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Trip Overview
The Maras Salt Mines and Moray Full Day Tour is a full-day route for travelers who want to see a different side of the Cusco region: highland towns, traditional weaving, Inca farming design, salt ponds, local food, and quiet lagoon views.
This tour takes you from Cusco to Chinchero, Maras Salt Mines, Moray, Misminay, and Huaypo Lagoon. The route is easy in physical effort, but rich in meaning. You see how local families keep textile work alive in Chinchero, how salt is still collected in Maras, and how the Incas used Moray’s circular terraces to test crops and work with different climates.
With Machu Picchu Gol Travel, the tour includes hotel pickup, tourist transport, professional guide, Maras Salt Mines entrance, traditional lunch, route coordination, and return to your accommodation or a nearby accessible point in Cusco.
This is a strong option for travelers who want archaeology, local heritage, food, mountain views, and a slower look at daily life around the Sacred Valley.
Tour at a Glance
Ends at
Ends at
Duration
Duration
From
US$ 100
Deposit
6%
Travel staff
Local Guide
Transport
by Bus
Accommodation
Accomodation
Departures
Daily Departures
Season
All year
Meals
1B, 1L, 1D
Physical level
Easy
Max altitude
15,090 feet (4,600 meters)
Sites to visit
Cusco, Soraypampa
Day by Day Schedule
Day highlight: Seeing the salt ponds of Maras, the circular terraces of Moray, and local weaving traditions in one full-day route.
The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Cusco. The usual departure is in the morning, around 8:00 AM, depending on hotel location, traffic, and daily operation.
The route first heads toward Chinchero, a highland town known for its weaving traditions, Inca walls, and open mountain views. Along the way, the road passes fields, rural homes, and distant snowcapped peaks when weather allows.
In Chinchero, local women show how Andean textiles are made. The demonstration usually includes washing wool, using natural dyes, spinning, and weaving. This is a good moment to understand how color, symbols, and handwork remain part of daily life in the area.
After Chinchero, the tour continues toward the Maras Salt Mines. This site is made of thousands of small salt ponds built on a mountain slope. A natural salty spring feeds the ponds, and local families continue to work them by hand. The site is visually strong because the white and beige salt ponds spread across the hillside in rows and patterns.
The next stop is Moray, one of the most interesting Inca sites near Cusco. Its circular terraces were likely used to test crops and understand how different temperatures affected farming. The shape of the terraces creates different microclimates, making Moray a strong example of Inca agricultural planning.
After Moray, the group continues to Misminay, a local community where a traditional lunch is served. This stop gives the route a more human layer, connecting the archaeological sites with local food and community work.
On the way back to Cusco, the route passes by Huaypo Lagoon. When time and weather allow, there may be a short stop for photos. The lagoon sits between fields and mountains, giving a calm end to the day before the drive back to the city.
The tour finishes with return transport to Cusco. Drop-off is usually at your hotel or a nearby accessible point, depending on traffic and street access.
Technical details
- Meals: Traditional lunch
- Minimum altitude: Approx. 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
- Highest altitude: Approx. 3,762 m / 12,343 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Walking level: Light walking with uneven paths, stone areas, and short slopes
- Transport: Tourist bus or tourist vehicle
- Route type: Textile center, salt mines, archaeological site, community lunch, lagoon route
- Recommended gear: Comfortable shoes, warm jacket, rain protection, sun protection, water, cash in soles, and small daypack
Places You Will See
Chinchero
Chinchero is a highland town with Inca walls, colonial-era structures, open views, and strong textile traditions.
The weaving demonstration gives travelers a closer look at how local women use wool, natural dyes, and hand techniques. It is also a good place to buy handmade textiles directly from local producers.
Maras Salt Mines
The Maras Salt Mines are made of thousands of salt ponds on a mountain slope. A salty spring feeds the ponds, and local families collect the salt through a process that has been used for generations.
Maras salt is one of the most recognized local products from the Cusco region. Travelers can usually buy salt products on site.
Moray
Moray is known for its circular terraces built into the ground. The design creates different temperature levels from top to bottom.
This site is often linked to Inca agricultural testing, crop adaptation, and land management. It shows how carefully the Incas worked with altitude, climate, soil, and farming.
Misminay
Misminay is a local community near Moray. Here, travelers have a traditional lunch prepared with local ingredients and regional flavors.
This stop adds a community-based element to the day and gives travelers time to rest before returning to Cusco.
Huaypo Lagoon
Huaypo Lagoon is a highland lake surrounded by fields and mountains. The route passes near the lagoon on the return to Cusco, and a short photo stop may be included when timing allows.
The area is calm, open, and well suited for photos of the highland landscape.
