Maras Magic: Machu Picchu & Maras, Moray, Salt City 5D/4N

Cusco City Tour

Cusco Cathedral: Built in 1560 and taking nearly 100 years to complete, Cusco Cathedral is an emblematic feature of Cusco’s main colonial square – Plaza de Armas. In 1928, Cusco Cathedral was granted Minor Basilica status, and became the official seat of the diocese (under the supervision of a bishop). The full name of the Cathedral is “The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin.” Furthermore, the cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the City of Cusco listing in 1983.

The Koricancha Palace: Religious center known as “The Temple of the Sun” where you will admire the impressive engineering used in its construction. – Sacsayhuaman: Located 3 Km. From the city of Cusco, impressive stone fortress with an excellent architecture, Famous for its huge carved stones some of which are at 9 m/ 30 feet tall,with a weigh over 350 tons. Here is where the Inty Raymi or Fiesta del Sol take place in June Every year.

Qenqo: Ceremonial and ritual center, amphitheatre where sacrifices were made. – Puca-Pucara: An old tambo (resting place), monitoring place throughout the Inka Empire Routes.

Tambomachay: Located 7 Km. From the city of Cusco, ceremonial center of cult to the water , known traditionally as the place of water. Excursion time: around 5 hours.

Sacred Valley of the Incas

Pisac: The village lies about 28 km from Cusco, right along the Vilcanota or the Urubamba River. Altitude: 3347m and located 3.5km from the town of Pisac. The big attraction are the Incan ruins known as Inca Písac which lie atop a hill at the entrance to the valley. They are separated into four areas stretching along the picturesque ridge- Pisaqa, Intihuatana, Q’allaqasa, and Kinchiracay. Due to its strategic location Pisac was once the site of a vital Inca road which wound its way through the Sacred Valley to the borders of the eastern jungle. This made it an important connecting route for the Inca Empire and the city of Paucartambo– giving Písac a strategic controlling point. With its elevated position, researchers believed the site served a defensive purpose, protecting the southern end of the valley. It was also an important agricultural sector and the terraces constructed on the steep hillside are still in use today. 

Ollantaytambo: A village in the Sacred Valley of south Peru, set on the Urubamba River amid snow-capped mountains. It’s known for the Ollantaytambo ruins, a massive Inca fortress with large stone terraces on a hillside. Major sites within the complex include the huge Sun Temple and the Princess Baths fountain. The village’s old town is an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings. Elevation: 2,792 m During the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti, who conquered the region and built the town and a ceremonial center. At the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru, it served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, leader of the Inca resistance. 

Maras Moray

Moray & Inca Salt mines Maras a town near the city of Cusco in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, from there you can appreciate the amazing snowy peaks “El Chicon” and “Veronica.” The village still preserves the attractiveness from the pre-Hispanic, colonial and republican, then at 7 kilometers South west of maras is the Moray Archeological Complex an area set of enormous terraces that overlap concentrically in a giant pit. In the Inca time these beautiful terraces served as an agricultural laboratory “Greenhouse Prototype.” At northwest of Maras town is the Salt mines, this fascinating place comprised of about 2000 small wells with an average area of about 5 meters, in operations since the Inca times until these days. The harvest process is done by the people of Maras.

Chinchero Inca town

The small rustic town of Chinchero lies off between Cusco and Urubamba. Located at 3762m above sea level, so is higher than Cusco. It is towered over by the Vilcabamba range and the snow capped peak of Salcantay. There is a great display of Inca architecture, ruins and megalithic carved rocks. Chinchero is home to the famous Peruvian weaving and also has a colorful market. (smaller than the one in Pisac but also offers some beautiful crafts). A beautiful adobe church sits on the plaza, that can be visited daily.

Machu Picchu 

Machu Picchu took some 30 years to construct. Built during the reign of Inca Pachacutec (1438 – 1471), Due to limited historical information the true and original name of this epic Inca citadel is unknown. Machu Picchu’s name derives from the mountain that lies to the south-west of the citadel, meaning “Old Mountain.”

Machu Picchu citadel covers a vast area of approximately 9 hectares (22.3 acres), and is constructed on a mountain ridge high above the Sacred Valley. Machu Picchu is split into two main sectors: the Agricultural Sector in the south and the Urban Sector in the north, of which both are roughly equal in size. Granite stone was the main building material used in the construction of Machu Picchu, which was obtained from onsite quarries and others within close proximity. The finest Inca construction techniques were reserved for the Royal Quarter; the best examples are found at the Sacred Square, the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. This magic and epic Inca citadel is one of South America’s greatest archaeological sites. In 1981, Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary and later in 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

CD607KD

Travelling to Cusco shouldn’t be underestimated remember the Inca empire is located at 3,400 meters (11,200ft), therefore we strongly recommend to consult your doctor about altitude pills and the vaccines you may need.

You can expect a really pleasant adventure that you will remember for a long time. You will visit the beautiful Sacred Valley with amazing landscapes, 7 kilometers southwest of Maras is the Moray Archaeological Complex, a set of huge terraces that concentrically overlap in a giant well, these beautiful terraces served as an agricultural laboratory “Greenhouse Prototype” for the Incas. Machu Picchu which is located about 2500 meters (8200 feet) above sea level and the visit to this magical Inca city is very unique and special. You will see several ancient Inca ruins on the way there and eventually you will reach Macchu Picchu. Experience the walks that the Incas did during their existence in this magical place. The following touristic destinations are waiting for you:

• City Tour in Cusco 
• Sacred Valley of the Incas
• Maras Salineras – Salt mines
• Moray Archaeological Complex
• Machu Picchu by train