Classic Tour

OVERVIEW:

Your mountain bikes and helmets will be provided, and your guide will lead you from Chinchero to Moray and Maras for a day of moderate bicycling.

This is a great one-day trip for anyone who enjoys biking; it includes visiting not only Maras and the Inca ruins of Moray, but also the famous Salt Mine.

This beautiful bicycle tour will allow you to discover the high part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This tour combines magnificent views of the Sacred Valley and the mountains, with snow overlooking, the discovery of archaeological sites, and the freedom that comes with the practice of mountain biking on small roads as well as a view of traditional agricultural life.

MARAS: Maras is a district of the Urubamba province, possible to be reached through a paved road from kilometer 50 on the road Cusco – Chinchero – Urubamba.

It is located towards the west of Cusco at an altitude of 3300 m. (10824 ft.); over a plain that in prehistoric times, was a huge plateau, from which it is possible to observe the range of mountains of Urubamba, including the snow-capped mountains of Weqey Willka (today «La Veronica», 5682m., 18641 ft) and » Chikon» (5530m., 18143 ft).

MORAY: About 7 kms. (4.3 miles) away southwest of Maras; Moray is a very unique archaeological site in the region.

It is possible to reach it by car through the dusty road and the path departing from the town.

Those are enormous natural depressions or hollows in the ground surface that the Incas used for constructing irrigated farming terraces around them.

What is surprising is that the difference in average annual temperature between the top and the bottom reaches even about 15°C (59°F) in the main depression that is about 30 m (100 ft) deep towards the northwest of the Maras village, which is the famous «Salt Works».  The Maras «Salt Works», which some people call «salt mines», are constituted by about 3000 small pools with an average area of 5 m² (53.8 ft²), constructed on a slope of the «Qaqawiñay» mountain. People fill up or «irrigate» the pools during the dry season every 3 days, with salty water emanating from a natural spring located at the top of the complex, so that when the water evaporates, the salt contained in it will slowly solidify.

• TIMING:  Full Day.
• Starting Point:  Pick-up at centrally located hotels in Cusco.
• Finishing Point: Drop-off at centrally located hotels in Cusco.

BIKING MARAS, MORAY, SALINERAS ITINERARY:

You will be picked up from the hotel in Cusco at 08:35 am, leaving Cusco by bus at 09:00 am, with the direction to Chinchero (30 minutes until reaching the village of Chinchero at 3650 masl), a small village that retains the layout of the streets of the Inca era and several buildings dating from this time.

From here, you will get your biking equipment, and after going over a few safety procedures, the ride begins.

From here, we will go by bike in the direction of Lake Huaypo, before discovering the agricultural site of Moray, the Maras colonial village, and then the salt mines of Maras, where we will see the process of salt collection, a precious mineral during the Inca Empire and then at the time of the colony.

Later, we will complete our circuit with a beautiful descent to the village of Urubamba, at the bottom of the Valley, by the sacred river Vilcanota.

Finally, we find our car that will bring us back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 17:00 hrs.

This easy excursion of about 35 kilometers by bicycle, on small paths without difficulties, will leave you with an unforgettable memory.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

•  English/Spanish speaking guide for the archaeological sites.
•  Safety equipment (Gloves and helmets).
•  High-quality mountain bike.
•  Box lunch.
•  Round-trip transportation.
•  Pre-departure briefing.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

•  Entrance Fees for the archaeological sites.
•  Lunch.
• Biodegradable soap.
• Ziplock bags.
• Ashtray tins.
•  Tips for your guide, driver, transfer agent.
•  Personal expenses.
•  Additional tours.

RECOMMENDED THINGS TO TAKE:

For this adventure, you will need to take one liter of mineral water (drink plenty of fluids during excursions), rain gear or poncho (plastic long poncho in the rainy season; can purchase in Cusco), warm jacket or fleece and wind coat, t-shirts, sunblock and insect repellent, toilet paper and garbage bag, camera, extra film and extra batteries for your camera, snacks, chocolates, energy bars, a light backpack, tennis shoes, carry currency in small denominations of dollars or soles, Binoculars, Sunglasses, plastic bags.

PAYMENT DETAILS:

For this tour, we require a Prepayment (60%) of the total, payable via a secure online payment link that we will send you. Please note that an additional 5% fee will be charged to cover the cost of the payment link. On the day of the tour, you must pay the remaining balance in cash. We accept both US Dollars and Peruvian Soles (local currency).

NOTE: We can assist you in purchasing your flight tickets from Lima to Cusco. We are happy to customize your trip. You may combine the existing packages with your desires to create your perfect itinerary. Alternatively, complete the form below with your requests, giving us as much detail as possible, and we will provide a tailor-made itinerary.