variety of crops to different altitudes of the Peruvian Andes.
Different from Moray Inca site, the Maras salt mines belong to the pre-inca cultures. Since 1982 the Andean communities of Maras and Pichingoto have extracted the salt. Today, you can see more than 4 000 salt ponds built on the side of a mountain. Every four days they harvest the white and pink salt and distribute to local shops in Cusco.
The hike to Moray and Maras salt mines in one day is the best way to explore these famous attractions of the sacred valley of the Incas. This trail is mostly downhill and a bit off the beaten path, therefore not touristy.
Pick up & drop off Location: Cusco or Urubamba hotels.
Tour Duration: Moray and Maras Salt Mines Hike 1 day.
Max. Elevation: 3,500 m / 11,480 ft.
Service: Private Tour.
The full-day hike from Moray to Maras salt mines begins with a pick up from your hotel in Cusco or Urubamba. Our private vehicle will transfer you to the trailhead located in Moray. Once there, you will start with a guided tour of Moray Inca site and learn about the purpose of construction.
The ancient Incas occupied four enormous natural depressions of the Andean plains and sculpted them into several levels of agricultural terraces that served, hundreds of years ago, as an experimental agricultural station for the development of a different strain of crops. This was possible because of the discovery of a fascinating phenomenon: the climates of different ecological zones were present at a single site.
Your hike from Moray to Maras salt mines continues enjoying breathtaking views of the Vilcanota Mountain Range. This section involves a two-hour hike, passing fertile plains and farms. Once there, You will stroll down the narrow streets of Maras, seeing its fine examples of colonial doorways and also have a chance to buy some snacks.
Later, we hike for two hours until we reach the Maras Salt pans. The Maras salt mines or so called “salineras” have about 4000 pools with an average area of 5 m². People fill up the pools during the dry season every 4 days, with spring salty water located on the top of the area. So, when the water evaporates the salt flakes remain in it until slowly solidify. This process will be carried out during a month until a considerable amount of salt is obtained.
Finally, our Maras and Moray hike experience ends with a transfer to the hotel in Cusco or the sacred valley.
