Maras Salt Mines and Sacred Valley Hike: Inca Heritage and Local Culture Experience
5.0
14 Ratings
Cusco Region
Experience the rich Inca heritage and immerse yourself in local culture on this unforgettable tour. Explore the ancient Salt Mines at Maras, hike along original Inca trails, visit an organic farm, and discover a non-touristic market and pottery workshop in Urubamba.
Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

We will pick you up by private transport from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. From Cusco, it is a 90 minute drive over roads with beautiful views of the mountains and Sacred Valley and will arrive at the Salt mines at Maras. We will do a tour of the Salt mines and see different colors of pools that are used to evaporate salt that is in the water that is bubbling up from an underground spring.

After having a chance to buy salt, we will hike down to the Sacred Valley floor for an easy 45-60 minute hike via a trail that was used by the Incas to transport salt to Machu Picchu. After crossing the Sacred Urubamba river, our car will be waiting for us to go to Yanahuara where we will visit and tour a local organic farm. Here we can taste local fruits and vegetables unique to Peru. We will learn about chicha and cut alfalfa to feed the guinea pigs. Then we will go to Urubamba to have lunch in a local restaurant and will then visit a local non-touristic market and have a tour where we will see locals selling fruits, flowers, vegetables and medicinal plants. Finally, we will visit the studio of the famous potter, Pablo Seminario before taking you back to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.

Points of Interest

  • Cusco Region
What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Local guide
  • Driver/guide
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

On this unparalleled and extraordinary journey, we will explore the Maras Salt Mines, observing locals harvesting salt from ponds in the same method employed by the Incas. We will then descend into the heart of the Sacred Valley, treading an original Inca trail utilized to carry salt to Machu Picchu. Our chauffeur will collect us and drive us to a nearby organic farm for a guided tour, sampling local produce and gathering alfalfa to feed the guinea pigs. Our adventure continues in Urubamba with a visit to a local, non-commercial market and an astounding pottery studio.

  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Location
Cusco Region
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(14 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
K8800yfmicheleh
Mar 27, 2024
Amazingly beautiful experience! - My experience with Valentin as my travel guide in Peru was truly exceptional. Valentin's extensive knowledge and attention to detail made every moment of the trip a memorable and enriching experience. His passion for his country shone through in every aspect of the tour, as he shared fascinating insights and stories that brought the history and culture of Peru to life. Valentin's proficiency in English made communication effortless, allowing for clear and engaging conversations throughout the journey. I highly recommend Valentin to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, passionate, and personable guide to explore the wonders of Peru.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jmarshall95678
Jun 9, 2023
The best tour of our trip!! - What an incredible day! Valentin is so kind, interesting, and professional. He picked us up at our hotel in Urubamba, and took us through the Sacred Valley - Chinchero, Moray, Maras, and OLLANTAYTAMBO. It was a wonderful route with amazing views. It was just the four of us - so a totally private tour. We learned so much about what we were seeing, and really got a feel for the communities and the history of the area. We had the best lunch of our trip at a restaurant on the square in Ollantaytambo. All the food is locally sourced and so delicious. We stopped at a women’s art collective in Chinchero, which was my favorite. It was absolutely lovely and the the whole tour was perfectly timed. There are so many tours to choose from. I have travelled around the world and seen many, many wonders. The people you see them with matter. This wonderful man is amazing and you should absolutely book with him. As an added bonus, he does a lot of community work by building and funding schools, advocating for porters, and supporting local businesses. This is conscious tourism at its best.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paula
May 2, 2023
Knowledgeable, personal and compassionate! - Altitude sickness and asthma add an extra challenge to the adventure of travel in Peru. Nevertheless, every carefully planned experience with Valentin and his team was awesome and I cannot overstate my gratitude for the depth of their kindness and compassion. Valentin is a remarkable person and offers exceptional and attentive service from start to finish.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heatherhaus
Jun 12, 2022
Wonderful historical and cultural journey - Valentin was extremely personable and knowledgeable and elevated this experience from a typical tour to a historical journey. His knowledge of the Incan culture was impressive. His sense of humor was charming. The variety of activities was a perfect mix of culture and history. Would definitely recommend. His son Kenney is also a wonderful helper/guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jaros729
Jul 12, 2020
Colorful and magical - We went to Salt Mines and it was something out of this world! Breathtaking colors, platforms, just magical atmosphere like we were on a different planet. Valentine and crew gave us fantastic tour and explained to us the whole process of extraction of the precious salt. At the end of the tour we could buy dark chocolate with salt and our group bought it all!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amiec
Jan 4, 2020
excellent company! - We did the ATV ride to maras and moray and a tour of Ollaytantambo. Our guide was excellent and so flexible to our needs. The atv was so much fun. My teen son as well as my 10 year old were able to ride. Maras and Moray are a must see! Your are in the best hands with travel company. From the prompt emails before the trip, to the tour itself. This is a luxury tour company and I can tell you by comparison this company is great. For a wonderful day out and a lifetime of great memories, this is the company to use!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sue
Jun 29, 2019
Tour guide for a yoga retreat (private group) many sites in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. - Valentin was an very friendly and informative guide! His knowledge of the Sacred.Valley and Machu Picchu and the history of the Inca civilization was captivating and his English was incredible- very easy to understand him. I highly recommend Valentin for any guided tours and he went above and beyond what I expected. I experienced so much more than just Machu Picchu and his drivers and other tour guides were excellent as well. Thank you so much Valentin and I’m sorry my review is so late!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brewskiakb
Jun 5, 2019
In Good Hands - Valentin was an excellent guide for our group of 16. He organized 3 different tours specific to our group. Communication was excellent when setting things up and once we arrived in Peru. His passion for Peru, his family and teaching tourists come through in all he does. He offers very clean transportation and was on time every time we met. He is fun, full of knowledge and will keep you safe while enjoying Peru. I would highly recommend Valentin. Thanks for helping to make our trip more special.Anne
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Calpurniaandoverma
Jun 4, 2019
An Amazing International Yoga Retreat & Tour of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu! - I am almost at a loss to describe how wonderful and multi-faceted our experience in Peru was. We were a group of nine on a yoga retreat + tour of the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco. Valentin shared his profound love of his country and its deep Inka roots with us. The logistics were flawless! Having experienced tours in several countries, I can say with confidence that you cannot find a more informed and educated guide who embodies the beauty of the Peruvian people. His knowledge of the archeology, history and traditions of his country as it compares with others cultures is remarkable. Speaking 3 languages fluently enhanced our experience. His team is friendly, helpful and fun! Thank you to Daniel, Nilton and the entire team. If you are seeking a tour which is grounded in tradition, welcoming to all including the LGBTQ community and sincerely interested in your group, you must contact Valentin’s Pachamama Journeys! -Amy S from Massachusetts
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leilahm2017
Aug 31, 2018
Unbeleivable - How I can say better, I couldn't believe my eyes even though i was told about it and saw the picture prior my trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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June 2024
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