Worthwhile Full Day Hike | Salt Mines in Maras to Moray Ruins

This is a map and basic overview on how to hike from the Salt Mines in Maras to Moray Archaeological Park. This makes for a worthwhile day trip from Cusco or the Sacred Valley (Valle Sagrado) and combines two popular highlights of Peru’s Sacred Valley.

There are many agencies that offer a full-day Maras Moray tour and usually include a stop at Chinchero, but this hike offers some stellar views of the mountains and is super spectacular. Few travelers visit this site without a tour, so you will encounter a few hikers along the trail.

⁉️ If downloading the map, please verify that the map is correct and follows the waypoints. Oftentimes, there are daily updates to the site, map platforms, and other external issues that may cause a bug in downloading. Be mindful that this map is solely for entertainment purposes. See my full disclosure here. Always hike responsibly and respect the mountains by following a no-trace philosophy, avoid hiking alone, be conscious of the weather and personal limitations, and do not stray from the visible trail.

Salt Ponds in Maras to Moray Inca Ruins Day Hike

• The Moras to Moray Trail Can Be an Out & Back Trail or Point to Point
  • The trailhead starts in Media Luna, has an ascent up to the back entrance of the Maras Salt Mines, continues to the village of Maras to Moray ruins.
  • The trail is mostly flat, with a gradual ascent here and there.
  • From Maras village, it’s easy to catch a collectivo back to the Imperial City of Cusco or to the village of Urubamba in the Sacred Valley
• Another Popular Option is to combine Maras and Moray with Chinchero Archaeological Site
  • Check out the Chinchero to Urquillos hike that follows an Old Inca Trail
• One-Way Distance (Media Luna to Maras to Moray): 7 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate day hike
• Excursion Duration:3 – 5 hours, depending on time spent at highlights along the route
  • Leave early in the morning so to avoid the loud ATV tours that run from Maras to Moray
• Maras to Moray Trail Markers: There are some signs.
  • One sign from Media Luna to Maras Salt Mines.
  • From the front entrance of Maras Salt Mines there are no signs to Maras Village.
  • Once in Maras, there are red and white sign markers all the way to Moray Archaeological Site.

➯ Hey… don’t forget your Travel Insurance! I love SafetyWing

Salt Flat in Maras to Moray

Start the trailhead in Media Luna and continue on to the back entrance of the Salt Pool in Maras

☛ The entrance fee to the Maras Salt Ponds is 10 PEN ($2.75 USD per person) and is not included on the popular Cusco Tourist ticket.

Tour the salt flats, take some photos, and maybe purchase some salt from the local women. (I love the pink salt!)

Next, exit through the main entrance. Follow along on the dirt road, but don’t take the left bend (like the cars). Instead, take the small foot path to reach the village of Maras. This dirt path is visible and arrives to a small dirt road that leads to the outskirts of the village of Maras.

Walk through town and head towards the restaurant complex that houses Mama Mecha. With this complex to your right, find the official trailhead from Maras to Moray Archaeological Park. There will be red and white arrows that lead the way to Moray.

Begin to follow the trail from Maras to Moray Archaeological Park. It is clearly marked, but make sure to look for the trail markers on rocks and painted into the hillside. The trail continues past the small ruins of Paqalla Moqo. They will be to the left off in the distance, or continue onto the main entrance gates of Moray. The trail ends at the road where the sign to the park is (and the many tour buses). Meet the road, take a right, and continue to the Moray ruins.

Moray Archaeological Park

The hike from Maras to Moray is very beautiful and free, but the site of Moray is part of the Cusco Boleto Turisitico. Make sure to have the ticket with you, or purchase it from the main entrance gate. There are three “experimental agricultural terraces” of the Incas in the park.

Follow along with the self-guided tour circuit, or hire a guide from the entrance gate to get an official Moray tour and details about this incredible Inca site. Make sure to always verify the tour guides credentials.

Psst… Like this hike from Maras to Moray? See how to visit all 16 sites on the Cusco Tourist Ticket without a tour.

Hike from Maras to Moray Ruins in the Sacred Valley

Interested in tackling this lovely and worthwhile hike in the Sacred Valley from Maras to Moray? Find all the logistics, more in-depth information on how to reach the trailhead to the salt pans, tips and tricks on the hike from Maras to Moray, what to do after this self-guided hike, and how much to budget for this day hike in this complementing blog post:

The Complete Guide on How to Hike the Maras Salt Mines to Moray Inca Ruins

Sacred Valley & Cusco Travel Guides

• The Ultimate Cusco and the Sacred Valley Itinerary in One Week
• 23 Spectacular Things to Do in Cusco
• Choose the Best Cusco Itinerary
• Where to Eat in Cusco, the Best Cusco Restaurants
• 8 Free Inca Ruins in Cusco, Self-Guided Hiking Tour
• Discover the Cusco South Valley
• How to Visit 16 Sites of the Cusco Tourist Ticket Without a Tour
• Cusco Day Hike up to Cerro Picol
• Maukallaqta & Puma Orqo, is this the Birthplace of the Incas?
• The Best Things to Do in the Sacred Valley Peru
• The Ultimate Guide to Urubamba Peru
• Ollantaytambo Peru Guide & The Best Things to Do
• 35+ Inca Sites to Visit in Peru
• 32 Peru Landmarks | Unique & Famous Places to Visit in Peru
• Hot Springs in Peru You Need to Visit
• 22 Charming South America Villages in the Andes Mountains

Best Sacred Valley Hikes

• Hike up the Magical Saywa Mountain in Urubamba
• Trek up to Laguna Juchuycocha an Alpine Lake at over 15,000 ft!
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek, all the Ways to Reach “Little Cusco”
• Pumamarca Ruins Hike from Ollantaytambo
• Inti Punku, the Incredible Sun Gate in Ollantaytambo
• Visit the Dimensional Portal of Ñaupa Iglesia
• Perolniyoc Waterfall Hike & the Inca Ruins Found at the Top
• Kinsa Cocha Pisac
• Lares Valley Trek in One Day

Top Multi-Day Treks Near Cusco

• Choquequirao Trek to the “Cradle of Gold”
• Ausangate Trek with Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley
• Waqrapukara Sacred Site, the Best Inca Ruins You’ve Never Heard of
• Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek, Intrepid & Alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Disclosure: This is part of my Hikes & Adventures series, which means these treks can be strenuous and challenging. These are my experiences and I am not an expert. Please have all the proper equipment, verify the weather conditions, use professional resources, do your own research, be mindful of constantly changing trail conditions, and take into consideration your own physical abilities and/or limitations. These guides are for entertainment purposes only. Please see my full disclosure for more information here.