Maras Salt Pans and Moray: Inca Engineering in the Sacred Valley

Between the Andean plateau and the Urubamba valley there are two places that show how ingenious the Andean people were: the salt pans of Maras and the circular terraces of Moray. They are close to each other, which makes them an ideal half-day trip from Cusco or a perfect stop on a full Sacred Valley day.

The salt pans of Maras (Salineras)

Thousands of small ponds step down a narrow valley. A natural spring of salty water runs from the mountain and is guided through channels into each pond. Under the Andean sun the water evaporates and leaves crystals of salt, which families of the local community still harvest by hand. Depending on the season, the ponds look pure white, pink or tan.

You can walk along the edges and watch the work up close. Keep to the marked paths because the ponds are wet and slippery, and bring a hat and sunscreen since the sun at this altitude is strong.

Moray: an Inca agricultural laboratory

A short drive away, Moray is a set of enormous circular depressions carved into the earth, with terraces that drop down in concentric rings. Because of the depth and orientation of the rings, each level has a slightly different microclimate. Researchers believe the Incas used it to experiment with crops at different altitudes, which would help explain how they fed a large empire in such varied terrain.

Tips for your visit

• Go in the morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer people.
• Wear sturdy shoes: paths can be uneven and slippery after rain.
• Carry some cash for small purchases of local salt.
• Pair it with a visit to a weaving community or the Ollantaytambo ruins for a full day.

You can also include both sites in our Sacred Valley Classic tour.