Maras Moray Bike Tour: Cycling the Sacred Valley
A mostly downhill bike tour through the Sacred Valley, stopping at Moray and the Maras Salt Mines.
Most ways to see Moray and the Maras Salt Mines involve a van window. This tour puts you on a bike instead — a mostly downhill route through open Andean countryside that connects the same sites at a genuinely different pace, with time to feel the landscape change between stops rather than watching it pass by.
This isn’t a technical mountain biking challenge. The route follows dirt roads and gentle countryside paths, with only short, manageable climbs — designed for beginners and intermediate riders alike, not experienced downhill racers looking for a demanding trail.
| 💰 From | $140 USD per person (group of 10) |
| ⏱️ Duration | Full day, ~7:30 AM–5:30-6:30 PM (biking time: 1.5-2.5 hours) |
| ⛰️ Altitude range | Inca Salt Flats: 3,385 m up to Paradero 37 (start): 3,728 m |
| 🚶 Physical level | Moderate — mostly downhill, beginner- and intermediate-friendly |
| 📅 Season | May–December |
| 👥 Group size | Private, 1-10 travelers |
| 🎂 Minimum age | 11+ |
| 🚲 Bikes | Front-suspension mountain bikes, helmets, gloves, and safety vests included |
A mostly downhill bike ride connecting the Sacred Valley’s most iconic sites. – Start at Paradero 37, near Cruz Pata, the day’s highest point. – Ride through Cheqoq’s archaeological site and the traditional village of Maras. – Visit the Maras Salt Mines, with hundreds of pools cascading down the mountainside. – Finish at Moray’s circular terraces before the descent toward Pachar. This is the Maras Moray Bike Tour, start to finish.
Getting to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines by bike changes the experience in a real way — instead of a series of separate stops connected by a van, the ride itself becomes part of the day, with open countryside, traditional villages, and panoramic Sacred Valley views unfolding gradually rather than in short bursts between parking lots.
The route starts at Paradero 37, near Cruz Pata — the day’s highest point — before following mostly downhill dirt roads through the archaeological site of Cheqoq and the traditional village of Maras, known for its colonial-era houses. From there, the ride reaches the Maras Salt Mines, hundreds of individual salt pools cascading down the hillside, before continuing to Moray’s concentric circular terraces, believed to have functioned as an Inca agricultural laboratory. The final stretch descends gently toward Pachar, closing out a route built for scenery and steady pacing rather than technical difficulty.
Both cover the same core sites — Maras and Moray — but the vehicle and pace are genuinely different.
| Feature | Maras Moray Bike Tour | Sacred Valley ATV Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Mountain bike (front suspension) | Honda TRX 250 ATV |
| Pace | Self-powered, steady | Motorized, faster |
| Physical demand | Moderate — mostly downhill pedaling | Easy to Moderate — mostly driving |
| Minimum age | 11+ | 16+ |
| Best for | Travelers wanting active, self-powered exploration | Travelers wanting a motorized adventure with less physical effort |
If you’d rather pedal at your own pace than drive a motorized vehicle, this is the better fit.
This route starts at its highest point — Paradero 37, at 3,728 m — and works generally downhill from there, descending to the Inca Salt Flats at 3,385 m before a final climb back to Moray at 3,500 m and the closing descent toward Pachar.
Private transfer to Paradero 37, near Cruz Pata — roughly 50 minutes from Cusco. After a safety briefing and bike fitting, the ride begins.
The route passes through the Cheqoq archaeological site, a stop most standard Sacred Valley itineraries skip entirely, before continuing toward the village of Maras.
A ride through the traditional village of Maras, known for its colonial-era houses and historic architectural details — a genuine window into Sacred Valley life beyond the archaeological sites.
Hundreds of individual salt evaporation pools cascade down the mountainside, fed by a naturally salty spring channeled and harvested using techniques unchanged for centuries.
What you’ll see:
The ride continues to Moray, its concentric circular terraces believed to have functioned as an Inca agricultural laboratory, each ring holding a distinct microclimate.
A gentle final descent along dirt roads toward Pachar, in the Sacred Valley, closing out the ride with scenic views before the return to Cusco by vehicle.
Day 1 stats
Box Lunch
Moderate
A light walk, Mainly by Bike
5 to 25 minutes
Paradero 37: 3,728m (12,230 ft)
Inca Salt Flats: 3,385m (11,105 ft)
Moray Ruins: 3,500m (11,482 ft)
High-quality mountain bikes with front suspension, regularly maintained and adjusted before each tour, along with helmets and gloves.
Yes — Paradero 37 to Cheqoq is mostly downhill with a short uphill section, Moray to Maras is relatively flat, and Maras to the salt mines is downhill with moderate slopes. A steeper optional section is available for more experienced riders.
Yes — the route isn’t highly technical, and the pace adjusts to the group’s comfort level, making it accessible for both beginner and intermediate riders.
Approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours total, depending on the route and stops, balanced with time to explore Moray and the Maras Salt Mines.
Typically between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM, depending on the group’s pace and time spent at each stop.
No significant climbs — the route is designed to be mostly downhill or flat, with only short, manageable uphill sections.
Most of the route follows dirt roads and countryside paths with minimal traffic; some short sections may be shared with local vehicles, but they’re generally quiet.
The dry season (April–October) offers sunny, stable conditions; the rainy season (November–March) brings greener landscapes but possible rain and muddy trails.
Yes — the route can end in Cusco, Ollantaytambo, or Urubamba, depending on your onward plans; let us know when booking.
11 years old — this route requires enough bike-handling ability that we don’t recommend it for younger children.
Private — the tour is arranged specifically for your group, with pricing scaling down as more travelers join.
Comfortable athletic clothing, a windbreaker, and a warm layer for the cold morning start — most of the ride warms up as the day and the descent progress.
Private tour, scaled by group size.
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 476.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 293.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 226.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 197.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 179.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 167.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 157.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 150.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 145.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 140.00 USD |