Inclusions
What’s Included
Permits and Entrance Tickets
- Entrance ticket to Maras Salt Mines
- Route coordination before departure
Guide and Safety
- Professional English and Spanish-speaking guide
- First aid kit
- Basic assistance during the tour
- Route management according to traffic, site access, and safety conditions
- 24/7 customer support before the tour
Meals
- Traditional lunch
- Vegetarian or special dietary requests with advance notice, when available
Transport
- Hotel pickup in Cusco city
- Tourist transport during the Maras, Moray, Misminay, and Huaypo route
- Return transport to your hotel or a nearby accessible point
- Transport between Chinchero, Maras Salt Mines, Moray, Misminay, Huaypo Lagoon, and Cusco
What’s Not Included
- Cusco Tourist Ticket
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide and driver
- Personal purchases
- Extra drinks
- Extra costs caused by traffic, strikes, site closures, weather, government decisions, or force majeure
Entrance Tickets
Entrance tickets are not fully included and must be considered before the tour.
| Ticket | Approximate price |
| Maras Salt Mines entrance | Included |
| Cusco Tourist Ticket | From S/ 70 to S/ 150 per person |
The Cusco Tourist Ticket gives access to several archaeological sites and museums in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, depending on the ticket type.
Ticket prices and conditions may change without prior notice. Bring cash in soles and a valid document.
Recommendations
Before the tour
- Eat breakfast before pickup, since breakfast is not included.
- Bring cash in soles for entrance tickets, bathrooms, snacks, and shopping.
- Carry your passport or ID.
- Wear comfortable shoes because sites may have stairs, stone paths, salt mine walkways, and uneven ground.
- Bring a warm layer, especially for Chinchero, Moray, and the return to Cusco.
- Bring rain protection from November to March.
- Charge your phone or camera before departure.
- Tell us in advance if you are vegetarian, vegan, or have food restrictions.
During the tour
- Stay with your guide at each site.
- Do not climb on restricted walls or archaeological structures.
- Respect local sellers, weaving centers, salt workers, farming areas, and archaeological rules.
- Ask before taking close photos of local residents.
- Keep small bills for tickets, bathrooms, snacks, or market purchases.
- Walk slowly if you feel altitude discomfort.
- Drink water during the day.
- Keep your belongings close in markets and busy areas.
More Tour Information
- Tour name: Maras Salt Mines and Moray Full Day Tour
- Duration: Full day
- Starting point: Cusco
- Ending point: Cusco
- Main route: Cusco, Chinchero, Maras Salt Mines, Moray, Misminay, Huaypo Lagoon, Cusco
- Tour type: Archaeological, local heritage, textile, salt mines, and community lunch route
- Transport: Tourist bus or tourist vehicle
- Maximum altitude: Approx. 3,762 m / 12,343 ft
- Minimum altitude: Approx. 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Group size: Up to 12 travelers
- Meals included: 1 traditional lunch
- Guide: Professional English and Spanish-speaking guide
- Best for: Families, couples, solo travelers, photographers, and guests who want a lighter full-day route from Cusco
- Operation: Available year-round
- Recommended start: Morning pickup, subject to confirmation
- Travel through highland areas near Cusco with views of mountains, fields, villages, and farming land.
- Stop in Chinchero for a weaving demonstration led by local women.
- Learn how wool is washed, dyed with plants and minerals, spun, and woven by hand.
- See the Maras Salt Mines, where thousands of salt ponds are fed by a salty spring.
- Learn how local families collect Maras salt using methods passed down over generations.
- Walk through Moray, an Inca agricultural site known for its circular terraces.
- Have a traditional lunch in Misminay, a local community near Moray.
- Pass by Huaypo Lagoon, a calm highland lake with open views and photo stops when timing allows.
- Travel with Machu Picchu Gol Travel, a Cusco-based team focused on clear timing, safe transport, local guides, and respectful service.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is usually from hotels located in Cusco city. Some streets in the historic center are narrow, steep, or closed to vehicles. If your hotel or Airbnb has difficult access, we may coordinate a nearby meeting point.
The exact pickup time is confirmed before the tour. Traffic and street access can cause small variations.
Luggage storage
This is a full-day tour, so large luggage is not needed. You can leave your main luggage at your hotel or coordinate storage with our office if required.
Do not leave valuables inside stored luggage. Passport, money, cards, medication, electronics, and cameras should stay with you.
Payment conditions
A deposit may be required to secure guide service, transport, Maras entrance, traditional lunch, and operation staff.
The remaining balance should be paid before the tour according to the instructions from our reservations team. Cash payments in Cusco may avoid online transaction fees. Card or online payments may include gateway fees.
