Moray and Salt Mines of Maras

Daily Tour

Moray and Salt Mines of Maras

Cusco

Maras: Colonial village has a housing made of adobe church still inside paintings of the Cusco School are kept. Picturesque town 53 km (1 h) NW of Cusco by asphalted road (9 km from Urubamba by dirt road via Tarabamba and Pichingoto). It was the residence of the descendants of the Incas of Hurin Cusco. In colonial times it became the largest producer of salt in the southern central mountains, so it has a good church and several big houses bearing the coats of arms of nobility. Some of his interesting colonial houses keep secrets. One houses the Argandoña family, dedicated to the art of millinery. Another, the Lucana Jesusa, is known throughout the area for the quality of their chicha. Near Maras (Rural Community Pichingoto) joins muran salt mines (locally called “salt mines”), exploited since pre-Hispanic times to the present. The pataje is highly recommended for lovers of photography. U11 affirmed path (ideal for trekking and mountain biking) connects with the salt and villages Tarabamba Pichingo! or, a few kilometers from Ollantaytambo on the sacred valley of Urubamba. Moray: unique archaeological group are farming terraces with their irrigation canals prototype greenhouse or experimental station. Located 9 km from the town of Maras or by said road, and approximately 62 km north of the city of Cusco, this archaeological site is perhaps one of the most enigmatic of prehispanic Cusco. Composed by a system of concentric agricultural terraces or terraces that reach a depth of 150 m, it presents retaining walls connected by a large irrigation system. Its name would derive from the Quechua words and uray muyu, meaning ’round’ and ‘down’, respectively. It is thought that the place was a great agricultural laboratory where the Incas were able to create different microclimates to encourage crop varieties. Both for its archaeological sites and the beauty of landscapes, this is a highly recommended excursion. The path to Moray is somewhat complicated and not always in good condition (especially after the rain), so we suggest you contact a guide Maras or request information during the tour. Salt: salt mines O formed by 300 wells during the drought they are filled with salty water emanating from a natural spring every 3 days to evaporate water are forming salt crystals.