Sacred Valley: Moray Terraces & Maras Salt Mines Day Trip

Summary

Moray terraces and maras salt pools tour from cusco with local guide

See Peru’s Sacred Valley up close on this half-day trip from Cusco—feel Andean wool between your fingers in Chinchero, taste salt in the air at Maras, walk along Moray’s ancient terraces with stories echoing around you. You’ll travel with a local guide and private transport—so you can just take it all in.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you wake up too early and the air is still kind of cold? That’s how it started in Cusco — my breath visible, the street vendors already setting up. Our driver, Marco, greeted us with a sleepy smile (I think he’d done this before) and we headed out toward the Sacred Valley. The road twisted through hills that looked stitched together in green and brown patches. First stop was Chinchero. I didn’t expect to laugh so much there — a local family showed us how they make those wild-colored Andean textiles. The smell of wet wool and herbs used for dyeing stuck to my hands after I tried spinning some yarn myself. I was terrible at it, but everyone just laughed along with me.

After that, the Maras Salt Mines appeared almost suddenly — thousands of white pools climbing down the hillside like a giant honeycomb. There’s this sharp tang in the air from all that salt; it gets on your lips if you’re not careful. Our guide explained how families have passed these salt wells down for generations (since before the Incas even), which made me look closer at the people working there — their practiced movements, buckets swinging. I bought a little bag of salt as a souvenir; it still sits on my kitchen shelf now.

The last part was Moray. You hear about “agricultural terraces” but seeing those circles drop into the earth is something else — like some ancient amphitheater built for potatoes instead of plays. The wind picks up out there, carrying bits of conversation from other travelers and sometimes just silence, which felt kind of right. Our guide talked about how these terraces were like a big outdoor lab for crops way back when. I still think about that view sometimes — all those rings fading into shadow as clouds rolled by overhead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Chinchero, Maras Salt Mines, Moray

• Explore Chinchero ruins and terraces
• Watch Andean textile demonstration
• Visit Maras salt mines
• Tour Moray circular terraces

Top questions

How long is the Moray & Maras Salt Mines tour from Cusco?

The tour is a half-day trip departing from Cusco.

Is hotel pickup included for this Sacred Valley day trip?

The tour includes private transportation but does not specify hotel pickup—check with your provider.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome and specialized infant seats are available.

What will I see on the Moray & Maras Salt Mines tour?

You’ll visit Chinchero (textile demo), Maras Salt Pools, and Moray agricultural terraces.

Is lunch included during this day trip to Moray & Maras?

No lunch is mentioned as included in this tour.

Are service animals allowed on this Sacred Valley tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

How far are Moray and Maras from Cusco?

Moray is about 7 km from Maras; both are within driving distance from Cusco as part of the day trip route.

What’s included

Your half-day includes private transportation through the Sacred Valley, guidance from a local expert at each site—including demonstrations with an Andean family—and visits to Chinchero’s textile workshop, Maras Salt Pools, and Moray’s circular terraces before returning to Cusco.