Maras Moray Tour from Cusco

FROM

$289

USD

PER PERSON

Whatsapp Us

Real-time dates & pricing
Fast help from local Perú specialists
Secure booking flow
Private or small-group options

Overview – Maras Moray Tour from Cusco

Discover these photogenic sites in the Sacred Valley on our Maras Moray tour from Cusco. In a single half-day (or flexible day trip combined with a trip to Machu Picchu), you visit the circular agricultural terraces of Moray, the striking Maras salt mines where thousands of white pools cascade down the hillside are still worked by local families and Chinchero, with its colonial church and well known by its amazing Textile Centers.
Our Maras Moray tour combines short walks, panoramic viewpoints and clear explanations from your local guide. It is an ideal option if you want a lighter day at altitude, love photography, or want to add an easy day trip from Cusco to your Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley itinerary.

Half-Day or Flexible

Perfect lighter day trip from Cusco

Photography Paradise

Panoramic views and unique landscapes

Local Textiles

Learn about traditional weaving at Chinchero

Highlights of the Maras Moray Tour

Half-day or flexible Maras Moray tour from Cusco with hotel pick-up and drop-off, circular Inca terraces of Moray, panoramic views over Maras salt mines, and Andean textiles at Chinchero.

Soil levels for harvesting Maras Moray Incas

Varieties of plants suitable for cultivation in Maras Moray.

Maras Moray and its microclimates for cultivation.

What Travelers Say About Peru Private Tours

We don’t just promise personalized service and seamless, high-end travel—our travelers confirm it. Below you’ll see our latest TripAdvisor reviews, updated automatically to reflect what guests are saying right now. From private Machu Picchu experiences to tailor-made journeys across Peru, these reviews come directly from real travelers who chose Peru Private Tours for expert planning, local insight, and premium on-the-ground support.

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
    MrandMrsM 
 
 
 
 Verified Exhausting but amazing !!!!
Great trip but physically demanding due to the altitude. Glad we did this as our first excursion in Cusco as our energy levels were at their best at the start of our 5 days in Cusco ( this would have been hard to do at the end of our stay ) There are options to take a motorcycle or horse to the top but we considered that cheating and you will definitely feel a great sense of accomplishment if you walk the whole way - we certainly did. Great lunch provided and a small selection of snacks but only 1 small bottle of water for the whole day was poor as it was such a hard day. You will definitely need warm clothes for the last section of the walk but as the minibus is really warm you only need to put them on when you start the walk. We did see people in shorts and tee shirts but they looked frozen at the top. Long day with transfers but well worth it for the views at the top.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Kim H 
 
 
 
 Verified Fantastic day trip!!
What an amazing day! The scenery was gorgeous!!! Our guide, Alex, was wonderful - he shared a lot of information about the area and the culture and was very patient and supportive during the climb. Our driver, Jober, was amazing as well, giving us a comfortable ride, a great playlist, and was an expert navigating the speed bumps, alpaca traffic, and city chaos!! This day trip was one of the highlights of our two-week trip to Peru!! It was awesome!!!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Alicia G 
 
 
 
 Verified Great Tour
The tour was great. The Rainbow mountain was worth the hike. Elisban was an excellent guide and Alex a great driver.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your kind review! 😊 We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that Rainbow Mountain was worth the hike! Elisban and Alex will be happy to know that their excellent service helped make your experience so memorable. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back to Peru for another unforgettable adventure!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Cruiser565683 
 
 
 
 Verified Perfect day!
Alex & Elisban were amazing! Thank you so much for the tour of rainbow mountain, we did the whole walk there and back and loved it!

