Explore the Maras Salt Mines Tour – A Unique Adventure in the Sacred Valley
Maras Salt Mines, located in the Sacred Valley of Peru, are a breathtaking network of over 3,000 salt evaporation ponds that have been in use since Inca times. Fed by a natural underground spring, these terraces create a stunning mosaic of white salt pools against the Andean mountains, offering visitors a unique glimpse into traditional salt harvesting methods.
A must-visit destination near Cusco, the Maras Salt Mines provide incredible photo opportunities and a deep cultural connection to Peru’s history. Travelers can explore the site, learn about the salt extraction process, and even purchase locally harvested pink salt as a souvenir of this ancient Andean tradition.
This unforgettable Maras, Moray, and Salt Mines Tour
Is perfect for travelers seeking unique cultural experiences and breathtaking landscapes in Peru. Begin your journey by visiting the archaeological site of Moray, famous for its circular terraces—ingenious agricultural platforms that highlight the advanced farming techniques of the Inca civilization.
Finally, we’ll return to Cusco, leaving you with unforgettable memories of this one-of-a-kind adventure through the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
The Ideal Pre-Trek Experience
Planning to hike to Machu Picchu? The Sacred Valley Tour is the perfect way to acclimate and explore key Inca sites before starting your adventure. It offers valuable insight into the ancient culture and prepares you for the Classic Inca Trail 4 Days, the legendary route that leads to the Sun Gate.
Maras Salt Mines: A Must-Visit Gem in the Sacred Valley of Peru
Just an hour from Cusco, in the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas, lies one of Peru’s most remarkable natural and cultural wonders—the Maras Salt Mines, locally known as Salineras de Maras.
If you are exploring the Sacred Valley, this is a destination you simply cannot miss. Renowned for its unique beauty and historical significance, the Maras Salt Mines are also one of the most Instagrammable spots in Peru.
Nestled on the slopes of a mountain, this fascinating site consists of thousands of terraced salt evaporation ponds, each producing approximately 150 kg (330 pounds) of salt per month. From a distance, the mines resemble a pristine blanket of snow, with mesmerizing shades of white and earthy brown that shift under the Andean sunlight.
In this guide, we will delve into the rich history of the Salineras de Maras and explore the best activities to experience during your visit.
On this tour enjoy the impressive landscape of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Visit the colonial town of Maras.
On this private tour take your time for your photos and explore at your own pace.
We have departures in the morning and in the afternoon.
A minimum of 2 people is required for this tour.
Itinerary Maras Salt Mines & Moray Tour
The tour begins in the town of Maras also known as the village of the portals, located in the province of Urubamba at 3300 meters above sea level. Located 52km from the city of Cusco It houses the most important salt mines of the Inca era, being exploited from the incanato to the present, we also find the archaeological site of Moray which is an Inca agricultural research center where the adaptation of products to different climates with a terrace system.
Moray
On this day, we will visit beautiful Inca villages with their colonial houses. During this unique and enjoyable journey, we will appreciate the treasures that this sacred land holds.
We will start the day by visiting the experimental agricultural terraces of Moray. These are a group of circular terraces that can reach depths of up to 150 meters. According to historians, these constructions served as an important Inca agricultural laboratory since their platforms were built with their respective irrigation canals, each of which had a microclimate. What stands out the most is the difference in average annual temperature between the top and bottom of the depressions, with a difference of up to 15°C.
Maras
Next, we will head to the colonial town of Maras, which preserves its Andean traditions and customs. We can admire its beautiful architecture and houses with colonial-style stone doors.
Salt Mines of Maras
Finally, we will visit the Salinas de Maras. These salt mines continue to be exploited to this day, where farmers work daily, just as they did in Inca times. At the end of the tour, we will return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Before you go Maras Salt Mines & Moray Tour
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Tunqui Expeditions in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
Do you have another question that we haven’t answered here? Write us and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Of course
During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pick up of guests
Please note:
All pickups are within Cusco City, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center for its convenient location.
Our guide or staff will confirm the pickup time the day before the tour.
Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
Cusco is an old city and has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets without car access or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For such reasons, we strongly advise you to book accommodation with good access.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.
It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects
Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our transport, tents or restaurants. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
Packing list Maras Salt Mines & Moray Tour
Remember to check this list before packing your bags to make sure you don’t forget anything important. Have a nice trip!
Essential
Valid Passport
Extra money (recommended soles)
Personal medication
Water bottle or CamelBak
Sunblock: factor 70 or more
Clothing
Light footwear or sandals
Warm jacket
Waterproof jacket
Raincoat or rain poncho
Sun hat to protect neck and face
Wool hat for the cold
Sunglasses with UV protection
Equipment
Medium trekking backpack (15 – 25 liter)
Recommended
Camera and charger Camera and charger
Price Maras Salt Mines & Moray Tour
The “Salt Mines and Moray Tour” can leave any day of the week, the whole year.
