Peru Off-the-Beaten-Track: Maras, Moray, and Salineras from Cusco

In this lovely one day tour we visit Moray, perhaps the most unusual of the Inca ruins and then descend to Sacred Valley of the Incas, via the salt mines at Salineras. Departure time from Cusco is at 8:30am.

We will pass along Chinchero & continue on to the village of Maras and then to Moray. A pre-Inca site, though used by the Incas, Moray is a series of agricultural terraces which were believed to be an experimental agricultural station for different crop strains.

We spend about one hour exploring these huge amphitheaters before heading back cross country through traditional farmland to the charming village of Maras. Walking along the cusp of the Sacred Valley we are rewarded with views of the opposite snow-capped mountains. Enjoy a lovely picnic on route.

Visit sleepy, charming Maras before heading downhill to Salineras, sometimes meeting large numbers of donkey trains carrying the salt uphill. Salineras is a collection of watered terraces that take salt from an underground salty stream, which is collected by locals through a fascinating process of evaporation. The pools and salt embankments are an incredible sight against the stunning mountain backdrop.

From Salineras our private transport collects us and returns us to Cusco, via Urubamba (about 2 hours drive).