Biking to Maras, Moray and the Salines 01 day

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 snow overlooking, the interesting archaeological sites, and the freedom that comes with the practice of mountain biking on small roads, and also having a view of the traditional agricultural life.

Maras is a district of the Urubamba province, reached through a paved road from the kilometer 50 on the road Cusco – Chinchero – Urubamba. It is located towards the west of Cusco at an altitude of 3300 masl. (10824 feet); over a plain that in prehistoric times was a huge plateau, from where you observe the mountains range of Urubamba including the snow capped mountains of Weqey Willka (today “La Veronica”, 5682 mts., 18641 ft.) and ” Chikon” (5530 mts., 18143 ft.). 

Moray: About 7 kms (4.3 miles) southwest away from 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 city. Those are enormous natural depressions or hollows in the ground surface that Inkas used for constructing irrigated farming terraces around them. What is surprising is that the difference of average annual temperature between the top and the bottom reaches even about 15°C (59°F) in the main depression that is about 30 mts (100 feet) deep. Towards the northwest of the Maras village is the famous “Salines”.  The Maras “salines” to which some people call “salt mines” are constituted by about 3000 small pools with an average area of 5 m² (53.8 ft²), constructed in 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 on the top of the complex, so that when the water evaporates the salt contained in it will slowly solidify.

Biking to Maras, Moray and the Salines – Itinerary:

We leave Cusco by van at 9:00 am towards Chinchero (a 30 minutes ride), small village that retains the layout of the streets of the Inca edge, and several constructions dating from this time. From here we go by bike in the direction of the 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 recollection, precious mineral during the Inca edge and then at the time of the colony. Later we will complete our circuit by 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 at 5:00 pm.

This is an easy excursion of about 35 km cycling, in small paths without difficulties will leave you an unforgettable memory.

It is included:

• English speaking guide for the archaeological sites.
• Gloves, helmet, bike, box lunch and round trip transportation.

It is not Included:

• Entrance tickets for the archaeological sites. Moray 70 soles or the tourist ticket and Maras 10 soles.

DEPARTURES: Every day from 9:00 am.

CANCELLATIONS POLICY.

Cancellations regarding the company determines the amount to be deducted by the various expenses incurred in case of cancellation will be deducted as followed:

Cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted by email and include all relevant information and will be answered within 48 hours.

VERY IMPORTANT:

If a cancellation is received by 45 days before the date of arrival of your tour, the administrative costs will be charged (25% of the contract price)

1. Cancellations 30 – 20 days before the day of your tour you will receive a partial refund of 50% of the total price.
2. Cancellations 20 – 10 days before the day of your tour you will receive a partial refund of 60% of the total price
3. In case of No – Show or cancellations 6 to 1 days before the day of your tour there will be no refund. You will be required to pay 100% of the total cost.

CHANGES

Itineraries may suffer change with no advance notice, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the company’s control.

RESPONSIBILITY

Mapi Travel Agency E.I.R.L. It is a direct operator of differents excursions all detailed on our website but that acts as an intermediary between the user and the different companies whose services are used in the lodgings, airlines, restaurants, transport or other, having no responsibility for the shortcomings, delays, theft, accident or other damages that passengers may suffer with third-party services provider. Our company may change the order of the pick up for the tours, whenever deemed strictly necessary for security or better success of the service, without removing any services unless the weather or passenger safety (strikes, fires) conditions do not permit. Mapi Travel Agency E.i.r.l will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by the passenger as a result of the above causes.

We ask you to advise us, before hiring our services, about any limitation of this nature, in order to recommend you the special services.

All our transportations have travel insurance.

PRICE:

GROUP SERVICES:

• Price: USD 88.00 per person

PRIVATE SERVICE:
 To open a NEW “FIXED DEPARTURES DATE IN A PRIVATE SERVICE”
 We need a minimum of 2 people.

• 2 people group USD 140.00 each
• 3 people group USD 100.00 each
• 4 to more people group USD 96.00 each

To confirm the reservation, it is necessary to make an advance payment of 50% of the total amount of your tour. This payment can be made through Wester Union (+fee), VISALINK card (6% fee) or Paypal (8.6% fee). The remaining amount must be paid in our office in Cusco, either in American dollars or Peruvian soles – cash only.