Maras + Moray + Machu Picchu 2 Days 2026: Salt Mines, Circular Terraces and the Inca Citadel
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Availability Daily departures
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Transport Hotel pickup
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Languages English, Spanish
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Service type Not specified
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Cancellation policy Not specified
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Maximum altitude 3500 msnm m.s.n.m.
About this activity
2-day tour: Maras Salt Mines (5,000+ pools), Moray circular terraces, Ollantaytambo, tourist train and Machu Picchu. 1 night in Aguas Calientes, buffet lunch, Consettur bus, entrance ticket and MINCETUR guide included.
Why Choose This Tour?
- Maras Salt Mines — 5,000+ artisanal salt pools in use since the Inca period
- Moray — circular terraces: the most sophisticated agricultural laboratory of the Inca Empire
- Ollantaytambo — the only living Inca town + train station
- Tourist train Ollantaytambo ↔ Aguas Calientes (1h40min through the Urubamba Canyon)
- Machu Picchu (2,430 m) — 7th Wonder of the Modern World
Itinerary
Day 01
Day 1: — Cusco → Maras → Moray → Ollantaytambo → Train → Aguas Calientes
Day 1: — Cusco → Maras → Moray → Ollantaytambo → Train → Aguas Calientes
06:00–06:30 hrs — Hotel pick-up in Cusco. Tourist transport to the Sacred Valley.
Maras Salt Mines (3,380 m) — Over 5,000 salt pools cascading down a hillside, exploited without interruption since before the Inca Empire. The salt-rich water flows from the underground spring Qoripujio, which filters through a Cretaceous marine evaporite layer from 100 million years ago. Over 400 families in the Maras community each inherit their pools from generation to generation, maintaining an ancient Inca water distribution canal unchanged for 600 years. The salt is rich in minerals (magnesium, calcium, potassium) and available for purchase directly from the community producers. (Entrance ~S/. 10–20 not included.)
Moray (3,400 m) — Seven concentric circular terraces descending 30 meters into the earth, with a temperature difference of 15°C between the top and bottom terraces. Modern archaeoagronomists confirm Moray was a sophisticated microclimate experimental laboratory: the Incas tested the cultivation of more than 250 plant species from different ecological zones of the Empire. A drainage system and irrigation network designed 600 years ago remain functional today. (Tourist Pass BTP ~S/. 70 not included.)
Buffet lunch at a local restaurant (included).
Ollantaytambo (2,792 m) — The only Inca urban center that maintains its original layout and is still inhabited by the same Quechua community since the 15th century. The narrow streets, central water channels and canchas (Inca city blocks) are the same ones walked by Inca soldiers. The Ollantaytambo Fortress stands on a hillside above the town: six platforms of megalithic red granite blocks — some weighing over 50 tons — transported 7 km from the Cachicata quarry across the Urubamba River. In 1537, Manco Inca defeated Hernando Pizarro here by flooding the valley — the only major Inca military victory against the conquistadors.
~17:30–18:00 hrs — Tourist train Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes (~1h40min). The train runs through the Urubamba Canyon, descending from 2,792 m to 2,040 m through cloud forest. In the last 40 minutes the vegetation transitions to subtropical jungle and Machu Picchu Mountain becomes visible above the treetops.
~19:30–20:00 hrs — Arrival in Aguas Calientes (2,040 m). Check-in at hotel. Free evening.
Day 02
Day 2: — Machu Picchu + Return to Cusco
Day 2: — Machu Picchu + Return to Cusco
Early morning — Ascent to Machu Picchu: Consettur bus (included, 25 min) or stairs on foot (~1 hr, free option).
~06:00–07:00 hrs — Entry to Machu Picchu Archaeological Park. 2-hour guided visit with MINCETUR bilingual guide.
Key monuments and viewpoints:
- Classic access terrace — the world's most photographed view of the citadel
- Intihuatana — the "hitching post of the sun," the only intact Inca solar gnomon in the Empire
- Temple of the Three Windows — mortar-free stonework of millimetric precision
- Sun Tower — circular observatory aligned with the June solstice sunrise
- Temple of the Condor — the Andean condor (Hanan Pacha deity) carved in natural rock
- Panoramic viewpoints — Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and the Urubamba Canyon
~09:00–11:30 hrs — Free time at the citadel.
