Chinchero, Moray & Salt Mines: Tour Review + Ollantaytambo Drop-Off

Planning a trip through Peru’s Sacred Valley? Maybe you’re trying to cram as much history and scenery as possible into one exciting day? That is to say, consider the Chinchero, Moray, and Salt Mines tour, especially if you are angling for a handy drop-off in Ollantaytambo. You know, this tour gives you three pretty unique experiences and sets you up very for getting to Machu Picchu afterward.

What Makes This Tour So Appealing, Really?

So, why would this tour even be on your radar? Well, first, you get a really cool glimpse into Peruvian culture and history. That is, you won’t just be seeing old stuff but gaining some appreciation for the ingenuity and traditions that the people in this area have held for hundreds of years. The stops, which are at Chinchero, Moray, and the Salt Mines of Maras, showcase Incan innovation and are absolutely gorgeous. Anyway, getting dropped off in Ollantaytambo at the end is just very smart. Instead of trekking back to Cusco, you will be all set to jump on an early train to Aguas Calientes, which is where Machu Picchu is. Very convenient if you ask me!

That said, let’s break down each spot:

Chinchero: Seems that this spot has a charming blend of Incan ruins and a colonial church. You’ll find vibrant textiles for sale, and you can witness traditional weaving demonstrations by local women.
Moray: Too it’s almost like something out of a science fiction movie, Moray features these mind-blowing circular terraces. What were they for, you may be asking? It’s thought the Incas used them as agricultural labs. That is to say, they could experiment with growing crops at different altitudes and temperatures.
Salt Mines of Maras: Here, you will see thousands of individual salt pans cascading down a hillside. So the Incas developed a sophisticated system for harvesting salt, and the tradition has very continued through generations.

My Experience on the Tour, Sort of

Okay, so I bit the bullet and booked the tour, trying to dodge some potential headaches in my Sacred Valley adventure. First off, the pick-up from my Cusco hotel, so too it’s almost always nerve-wracking. You’re waiting, wondering if they’ll show. But, I was pleasantly surprised when the van rolled up more or less on time. That is to say, punctuality is certainly not a given in Peru, you know?

That is to say, the van was pretty comfy, filled with fellow travelers from every place you can imagine. So, we hit the road, and the views through the Andes just got better as we got higher. The guide started giving some background on the Incas and the places we’d be visiting. Seemed pretty helpful, you know?

First stop: Chinchero

Chinchero seemed a bit overwhelming because of the combination of ruins and modern life all in one spot. But I was drawn to a group of women demonstrating their weaving skills. Arguably, their patterns and colors told some story. Now, they’ll try to sell you stuff after they show you, yet their craftwork is truly beautiful. Very cool, right?

Next up: Moray

Moray was maybe the most stunning stop on the tour. These big, terraced circles carved into the earth are mind-blowing, that is, even just looking at pictures doesn’t prepare you for how cool this place actually is in person. Our guide actually made sure we knew that this was likely used as a spot to test what crops would grow best, yet I mean, I was really just admiring the spectacle. Still, very neat.

Last location (before Ollantaytambo!): Las Salineras

Las Salineras de Maras, the salt mines, that, too it’s almost something that you won’t be able to believe exists. It really is remarkable, a landscape covered in stepped ponds of all these hues of white and tan. People are there, too, of course, yet I found a lot of beauty and solace staring across the land. Really lovely!

The drive to Ollantaytambo, well it wasn’t long, and I was dumped off pretty near the train station. Too it’s almost something that felt well-timed. I located a cute little hostel, settled in, and got myself prepped for an early start to see Machu Picchu the next day. Perfect, right?

Important Points and Some Tips for the Best Trip

Altitude Sickness is for Real: Cusco is already high. Very high! And the Sacred Valley sites aren’t that much lower. Be certain you are acclimatized a few days ahead of attempting anything. Very important, actually.
Pack Appropriately: You really just have to be prepped for all types of weather. You will want layers. Very key!
Book in Advance: These tours are getting increasingly liked, especially in peak season. Don’t leave things to the last second! So think early.
Bargain Respectfully: Chinchero’s textile market does seem like it wants all of your money, yet these weavings make special presents. Maybe try for a reasonable deal. But don’t shortchange somebody else to save $2. Be fair. Very important, in a way!
Sun Protection: I would strongly recommend packing sunscreen and sunglasses, especially if you will be arriving any time around the midday. That sun feels great at sea level and terrible in the mountains! Be protected, you know?

Picking the Right Tour Provider. It Can Be Difficult!

