MARAS

Maras is a Colonial village situated approximately 48 kilometers north of Cusco. "Maras" was also the name of one of the indigenous ethnic groups which were supposedly displaced by the Incas from their original dwelling lands. It lies in the midst of a large and wide expanse of agricultural and pasture land. Maras was a major "boom" town in the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries, due essentially to the proximity of the salt mines. The commerce and transport of salt created much affluence. Vestiges of this grandness can still be seen in the numerous finely carved granite doorway lintels, the facades display emblazoned with elaborate escutcheons and heraldic panoplies and coats of arms.

MORAY

Moray is rather unique archaeological site located about 53 kilometers from Cusco . It consists of four large bowl-like natural depressions. These natural depressions are the result of the seepage of water through the soils of the Maras plateau which possess a a high quantity of calcium carbonate. The largest of these bowl is called Hatun Muyu ("Great Circle") and measures150 meters deep and 150 meters across from rim to rim. Inside these bowls, Inca people built a series of descending concentric terraces, these sunken concentric terraces were used in pre-Hispanic times as a center for agricultur al experimentation.

MARAS MORAY

1 DAY

ITINERARY.

Depart Cusco at 8:30 a.m, this tour will give us the opportunity of viewing the beautiful scenery and landscape, the most impresive view of all is the high snowcapped and glacial peaks of the Eastern Andes which were also sacred apus (tutelary spirits) of the indigenous population to the north west the lie the Chicon, Verónica, Sawasiray, Colquecruz, and the great and famous Salkantay.

We arrive to Maras the main attraction are the salt mines which captivate sightseers and in particular photographers then we visit Moray. It is a unique archaeological site formed by four sligtly elliptical agricultural terraces. It was an important center of Inca agricultural.

BOOK NOW