PERFECT ROUTE
  • MARAS MORAY SALINERAS
  • PERFECT ROUTE
  1. MARAS, MORAY AND SALT MINES (SALINERAS) TOUR


    Cusco, the most important pre-Columbian metropolis on the continent, is the depository and inheritor of a cultural tradition, developed throughout the Peruvian territory since 18 thousand years before Christ. It is a living museum where the greatness of ancient times is still perceived in its atmosphere. To make a complete description or interpretation of Cusco and its privileged inhabitants would be a gigantic work of hundreds and even thousands of volumes. It is that fate has rewarded this "Navel of the World" with a privileged and excellent quality of nature, geography and people; capable of having developed one of the most advanced civilizations for its time.


    TOUR DESCRIPTION: From 09:00 to 13:00 Hrs.

    This is the perfect route when you look for archaeological sites with a unique landscape or environment in a short period of time. We pick you up from your hotel in our private transport and then start with our guided tour of the Maras, Moray and Salineras circuit, which are also part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, enjoying the panoramic and unique view of this magical place. The places to visit are:

     

    • Maras (3,300 masl), is a small agricultural town located 48 km northwest of the city of Cusco, from where you can see the Vilcanota mountain range and the peaks of the snow-capped mountains "La Verónica" (5,682 masl) and "Chikón" (5,530 masl ); the temperature varies between 0 to 21°C. The origin of the town is viceregal, as evidenced by the church and the houses that still retain the shields of the indigenous nobility on their facades; Maras was founded in 556, being in charge of the manager Pedro Ortiz de Orue; he commands the construction of the Church of Maras "San Francisco de Asís"; which has altarpieces and paintings from the famous Cusco school (Antonio Sinchi Roca) on its interior walls.
    • Moray, at first glance it looks like a kind of amphitheater. Moray is a system of concentric terraces, built in three gigantic holes located at different levels. The largest hole contains 12 circular terraces with varying diameters. At the bottom of these holes there is a drainage system that prevents the storage of rainwater. What is striking is the mean annual temperature difference between the top and bottom of the depressions, which reaches approximately 15 ° C (59 ° F) in the main depression about 30 meters deep. For scholars, Moray was possibly an Inca agricultural experimentation center, where cultivation experiments were carried out at different heights (seed production). Moray could have served as a model for the calculation of agricultural production not only in the Urubamba Valley but also in different parts of the Tahuantinsuyo (domestication of wild plants).
    • Salineras of Maras, Known as "salt mines", they consist of approximately 3,000 wells with an area of about 5 m² on average, built on one side of the slope of the "Qaqawiñay" mountain, which during the dry season are filled or irrigated every 3 days with salty water that emanates from a natural spring located in the upper part of the wells so that when the water evaporates, the salt contained in it gradually solidifies. This process will continue for about a month until a considerable volume of solid salt is obtained, about 10 cm. high from the ground, which is subsequently beaten and thus grainy; the salt will then be bagged in plastic bags (categories) and sent to the markets of the region; Today that salt is being iodized so its consumption is not harmful. The salt mines of Maras look like a white patch between the multicolored green of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba mountain range. It is shiny and people work in silence.

    After the Salineras, we will return directly to the city of Cusco, arriving at approximately 1:00 p.m.

    THE SERVICE INCLUDES:

    1. Private transport
    2. Specialized and bilingual tour guide
    3. First aid kit

     

    THE SERVICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

    1. Tourist Ticket Cusco (Peruvian: 40 soles; Foreigner: 70 soles). Visits: Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray
    2. Entrance to Salineras (10 soles)
    3. Drinks such as: water, sodas, wine or beer
    4. Tips and souvenirs

     

    THINGS TO BRING:

    1. Passport
    2. Camera
    3. Warm clothes (in case of cold)
    4. Rain gear or raincoat (long poncho)
    5. Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sunny days
    6. Medications and / or personal supplies
    7. Small backpack
    8. Water

    MAP - MARAS, MORAY AND SALINERAS - "PERU MYSTERIES"

     

    Visita Cusco