Hidden Treasures: Maras, Moray & Ollantaytambo (Private tour)

Start your adventure with a hotel pickup in Cusco around 8:00 AM, heading through breathtaking Andean landscapes of wheat fields, traditional villages, and snow-capped peaks. After approximately 1.5 hours, arrive at Moray, the impressive Inca agricultural laboratory. Your guide will walk you through its fascinating circular terraces, ingeniously designed to test optimal growing conditions for crops—a true testament to Inca innovation.

After exploring Moray, we’ll continue to Maras, just a short 10-minute drive away. Here, you’ll marvel at the stunning salt evaporation ponds, a tradition dating back to the Incas and possibly even earlier. Over 3,000 pools are carved into the mountainside, fed by a natural spring rich in salt. Watch as the sun works its magic, evaporating the water and leaving behind the famous pink Maras salt, still harvested communally. From above, the glistening ponds resemble a snow-covered mountainside—an unforgettable sight!

After exploring the breathtaking salt ponds of Maras, we’ll make our way to a local restaurant, perfectly situated to enjoy the charm of the Sacred Valley. Here, you’ll have about 45 minutes to relax and savor a meal of your choice (lunch is not included). Take this time to sample traditional Andean flavors or international dishes while soaking in the tranquil surroundings and reflecting on the incredible sites you've experienced so far. This break offers a chance to recharge before continuing our journey to Ollantaytambo.

After a satisfying lunch break, we’ll continue our adventure with a 30-minute drive to the historic town of Ollantaytambo, a jewel of the Inca Empire. Here, we’ll spend approximately 1 hour exploring its remarkable archaeological site, including the impressive Temple of the Sun, where massive stones—expertly carved and polished—stand as a testament to Inca engineering. You’ll also admire Ollantaytambo’s ingenious agricultural terraces and advanced water channels, designed to harness the land’s resources while creating unique microclimates for crop experimentation. This captivating site offers a perfect blend of history, innovation, and natural beauty, making it a fitting conclusion to our Sacred Valley exploration before returning to Cusco.