Group Price:US$ 150.00 US$ 120.00 per person
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Please note that PayPal and our credit/debit card payment gateway, Niubiz, charge a 5% processing fee for online deposits. We kindly request that our clients cover this fee, as it is necessary to use their secure service. Please be aware that this fee only applies to online deposits. If you choose to pay the full amount or remaining balance in cash, there will be no additional charges.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Our tour start and finish in Cusco. People who want to starts in the Sacred Valley must to add extra payment.
Maras Salt Mines: A Must-Visit Gem in the Sacred Valley of Peru
Just an hour from Cusco, in the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas, lies one of Peru’s most remarkable natural and cultural wonders—the Maras Salt Mines, locally known as Salineras de Maras.
If you are exploring the Sacred Valley, this is a destination you simply cannot miss. Renowned for its unique beauty and historical significance, the Maras Salt Mines are also one of the most Instagrammable spots in Peru.
Nestled on the slopes of a mountain, this fascinating site consists of thousands of terraced salt evaporation ponds, each producing approximately 150 kg (330 pounds) of salt per month. From a distance, the mines resemble a pristine blanket of snow, with mesmerizing shades of white and earthy brown that shift under the Andean sunlight.
In this guide, we will delve into the rich history of the Salineras de Maras and explore the best activities to experience during your visit.
On this tour enjoy the impressive landscape of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Visit the colonial town of Maras.
On this private tour take your time for your photos and explore at your own pace.
We have departures in the morning and in the afternoon.
A minimum of 2 people is required for this tour.
The tour begins in the town of Maras also known as the village of the portals, located in the province of Urubamba at 3300 meters above sea level. Located 52km from the city of Cusco It houses the most important salt mines of the Inca era, being exploited from the incanato to the present, we also find the archaeological site of Moray which is an Inca agricultural research center where the adaptation of products to different climates with a terrace system.
Moray
On this day, we will visit beautiful Inca villages with their colonial houses. During this unique and enjoyable journey, we will appreciate the treasures that this sacred land holds.
We will start the day by visiting the experimental agricultural terraces of Moray. These are a group of circular terraces that can reach depths of up to 150 meters. According to historians, these constructions served as an important Inca agricultural laboratory since their platforms were built with their respective irrigation canals, each of which had a microclimate. What stands out the most is the difference in average annual temperature between the top and bottom of the depressions, with a difference of up to 15°C.
Maras
Next, we will head to the colonial town of Maras, which preserves its Andean traditions and customs. We can admire its beautiful architecture and houses with colonial-style stone doors.
Salt Mines of Maras
Finally, we will visit the Salinas de Maras. These salt mines continue to be exploited to this day, where farmers work daily, just as they did in Inca times. At the end of the tour, we will return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
At Tunqui Expeditions, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
What is Included ?
Pick up from your hotel (hotel to hotel service)
Private tourist transport.
Professional expert tour guide in Spanish or English.
Snacks on the tour daily
Before starting your trekking, your tour guide will provide you a cloth bag with local fruits, cookies, chocolate, caramels, etc. Every morning, we’ll refill it so that you can enjoy your snacks during the walk.
Cusco tourist ticket
Maras salt mines ticket ntrance
Bottle of Water
24/7 Customer Service – We have 24 hours a day telephone service.
Medical Kit or First AID Kit – Our guides are trained to deal with basic emergencies.
What is NOT Included ?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel insurance
Tips for our staff
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Tunqui Expeditions in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
Do you have another question that we haven’t answered here? Write us and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Of course
During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pick up of guests
Please note:
All pickups are within Cusco City, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center for its convenient location.
Our guide or staff will confirm the pickup time the day before the tour.
Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
Cusco is an old city and has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets without car access or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For such reasons, we strongly advise you to book accommodation with good access.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.
It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects
Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our transport, tents or restaurants. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
Remember to check this list before packing your bags to make sure you don’t forget anything important. Have a nice trip!
Essential
Valid Passport
Extra money (recommended soles)
Personal medication
Water bottle or CamelBak
Sunblock: factor 70 or more
Clothing
Light footwear or sandals
Warm jacket
Waterproof jacket
Raincoat or rain poncho
Sun hat to protect neck and face
Wool hat for the cold
Sunglasses with UV protection
Equipment
Medium trekking backpack (15 – 25 liter)
Recommended
Camera and charger Camera and charger
The “Salt Mines and Moray Tour” can leave any day of the week, the whole year.
Group Price:US$ 150.00 US$ 120.00 per person
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Please note that PayPal and our credit/debit card payment gateway, Niubiz, charge a 5% processing fee for online deposits. We kindly request that our clients cover this fee, as it is necessary to use their secure service. Please be aware that this fee only applies to online deposits. If you choose to pay the full amount or remaining balance in cash, there will be no additional charges.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Our tour start and finish in Cusco. People who want to starts in the Sacred Valley must to add extra payment.
