Moray, Peru, is an Inca site of circular, concentric terraces on a high plateau just west of Maras, in Urubamba province, Cusco. Travelers also call it the Moray terraces or the Moray ruins.
The main depression is about 98 feet (30 meters) deep and about 722 feet (220 meters) wide. The site sits at about 11,500 feet (3,500 meters) above sea level. The temperature difference between the rim and the bottom can reach about 27°F (15°C).
Its exact purpose is uncertain, and the most cited theory describes it as an agricultural laboratory. Peru’s Ministry of Culture manages the site today.
As Cusco guides, we rate Moray for its shape, which is unique in the Sacred Valley. Other Inca terraces climb hillsides, while these drop into the ground in rings, like a giant stone amphitheater.
If you want those rings explained on site by a local guide, Moray is a core stop on our Sacred Valley tour from Cusco. For more Inca sites to plan around, see our list of must-visit ruins in Peru.
No one knows for sure why the Incas built Moray, so what follows is theory, not settled fact.
The best known theory treats Moray as an agricultural laboratory. Each terrace level has a slightly different microclimate, so the Incas could have tested how crops behaved under different conditions in a single place. Some researchers also note soils brought in from elsewhere in the region.
Andean terraces in general grew staples such as corn and potatoes. There is no confirmed record of which crops grew at Moray itself.
Researcher John Earls offered a more detailed version in his 1989 study “Planificación agrícola andina” (Andean agricultural planning). He presented Moray as a model for planning agriculture across the Urubamba-Vilcanota valley.
His work studied the microclimatology of the terraces and a solar calendar. Earls also reported vertical stones on the terraces that, in his view, could mark the solstices and equinoxes.
That links the site to two practical farming questions: what to plant, and when.
Edward Ranney suggested the Incas used Moray for a special crop, possibly coca leaf. Another idea holds that the terraces helped estimate harvests in other regions of the Inca empire.
Neither theory is as well documented as the laboratory and planning ideas, and both remain open questions.
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Depth of the main depression | About 98 feet (30 meters) |
| Width of the main depression | About 722 feet (220 meters) |
| Altitude | About 11,500 feet (3,500 meters) |
| Temperature difference, rim to bottom | Up to about 27°F (15°C), as reported |
| Location | Just west of Maras, Urubamba province, Cusco |
| Managed by | Peru’s Ministry of Culture |
All figures are approximate, and sources don’t fully agree, especially on altitude.
In February 2010, heavy rains caused the eastern side of Moray to collapse. A temporary wooden support was added afterward.
When you visit, stay on the marked paths and off the terrace walls.
Most visits to Moray start in Cusco, about 1 to 1.5 hours away by road. The site sits on a plateau near the town of Maras, which most routes pass through.
Here are four ways to get there, from a guided tour to public transport.
A guided tour is the simplest option, since it covers transport, timing and a guide who explains the site. Our Sacred Valley day tour from Cusco pairs Moray with the Maras salt mines and Ollantaytambo in one day.
You can hire a taxi or private driver from Cusco or from Urubamba. This gives you control over timing and lets you combine Moray with Maras at your own pace.
One local tip: agree before you set off that the driver will wait for you or come back at a set time. Transport at the site itself is limited, and you don’t want to finish your visit with no ride back.
On public transport, take a colectivo (shared van) from Cusco toward Urubamba and get off at the turnoff for Maras. From there, continue by taxi through Maras to Moray.
This route takes more coordination than a tour or a private driver, so leave extra time in your day.
If you’re staying in the Sacred Valley, you can get there by taxi or local bus from Urubamba.
You need an entrance ticket to visit Moray. Entry is covered by the Cusco tourist ticket, known locally as the boleto turístico. It’s sold by COSITUC, the Cusco body that manages the tourist ticket.
Prices and circuits change, so confirm the current options at a COSITUC sales point in Cusco or with your guide before you go.
Entrance tickets are not included in our Sacred Valley day tour. Your guide will tell you which ticket to buy, so you arrive with the right one.
Moray and the Maras salt mines are close to each other, and most travelers see them on the same day. The salt mines are a hillside of terraced salt pans. They look nothing like the stone rings of Moray.