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your lovely review! 😊 We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience exploring Rainbow Mountain with Alex and Elisban. It’s fantastic that you enjoyed the full hike there and back and made the most of this incredible adventure! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with both of them. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back to Peru for another unforgettable journey!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Paradise06091057524 
 
 
 
 Verified Great beat-the-crowds experience
Elisvan (tour guide) and Alex (driver) were excellent, we had a great time. Answered our questions all the way up and down about the area, Elisvan set a great pace for us to be able to do the climb. The start time is perfect as everyone who set off early is just about cleared off by the time you get up there - so excellent for pictures! Also lunch was excellent

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊 We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great time exploring Rainbow Mountain with Elisvan and Alex. It’s fantastic to know that Elisvan’s knowledge, explanations, and well-paced guidance made the hike enjoyable and comfortable for you. We’re also glad you appreciated the later start time, which allowed you to enjoy the incredible views and take beautiful photos with fewer crowds. And we’re happy to hear you loved the lunch, too! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with our team. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back to Peru for another unforgettable adventure!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Dustin V 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing Adventure
Alex and Elis were amazing and we all had a great time!! Thank you guys so much!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Annie B 
 
 
 
 Verified Rainbow mountain tour, best experience!
Driver (Alex) and tour guide Ellis were the BEST. Best time ever!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    cleopatramagnolia 
 
 
 
 Verified Most professional tours
We did 3 private guided tours with this company. I had been emailing with the company and was very impressed with their communication and professionalism. All my questions were answered, everything was clear. First, Machu Picchu: guide picked us up at hotel, had our bus tickets. It was great to just be able to follow him since with over 5,000 people entering every day, it can get quite crowded and hectic. Our guide was excellent; took photos of us and explained everything. When it started to rain and we decided to cut the tour short, we all went to breakfast and he shared more information about the area with us. He was great! Second tour was in Cuzco: tour of the city plus Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly; lunch was included at a great restaurant. Third tour was with same guide the next day: to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. Long ride up to 16,200 feet, views were breathtaking. Overall, highly recommend this company. I am a travel agent with over 40 years in the industry, and rarely have I dealt with a tour company so professional and organized.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Excursion53318617580 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing experience - Amazing experience
Beautiful excursion! We were a group of 5 people and we had a great time. The guide was excellent and helped us with the problems related to the altitude. Breakfast and lunch included were very good. The view of the Rainbow Mountains was breathtaking: it was absolutely worth it! Highly recommended! Amazing experience! We were a group of 5 and everything went really well. Our guide was excellent and helped us with the altitude difficulties. Breakfast and lunch were both very good. The views of the Rainbow Mountains were breathtaking and the hike was absolutely worth it! Highly recommended!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Meghan B 
 
 
 
 Verified Authentic Immersive cultural experience
This was everything and more than I had hoped for! We were greeted with flowers petals and large smiles which reflected the attention and engagement for the entire day. It was a true cultural immersion that felt truly authentic and sincere. It not only included a full experience of weaving appropriate for beginners but also natural dying from leaves gathered in the nearby land, song, dance, homemade delicious food which included tropical fruit tastings. This was definitely a highlight in my trip to the Sacred Valley. I would recommend to everyone. Even the husbands of crafting travelers!

Live from Tripadvisor – newest reviews refresh automatically

SEE ALL REVIEWS ON TRIPADVISOR

Maras Moray Tour Itinerary

Pick-Up in Cusco & Drive to the Sacred Valley

Your Maras Moray tour from Cusco begins with 07:50 am hotel pick-up and a scenic drive toward the Sacred Valley. As you leave the city, you pass small communities, potato and quinoa fields, and snowcapped peaks in the distance. Your guide uses this time to explain the route, approximate timing and the history of Maras and Moray.

Moray Inca Terraces

Your first main stop is Moray, a fascinating system of circular terraces built in natural depressions in the landscape. Walking around the viewpoints, you will see how the Incas created different microclimates at each level, which allowed them to experiment with crops and adapt them to different altitudes. Your guide explains the main theories about Moray’s function, points out agricultural features and gives you time for photos from different angles. Walking here is mostly on wide paths with some gentle slopes.

Maras Village & Salt Mines Viewpoints

After visiting Moray, you continue to the Maras area. Depending on your route, you may pass through Maras village, with its colonial houses and quiet streets, before reaching the famous Maras salt mines (salineras). From the viewpoints, you see thousands of small salt pools carved into the hillside, fed by a natural salty spring that has been used since pre-Inca times. Your guide explains how families still divide, maintain and harvest the pools, how the water is channelled, and how the salt is collected and sold.

