Moray, Maras, Chinchero Weavers

Experience the Sacred Valley on a half-day trip from Cusco, taking in Moray, the Maras salt mines at Minas de Sal and the Chinchero Weavers. The outing is structured as a valley day trip, with the half day given over to these Sacred Valley stops.

Overview

This half-day trip leaves Cusco at about 8:30 in the morning with pickup straight from the hotel, and spends the next six and a half hours working through three very different Sacred Valley stops. The first is Chinchero, a town at 3,762 meters where local artisans still practice Quechua weaving. Inside a workshop you watch them extract colors from natural plants for their textiles, and there is time to browse and shop afterward.

From there the route continues to Moray, the Inca agricultural terraces sitting at 3,450 meters, or 11,318 feet. A guide walks the group through the terraces and the irrigation system, explaining how the site worked. An optional stretch of free time at Maras follows before the drive back.

The tour suits travellers who want the Sacred Valley's headline sites without committing to a full day. You are back in Cusco around 15:00, in time for lunch on your own. A bilingual guide and transport are included, along with hotel pickup, though site entrances and lunch are paid separately.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup in CuscoThe tour begins around 8:30 am with pickup from the hotel, with pickup location options in the Centro Histórico.
2. Drive to ChincheroA drive of about 1 hour out of the city and into the Sacred Valley, with mountain views along the way.
3. Chinchero weaving workshopOne hour in Chinchero at 3,762 meters, with a photo stop, a visit to the weaving workshop, and shopping time.
4. Drive to MorayA transfer of 45 minutes from Chinchero to the archaeological site.
5. Moray terracesRoughly 40 minutes at the Inca agricultural terraces at 11,318 feet, with a guided tour, a photo stop, and a walk. Entrance to the site is not included and costs 70 soles, paid in cash.
6. Drive to the salt minesA 30 minute transfer to the Salineras salt mines at Maras.
7. Maras salt minesAbout 40 minutes exploring the roughly 3,000 salt pools with a guide, plus an optional 20 minutes of free time, shopping, and a workshop visit at Maras. Entrance is not included and costs 20 soles in cash.
8. Return to CuscoThe drive back takes 80 minutes, finishing around 15:00 with drop-off at Centro Histórico or Plaza Regocijo. Hotel drop-off is not included.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the morning run more smoothly, from cash requirements to altitude.

• Bring soles in cash. Both entrance fees, 70 soles for Moray and 20 soles for the salt mines, are paid on site in cash and soles only. One reviewer also noted the weavers' store at Chinchero is enormous, so bring more cash than you think you need if shopping is on the agenda.
• Altitude and pace. Chinchero sits at 3,762 meters and Moray at 11,318 feet, so the whole morning plays out at elevation. The time on site at each of the three stops is short, with about 40 minutes at Moray and the same at the salt mines, split between a guided tour, a photo stop, and a walk.
• Sun and weather. The tour runs rain or shine, so pack for whatever the day brings. The listing recommends a sun hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes for the day.
• Documents. Bring a passport, which appears on the booking page's what-to-bring list. A camera is also recommended, and the mountain and Sacred Valley scenery from the bus gets repeated praise in reviews.
• Toilets and timing. One reviewer noted toilets are available at every stop, which helps on a morning of drives and site visits. Another mentioned being back in Cusco around 15:30, leaving the rest of the evening free.
• Lunch after, not during. There is no meal on the tour, and the return is timed so travellers can have lunch on their own in Cusco. Eat breakfast beforehand, since some travellers have mentioned that a lunch stop during the tour would have been welcome.

Common issues. Some travellers have mentioned that a lunch stop during the tour would improve the day, though the return is timed for lunch on your own in Cusco. Entrance fees for Moray and the salt mines are not included and must be paid in cash, in soles, on the day. Drop-off is at Centro Histórico or Plaza Regocijo rather than at the hotel, so factor in a short walk back. One reviewer also flagged the large weavers' store at Chinchero as a temptation for the wallet.

Common Questions