For history, how to get there and what to see, read our full guide to the Maras salt mines.
Keep in mind that walking on the salt pans is no longer allowed. You can still see them from the viewpoint and the marked trails.
Chinchero is an Andean town between Cusco and Urubamba. It has a colonial church built over an Inca palace, terraces, a market and weaving demonstrations.
A practical order for one day is Cusco, then Chinchero, Moray and Maras, finishing in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.
For the rest of the valley, including Pisac and Ollantaytambo, see our Sacred Valley guide.
Our Sacred Valley day tour follows a similar route, with a textile center, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo.
Allow enough time to walk down to the lower levels, and take the climb back up slowly.
Add about 1 to 1.5 hours by road from Cusco. With Maras on the same day, a full day is the realistic plan.
The season affects the trails at Moray as much as the views.
The dry season runs from April to October. Skies are clearer, the trails are firm and the rings stand out sharply in photos.
The rainy season runs from November to March. The landscape turns greener, but expect mud on the paths.
Timing within the day matters too. Go in the morning if you can, or ask your guide to plan the route around the large tour groups.
Dress in layers, wear sun protection and carry water. The sun at this altitude is intense, even when the air feels cool.
Moray sits at about 11,500 feet (3,500 meters), slightly higher than Cusco at 11,155 feet (3,400 meters). The difference is small, but the climb back up from the bottom of the terraces is where you’re most likely to feel it.
Give yourself a few days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before visiting. Walk the terraces slowly, take breaks on the way up and drink water as you go.
For symptoms, prevention and what to do if you feel unwell, read our guide on how to avoid altitude sickness.
We’re a local tour operator based in Cusco, and Moray is a regular stop on our Sacred Valley day tour.
The Ultimate Sacred Valley Day Tour from Cusco runs about 12 hours, from USD 139 per person, in small groups of up to 8 travelers. It includes hotel pickup and return, a local English-speaking guide and a buffet lunch at a hacienda, with vegetarian or vegan options.
The route visits a textile center, Moray, the Maras salt mines and Ollantaytambo. If you’re heading to Machu Picchu next, you can ask to be dropped off at Ollantaytambo station and continue by train.
Entrance tickets, breakfast and drinks are not included. See the full itinerary and book the Sacred Valley tour from Cusco.
Staying longer? Our Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley tours include a 2-day option that visits Moray and Maras on the first day. You can also browse our other day trips from Cusco.
Moray is an Inca site of circular, concentric terraces on a high plateau just west of Maras, in Urubamba province, Cusco. The main depression is about 98 feet (30 meters) deep, and the site sits at about 11,500 feet (3,500 meters).
Its exact purpose is unknown. The most cited theory describes it as an agricultural laboratory, where each terrace level had its own microclimate. The temperature difference between the rim and the bottom can reach about 27°F (15°C).
The main depression is about 98 feet (30 meters) deep and about 722 feet (220 meters) wide. Figures vary slightly between sources.
Moray is about 1 to 1.5 hours by road from Cusco, depending on the route. If you’re staying in the Sacred Valley, you can get there by taxi or local bus from Urubamba.
Yes. Entry to Moray is covered by the Cusco tourist ticket (boleto turístico) sold by COSITUC. Prices and circuits change, so confirm them in Cusco or with your guide before you go.
Yes. Moray and the Maras salt mines are close to each other and are usually visited together, either on a guided tour or with a private driver.
Allow enough time to walk down to the lower levels and climb back up slowly. Add about 1 to 1.5 hours by road from Cusco.
Yes, especially if you’re curious about how the Incas farmed. Its circular shape is unique in the Sacred Valley, and it combines easily with Maras in one day. A guide isn’t required, but one helps you understand the theories behind the site.
John Hoffman6 July, 2022 at 9:52 am
This place sounds incredible and the history is just WOW! The Sacred Valley tour will be definitely on our list as it should help with getting used to the altitude. Any other recommendations for not becoming sick?
Konsti from Exploor Peru7 July, 2022 at 11:21 am
Hello John! Yes, this tour is the perfect combination out of history and stunning landscapes. In addition to that, you’ll get used to the altitude and learn important things about the Incas. However, feel free to read our blog post about how to avoid the altitude sickness. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Team Exploor