Chinchero Temple & Textile Centers

After visiting the Maras salt mines and the Moray agricultural terraces, you continue to Chinchero, a high-Andean town famous for its traditional textile centers. Here you will visit one of these family-run workshops to learn how Cusco’s handcrafted textiles are made, from spinning and natural dyeing to weaving on backstrap looms. Finally, you will visit the Chinchero archaeological site and its beautiful colonial church, decorated with vivid wall paintings and frescoes (when it is open to the public).

Return to Cusco

After enjoying Chinchero and surrounding landscapes, you start the drive back to Cusco. On the way, you may stop briefly at a panoramic viewpoint over the valley, depending on time and conditions. You arrive back at your hotel with free time for the rest of the day. Total duration is usually around 5–6 hours, depending on traffic, season and whether you include extra stops.

What’s Included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cusco or Sacred Valley if arranged in Private Tour
Round-trip transport in private or small-group vehicle
Professional local guide
Visit to Moray archaeological site
Visit to Maras salt mines
Short stops at panoramic viewpoints along the route
Pre-tour briefing and assistance with timing & logistics

What’s not Included

Entrance fees (Moray & Chinchero/ tourist ticket, Maras salt mines 20 soles per person)
Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Personal purchases (salt products, handicrafts, souvenirs)
Travel or medical insurance
Tips for guide and driver (optional, at your discretion)

Practical Information – Maras Moray Tour

Duration & Schedule

5-6 hours
Morning or afternoon tour

Best Time of Year

Year-round, dry season May-September best

Difficulty & Walking Level

Light to moderate, uneven ground and short slopes

What to Wear & Bring

Walking shoes, layers, sun hat, water, cash for fees

Altitude & Acclimatization

3,400m in Cusco, suitable as first or second day trip

Most versions are run as a half-day or “short day” tour from Cusco (around 5–6 hours), leaving in the morning or afternoon. If you prefer to include extra stops, we can design a longer, custom Sacred Valley day trip that includes Maras, Moray, Chinchero and other sites.

Yes. The Maras Moray tour involves gentle walking and can be adapted for families and older travelers. We go at an easy pace and include time for photos and rest. If anyone in your group has significant mobility issues, please let us know in advance.

No, to get into Moray and Chinchero you will need a tourist ticket. If you are not visiting other archaeological sites in Cusco, you will only need the partial one that costs 70 soles per person. If you are visiting Pisac, Ollantaytambo or Sacsayhuaman, better purchase the general one valid to visit 10 places including some museums in Cusco (this ticket is valid for 10 days). For Maras Salt Mines, tickets are purchased at the entrance and cost 20 soles per person to be paid in cash and soles.

Yes. Many travelers combine Maras and Moray with other Sacred Valley sites such as Ollantaytambo. We can also integrate this tour into a larger itinerary that connects with Machu Picchu or other day trips from Cusco.

Because the walking is relatively light, this tour is often recommended as an early-day option in Cusco. Still, we suggest at least one night in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before doing any tour at altitude, and listening to your body during the day is key.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most versions are run as a half-day or “short day” tour from Cusco (around 5–6 hours), leaving in the morning or afternoon. If you prefer to include extra stops, we can design a longer, custom Sacred Valley day trip that includes Maras, Moray, Chinchero and other sites.

Yes. The Maras Moray tour involves gentle walking and can be adapted for families and older travelers. We go at an easy pace and include time for photos and rest. If anyone in your group has significant mobility issues, please let us know in advance.

No, to get in to Moray and Chinchero you will need to get a tourist ticket, if you are not visiting other archeological sites in Cusco, you will only need the partial one that costs 70 soles per person.
If you are visiting pisac, ollantaytambo or sacsayhuaman, better purchase the general one valid to visit 10 places including some museums in Cusco (this ticket is valid for 10 days)
To get to Maras Salt Mines, tickes are purchased at the entrance and has a cost of 20 soles per person to be paid in cash and soles.

Yes. Many travelers combine Maras and Moray with other Sacred Valley sites such as Ollantaytambo. We can also integrate this tour into a larger itinerary that connects with Machu Picchu or other day trips from Cusco.

Because the walking is relatively light, this tour is often recommended as an early-day option in Cusco. Still, we suggest at least one night in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before doing any tour at altitude, and listening to your body during the day is key.