~12:00 hrs — Consettur bus down to Aguas Calientes. Lunch (own account). Free time.
Afternoon train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo → Bus → Cusco.
~20:00–21:00 hrs — Arrival in Cusco. End of service.
What's included
Inclusions
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Meals
- Buffet lunch (Day 1)
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Tickets & Permits
- Machu Picchu Archaeological Park entrance ticket
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Guide
- Visit to Maras Salt Mines and Moray circular terraces (guide included)
- MINCETUR bilingual guide at Machu Picchu (2 hrs)
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Transportation
- Tourist transport Cusco → Maras → Moray → Ollantaytambo
- Tourist train Ollantaytambo ↔ Aguas Calientes (round trip)
- Consettur bus Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu (round trip)
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Accommodation
- 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes
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Other
- First aid kit
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour include the Sacred Valley ruins (Ollantaytambo, Pisac)?
The Ollantaytambo Fortress visit is included. Pisac market is not included in this 2-day itinerary — if you want to add Pisac, see our Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour.
What is the difference between Maras and Moray?
Maras Salt Mines are an active salt production site: 5,000+ terraced pools where salt-rich spring water evaporates to leave mineral crystals, managed by the local community since Inca times. Moray is an archaeological site: concentric circular terraces used as an agricultural laboratory to test crops from across the Inca Empire. They are located 5 km apart in the same area of the Sacred Valley.
Is a Tourist Pass (BTP) required?
Yes, the Tourist Pass BTP (~S/. 70 PEN) is required for Moray. It can be purchased at the Moray site entrance. The BTP also gives access to Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, Chinchero, Pisac ruins, Pikillaqta and other sites — useful if you visit them on other days of your trip.
Can I upgrade the train class?
Yes. The standard package includes Expedition class (PeruRail — comfortable seats, panoramic windows, snack service, ~1h40min). Upgrades: Vistadome (glass roof panels, superior views of the canyon and cloud forest, ~$25–40 supplement) or Hiram Bingham luxury (full gourmet lunch, open bar, live music, ~$200+ supplement). Both upgrades must be requested at booking — train capacity is limited.
Is Ollantaytambo worth visiting or just a transit point?
Ollantaytambo is one of the most historically significant sites in Peru — not just a train station. It is the only living Inca town in the world: the same residential blocks, central water channels and street layout from the 15th century are still in daily use by the same Quechua community. Budget 45–60 minutes to walk the town before boarding the train. The fortress above the town offers some of the finest views in the Sacred Valley. The visit is included in the Day 1 itinerary.
Do I need to be fit for this tour?
Maras involves walking on flat ground between pools (easy). Moray involves descending and ascending the circular terraces (moderate — similar to a stadium with steps). Ollantaytambo Fortress involves climbing a steep staircase of ~200 steps to reach the main temple level (moderate). Machu Picchu involves approximately 2–3 km of walking on stone paths with some inclines. The full tour is manageable for most people with basic fitness. Trekking shoes are recommended; flip-flops are not.
What's the best time of year for this 2-day tour?
May–October (dry season): clear skies, reliable weather, best visibility of Maras salt crystals and Moray terraces. The train journey through the Urubamba Canyon is particularly scenic in clear conditions. November–April (rainy season): Maras pools fill and overflow creating dramatic cascades; Moray terraces show their agricultural logic more clearly when green with crops; Machu Picchu is surrounded by lush jungle. Both seasons are excellent. High season (June–August) requires booking 4–6 weeks ahead for Machu Picchu entrance tickets.
How far in advance do I need to book?
Minimum 48 hours for the tour logistics. For Machu Picchu tickets: book as far ahead as possible. During high season (June–August, Christmas, Easter) Machu Picchu sells out weeks in advance. The train has its own capacity limits. The earlier you book, the more entry time options are available. Booking 30+ days ahead is recommended during peak season.
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