Entrance tickets that are not included are usually paid directly in soles.
Return to hotel
At the end of the tour, we return you to your hotel or to a nearby accessible point if your accommodation is located on a street without vehicle access.
Return time may vary due to traffic, site flow, weather, road works, or local events.
Availability
The Maras Salt Mines and Moray Full Day Tour can usually operate any day of the year.
Because this tour does not include Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail, it is more flexible and can often be booked with short notice. Even so, advance booking is recommended to secure guide availability, transport, Maras entrance coordination, and traditional lunch.
For last-minute bookings, please contact the reservations team of Machu Picchu Gol Travel directly. We will do our best to arrange the service, but acceptance depends on availability.
Transport Included
- Pickup from your hotel in Cusco city
- Tourist transport throughout the Maras, Moray, Misminay, and Huaypo route
- Return to your hotel or nearby accessible point in Cusco
Transport times may vary due to traffic, street closures, strikes, parades, festivals, road works, or other local events.
Altitude and Physical Condition
The route reaches around 3,762 m / 12,343 ft, especially near Chinchero and higher road sections.
The walking is easy, but some travelers may feel shortness of breath, headache, or tiredness due to altitude. Walk slowly, drink water, and tell your guide if you feel unwell.
Older travelers, people with heart conditions, respiratory issues, recent injuries, or mobility concerns should inform our team before booking.
Terrain During the Tour
The tour includes:
- Textile center paths
- Salt mine walkways
- Viewpoints
- Stone paths
- Archaeological stairs
- Terraces
- Rural community areas
- Lagoon-side or roadside photo stops
- Short walks between transport and site entrances
Comfortable shoes are recommended.
Travel Restrictions
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may interrupt some tours. Roads can be blocked, and access to certain areas may be affected. When this happens, we will try to keep your trip as close as possible to the original plan.
In some cases, tours may be changed or canceled. Any change will be coordinated by our operations team. Safety comes first, and decisions will be made to protect travelers and staff.
Lost objects
Please check your belongings whenever leaving transport, archaeological sites, restaurants, markets, textile centers, salt mines, communities, or viewpoints. You are responsible for your personal items during the tour.
Keep passport, money, cards, medication, electronics, and cameras with you at all times.
Site, community, and salt mine rules
Some places may restrict drones, tripods, large equipment, food, or access to certain areas. Please follow your guide’s instructions and respect local regulations at each site.
At the salt mines, stay on marked paths, do not touch working salt ponds unless allowed, and respect local families who work there.
When buying textiles, salt, or handmade items, ask questions respectfully and remember that handmade work takes time and skill.
Enquire Now
Ready to book the Maras Salt Mines and Moray Full Day Tour with Machu Picchu Gol Travel?
Send us your travel date, number of travelers, hotel location in Cusco, and any special request. Our reservations team will check guide assignment, transport availability, Maras entrance coordination, lunch details, pickup information, and entrance ticket guidance for your tour.
Essential documents and money
- Valid passport or ID
- Cash in Peruvian soles
- Credit or debit card
- Travel insurance information
- Emergency contact information
Clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm jacket
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Sun hat
- Neck gaiter or buff
- Sunglasses with UV protection
Personal gear
- Small backpack
- Water bottle or CamelBak
- Camera or phone
- Power bank
- Small dry bag or plastic bag for rain
- Personal medication
Health and personal care
- Sunblock, SPF 50 or higher
- Lip balm with sun protection
- Hand sanitizer
- Personal hygiene items
- Altitude medication, only if approved by your doctor
Special requirements
Travelers with special requirements must inform our reservations team in advance. This includes mobility limitations, wheelchair use, crutches, medical equipment, service animals, professional photo or video equipment, or any condition that may affect walking through archaeological sites or salt mine paths.
Machu Picchu Gol Travel is a Cusco-based travel agency operating day tours, archaeological routes, treks, and travel services across Peru.
Our team knows this route as more than a short trip outside Cusco. Chinchero, Maras, Moray, Misminay, and Huaypo form a route where local work, Inca planning, farming, salt production, textiles, and highland life come together.
This tour involves local weaving centers, salt workers, community food service, archaeological spaces, and rural roads. Each stop needs respectful timing and careful coordination so the day feels complete without rushing.
Our service focuses on clear pickup coordination, trained local guides, safe transport, practical ticket information, and good timing at each stop. We also help travelers understand which entrance tickets are required, since the Cusco Tourist Ticket is not included in the service price.
Traveling with Machu Picchu Gol Travel means seeing Maras and Moray with a local team that understands the roads, site order, community stops, traffic conditions, and the details that make a full-day route feel organized from start to return.
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