Day trip

Cusco: Chinchero, Moray, and Salt Mines Tour

4.6 / 5

39 reviews

Activity provider: Inka Altitude
Day trip

Cusco: Chinchero, Moray, and Salt Mines Tour

Activity provider: Inka Altitude

From US$ 16.50 per person

Explore the north of Cusco near the Sacred Valley. You will visit Chinchero, an important Inka town and one of the foremost centers of handmade textiles. Afterwards, explore the ancient agriculture terraces in Moray and the pre-Inka salt mines.

About this activity

Free cancellation
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Duration 5 - 6 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, Spanish
Pickup optional
Pickup available at downtown hotels in Cusco. Please indicate if you are staying at a private accommodation and provide your address and phone number. You will then be provided with a meeting point close by. Please allow an additional 10-15 minutes for your guide to find your place.
Private or small groups available

Experience

Highlights
  • Enjoy the panoramic views of Chicon and the Pitusiray Mountains
  • Marvel at the ancient textile weaving process
  • Explore the Inka terraces in Moray
  • Take in the stunning views of natural pre-Inka salt mines
Full description
Your tour will start with your group pick-up. From there you will drive for about an hour to Chinchero, making a short stop in this town to visit one of the last traditional families. You will also learn about ancient textiles and the weaving process. After driving 30 minutes more, you will arrive to Moray, the ancient Inka agriculture laboratory located in a rare topographical depression in which the Inkas developed into unique circular terraces. You will learn how this entire area was also watered by a well-engineered irrigation system. After enjoying Moray, you will continue for another hour to the Salineras Salt Mines of Maray, your last destination on your tour. The salt mine is actually a vast collection of terraces born from a water stream high on a mountain. Over many centuries this salt spring has been channeled to 1,000 small pools. People wait for the sunny days to evaporate the water which leaves the pure salt behind, a technique of which has been used since pre-Inka times. You will finally drive approximately 1.5 hours back to Cusco, where your group will be dropped off near the Main Plaza de Armas.
Includes
  • Bilingual guide
  • Transportation
  • Hotel pickup (private option only)
  • Hotel drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Tourist ticket for Moray (70 soles, can be purchased on site)
  • Entrance ticket to the salt mines (10 soles, can be purchased in Maras)
  • Gratuities
Not suitable for
  • People with back problems
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Visually impaired people
  • People over 220 lbs (100 kg)

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Look for the “Inka Altitude” Office.

Open in Google Maps ⟶
Important information

What to bring

  • Passport or ID card
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Snacks
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Cash

Not allowed

  • Pets

Know before you go

  • The local partner cannot be held responsible for the change of weather conditions during your tour
  • Part of this tour is to stop in local couple of different workshops and entrance fees are free and it is not obligatory to buy their products
  • The entrance fee to Maras salt mines can be purchased for S/10 PEN. (Only cash)
  • The entrance ticket for Moray site can be purchased for S/10 PEN the same day takes the tour (only cash)
  • The entrance fee to Maras salt mines can be purchased for S/10 PEN. (Only cash)
  • The entrance ticket for the Moray site can be purchased for S/70 PEN the same day takes the tour (only cash)
  • The entrance fee to Maras salt mines can be purchased for S/10 PEN (Only cash)
  • The entrance ticket for the Moray site can be purchased for S/70 PEN the same day takes the tour (only cash)
  • Be prepared for different kind of weather (sun, wind, etc)
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 39 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.7/5
  • Transportation
    4.4/5
  • Value for money
    4.6/5

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Star rating:

Loved it. Guide is informative throughout. the salt mines and opportunity to buy salt was the highlight for me but everything else was also really good. The tour is pacey not a lot of time to take it all in this may be because the tour was in both Spanish and English

March 24, 2023

My guide was very communicative via what’s app and picked me up at my hotel promptly. We took a small bus to a craft market where we got an awesome demonstration from some local Incan women on how they make their textiles using alpaca fur and natural elements for dye. They served us coca tea for the altitude. We then drove to the sacred valley where my guide taught us so much about what the valley was used for and about the ancient Incan culture and spirituality. We then went to the salt mines, which were incredible to see! There were 4,500 salt pools. Our guide knew all the good picture spots. The drive itself was extremely enjoyable with views of the Andes, and seeing the smaller mountain towns outside of the city that are quite humbling.

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March 24, 2023

Fantastic experience, amazing price, perfect for solo traveler. Juan Pablo was fantastic, passionate, engaging. Also he was very professional and patient in a group with some very rude individuals in our group demanding English first when it was clearly stated a bilingual tour. This was one of the highlights of my trip - I appreciate the ease of booking/pickup/drop off at the center.

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March 24, 2023

Product ID: 304513