Exploring the rich cultural heritage of Cusco’s surroundings is a must for any traveler. This captivating 6.5-hour tour takes visitors on a journey through the region’s remarkable landmarks, from the stunning salt mines of Maras to the ancient Incan agricultural site of Moray. Along the way, visitors enjoy the vibrant weaving community of Chinchero, witnessing skilled artisans employing traditional techniques and natural dyes. With hotel pickup, transportation, and an expert guide, this tour promises an enriching experience that delves into the area’s cultural and historical significance.

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Key Points

A comprehensive tour of cultural and historical sites around Cusco, including the Chinchero weavers, Moray archaeological center, and Salineras de Maras salt platforms.
The tour is priced at $23 per person and lasts approximately 6.5 hours, with hotel pickup and return to Cusco.
Highlights include witnessing traditional textile production using natural dyes, exploring the circular agricultural platforms of Moray, and visiting the ancient salt platforms of Salineras de Maras.
The tour includes an official guide, transportation, entrance fees, and additional inclusions, with the option to reserve now and pay later.
Important information includes the potential physical demands of the tour, the requirement of cash for payment, and the availability of the tour to be checked when booking.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

What does the Cusco Salt Mines Tour entail?

The tour covers the highlights of Cusco’s cultural and historical sites, including the Chinchero weavers, Moray archaeological center, and the renowned Salineras de Maras salt platforms.

Priced from $23 per person, the 6.5-hour tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later.

Included in the tour are hotel pickup, an official guide, transportation, entrance fees, and unspecified additional items.

This safe, clean, and punctual tour promises a unique opportunity to immerse in the region’s living culture and history.

Looking for more options in Cusco? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.

Itinerary and Highlights

The tour begins with hotel pickup in Cusco between 8:10 and 8:40 a.m., followed by a visit to Chinchero where visitors can experience the natural dyeing culture. Next, the group explores Moray, an archaeological center with circular agricultural platforms used by the Incas. The highlight of the tour is the visit to Salineras de Maras, where salt platforms resembling snow have been used for thousands of years. The tour returns to Cusco around 2:40 to 3:00 p.m.

| Itinerary | Highlights |

| — | — |

| Hotel pickup | Natural dyeing culture |

| Chinchero visit | Moray archaeological center |

| Explore Moray | Salineras de Maras salt platforms |

| Visit Salineras de Maras | Return to Cusco |

Inclusions

The Cusco Salt Mines Tour includes hotel pickup, an official tour guide (available in English and Spanish), and transportation.

Visitors will also receive a tourist ticket for entry to the Moray archaeological site and access to the iconic Salineras de Maras salt platforms.

With these inclusions, the tour provides a comprehensive experience, allowing travelers to fully enjoy the unique cultural and historical aspects of the destinations.

The tour ensures a safe, clean, and punctual experience, catering to the needs of the participants throughout the journey.

Tour Experience

Travelers can expect a safe, clean, and punctual tour experience when embarking on the Cusco Salt Mines Tour.

The tour provides an engaging opportunity to marvel at unique cultural and historical sites. Visitors will explore the circular agricultural platforms of Moray and the salt platforms of Salineras de Maras, which have been used for thousands of years.

The tour also includes a visit to Chinchero to experience the natural dyeing culture. Throughout the journey, travelers will have the chance to engage with local traditions and living culture, making for a truly immersive experience.

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Important Information

One important consideration for this tour is that it may not be suitable for wheelchair users or visually impaired people.

Participants should bring cash, as this is required for the tour. Smoking isn’t allowed inside the vehicle during the tour.

Visitors should check availability and select their desired start time when booking. This ensures they can participate on their preferred schedule.

There's plenty more to explore in Cusco

Visiting Chinchero

Firstly, visitors on the Cusco Salt Mines Tour will have the opportunity to experience the natural dyeing culture at Chinchero.

This Andean village is renowned for its traditional textile production. Tourists can witness skilled weavers demonstrating the ancient techniques used to create vibrant textiles.

They’ll learn how natural dyes are extracted from plants, flowers, and minerals to color the alpaca and wool fibers.

Exploring Chinchero provides a unique insight into the rich cultural heritage of the region, as visitors engage with the living traditions of this indigenous community.

Exploring Moray

After exploring the vibrant culture of Chinchero, the tour proceeds to the archaeological site of Moray.

Here, visitors marvel at the intricate circular agricultural terraces built by the Incas. The platforms descend in a stepwise fashion, creating a unique microclimate that the Incas used for crop experimentation.

The intricate circular agricultural terraces of Moray descend in a stepwise fashion, creating a unique microclimate for Inca crop experimentation.

Guides explain how the Incas leveraged the site’s natural features to cultivate a diverse range of crops. Exploring the ruins, guests gain insights into the engineering feats and agricultural innovations of the ancient Inca civilization.

The tranquil setting provides a serene backdrop for reflecting on Moray’s historical significance.

Discovering the Salt Mines

Where do the striking salt platforms come into view? After exploring the unique circular agricultural terraces of Moray, the tour continues to the Salineras de Maras, an impressive salt production site used for thousands of years. As the group approaches, the glistening white salt pans appear to be blanketed in a layer of snow.

| Feature | Description |

| — | — |

| Production | Salt is extracted from salty springs and evaporated in over 3,000 small pools |

| History | The salt mines have been in use since pre-Inca times, with production continuing today |

| Process | Water is diverted into the pools, and the salt is harvested once the water evaporates |

| Significance | The salt pans are an important economic resource and cultural heritage site for the local community |

The tour provides an opportunity to witness this unique and longstanding salt harvesting tradition firsthand.

Things To Know

Can I Pay With a Credit Card for the Tour?

The tour allows you to pay with a credit card, according to the tour overview information. You can reserve your spot now and pay later without needing to pay anything upfront.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Seniors or Students?

The tour doesn’t offer any discounts for seniors or students. The price is a flat rate of $23 per person, regardless of age or student status. Customers can, however, cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I Book This Tour in a Language Other Than English or Spanish?

The tour can be booked in languages other than English or Spanish, but these options may be limited. Customers should check with the tour operator to inquire about availability in their desired language before booking.

Is the Transportation Provided in a Private or Shared Vehicle?

The transportation for this tour is provided in a shared vehicle. The tour overview indicates that hotel pickup and transportation are included, but it doesn’t specify if it’s a private or shared vehicle.

Are There Any Additional Optional Activities During the Tour?

The tour doesn’t mention any additional optional activities. The itinerary covers the key highlights of the Cusco Salt Mines, Moray, and Chinchero Weavers without any optional extras during the 6.5-hour excursion.

Sum Up

This captivating 6.5-hour tour from Cusco offers a unique opportunity to explore the salt mines of Maras, the archaeological center of Moray, and the vibrant weaving community of Chinchero. Visitors will witness skilled artisans using traditional techniques and natural dyes, while also learning about ancient Incan agricultural practices. With hotel pickup, transportation, entrance fees, and an official guide included, this tour provides an enriching cultural and historical experience.