Maras - Moray - Salt Mines & Inca Trail

This tour starts picking you up in your respective hotel, then we will start the journey northwest of the city of Cusco, passing through very typical towns with beautiful landscapes. The first point of visit will be the town of Chincheros, from where you will appreciate the complex of Chincheros, then we will visit the Archaeological Complex of Moray, set of huge terraces that are superimposed concentrically in a gigantic hole. Then we will visit Maras from where you can see the summits Vilcanota mountain range covered with perpetual snowfalls like; the snowy "El Chicón" and "La Verónica", Finally we will visit the Salt mines of Maras which are constituted by some 2000 small wells with an average area of ​​about 5 m², exploited since Inca times, colonial times and that are still being exploited by the locals. After our visit we will direct to Ollantaytambo, where we will spend the night.

• Maras: District of the province of Urubamba, located 40 km from the city of Cusco (paved road), is located at an altitude of 3028 meters above sea level. In the Pre-Inca period it had discontinuous occupation where ceramic fragments and some utensils of the Chanapata Culture were found. The town of Maras was inhabited in the Inca times by the Cusqueños nobles, it is for this reason that nowadays the houses show noble coats of arms on the lintels of the gates that indicate the importance of this, at the time of the colony the town was founded by Pedro Ortiz de Orue as Village of San Francisco de Asis de Maras giving the name of Village that was a city or town that had certain benefits. At present the church of that epoch built with adobe is still conserved, in its interior in the atrium it has a cross carved in granite, the church is decorated with canvases painted by a resident of the place, works that represent the Apostles and other Saints . Nowadays it is a population dedicated to agriculture and livestock, now also becoming a population that dedicates its interest to tourism. 
• Moray: It is located 62 km from Cusco and 7 km west of Maras. It is at an altitude of 3500 meters above sea level, archaeological group unique in its kind of the region, consisting of admirable systems of terraces, huge terraces that overlap concentrically, taking the form of a gigantic amphitheater, for its climatic conditions and other characteristics, It was an important center of domestication, acclimatization and hydration of wild vegetables. The structures found here are typically Inca. What is surprising is the variation of the annual temperature between the top and the bottom that reaches about 15ºC. There are many questions about this site as there is a lack of serious scientific research. It is worth noting that Moray, due to the characteristics it possesses, was also a magnetic center, since the solar energy stored during the day can be perceived within this sector. 
• Salt Mines: Located 7 km. of Moray, an impressive saline exploitation complex, has salt mines, which were already exploited since the time of the Incas as a means of economic exchange and are still being exploited today by the locals. They are constituted by 2000 small wells, they indicate that the mountain has in its interior mines of salt, a manante of salty water that emanates of this mountain, it serves during the dry season to fill the wells in the form of "irrigation" every 3 days with salt water for a month, so that it solidifies gradually, later on we have the process for the consumption of the region.

Previously it will have coordinated the pick-up time that varies according to the train schedule, which can be from 06:10 AM or 07:45 AM (or others available at the time of your confirmation), you will be taken to the Ollantaytambo train station where the Transfer will leave you so you can board your train and it will take you to km. 104. In this place, you will be waiting for your guide to immediately start the tour by the Archaeological group of Chachabamba which is at 2250 m.a.s.l likewise they will pass through the complex until they reach Wiñay Wayna agricultural center. During the trip, you will be able to appreciate the beautiful views of the Urubamba River as well as the different types of orchids that you will find along the way. Then we will take a short break to have lunch, a box lunch will be sent from Cusco, and after that, we will continue our walk towards Machu Picchu and appreciate the beautiful sunset over the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) after this unforgettable experience we will descend until we arrive to Aguas Calientes, at all times they will be with your guide who will help you locate your hotel so that it can be accommodated, then they will coordinate on your guided tour in Machu Picchu the next day. Night at your hotel in the town of Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes).

