Moray, The Agricultural Laboratory of the Sacred Valley

What is said about Moray?

Many things have been said about Moray. At first sight, it looks like an amphitheater formed by many circular terraces. What is Moray exactly? and what was the importance of the terraces? Let’s have an overview of this exciting and intriguing Inca site.

Moray main square

Location:

Moray is located 7 km far from the Maras’ community, in the Inca Sacred Valley, and 38 km approximately to the northeast of Cusco It is at an altitude of 3500 meters above sea level.

Moray has two distinct seasons: dry and rainy.

The dry season: From May to October

The weather during this period is predominantly dry, especially in June, July, and August. Days are bright and sunny with a temperature of 16 °C (61 °F) while nights are much colder sometimes with a low temperature of 0 °C (32 °F).

The dry season is widely considered the best time to come to Cusco, but it is also the busiest time to travel.

The rainy season: From November to April

During this time Cusco receives a greater amount of rainfall. Average daytime temperatures are higher than the dry season at 18 °C (64 °F) while night temperatures can be as cold as 9 °C (48 °F)

What are the Moray terraces?

According to historians, these circular terraces are gigantic natural holes that were built and used by the Incas with their respective irrigation channels as an agricultural laboratory. Each circular terrace was used as an agricultural research station. The terraces were used to cultivate and acclimate agricultural crops such as potatoes, corn, quinoa, kiwicha, winter and summer squash, and even coca.

Moray terraces

The archeological site of Moray

It is believed that Moray was used by the Incas as an agriculture research station. It is at least the most widely accepted theory.

The terraces were made by building containment walls filled with fertile earth. They were watered through a complex irrigation system. At the base of the terraces, there is a rain water storage system. The entire system allowed the cultivation of over 250 types of vegetables.

Kiwicha, planta frondosa que puede alcanzar hasta los tres metros de altura.

Kiwicha may reach over eight feet (3 meters?.

Quinua, semilla andina rica en vitaminas y minerales.

Quinoa, Andean seed rich in vitamins and minerals.

Variety of potatoes

Inkayni Peru Tours has designed 2 tours that allow you to visit and enjoy these beautiful towns of the Sacred Valley: Maras, Moray, and Chinchero:

The Maras – Moray – Chinchero Tour by bus: It is a 7-hour tour. We have daily departures. We recommend booking at least 2or 3 days in advance. This way we can have everything ready for you to start the tour.
The Full Day – Maras & Moray Biking Tour: This Full Day tour is designed for all people who like cross-country cycling, being this a sport that requires effort and physical resistance. You can enjoy the view of the beautiful Andean landscapes along the bicycle route, such as snow-capped mountains, lagoons such as the Huaypo lagoon and observe the local inhabitants working on their lands. We recommend booking at least 2or 3 days in advance.

Maras-Moray-Chinchero Biking Tour

Visiting hours

The archeological site of Moray is open from Monday to Sunday from 7 am to 5 pm (the entrance ticket is part of the tourist ticket).

Inkayni additional note:

Discover with us this beautiful, charming and historic place, where we will visit the enigmatic archeological site of Moray, where new crops were developed by the Inca using varying altitudes on a terraced system, and later you will visit the complex of Salineras, where a saltwater spring gushes forth from these high altitude mountains and tumbles down the mountainside into individual evaporation chambers which have been fully operational in bringing the people of the highlands salt. Don’t forget to visit our website to book the tour: Tour Inkayni