Maras Moray (Half Day Excursion)

We'll come pick you up at your hotel at 8:30 in the morning and then depart by bus through the Urubamba River Valley. On our way to Moray (3200m), we'll pass the bucolic countryside, where you'll see the small family farms of corn and oca ringed by Andean peaks in the distance. We'll spend an hour visiting the Inca ruins of Moray, an agricultural laboratory comprising a set of circular concentric terraces, with each terrace replicating distinct microclimates, each representing a 1000m altitude difference under normal farming conditions. The guide will teach us about the site's construction, design and use. Before moving on we'll sit down to a box lunch.

Our next stop will be the Maras Salt Mines. Long ago the Inca diverted a small saltwater stream from the interior of Mt Qaqawiñay and channeled it through staggered terraces along its slopes which were carved into thousands of small pools. Salt left behind by evaporating water is harvested by the families of the Maras community. As the sunlight bounces off the different pools it produces an array of tonal and textural variety in this visualy stunning site. After our guided visit, we will board the bus to return to Cusco, around midday.