Day trip

Cusco: Chinchero, Moray, and Salt Mines Tour

4.5 / 5

29 reviews

Activity provider: Inka Altitude
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    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
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
    Reserve now & pay later
    Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
    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

    4.5 /5

    based on 29 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.7/5
    • Transportation
      4.3/5
    • Value for money
      4.5/5

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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

    July 17, 2022

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – United Kingdom Verified booking

    Helpful?

    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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    July 14, 2022

    K
    Kayla – United States Verified booking

    Helpful?

    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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    July 12, 2022

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – United States Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Product ID: 304513