Maras, Moray & Salt Mines: Sacred Valley Day Trip from Cusco

Summary

Moray’s green circles to maras salt pools with local stories and a quiet lunch

You’ll wander ancient Moray terraces, taste fresh salt at Maras mines, and share laughs with your guide on this Sacred Valley day trip from Cusco. Expect hotel pickup, stories behind Inca agriculture, and simple lunch surrounded by mountain silence. It’s not just sightseeing — it’s feeling history under your feet and maybe getting a little salty yourself.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit I signed up for this Maras, Moray & Salt Mines tour mostly because I’d seen those weird crop circles in photos and wanted to see if they were real. Our driver picked us up right in Cusco — early, but not painfully so — and by the time we hit the edge of the city, the air already felt different. Colder, sharper somehow. Our guide, Ana, pointed out tiny villages tucked into the hills as we wound higher; she joked about how you can always tell who’s local by whether they’re wearing three sweaters or just one.

Moray was stranger than I expected. The terraces really do spiral down like a giant green fingerprint pressed into the earth. Ana explained how Incas experimented with crops here — something about microclimates? I touched one of the stones and it was still cool from last night’s chill. There was this faint smell of wild herbs everywhere, almost minty. We had time to just stand there quietly (I liked that part), before heading off again.

The drive to Maras was bumpy — I kept thinking we’d lose a tire — but then suddenly you see these white salt pools spilling down the hillside. It looked almost fake from a distance. Up close you can hear water trickling and see people scraping crystals into piles; it’s been done like this for centuries apparently. Ana handed us a pinch of salt to try (stronger than supermarket stuff) and laughed when I made a face. Lunch was simple but good — sandwich, fruit, nothing fancy but somehow perfect after all that walking.

I still think about those salt ponds sometimes when I’m cooking at home. Something about seeing people work them by hand sticks with you more than any photo could. So yeah, if you’re curious about Inca engineering or just want a day outside Cusco with some honest-to-goodness fresh air (and salt under your fingernails), this day trip is worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Moray, Maras, and Salt Mines

• Pick up at hotel in Cusco
• Visit Moray agricultural terraces
• Travel to Maras village
• Explore Maras Salt Mines
• Return to Cusco accommodation

Top questions

How long does the Maras & Moray day trip take?

The tour lasts most of the day with morning pickup in Cusco and return by afternoon or early evening.

Is hotel pickup included for this Sacred Valley tour?

Yes, round-trip transportation from most Cusco hotels is included.

Are entrance fees covered for Maras Salt Mines?

Yes, entry to Maras Salt Mines is included in the tour price.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

A lunch box is included for each traveler during the day trip.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants are welcome; specialized infant seats are available upon request if paying for their seat.

Do I need a Cusco Tourist Ticket for Moray?

Yes, bring your Cusco Tourist Ticket for entry to Moray terraces.

What languages does the guide speak?

The professional guide speaks Spanish and Portuguese fluently.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco, entry fees for Maras Salt Mines (but remember to bring your own Cusco Tourist Ticket for Moray), bottled water to keep you going at altitude, a simple lunch box for refueling after exploring those terraces and pools, plus all transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with stories from your bilingual guide along the way.