This route takes us off the main valley floor and up onto the spectacular Maras plateau, an area characterized by endless patchwork fields of quinoa and barley, all framed by the colossal snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba mountain range.

• The High Plains and the Peaks of the Gods Our journey begins with a scenic ascent out of Cusco, climbing toward the sweeping, high-altitude plains of the Sacred Valley. As we drive across this vibrant agricultural plateau, the landscape opens up dramatically. You will be treated to breathtaking, unobstructed views of the imposing glaciers of Mount Verónica and Mount Chicón. We will take our time navigating this incredibly photogenic route, allowing you to absorb the peaceful, rural atmosphere of the Peruvian highlands.
• Moray: The Agricultural Amphitheater Our first major exploration brings us to the edge of Moray. As you approach the site, the earth drops away to reveal perfect, concentric circular terraces descending deep into the ground. It looks like a massive, green Roman amphitheater—or a landing site for something from another world. Your guide will explain that this was not a place of worship, but a highly sophisticated agronomic laboratory. You will learn how the Incas ingeniously designed these rings to create drastic microclimates, with temperature differences of up to 15°C (27°F) between the top and bottom terraces. This allowed them to domesticate and adapt crops from the Amazon jungle to survive in the freezing Andean highlands.
• The Crossroads of Maras Leaving the laboratory behind, we will take a brief journey through the colonial town of Maras. Originally established by the Spanish as a key hub for controlling the lucrative salt trade, the town feels frozen in time. As we pass through its narrow, dusty streets, your guide will point out the intricate, stone-carved coats of arms on the lintels of the original adobe houses—a testament to the noble indigenous and Spanish families who once ruled this vital trading route.
• Salineras de Maras: The Shimmering Canyon The grand finale of our expedition lies hidden within a steep, narrow ravine. As we wind our way down the canyon, a spectacular mosaic of over 3,000 terraced salt pans suddenly comes into view, clinging to the mountainside. The Salineras de Maras is fed by a single, hypersaline subterranean spring that has been flowing from inside the mountain for thousands of years. You will walk along the edges of these shimmering pools, watching the water evaporate under the Andean sun to leave behind crystals of pure, mineral-rich pink salt. Your guide will explain the beautiful communal system behind this wonder: each pool is still owned and hand-harvested by local families of the Maras community, exactly as it was during the time of the Incas.