Things To Know About Hiking The Maras & Moray

Maras and Moray Tour – Half Day

Overview

The landscapes of the Sacred Valley reveal the ingenuity of the Inca civilization beyond monumental cities. This half-day journey explores Moray, an extraordinary circular terrace complex believed to have functioned as an agricultural experimentation center. Its concentric levels create distinct microclimates, demonstrating the Incas’ advanced understanding of farming, altitude, and environmental adaptation.

The tour continues to the salt mines of Maras, a vast network of thousands of shallow pools carved into the mountainside. These salt pans have been used since pre-Inca times and remain active today, managed by local families who preserve ancestral techniques. Together, Moray and Maras illustrate the practical intelligence of Andean society — where science, labor, and landscape worked in harmony.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: Short walking sections at each site
Highest Elevation: 3,500 m / 11,482 ft
Good For: Travelers interested in culture, photography, and Andean history