CUSCO TOURS

Maras and Moray 1 Day Tour

Price $ USD 49

Duration One full day

Physical Level Moderate

Max Altitude Approximately 3,500 m / 11,483 ft at Moray

Accommodation Sky Domes / Lodge

Departures Daily, subject to availability and route access

Cusco – Chinchero plateau – Moray – Maras – salt pans – Cusco

Resumen

On the plateau above the Sacred Valley, the land tells two very different stories. At Moray, circular terraces sink into the earth like a vast stone amphitheater. Near Maras, thousands of salt pans step down a narrow ravine, fed by a small saline spring and worked by local families.

Machu Picchu Premium turns these places into a full day rather than a rushed half-day transfer. The route allows time for careful guiding at Moray, a community-based meal or workshop, the town of Maras, and the salt pans from permitted viewpoints.

You see how soil, water, altitude, and family labor shaped both sites. A private departure can move more slowly, add a short community walk, or finish in the Sacred Valley. The group option follows a fixed plan with the same clear logistical support.

Detalles del Tour

Duration: One full day
Start and finish: Cusco hotel; Sacred Valley finish available
Route: Cusco – Chinchero plateau – Moray – Maras – salt pans – Cusco
Highest main area: Approximately 3,500 m / 11,483 ft at Moray
Walking distance: Approximately 3–6 km / 1.9–3.7 mi depending on options
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Transport: Tourist van or private vehicle
Meal: Local lunch included
Entry: Moray uses the Cusco Tourist Ticket; Maras salt-pan entry is separate
Main surfaces: Stone steps, compact paths, village streets, and dusty viewpoints

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1

Cusco – Moray – Maras – Salt Pans – Cusco

The journey crosses the high plateau northwest of Cusco, where cultivated fields stretch toward snow-covered peaks on clear mornings. At Moray, the guide leads you around the circular terraces and explains what is known, what remains debated, and how differences in depth and exposure affect the site.

The paths include stone and earth steps, with open edges and little shade. After rain, some areas may close to protect the terraces.

The route continues toward the district of Maras for a local meal and a closer look at the community around the two main sites. Depending on the confirmed program, this section may include a short walk, an agricultural explanation, or a textile exchange with local hosts.

At the salt pans, you view the network of channels and family-managed pools from authorized areas. Access rules can change to protect workers and water channels, so the guide follows current community instructions. The road then returns to Cusco or continues to a prearranged Sacred Valley hotel.

Day highlight: Looking across the Maras ravine and realizing that every small salt pan forms part of a living system of water and family work.

Technical details

Road distance: Approximately 100–130 km / 62–81 mi, depending on the final drop-off
Walking time: About 2–3 hours spread across the day
Altitude range: Roughly 3,200–3,500 m / 10,499–11,483 ft
Surface: Compact earth, stone steps, paved village sections, and gravel viewpoints
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Weather: Strong highland sun, wind, and quick rain changes
Transport: Road vehicle throughout, with short walks at each area

Pricing List

Private Service Prices

Proposed 2026 rates per person in US dollars.

Travelers	Price per person
1	US$215
2	US$130
3–4	US$99
5–8	US$82

Private service gives your party its own vehicle and guide, longer explanations, direct hotel collection, and the option to finish in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo. It also leaves more room for a community activity without compressing Moray or Maras.

Optional additions

Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket for Moray: budget approximately S/70–80 per person
Maras salt-pan entry: budget approximately S/20–25 per person
Private farm-to-table lunch upgrade: US$30 per person
Guided e-bike section across the plateau: from US$65 per person
ATV segment near Moray: from US$45 per person; archaeological and salt-pan sectors remain on foot

Group Service Price

US$49 per person

The shared service carries up to 16 travelers from different countries. It uses fixed pickup and site windows and may include bilingual guiding. Lunch, transport, and guiding are included; official entry tickets remain separate.

The group format suits travelers comfortable with a set rhythm. Private service is better for families, photographers, community-based interests, or a Sacred Valley finish. E-bike, ATV, and meal upgrades require advance confirmation.

Recommendations

Several weeks before: Decide whether this route should finish in Cusco, Urubamba, or Ollantaytambo.
A few days before: Confirm which official tickets are included and whether the chosen community activity is operating.
Use sun protection; the plateau has little shade and ultraviolet exposure is strong.
Walk only in authorized salt-pan areas and never touch channels or enter working pools.
Carry soles for entries and locally made products.
Ask before photographing workers, homes, workshops, or children.
Avoid treating community demonstrations as free entertainment; buy only if you want to, but pay fairly when you do.
Prepare for dust in the dry season and mud after rain.

Included

Cusco hotel pickup and return
Tourist transport or private vehicle according to service
Licensed English-speaking guide
Local lunch
Guided time at Moray, Maras, and authorized salt-pan viewpoints
Community activity stated in the final confirmation
First-aid kit and emergency oxygen in the vehicle
Sacred Valley drop-off when reserved in private service

What to Bring

Passport copy or identification
Cusco Tourist Ticket if already purchased
Small daypack
Rain jacket or poncho
Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm
Comfortable shoes with grip
Refillable water bottle
Light warm layer
Personal medication
Cash in Peruvian soles
Camera or phone with spare battery
Buff or mask for dust if sensitive

Tell reservations in advance about mobility aids, service animals, serious food allergies, or professional filming equipment. Salt-pan access has narrow paths and community restrictions that may limit certain equipment.

How to Book

HOW TO BOOK YOUR AMAZON RAINFOREST EXPEDITION WITH WILDFOREST PERU:

Select Your Destination & Tour: Choose from our specialized expeditions in Manu Cultural Zone, Manu Reserved Zone, Tambopata National Reserve, Birdwatching, or Wildlife Photography tours.
Contact Our Naturalist Planners: Click “Inquire / Book Now” or reach out directly via WhatsApp (+51 924 705 589) to confirm date availability and permit allocations.
Provide Participant Details: Send full legal names, passport numbers, nationalities, and any special dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) or medical notes.
Submit Deposit to Secure Permits: Make a secure online deposit using PayPal or major credit cards. Because SERNANP permits and exclusive eco-lodge spaces in Manu and Tambopata are limited, early deposits guarantee your departure.
Receive Instant Confirmation Voucher: Our reservations desk will issue your official booking voucher with a complete packing list, meeting points, and pre-departure naturalist briefing details.
Final Balance: The remaining balance can be settled online prior to departure or in Cusco / Puerto Maldonado at our operations office.

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