English, Spanish, and Quechua-speaking guide
Small-group tour (up to 10 participants)
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Book this salt mines tour from Cusco to discover the stunning white terraces of Maras and the revolutionary farming techniques of the Incas at Moray. Your expert guide will lead you through these iconic sites, providing deep cultural insights and helping you find the best spots for incredible photographs. This morning excursion is designed for maximum efficiency, ensuring you enjoy the scenery before the large tourist groups arrive.
Highlights:
- Witness the spectacular patchwork of over 3,000 ancient salt evaporation ponds at the Maras Salineras.
- Explore the mysterious circular sunken terraces of Moray, a revolutionary Inca agricultural laboratory.
- Visit the traditional village of Maras to admire its unique colonial architecture and historic doorways.
- Discover the best hidden photo locations in the Sacred Valley with the help of your expert guide.
- Secure your spot for an immersive morning tour that combines history, science, and breathtaking scenery.
About this tour:
This Cusco salt mines tour is a carefully curated 4.5-hour morning excursion designed for travelers who want to explore the engineering marvels of the Sacred Valley while avoiding the standard large-group crowds. By departing early and utilizing a small-group format limited to just 10 participants, this tour offers a more intimate and flexible experience, ensuring you get the best photo opportunities at these iconic Andean sites.
Your journey begins with a 7:00 AM pickup from your hotel in Cusco, followed by a scenic drive through the high plains of Chinchero. The first major highlight is the Maras salt mines, also known as salineras, a breathtaking patchwork of over 3,000 ancient salt evaporation ponds that have been in continuous use since pre-Incan times.
You will learn how local families still harvest the famous pink Andean salt using traditional methods passed down through generations. After exploring the shimmering white terraces, you will visit the colonial village of Maras, known for its historic stone doorways and charming rural architecture.
The tour then continues to the Moray archaeological site, a fascinating “Inca farming laboratory.” This site features massive, circular sunken terraces that create distinct microclimates at each level, which the Incas used to experiment with and adapt various crop varieties. Your expert bilingual guide will explain the sophisticated agricultural science behind these concentric rings and their importance to the Incan Empire.
The tour concludes with a comfortable return drive to Cusco, arriving back around noon, leaving your afternoon free for further exploration. Book this small-group salt mines tour from Cusco today for a truly immersive cultural experience.
Included:
- Transportation: Professional driver and comfortable vehicle for the duration of the tour.
- Personnel: Professional tour guide fluent in English, Spanish, and Quechua.
- Pickup: Pickup and drop-off service at your hotel in the historic center of Cusco.
- Tickets: Entrance fee to the Maras Salt Mines (Salineras).
- Refreshments: Bottled water.
Essential Information:
- Exclusions: Entrance to Moray is NOT included. You will need a Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) to enter this archaeological site.
- Logistics: The tour begins with pickup at approximately 7:00 AM and returns to Cusco around 11:30 AM–12:00 PM.
- Recommendations: Bring a camera for high-quality photo opportunities, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes.
Activity provider: Andina Expeditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this Cusco salt mines tour include?
This premium half-day excursion includes door-to-door service with pickup and drop-off at your hotel in the historic center of Cusco. You will travel in a comfortable, professional vehicle and be accompanied by an expert guide fluent in English, Spanish, and Quechua. The package specifically includes the entrance fee to the Maras salt mines and provides bottled water to keep you hydrated throughout the morning.
What is not covered by the tour price?
While the entrance to the salt mines is included, the entrance fee to the Moray archaeological site is not covered and must be managed separately. Most travelers use the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) for entry to Moray, which can be purchased on-site if you do not already have one. Additionally, the tour price does not include meals, personal expenses, or optional gratuities for your guide and driver.
Where and when does this salt mines tour from Cusco start?
The tour begins with a convenient pickup directly from your hotel in Cusco starting at approximately 7:00 AM. By starting early, the tour aims to reach the most popular photo locations before the arrival of larger tourist buses and heavy traffic. You will spend roughly 4.5 hours exploring the sites before returning to the city center between 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM.
What will I experience during this Cusco salt mines tour?
You will experience a captivating journey into the heart of the Sacred Valley, beginning with the stunning visual spectacle of the Maras salt mines. Walking along the edge of over 3,000 ancient evaporation ponds, you will witness a traditional harvesting process that has remained virtually unchanged since pre-Incan times. The shimmering white and pink terraces set against the backdrop of the brown Andean mountains provide some of the most unique and breathtaking photo opportunities in all of Peru.
Following the salt mines, your experience continues at the Moray archaeological site, where you will see the famous concentric circular terraces. Your guide will explain how these massive sunken rings served as a sophisticated agricultural laboratory, allowing the Incas to simulate different climates and master the cultivation of various crops. The tour also offers a peaceful visit to the village of Maras, where you can admire colonial-era stone doorways and get a true sense of the enduring rural culture that defines this region.