Maras & Moray Tour

Maras and Moray were two very important places during the time of the Incas due to their respective uses. Nowadays, these magical places showcase their best versions through experimental practices and trade. This experience allows us to discover:

• Maras: The town was founded by the Spanish in 1556 and played a vital role during the viceroyalty as the main supplier of salt in the Andes. Currently, the Maras salt mines consist of approximately 4,500 salt pools arranged in terraced steps. The salt production process in Maras remains strictly communal, with no external involvement. It involves filling clean pools with saltwater from a spring, guided by a system of channels. This liquid is left to evaporate for three days, repeating this practice for a month. During this period, a layer of crystallized salt with a thickness of 7 to 10 centimeters is achieved. The salt is extracted in layers, resulting in different commercial grades: the first, is for domestic use. The second, of lower quality, is known as “first-grade salt”. Finally, the third, called “industrial salt”, is used for industrial, agricultural, and livestock purposes.
• Moray: An archaeological complex located at 3,500 meters above sea level, famous for its platforms arranged in concentric rings that create a visually stunning spectacle, where the symmetry of its forms blends astonishingly with the vibrant greenery of the surrounding vegetation. This panoramic view is a breathtaking experience and pays tribute to the exceptional skill of the ancient Inca builders. According to research, this place served the function of adapting seeds of various products to the different altitudinal levels in the Sacred Valley. This allowed for a wide variety of products in each location and also gave rise to new varieties. The use of spectral thermometers determined that each circular terrace has a different temperature, enabling more efficient adaptation as the climate in the entire region is always changing.
• Chinchero: Textile activity was another key foundation within the Inca civilization, and that’s why the town of Chinchero stands out. Its tradition of working with Alpaca wool, from obtaining it, washing, dyeing, and spinning, has been passed down from generation to generation. This town also has its history over the years. Initially, the tenth Inca, Tupac Yupanqui, designated his palace to live in this place. With the passage of time and the arrival of the Spanish, the Temple to the Virgin of Monserrat was built on this site. During the colonial period, this was also the residence of Mateo Pumacahua. Today, this picturesque town has much to show the world with its beautiful temple featuring paintings by famous Cusco artists like Diego Quispe Tito and Francisco Chihuantito. You’ll also find numerous terraces and a large esplanade that finely adorn its surroundings.