Price
$275 - $268
Duration
5 hours
Description
We pick you up from your accommodation in the Sacred Valley or Cusco and bring you to Salineras Ranch, located between the Vilcanota River and the Salineras mountain. Upon arrival, your guide will brief you on safety and horseback riding instructions, and then introduce you to your horse.
We set off by going up an ancient, steep path for 30 minutes with a stunning view of over 4000 salt ponds: the legendary Salineras salt mines. We’ll make our first stop at this point, so you can have an even more privileged view of the impressive ponds - all of which will be enhanced by our guide’s expert explanation of salt harvesting.
Then, we continue riding for another 45 minutes up to the quaint, colonial village of Maras. We will ride through the streets where you can see one of the first Spanish churches, and the coats of arms from different Spanish colonial families carved into the stone doorways.
Just outside of the village of Maras, there is a spacious meadow where our team will have set everything up for your picnic-style lunch break. We will take the time to admire the breath-taking views of the valley and snow-capped peaks.
After riding for another 45 minutes across the plains, we reach the archeological site of Moray: the agricultural experimentation and development center of the Incas. You’ll have an opportunity to visit the impressive architecture of Moray on foot. After delighting yourselves in the magic scenic views, our private vehicle will be ready to take you back to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.
Our guides: bilingual, highly experienced, local riders who are extremely knowledgeable about the area. Our support team will carry your gear; and assist you at every turn, from door-to-door.
Our horses: well-trained and cared for specimens of the Peruvian Paso breed or Creole horses.
Pick-up time: varies depending on the location of your accommodation. Should you be staying in Cusco, our driver will pick you up at 7:00 am. Should you be in the Sacred Valley, pickup will be at 8:00 am.
Time spent in transit:
(all times are approximations, depending on road and traffic conditions)
Cusco – Salineras Ranch: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Urubamba – Salineras Ranch: 15 minutes
Ollantaytambo – Salineras Ranch: 25 minutes
Time spent riding: approximately 3.5 hours
Time covering Salineras salt mines: approximately 30 minutes
Time for a picnic lunch: approximately 1 hour
Time at Moray: approximately 30 minutes (visit on foot)
Price per person: 2 or 3 people US $275, groups of 4 or more US $268
Options
For a better experience, we recommend adding the 4-Course Meal served in the Ranch dining room instead of the picnic lunch – add. $60 per person (special promotion)
Sweet Break: Chocolate or banana cake served with ice cream, Peruvian fruit, and coffee or tea – add $18 per person (special promotion).
Sandwich: Cheese, avocado, or chicken sandwich on sourdough bread, with side salad from our organic garden – add $23 per person (special promotion).
Gourmet hot meal served under a tent on the mountains – minimum for 2 people – add. $130 per person.
This ride can also be combined with any of the workshops we offer at the Ranch for a full-day experience: Chocolate Workshop, Coffee Workshop, Chicha Workshop and/or Adobe Workshop.
Start time
To avoid crowds, we start this ride at 8:30 am.
Altitude
Salineras Ranch: 2,720 m.a.s.l. / 8,924 feet
Salineras salt mines: 2,970 m.a.s.l. / 9,745 feet
Maras: 3,200 m.a.s.l. / 10,499 feet
Moray: 3,600 m.a.s.l. / 11,811 feet
Distance
12 kilometers / 7.46 miles
Level
All levels will enjoy the ride. Our guide will adapt the rhythm for you.
Type of horse
Peruvian Paso / Creole Horse
Included
Round-trip private transportation from the place you specify in the Sacred Valley.
A bilingual guide and guide’s assistant(s) knowledgeable about the sites
Entrance tickets to the Salineras/Pichingoto community area and the Salineras salt mines
Safety helmet
Picnic lunch in Maras - Peruvian Solterito salad made with local corn, potatoes, broad beans, fried yuca, and grilled chicken (or avocado - vegetarian), accompanied by seasonal fruit and soft drinks.
Not included
Ticket for the Moray archeological complex is not included. It has to be purchased as a part of “Boleto Turístico” - a multi-day, multi-site pass, which many of our guests already have.
Gratuities for guides
What to bring
Sunblock and Sunglasses
Long-sleeved shirt, preferably in light color (for sun protection)
Wide-brimmed hat or sun shield ball cap
Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers
Rain jacket and a mid-layer fleece
Long comfortable pants or jeans
Boleto Turístico or cash for Boleto Turístico (only Soles are accepted)
Weight-limit
77 kg / 170 pounds
