Cusco Cultural Tour: Moray, Salt Mines & Chinchero Review
Visiting Cusco is a truly wonderful thing! It gives you this sense of stepping back in time, but very much also experiencing the heart of Peru’s vibrant culture. A day tour covering Moray, the Salt Mines of Maras, and Chinchero, is one that’s spoken about quite a bit and that many tourists will want to add to their bucket list when visiting the Sacred Valley. After taking this exact tour I wanted to jot down my thoughts, what I observed, what to expect, and whether or not I actually feel that it’s something worth investing your precious vacation time into. Is it going to overload you with information and new sights, yet, give you memories and impressions you didn’t think possible? Let’s take a closer look at what awaits.
What to Expect on Your Cusco Half-Day Tour
Okay, so the itinerary that most tour companies offer will typically look a bit something like this. First stop: Moray, famed for its interesting, quite remarkable, agricultural terraces. Second: The Salt Mines of Maras, a location where salt is still being extracted the old fashioned way. And last, but not least: Chinchero, a beautiful village known for its traditional weaving practices and also the remains of a royal estate that once belonged to the Incan emperor, Tupac Yupanqui. Now, you’ll find that most of these tours start somewhere around midday or early afternoon, that is that they’re intended to be shorter in duration, and last around 5 to 6 hours, that is so that you still have the chance to explore Cusco itself, or perhaps you could take a quiet stroll and just soak up the lovely atmosphere it offers.
The very mode of transport is also pretty standard, with comfortable buses or minivans generally being the norm. That way you can sit back, perhaps even nod off to sleep, and just relax between sites. This means it is a very popular option, too, especially for those who want to maximize their time without exhausting themselves, like your parents for example!
Moray: A Wonder of Inca Ingenuity
Right, so first up is Moray. Prepare to be quite astonished at the sheer ingenuity of the Incas with this one! That’s right, the site features these colossal, terraced circular depressions which, for some time, scientists have thought were employed as a research facility for agriculture. Each level has a slightly different microclimate; too it’s an ideal location for testing the resistance of a range of crops. It feels so fascinating, very much to actually stand there, taking it all in. Now, a typical tour allows about an hour here, a period which is plenty of time to wander around, taking pictures, and also to ponder the sheer depth of historical importance surrounding you.
The views, as you might expect, are pretty amazing, that the landscape stretches out seemingly for miles, displaying the stunning natural beauty that the Sacred Valley has to offer. Just to get a sense of perspective I think it really is something! Anyway, that really does convey how advanced the Incan civilization must’ve been and their capability to squeeze everything they could out of the terrain.
Salt Mines of Maras: A Sparkling Landscape
Oh wow, so after Moray, you’ll visit the Salt Mines of Maras, that are known locally as “Salineras.” The location is really amazing. Apparently, thousands of individual salt pans, like, they cascade down the mountain, creating a unique and incredibly photogenic sight. This site has so much historical value that the way the salt is harvested has pretty much remained unchanged since Inca times; it is just really remarkable!
Local families own each salt pan, too. You may even spot them working, depending on the day you arrive. The work is so back-breaking, they manually extract the salt and carry it up and down the steep slopes. Your tour will most probably allocate around one hour here, and that way, you’ll have some free time to explore and buy some of the locally harvested salt. So it may be of value to support the communities living in this location! Also, to get some photographic keepsakes.
Chinchero: Weaving Traditions and Inca Heritage
Next we move onto Chinchero, so the last spot of the day, but that, arguably, makes it no less memorable. Here, you’ll find, there is a fascinating mix of Incan ruins and colonial architecture, too, giving you an interesting insight into its rich history. You may find the chance to visit a textile center, where you’ll get to witness the creation of very skilled, traditional weaving, as this practice has been handed down over centuries from mother to daughter, still a very significant aspect of local culture. Okay, and so, if this does appeal to you then this presents a perfect opportunity to maybe get a souvenir, too, to take home. In a way you get the chance to directly contribute towards the local community!
It might be of great value to hear how these tours typically include a guided tour of the village’s main attractions, the colonial church built upon Inca foundations. This will offer a lovely contrasting backdrop between two unique ages. Expect around one to two hours in Chinchero, again providing the space to thoroughly enjoy what’s on offer without you feeling too much under pressure from a fixed schedule.
Is This Tour Worth Your Time?
Right, so let’s answer that burning question, is the half-day cultural tour including Moray, Salt Mines and Chinchero a worthwhile experience? Put very simply; my take is absolutely yes. First up it offers so much historical knowledge in such a short amount of time, making it ideal, very much so, for those who wish to absorb Cusco’s diverse cultural offerings, but without it necessarily needing them to dedicate a full day.
Very much, too, the blend of agricultural achievements at Moray, that dazzling panorama of the Salt Mines, also coupled with Chinchero’s living traditions creates an absolutely unforgettable collage of sights. Also the pace really is nicely measured; that the half day nature allows you to have flexibility with what you’re doing. Allowing, in essence, for downtime as well. However, for any very serious photographers that enjoy just waiting around all day for that absolutely “perfect” picture, then maybe you’ll find that this tour might be a little bit quick, because it isn’t necessarily suited to really in-depth explorations.
Tips to Maximize Your Experience
Okay so to absolutely extract as much value from the excursion as you can, too, there’s actually a couple of things you can do! You know, I suggest dressing in layers because Cusco weather, like your average moody teenager, changes pretty fast. Sunscreen, a hat, like your baseball cap that’s been hanging in the closet, and sunglasses are going to be essential because of the intense sunshine up in the mountains. In addition you’re well advised to stay hydrated; it’s actually fairly easy to become dehydrated at high altitudes. Take a water bottle with you.
In short it pays to respect the local culture, too! A lot of people here may want to see you happy and having fun with their locations. But also very often they just simply want to live a peaceful life. Purchasing souvenirs is really great! You can even offer to tip for services, that kind of stuff can actually go a long way in some instances.
A Memorable Glimpse into the Sacred Valley
In that way, taking a half day tour across Moray, the Salt Mines, and Chinchero really isn’t simply just a “tour,” is it. No it gives a fantastic window, to experience, in its truest sense, and enjoy the essence of the Sacred Valley. From witnessing just a mind blowing level of Incan engineering through to the vibrant traditions of contemporary communities this tour really is packed. And the memories you form may stay with you forever.
Key Takeaways
- Historical Highlights: The tour covers Moray, Salt Mines, and Chinchero.
- Time Efficiency: A half-day tour is great for a person on a tighter schedule.
- Cultural Immersion: Learn how local customs and the old-fashioned techniques continue.
- Flexibility: Provides time for exploration in Cusco.
- Preparation: Should prepare you for high-altitude conditions and sun protection.