Cusco to Maras Salt Mines, Moray and Ollantaytambo: Day trip
Private ride with a local driver
9h 30mRound tripPrivate driver
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About your trip
Journey through the Sacred Valley highlights on this comprehensive tour of Inca innovation and engineering. Discover ancient salt harvesting at Maras, agricultural experimentation at Moray, and the impressive fortress town of Ollantaytambo in this perfect introduction to Andean civilization.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Cusco whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your driverâs local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden cafĂŠ here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips youâll love sharing later. This isnât a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.Explore at your own pace
Enjoy door-to-door service from Cusco as your driver guides you between Maras, Moray, and Ollantaytambo, ensuring a smooth, stress-free journey focused entirely on discovery.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Maras Salt Mines, Moray, and Ollantaytambo should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
- Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From US$62
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotalUS$186
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Cusco
You choose the pickup spot. Maras Salt Mines
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discoverStop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Maras reveals centuries-old salt harvesting traditions still practiced in the Andes today.
Main attractions
- Over 4,500 terraced salt pools fed by mineral-rich underground springs
- Continuous salt harvesting traditions dating back to pre-Inca and Inca times
- Local families maintaining ancestral techniques passed down through generations
- Striking contrast of white salt pans against rugged Andean mountains
- Photogenic landscapes, especially during harvest season with traditional dress
What to Eat
- Dishes seasoned with Maras pink salt, including grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and traditional Andean soups
What to Buy
- Maras pink salt in various grades, including gourmet and infused varieties
- Locally packaged artisanal salt products and culinary souvenirs
Take Note
- Opening hours typically run from 6 AM to 6 PM, but may vary slightly, best to check ahead
- Paths can be uneven, comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Sun protection is essential due to strong high-altitude exposure
Moray
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discoverStop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Morayâs terraces descend into the earth, creating unique microclimates.
Main attractions
- Concentric circular terraces, the largest of which is 30 m (98 ft) deep
- Temperature variations of up to 15°C (25 °F) between the top and bottom
- Believed to have been used for agricultural purposes
- Insight into Inca knowledge of ecology and sustainability
- Sweeping views of the Sacred Valley
Take Note
- Entry included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket
- High altitude, take it slow when walking
- Sun protection recommended
Ollantaytambo
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discoverStop: 2 hours - admission not included
Ancient streets and towering ruins define Ollantaytamboâs timeless Andean character.
Main attractions
- Royal estate of Incan Emperor Pachacuti, designed as both a ceremonial center and an administrative hub, built from the mid-15th century
- Monumental terraces engineered for defense, agriculture, and symbolic power
- Temple of the Sun, which was built from pink granite blocks transported across the valley
- Original Inca town layout still inhabited, with streets, canals, and homes in continuous use
What to Eat and Buy
- Traditional dishes such as trout, quinoa soup, and roasted meats
- Handwoven textiles, alpaca garments, and locally crafted jewelry in the village
Take Note
- Entry included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket
- Steep climbs to upper terraces, take your time
- One of the best places to understand living Inca urban design
- The archaeological site is open 7am to 5pm every day, but best to check ahead before visiting
Back to Cusco
Weâll take you back to your starting point.Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?
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Know more about your day trip
Yes, the cooperative that runs the Maras salt pans sells locally harvested pink salt right at the site, in various grades from fine table salt to coarse cooking and bath varieties. Prices are typically lower than in shops in Cusco or at the airport, and buying directly supports the local families who maintain the terraces. Pack a sealed bag, since salt can leak in luggage on the journey home.
Moray and Ollantaytambo are both included in the Boleto Turistico, the Cusco Tourist Ticket, which you purchase separately. The Maras Salt Mines charge their own small admission fee paid directly at the entrance and are not part of the pass. You can buy a partial or full version of the Boleto online or at official offices in Cusco. Bring cash in Peruvian soles for smaller entry fees and tips.
Cusco sits at high elevation, and the Sacred Valley is actually a bit lower, which makes this a good early-trip option for travelers adjusting to the altitude. Spending one to two days in Cusco before heading out helps your body adapt. Drink plenty of water, eat lightly, avoid alcohol on arrival, and consider coca tea, which is widely offered. If you feel short of breath, take it slow at the Ollantaytambo terraces.
The Sacred Valley sits just outside Cusco, with the closest stops on this itinerary about 25 to 50 miles (40 to 80 km) from the city center. Maras Salt Mines lie roughly 30 miles (48 km) northwest, Moray is nearby at about 32 miles (52 km), and Ollantaytambo is the farthest at around 45 miles (72 km). The full loop runs about nine and a half hours with travel time.
Ollantaytambo is both. The hillside fortress with its monumental terraces, Temple of the Sun, and storehouses sits above a still-inhabited Inca town with original walls, narrow stone streets, and irrigation canals in daily use. After exploring the ruins, walk into the village to see traditional homes, family-run restaurants, and craft markets. It is also the main departure point for trains heading to Machu Picchu.
The dry season from May through September offers clear skies and the best photography conditions, especially at the white salt terraces of Maras. The wet season runs from December to March and brings frequent afternoon showers, though mornings are often sunny. June, July, and August are peak months and busiest at Ollantaytambo, so arriving early in the day helps you beat tour bus crowds at all three stops.
Moray's circular agricultural terraces step down deep into the earth, creating distinct microclimates between the upper and lower rings. Many archaeologists believe the Inca used the site to experiment with crops at different temperatures and altitudes, refining varieties of corn, potatoes, and other staples for the empire. The concentric design and clever drainage system show a remarkable understanding of climate, agriculture, and engineering for its time.
Layered clothing works best, since mornings can be cold and afternoons warm under strong Andean sun. Sturdy walking shoes are essential for the steep climbs at Ollantaytambo and the uneven paths at Maras. Pack sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a light rain jacket year round. UV exposure is intense at altitude even on cloudy days, and the dry mountain air can cause dehydration, so carry water throughout the day.
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