DESCRIPTION

This tour takes you to 3 magical places and offers a cooking lesson. First we go to Chinchero where we'll watch a demonstration of local weavers who are still using traditional Inca patterns and techniques for dyeing fabric. Then we'll receive a cooking lesson on how to make quinoa soup in a local staple after which we will share lunch with them. Continue on to Moray, an impressive Inca amphitheater and archaeological laboratory and finally finish at the salt mines of Maras, where we'll see locals harvesting salt like they have done since Inca times. You will be picked up at 8:30am by private driver at your hotel. From Cusco or the Sacred Valley, there is a 45-minute drive through beautiful mountains and farmlands to the town of Chinchero.

Our visit to Chinchero will consist of 3 parts. First we will visit the temple of the rainbow, one of the biggest Inca temples, in order to learn why they worshiped the rainbow. Next we will visit a church with beautiful murals depicting the Cusqueñan style of painting. This style of art combines traditional Inca imagery with Christian motifs. We will then walk through the beautiful village in Chinchero, ending in the women's weaving cooperative where we will watch a demonstration of local weavers who are still using traditional Inca patterns and techniques for dyeing fabric. Here you will have time to browse the shop which sells Inca style purses, tablecloths, wall hangings, and many other colorful and exquisitely patterned artisan goods.   Finally, we will have a cooking lesson where the ladies will teach us how to make quinoa soup, a staple of their diet. After sharing lunch with them, we can dress up in the traditional clothing and hat of Chinchero and take some photos with the local women. 

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We will then drive for about 40-minute through the beautiful Sacred Valley to Moray where we will look down below to contemplate the concentric circles that made up an Incan agricultural laboratory. Hike down into the archaeological site with a private guided tour of the ruins that served as one of the main amphitheaters for the Incas where they performed rituals and ceremonies.  We will then continue 25-minute on to Maras stopping on the way to take photos and watch people harvesting potatoes or corn, before arriving to see an incredible collection of salt mines that have been used since pre-Inca times to evaporate salt from an underground. It is truly a breathtaking site. We can see people harvesting salt which is still used today in local restaurants and you can purchase some salt to bring home.  Return to Cusco or your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Led by a local guide

• Small-group tour

• Hotel pickup included

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INCLUSIONS

• Transport by private vehicle

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

• Local guide

• Quinoa soup for lunch

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EXCLUSIONS

• Alcoholic drinks 

• Entrance fees to Salt Mines $5.00

• Entrance fee to Moray requires a Boleto Turistico: 130Soles ($37.00). This Boleto covers entrance to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, multiple museums in Cusco and Sacsayhuaman or 70 Soles ($23.00) which covers only some of these sites.

• Lunch other than quinoa soup.

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ADDITIONAL INFO

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability A small amount of walking is involved Adult pricing applies to all travelers A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.