Overview
Discover the unique agricultural and historical sites of the Sacred Valley’s outskirts. This tour takes you through ancient traditions and stunning natural landscapes.
- Maras: A colonial town with a rich history of Incan nobility.
- Moray: An impressive agricultural laboratory with circular terraces.
- Salineras: Over 3,000 ancient salt wells still in use today.
- Scenic Views: Breathtaking views of the Urubamba Mountain Range and snow peaks.
Price: $25.00
Full Itinerary
Maras:
We will start our tour visiting Maras which is located in the west of Cusco at 3300 meters above sea level. From this place we will see the Urubamba Mountain Range and snow peaks like “La Veronica” (5682 m.a.s.l.) and “Chikon” (5530 m.a.s.l.). This town was established when the noble Incan people were evicted from their palaces in Cusco and had to migrate to other towns like Maras. It has a church made of mud bricks in which interior there are paintings that belong to the Cusquenian Painting School.
Moray:
We will know the Archaeological Center of Moray; this unique place is thought to be an experimental center. The complex consists in big holes or depressions which the Incas used to build circular agricultural terraces following the contour of the holes. All the terraces had their respective irrigation canals. Thanks to the weather conditions and other characteristics, it was a center where many vegetal species were domesticated, acclimated and put through a process of hybridization in order to make them suitable for human consumption. We will be able to feel the temperature change between the top and bottom of the depressions.
Salineras:
We will continue our tour towards the Salineras that are located to the northwest of Maras. We will know the salt mines that consist in 3000 small wells built next to the Qaqawiñay Mountain. During the drought season, these wells are filled with salty water that comes from a natural spring located on the top, the water evaporates and the salt contained in it starts to solidify. This process takes about a month.
The tour includes:
- Transfers
- Professional Tour Guide
- Tourist Transportation
- Entrance Ticket to the salt mines
General Info
Altitudes: Maras (3300 m.a.s.l.), La Veronica peak (5682 m.a.s.l.), Chikon peak (5530 m.a.s.l.).
Location: West and Northwest of Cusco.
Key Features: Colonial mud-brick church, circular agricultural depressions, and 3000 natural salt wells.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was Moray used for?
It is thought to be an experimental agricultural center where the Incas domesticated and hybridized different plant species.
How is the salt produced in Salineras?
Salty water from a natural spring fills the wells; the water evaporates over about a month, leaving the solidified salt behind.
Can we see the snow-capped mountains?
Yes, from Maras you can appreciate the Urubamba Mountain Range, including «La Veronica» and «Chikon» peaks.