According to what you have coordinated with your guide you will have to go to the bus station, for this you have to coordinate with your hotel so they can give you breakfast to go. The climb will be done with your guide walking or bus (as you think convenient). We will visit the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu (2400 m) our guided tour will last approximately 2 hours to 2 and a half hours around the Inca citadel, visiting the main sites such as the enclosures, squares, Sacred Fountains, Temples, the agricultural sector and urban. After our visit, you can take the opportunity to climb the mountain of Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu mountain (it is important to have the ticket purchased in advance) or you could choose to go down to the town of Aguas Calientes for lunch or rest, considering that you should be 30 minutes before of the departure of your train. The train will take you only to the station of Ollantaytambo, at this point the carrier will wait for you with the pallet of the company Salkantay Trek and will bring you to Cusco leaving at your hotel or near it. End of our services

• The pre-trek briefing (Our guide will visit your hotel a day before the trek for your briefing)
• Accommodation: Hotel (01 night)
• Meals: 01x Breakfast and 01x Lunch on the Sacred Valley Tour
• Inca trail permits and entrance fees to Machu Picchu
• Entrance fee to Chinchero,Moray and Ollantaytambo
• Entrance fee to Salt Mines or Salineras
• Professional guide in Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo & Inca Trail
• Train round trip to Machu Picchu
• Bus up and down to Machu Picchu
• Emergency Phone (Our guide will provide the local mobile and you can contact 24 hrs with our staff)

• Meals not details
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu ($ 80)
• Travel Insurance
• Tips
• Others not mentioned

• Camera or video camera (Optional). 
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, caps or hats. 
• Light clothing.
• Warm clothes. 
• Snack

• The road sometimes becomes a bit harder, especially if we are not properly prepared, so in your list of things to wear you should include: 
• Quick-drying shirts (polos), and long-sleeved polo shirts are good options for enjoying the way as they avoid the bite of some sporadic mosquitoes. 
• For more versatility, you should also pack trekking pants with zippers (these pants are very useful since sometimes the humid heat of the jungle seam makes our adventure uncomfortable). You can also use them in both hot and cold climates and, above all, they are very light. 
• Trekking shoes, Try to pack some good walking shoes to avoid inconvenience during the walk; preferably wear a pair of trekking shoes that you have already used (that are not new) for comfort; Remember that new shoes usually cause blisters on your feet, so avoid them. 
• In the rainy season, it is highly recommended to bring a poncho to avoid getting wet and not having to carry an umbrella. 
• The walk will demand the best of you, so a 2-liter water bottle should be in your backpack.  
• Personal documents: To be able to enter the route, you have to carry the document with which the reservation was generated. In the case of Peruvians, their ID, and for foreigners, their identity document or passport, as the case may be. In case of having an ISIC card we also recommend having it at hand.

Why is it called Short Inca Trail? 

The Short IncaTrail is the fastest route to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail network. Unlike the Traditional Inca Trail, this route lasts two days and is done as a private tour. This route is ideal for passengers who have less time to visit Machu Picchu, or who do not have the necessary physical condition to face the other routes of the Inca roads. 

What are the differences with the Traditional Inca Trail? 

The Traditional Inca Trail lasts 4 days. It has a medium difficulty level and includes camps on the route. We visit around 6 Inca archaeological remains, and we will visit the citadel of Machu Picchu on the last day. It is usually done in groups of several passengers. The Inca Short Trail lasts 2 days. Being a private tour, the groups are small. In addition, the difficulty of this route is much lower and does not include outdoor camps, when you spend the night in the town of Aguas Calientes. The archeological sites of Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna and IntiPunku are visited. Finally, we will finish in the guided tour of the Machu Picchu Citadel.  

How many days is this adventure? What is the itinerary? 

The Short Inca Trail has a duration of 2 days. On the first day, we will travel the route from Chachabamba, Wayllabamba, and Intipunku. You will appreciate the wonder of Machu Picchu from the first day. You will spend the night in Aguas Calientes. On the second day, you will visit the wonder of Machu Picchu with a professional guide. You will know all the secrets of the citadel and have free time to explore as you like before returning to Cusco.  

What places will I visit? 

A few minutes from the starting point, you can appreciate the ruins of Chachabamba. Then we will go through Wayllabamba. Finally, we will arrive at the entrance to Machu Picchu: Inti Punku, or the door of the sun, from where you can appreciate the first views of the Inca citadel.