Chinchero, Moray and Maras Salt Mines Half-Day Tour from Cusco
Half Day
Up to 16 travelers
3,759 m / 12,333 ft
Easy
A half-day loop across the plateau above the Sacred Valley
This half-day tour from Cusco visits three places on the high plateau above the Sacred Valley: the Andean town of Chinchero, the circular Inca terraces of Moray and the salt pans of Maras. It suits travelers who want to see Moray and the salt pans without giving up a full day. You travel by tourist transport with a professional bilingual guide, and each stop involves only a short walk.
What's Included
Included 5
- Pre-tour coordination
- Professional bilingual guide
- Round-trip tourist transport
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
- Small-group assistance
Not Included 4
- Tourist entrance fees unless expressly stated
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
- Services or activities not described in the itinerary
What Should You Bring? 7
- Passport or ID
- Water
- Sun protection
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm layers
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Small amount of cash
Itinerary
1
Chinchero
Cusco – Chinchero
Pickup in Cusco and drive up to the plateau northwest of the city. In Chinchero, your guide introduces the town and its weaving tradition, with an explanation of local textile techniques and natural dyes.
2
Moray
Chinchero – Moray
Continue across the farmland of the plateau to Moray. Guided visit of the circular agricultural terraces and their setting, with time to look down into the main terraced depression from the rim.
3
Maras salt pans and return
Moray – Maras – Cusco
Stop at the authorized viewpoint above the Maras salt pans, where your guide explains how the pools are worked by local families. Return to Cusco by tourist transport.
Good to know
Highlights
- Chinchero: a highland town where you learn about local weaving techniques and natural dyes. Its colonial church was built on Inca walls, according to COSITUC, the body that manages the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
- Moray: concentric circular terraces, known as muyus, which according to PromPerú appear to have been an Inca center for agricultural experimentation.
- Maras salt pans: more than 3,000 salt pools on a hillside, still worked by local families (Andina). Since 2019 visitors may no longer walk among the pools, so the visit takes place at the authorized viewpoint.
Difficulty and altitude
The tour is rated easy: the route is covered mostly by vehicle, with short walks at each stop. All three stops are at or above the altitude of Cusco, which stands at 3,439 m (11,283 ft) according to INEI. Moray and Maras are at about 3,481 m (11,421 ft) according to PromPerú, the salt pans at about 3,380 m (11,089 ft) according to Andina, and Chinchero, the highest point of the day, at 3,759 m (12,333 ft). Walk slowly and drink water. If you have just arrived, read our guide to altitude sickness in Cusco.
Who this tour is for
It works well for travelers with limited time, families and anyone who prefers short, easy walks. If you want more adventure, the Moray and Maras ATV tour crosses the same plateau by quad bike. If you would rather see the whole valley in one day, the Sacred Valley tour with Maras and Moray adds Ollantaytambo and Pisac.
Best time to go
PromPerú gives a range of 1 °C to 20 °C (34–68 °F) for Maras and Moray, so mornings are cold and middays can be strong in the sun. In the Cusco region the rains can last until the first half of April, according to Senamhi as reported by Andina; after that the skies clear and nights get colder. In the wet months, bring a rain jacket and expect muddy ground at the viewpoints.
What to bring
- Passport or ID
- Water
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Warm layers
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Some cash in Peruvian soles (PromPerú recommends carrying cash for Maras and Moray)
Good to know
- Weather, road conditions, community access and site schedules may require the guide to change the order of the visits without dropping the main experience.
- Chinchero and Moray are part of the Cusco Tourist Ticket; the Maras salt pans are not. See the FAQ below for official prices.
- For more places nearby, see our guide to things to do in the Sacred Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is this tour?
It is a half-day tour with three stops: Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salt pans viewpoint. Travel between them is by tourist transport, and you walk only short distances at each site.
How high does the tour go?
Chinchero, at 3,759 m (12,333 ft) according to INEI, is the highest point. Moray and Maras are at about 3,481 m (11,421 ft) according to PromPerú, slightly higher than Cusco at 3,439 m (11,283 ft).
Do I need to acclimatize first?
The route is manageable for most travelers, but it stays at Cusco’s altitude or above, so a relaxed first day in Cusco helps if you have just arrived. See our altitude sickness guide.
Which entrance tickets does this route require?
Chinchero and Moray are covered by the Cusco Tourist Ticket. The partial Sacred Valley ticket (circuit III) costs S/ 70 for foreign visitors and is valid for 2 days; for Peruvian nationals it costs S/ 40 and is valid for 1 day (COSITUC). The Maras salt pans are not part of the ticket and have their own community-managed entrance. Ask us before booking which tickets your fare covers.
Can I walk among the salt pools?
No. Since June 2019 the community salt company has not allowed visitors to walk among the pools, according to Andina. The visit takes place at the authorized viewpoint above the salt pans.
When is the best time to go?
You can visit year-round. The rains in the Cusco region can last until the first half of April (Senamhi, via Andina), so the following months usually bring clearer skies but colder mornings. PromPerú gives 1 °C to 20 °C (34–68 °F) for Maras and Moray.
What should I bring?
Bring your passport or ID, water, sun protection, comfortable shoes, warm layers, a rain jacket and some cash in Peruvian soles for entrances and personal expenses.
How does it compare with the other Maras and Moray tours?
This is the shortest and gentlest option. The Moray and Maras ATV tour reaches the same sites partly by quad bike, and the full-day Sacred Valley tour with Maras and Moray adds Ollantaytambo and Pisac.
