Maras Moray and Chinchero Half-Day Tour from Cusco 1
Maras Moray and Chinchero Half-Day Tour from Cusco 2
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Maras Moray and Chinchero Half-Day Tour from Cusco 6
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Maras Moray and Chinchero Half-Day Tour from Cusco

(3)
Cusco, Peru
Bus & Minivan ToursAdventure ToursDay Trips & Excursions
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About this activity

Explore three distinct Sacred Valley landmarks in one morning: the stunning concentric agricultural terraces of Moray, the working salt ponds of Salineras, and the Inca ruins and weaving traditions of Chinchero. This compact half-day tour pairs perfectly with Machu Picchu trips and offers genuine insights into Andean culture and pre-Columbian engineering.

Maras Moray and Chinchero tour is a fantastic half-day tour to explore and enjoy different landscapes around Cusco as you prepare for the long trip to Machu Picchu. 

We start visiting the Circular terraces at Moray, visit the picturesque town of Maras, count the thousands of salt pools at salinas, and visit Chinchero for a Textile demonstration and visit the Archeological site.

Highlights of Maras Moray and Chinchero Tour

  • Visit important Inca sites of Chinchero and Moray
  • Explore the Salineras and see the more than 3,000 salt pools
  • Learn the techniques on Andean weavers, women descendants of the Incas
  • Visit the city of the Portraits, Maras, former salt producers

Highlights

  • ✓Moray's perfectly circular terraces—likely Inca agricultural laboratories—with dramatic 1,500-foot-deep amphitheater design
  • ✓3,000+ hand-maintained salt pools at Salineras still harvested using centuries-old methods
  • ✓Live textile weaving demonstrations by local Quechua women using traditional backstrap looms
  • ✓Chinchero archaeological site with colonial church built over Inca foundations
  • ✓Scenic drive through the high-altitude Sacred Valley with views of snow-capped peaks

Insider tips

  • ★Arrive early to Moray before midday clouds roll in and obstruct the full terraced vista
  • ★Bring small bills (soles) for direct purchases from salt harvesters and weavers—supports communities directly
  • ★The weaving demo is often shorter than expected; ask your guide in advance if you want extended time to learn techniques or purchase directly from artisans
  • ★Acclimatization matters: this tour reaches 11,000–13,000 feet; take it easy the day before if arriving fresh from Lima

Good to know

  • •Duration: 5 hours total, including drive time and stops; starts early morning (typically 8–9 AM) and returns by early afternoon
  • •Altitude: 11,000–13,000 feet; bring layers (cool mornings, strong sun), sunscreen, and water
  • •Minivan transport with 4–8 passengers typical; some walking (20–30 minutes total, mostly on gentle slopes at archaeological sites)
  • •All-inclusive tour; entrance fees, guide, and transport included; lunch not typically included
  • •Best combined with multi-day Cusco/Machu Picchu itineraries rather than as standalone

Who it's for

First-time Cusco visitors preparing for Machu Picchu with limited timeInca history enthusiasts seeking lesser-known archaeological sitesCultural travelers interested in indigenous weaving traditions and salt harvestingPhotography-focused visitors after dramatic landscape and architectural shots

Best time to visit

May to October (dry season) offers clearest skies and easiest walking. Early morning departure is essential—afternoon clouds obscure Moray's full structure and make photography difficult.

Frequently asked questions

Available
From€262
per person