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Explore Chinchero, Maras and Moray

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See three highlights of the Incas' fertile heartlands: the traditional village of Chinchero, the glittering Maras salt pans and the distinctive terraces of Moray.

While Cusco was the Inca capital, the Sacred Valley below was the agricultural and commercial engine driving the ancient empire. Whether on a walking, horseriding or cycling tour or exploring by road, you’ll see the culture left behind by the Incas as well as the continuing use of ancient methods of farming and extracting salt.

Visit Chinchero, a colourful indigenous village which hosts a lively Sunday market. Not far away is the colonial village Maras, where a cascade of salt pans covers the hillside, spectacularly reflecting the strong Andean sun in a multitude of watery mirrors. A short walk, bike or drive away is the fascinating Inca site of Moray, where the ancients experimented with farming techniques that still seem innovative to this day. The site resembles an amphitheatre of terraced levels of farmland, each providing its own microclimate and soil system to suit different crops.

Holidays Explore Chinchero, Maras and Moray

From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.

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    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

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    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

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    Alex Walker - Travel Expert

    A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

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    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

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    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

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    Rosie Kay - Travel Expert

    During a career break, Rosie embarked on an unforgettable year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. Now back in the UK, she is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others, helping them discover her favourite place in the world.

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