Maras & Moray Tour from Cusco Half Day: Salt Mines, Inca Terraces & Chinchero
The thousands of salt pools of Maras, the circular Inca terraces of Moray and a weaving demonstration in Chinchero — all in one morning. Entrance included — from $30.
The Maras and Moray tour brings together two of the most photographed places in the Sacred Valley in just half a day. We pick you up at 9:00 AM and cross the high plain of Chinchero to Moray, where giant circular terraces up to 30 m deep descend into the ground — the Incas are believed to have used them to test crops in different microclimates.
Next come the Maras salt pans: more than 3,000 small pools on a hillside, fed by a salty spring and still worked by local families. On the way back we stop in Chinchero for a demonstration of natural wool dyeing, and you are in Cusco at around 1:30 PM. Transport, entrances, a snack, a certified bilingual guide and oxygen are included for US $30. Read more in our Maras guide and Moray guide.
Concentric Inca terraces up to 30 m deep, with a temperature difference of several degrees between top and bottom.
The Maras salt pans
More than 3,000 salt pools on the hillside, a family tradition that goes back to pre-Inca times.
Chinchero
A weaving demonstration with plant and mineral dyes in a village famous for its textiles.
Half a day only
Back in Cusco by 1:30 PM, with the afternoon free — ideal for a short stay.
Entrances included
The Moray and Maras entrances are part of the price, so there is nothing to pay on the day.
Easy walking
Short walks on uneven ground at about 3,300–3,500 m, suitable for most travellers.
Tour at a glance
Duration
Half Day · 4.5 h
Price
From US $30 per person
Hotel pickup
9:00 AM
Back in Cusco
1:30 PM
Max altitude
3,500 m
Walking
Light walking
Difficulty
Easy
Drive from Cusco
about 1 h
Meals
Snack
Entrance fees
Included
Group size
Small group, max 14 travelers
Last-minute booking
Until 4:00 AM on the day of the tour
Book today, travel tomorrow
Online booking stays open until 5 hours before hotel pickup (Cusco time). With a 9:00 AM pickup you can book until 4:00 AM on the day of the tour — the calendar updates by itself. You receive your confirmation by email as soon as you pay. Need a seat even sooner? Message us on WhatsApp and we will check availability for you.
A relaxed half day in the Sacred Valley — the circular terraces of Moray, the salt mines of Maras and a Chinchero stop, returning to Cusco by early afternoon.
HALF DAY
Half Day · Maras & Moray
09:00 AMDeparture from Cusco. Hotel pickup and a scenic drive toward Maras and the terraces of Moray.
10:00 AMMoray. Explore the circular terraces the Incas used to create microclimates and adapt crops from across the empire.
11:00 AMMaras Salt Mines. Visit the salineras just below Maras — still worked by local families today — with their thousands of shimmering pools.
12:00 PMChinchero. On the way back we stop at the colonial temple and artisan market of Chinchero for a natural wool-dyeing demonstration.
01:30 PMReturn to Cusco. The tour concludes in Cusco around 1:30 PM with drop-off at your hotel.
Good to know: A gentle half day at moderate altitude with some walking on uneven terrain. Comfortable shoes, sun protection and a light layer are recommended.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Maras & Moray tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Comfortable transport for the route.
Snack for the journey.
Entrance tickets.
Certified bilingual guide.
First aid kit & oxygen on board.
Not Included
Tips for guide and driver (optional).
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Maras & Moray day the most rewarding possible.
A gentle half day
Maras and Moray sit around 3,300–3,500 m, similar to Cusco, so it’s an easy day for acclimatizing. Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection and a light layer.
Physical fitness
The tour is easy: short walks on gravel paths and a few stone steps at Moray and Maras. Suitable for all ages. You stay at Cusco-like altitude (3,300–3,800 m), so it is a good activity for your first days.
Best time to go
You can visit all year. The salt is harvested mainly in the dry months (April to November), when the pans are at their whitest; from December to March the terraces of Moray are green and showers come mostly in the afternoon.
Sun & weather
Cusco’s sun is strong even on cloudy days. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat and sunglasses, and carry a light jacket or fleece: mornings are cool and the weather can change quickly, especially from December to March.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $30 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Private Group ★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelers
US $120 / pp
Your group only · personalized pace
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $29 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $27 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
They are believed to be an Inca agricultural laboratory — the varying depths created microclimates to experiment with different crops.
The salineras have been used since pre-Inca times — local families still evaporate salt from natural springs in thousands of shallow pools.
Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen, plus a light jacket as temperatures vary. Don’t forget a camera.
The tour involves walking and some uneven, uphill terrain — a moderate level of fitness helps. Tell us in advance about any mobility needs.
About 4–5 hours including transport, with visits to Moray, Maras and a Chinchero stop.
US $30 per person in a shared group, including transport, a snack, entrance tickets, a bilingual guide and oxygen. Private service is US $120 per person.
Yes. Online booking for the Maras & Moray stays open until 5 hours before hotel pickup (Cusco time). Pickup is at 9:00 AM, so you can book until 4:00 AM on the day of the tour. Pick your date in the calendar — any date still shown as available can be booked — and you will get your confirmation by email as soon as you pay.
If you only have a morning, Maras & Moray is perfect. If you have a full day, our Sacred Valley tour adds Pisac and Ollantaytambo to Maras, Moray and Chinchero, with buffet lunch.
Yes — local families sell pink salt, flavored salts and salt-based products at the entrance of the salt mines. Bring some soles in cash.