A ton of agencies are out there, all offering the Chinchero-Moray-Salinas deal, plus that convenient Ollantaytambo drop-off. That said, doing some due diligence beforehand just might improve the experience a bit. Here’s what I would tell you to look for:

Reputation: Look over review websites and get some thoughts on the dependability and quality of tours. Don’t skip over prior client impressions. Very necessary, naturally.
What’s Included: What’s bundled? Bus fares? Lunches? Park admission? Check the small details, because you’ll soon realize that tour costs fluctuate quite a lot for tours that should have similar ticket prices. Verify what is in the rate you’re spending, too. A very big point to make!
Group Size: Tiny squads mean lots more intimacy; you are welcome to pose tons of questions. Massive ones tend to be inexpensive but quite generic, honestly. Try to decide which works best for yourself, so to speak. Seems reasonable!
The Guide’s Skillset: Well educated guides not just make certain all journeys run successfully; that is, they simply enhance things overall via detailed narration coupled with deep historical viewpoints, alright? Ask what sort of preparation any advisors providing will undergo prior. Verify a greater level of instruction gets prioritised just like fluency of conversations throughout their selection procedure. Quite important stuff, essentially!
Ethical Behavior & Green Actions: Does a local guide work directly for the operator, or does outsourcing take place mostly which gives little benefit directly onto residents? Do journeys back fair eco behavior, very cutting the bad impacts throughout environmentally compromised sites which also stimulates lasting tourist campaigns generally – so seek honest providers to champion integrity throughout travel engagements throughout ethically focused itineraries everywhere overall, actually. That does seem great!

Is the “Chinchero – Moray – Salt Mines + Ollantaytambo Drop-off” Actually Worth It?

Without any doubt, I’d say “yes.” So you get a rich serving of Peruvian past coupled with striking countryside that makes traveling on any sightseeing schedule worthwhile every time nearly now very much so definitely! Getting taken right out to where everyone should catch themselves leaving for getting around visiting just one place (Machu Picchu actually!!) feels genuinely beneficial whenever traveling – in fact – just very quite pretty mostly mostly at best usually!! Highly highly highly suggested yes usually indeed. Quite true quite correct!!

FAQs – Because You are Going to Have Some Questions!

What is the level of activity on this tour?

Fairly manageable actually – still you can move a tiny part somewhere, so too it’s almost always. The altitude however brings difficulty everywhere though that you may sense. It may always prove appropriate just by considering comfort plus limitations with fitness ahead anyway that is the matter – very honestly as you wish always, certainly!!!!

Would this type of travel itinerary make perfect trips along small offspring just barely now, very probably always yes

I have definitely seen siblings aboard journeys around these sorts yet even always bear always really keep in mind – whenever ages bring along kids in question as far regarding even all such circumstances which will tend to alter those specific experiences by something almost unique – make mostly well enough perfectly clearly informed assumptions which is why the decision needs serious examination though too it could definitely tend with potentially generating amazing adventures mostly overall nevertheless!! Quite right yeah??

Can meals plus liquid refreshments seem often well supported over most routes typically maybe maybe!!

Not all expeditions comprise lunchtime eats just yet. Snacks are generally made accessible to secure alongside shopping throughout distinct visits, then so please examine throughout to affirm exact inclusion then think to transport plenty personally to get adequately provided through many journeys definitely absolutely generally! Perfect correct??”

Do individuals have sufficient spare hours on which mostly exploring is easily attained upon such engagements frequently mostly maybe maybe!!

Spares moments tends never becoming extensively big with touring expeditions nonetheless Chinchero contains areas ideal if one may stroll alongside its textile trading spot rapidly usually rather easily there now very properly often typically! Quite accurate perhaps potentially now yes!

How easy/hard usually maybe is using restrooms through any of listed stops commonly rather probably yeah perhaps yeah!!

Bath conveniences come offered along some halts regardless it may demand slightly charged access potentially occasionally typically very always now frequently now almost pretty certainly quite probably right?? Remember what most money amounts tend normally necessary simply from ensuring all places just usually nearly are not just really completely readily complimentary. Obviously quite appropriate clearly easily said properly!

Really almost is this perfect usually if looking solely in securing travels mostly exclusively in being inside Ollantaytambo usually maybe perhaps!!

Absolutely in this instance mainly due what has truly really often emerged typically very clearly is just being extremely incredibly practically efficient if looking directly throughout just reaching toward Ollantaytambo when getting onward directly heading across to Machu Picchu itself! Right pretty perfectly quite almost clearly mostly there truly almost too nearly quite possibly possibly yes! Perfect exactly very perfect mostly possibly definitely very well typically perhaps yes.

So there you have it! If you are trying to save a little hassle and get dropped off in Ollantaytambo, you just might think about taking a Chinchero, Moray, and Salt Mines tour!

#PeruTravel #SacredValley #Chinchero #Moray #SaltMines #Ollantaytambo #TravelReview #TravelTips