Salkantay 4 days
The Salkantay trek was incredible and the ability to do it in 4 days rather than 5 was perfect for our holiday planning. We were in a small group (just us, our guide, our cook and our horseman). All of our meals, transport and the logistics of park entries were looked after for us. Our guide Miguel was knowledgeable and had done the trek many times in the past.
Posted on
Sally B
Ausangate 5-days trekking
We did the 5-day Ausangate trek with Silvio and Dani as our guides, and they were wonderful, kind, attentive, and responsive to our needs. When some members of our group started feeling the effects of the high altitude, they helped adjusting the itinerary, shortening the trek from 5 days to 4 to keep everyone safe and comfortable. The cook was fantastic as well. He accommodated the various dietary restrictions in our group with ease and prepared something different for every meal; we enjoyed each one. Experience highly recommended!!
Posted on
Desirée M
Authentic andian experience
Incredible experience, went on Ausengate hike, going along for the 4 day trek. The team took good care, the food was the best part, beautiful landscapes, went through rainbow mountains, red valley, and seven lakes. It was initially planned for 5 days, but the group felt, we are not doing well with the weather and tiredness, and sylvios team adapted to that, and we cut short the hike, but still visiting most of the points.
Posted on
Manthan S
Amazing 6-Day Ausangate Trek with Rainbow Mountain
We had an incredible experience with Tunqui Expeditions on the 6-Day Ausangate Trek with Rainbow Mountain. Everything was well organized from start to finish, and the entire team did an excellent job. Our guide, Omar, was outstanding. He was kind, professional, and always ready to help. He made sure everyone was safe, comfortable, and enjoying the trek, while sharing interesting information about the mountains and local culture. His positive attitude and encouragement made the challenging days much more enjoyable. The food throughout the trek was also excellent. We were impressed by the quality, variety, and freshness of the meals, especially considering we were camping at high altitude. The Ausangate landscapes are absolutely breathtaking, and Rainbow Mountain was a fantastic way to end the trek. We highly recommend Tunqui Expeditions to anyone looking for a well-organized trekking company, and if you have Omar as your guide, you're in great hands!
Posted on
Przemysław S
Salkantay review
I had a great time with Tunqui expeditions. They were very accommodating and allowed us to change the start date due to illness. On the trek itself our guide Noé was insightful and very understanding of our pace, our cook Juvenal was great and our muleteer Alfredo was lovely.
Posted on
Dhruv V
Ruta de Ausangate
Hicimos el circuito de Ausangate de 4 días con Tunqui y fue una experiencia increíble! Estaba todo muy bien organizado, aunque la ruta puede ser algo dura ellos se encargan de hacerlo lo más cómodo posible. Especialmente agradecidos a nuestro guía Uber, que además de conocer bien el terreno estaba siempre atento a nuestras necesidades y a hacer el camino ameno. Y para completar el equipo Augusto el cocinero hizo unos platos deliciosos y variados todos los días y Pascual el arriero tenía todo controlado para que el campamento estuviera a punto. Volvería a elegir esta compañía para una aventura de este tipo sin duda.
Posted on
Irene E
Amazing experience!
Amazing trek with our guide Veronica, chef Thomas and horsemen Pablo. We had a wonderful time. Landscapes were stunning. Thomas prepared the most delicious meals. Tunqui expeditions is an amazing company who gives back to the community. We did the Asanguate and rainbow mountain 3 days trek in the end of June. Temperature were fine in the day when the sun is out but cold at night (-10 at night) and early in the morning so prepare your gear accordingly. Tunqui was well equipped with sleeping bags to handle the cold nights. Thank you so munch Tunqui!
Posted on
Dominique C
Perfect family trip
Experienced and very flexible guides , very willing to make changes to the program in line with last minute requests. Whole trip extremely well organized from landing to take off .
Posted on
Dirk W
Experiencial sensorial imperdible!
Tuve una experiencia sensorial maravillosa! Mi guía local fue Johan Sikos. Estuvimos haciendo turismo comunitario en el parque de la papa, conociendo las lagunas turquesas increíbles! Con vista a los nevados y la sierra imponente. Johan fue más que un guía, fue un hermano, parcero, amigo. Me habló de su historia y de las comunidades, me enseñó Quechua, su amor por la gastronomía ( gran chef de profesión) estuvimos realizando el ritual gastronómico ancestral de la pachamanca que fue una de las experiencias más hermosas que haya tenido! Una experiencia sensorial inmejorable! Gracias infinitas Johan y q su agencia.
Posted on
Juliana G
Inca Trail hike 2 day with hotel
We participated in the short Inca trail. It was an amazing experience breathtaking views, great support. Once in a lifetime trip, would recommend this company for their support! Noe was our guide, he was knowledgeable and pleasant to assist us on our Inca journey!
