Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire, serves as the gateway to a captivating exploration of Maras and Moray. This small-group tour promises an immersive experience, guiding visitors through the innovative agricultural terraces of Moray and the traditional salt production process at Maras. Travelers will uncover the remarkable Inca heritage, gaining personalized insights from bilingual experts while marveling at the breathtaking landscapes that shaped this ancient civilization. The journey offers a unique opportunity to explore the Inca’s advanced farming techniques and their enduring legacy.

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Key Points

Maras and Moray are two must-visit sites near Cusco showcasing Inca agricultural innovations and salt production techniques.
Moray features terraced depressions used for experimental crop cultivation, demonstrating the Inca’s advanced understanding of agricultural principles.
The Maras salt terraces contain over 3,000 salt wells, highlighting the Inca’s engineering and connection to the land.
The Maras and Moray tour offers a small-group experience with expert bilingual guides, providing personalized insights into Inca culture and history.
The tour includes transportation, entry fees, and a return drop-off near the main square in Cusco, ensuring a convenient and hassle-free experience.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Maras and Moray tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich Inca legacy, with prices starting from $39.00 per person and a duration of 7 hours.

This small-group tour, limited to 12 participants, is available in English and Spanish, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Travelers can reserve now and pay later, ensuring a hassle-free booking experience.

Bilingual guides provide in-depth insights, offering a personalized experience and exclusive access to the Inca’s salt terraces and agricultural innovations.

Transportation and entry fees are included, making this a convenient and comprehensive way to discover these remarkable sites.

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

Highlights and Experience

Expert guides provide in-depth insights from a bilingual perspective, offering a personalized experience for the small group of up to 12 participants.

Guests gain exclusive access to Inca creations, exploring the cultural significance of the salt terraces and agricultural innovations.

Exclusive access to Inca creations, exploring the cultural significance of the salt terraces and agricultural innovations.

The tour offers a closer look at these remarkable sites, immersing visitors in the legacy of the Inca civilization.

Through this intimate, small-group exploration, travelers can better engage with the guides and the profound history of Moray and Maras.

Itinerary

The tour begins with pickup from hotels in the Cusco Historic Center, transporting guests to the first stop at Moray, located 49.3 km from Cusco.

This unique archaeological site features terraces and irrigation channels, showcasing the Inca’s advanced agricultural practices. Notably, the temperature can vary by up to 15°C within the 30-meter-deep depressions.

Next, the tour visits Maras, where guests explore approximately 3,000 salt wells, each around 5 m², and witness the traditional salt production process.

Finally, the tour returns, dropping guests off near the main square in Cusco for lunch.

Moray: An Inca Agricultural Wonder

Although known primarily as an archaeological site, Moray showcases the Inca’s remarkable agricultural ingenuity.

The elaborate terraced depressions were used as experimental crop circles, with each level having a unique microclimate. This allowed the Inca to test and cultivate a variety of crops, from potatoes to maize.

The temperature difference between the top and bottom of the depressions can be as high as 15°C, demonstrating the Inca’s advanced understanding of agricultural principles.

The Inca’s remarkable understanding of agricultural principles is evident in the 15°C temperature difference across Moray’s terraced depressions.

Today, Moray stands as a testament to the Inca’s innovative spirit and their efforts to optimize food production in the Andes.

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Maras: The Sacred Salt Terraces

Just a short distance from the unique agricultural marvel of Moray lies the captivating Maras salt terraces.

This ancient Inca site features over 3,000 salt wells that have been in use for centuries.

The salt production process involves:

Filling the wells with salty spring water every 3 days.
Evaporating the water to extract the salt.
Scraping the salt and packaging it for distribution.

Visitors can explore the terraced salt ponds and witness the traditional methods that have sustained this community for generations.

Maras offers a glimpse into the Inca’s remarkable engineering and their deep connection to the land.

There's plenty more to explore in Cusco

Transportation and Guided Experience

For the Maras and Moray tour, travelers are provided with comfortable tourist transportation from their hotels in the Cusco Historic Center.

The tour is led by bilingual guides who share in-depth insights about the rich Inca legacy. With a small group size limited to 12 participants, the experience is personalized, allowing for better engagement and a closer look at the Inca creations.

At the end of the tour, guests are dropped off near the main square in Cusco, where they can enjoy lunch and further explore the city at their leisure.

Pricing and Inclusions

The Maras and Moray tour is priced from $39.00 per person. This 7-hour excursion includes:

Explore the Inca legacy with a 7-hour Maras and Moray tour priced from $39.00 per person.

Expert bilingual guides who provide in-depth insights into the Inca legacy.
Exclusive access to the unique archaeological sites of Moray and the Maras salt terraces.
Pickup from hotels in the Cusco Historic Center and drop-off near the main square, allowing for a convenient start and end to the day.

Plus, all entry fees, such as the Tourist Ticket and Salinas Entrance, are covered in the tour price.

The small group size ensures a personalized experience for travelers.

Booking and Availability

Travelers can check the availability of the Maras and Moray tour on the tour provider’s website or by contacting them directly.

The tour has limited group sizes, so booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak seasons. If the automatic online reservation is unavailable, travelers can reach out to the provider for last-minute availability.

Prices may be subject to variation, and the tour can be reserved with a "pay later" option.

The cancellation policy allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, providing flexibility for travelers’ plans.

Since You Asked

Is the Tour Suitable for People With Mobility Issues?

The tour may not be the best option for people with mobility issues, as it involves walking on uneven terrain and navigating stairs at the archaeological sites. However, the tour operator can likely provide accommodations if requested in advance.

Can Children Participate in the Tour?

Yes, children can participate in the tour. The group size is limited to 12 participants, making it suitable for families. However, the duration of the tour (7 hours) may not be suitable for very young children.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?

The tour doesn’t have any age restrictions, and children are welcome to participate. However, it’s important to note that the tour involves walking and exploring uneven terrain, so parental supervision is recommended for young children.

Do the Guides Provide Information About the Local Culture?

The expert bilingual guides provide in-depth insights into the cultural significance of the Inca legacy, exploring the salt terraces and agricultural innovations at these sites in an engaging and informative manner.

Can the Tour Be Customized to Our Preferences?

The tour can be customized to your preferences. The small group size allows for a personalized experience, and the bilingual guides provide in-depth insights tailored to your interests. You can discuss any specific requests with the tour operator.

The Sum Up

This enriching tour from Cusco to Maras and Moray immerses visitors in Inca heritage. Explore the innovative agricultural terraces of Moray and witness the traditional salt production at Maras. With personalized insights from bilingual experts, travelers gain a deeper understanding of Inca ingenuity while enjoying the breathtaking landscapes. This small-group experience offers an unforgettable glimpse into the remarkable Inca legacy.