George & Eve DeLange.

We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for much of the information we obtained about the Incan Agricultural Terraces At Moray, Near Cusco, Peru. Pronounced ( more-eye ). Moray is an archaeological site in Peru approximately 50 km (31 mi) northwest of Cuzco on a high plateau at about 3500 m (11,500 ft) and just west of the village of Maras. The site contains unusual Inca ruins, mostly consisting of three enormous main terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is about 30 m (98 ft) deep. There are some other small depressions & terraces. These depressions are commonly called the Incan Agricultural Terraces At Moray. The purpose of these depressions is uncertain, but their depth and orientation with respect to wind and sun creates a temperature difference of as much as 15 �C (27 �F) between the top and bottom. It is thought this large temperature difference was possibly used by the Inca to study the effects of different climatic conditions on crops. In other words, Moray was perhaps an Inca agricultural experiment station. As with many other Inca sites, it also has a sophisticated irrigation system. Moray is not on the typical tourist agenda; however, it is included in the boleto touristico offered in Cuzco and is on the way back from Machu Picchu between Ollantaytambo and Pisac. Very few books are available on the Incan Agriculture in Cuzco or surrounding cities so study up before arriving. Guides are included for free at the site, inquire at the control point. Moray is thought to have been the Agricultural Laboratory of the Incas. Here three large natural depressions were terraced with co-centric circles. Seeds cultivated at this site were likely sent throughout the Incan empire to improve yield in the harsh conditions of the Andes and were probably one of the benefits offered by the Incas for peaceful incorporation of neighboring tribes into the Incan empire. Today the site is a series of co-centric circles on plateau�s 400m above the valley floor (3,200-3,500m above sea level). The site was designed by the Incas to take advantage of natural depressions below the level plain and model andean, jungle and semi-tropical environments for the growth of different plant varieties. Pollen studies indicate that soils from each of these regions was imported by the incas to each of the large circular basins. In the largest of the depressions (150m) a serious of water channels can be seen finding their way to the bottom. Studies have found temperature variations up to 5 degrees Celsius. After climbing down the ruins and back up, climb the hill overlooking the site to obtain the best photo of two of the co-centric circles in the same shot. Also on this hill are the Incan resevoirs used to store water during the year. The Moray Raymi Festival: The festival-fever also reaches into Moray; when, Sacsayhuam�n and Cuzco have the Inti Raymi Festival. Then Moray also has the Moray Raymi Festival. This event at Moray is held in September. Then, the locals gather around the Moray site and perform various acts and rituals dedicated to the Inca Sun God, Inti. To get there: Route 1 (from Cuzco) Take a bus from Cuzco to Urubamba. At Urubamba, get off at the town center where there is a Y in the road and two statues resembling stonehenge. Await a bus to Moray for 1 sole. Stay awake as it is only a few km to the Moray turnoff. The bus will drop you off there. Taxis await at the blue and white bus station. It is 4km to town and 13km to the ruins as noted on the bus station. Skilled negotiators who arrive with a group of 5 persons or more will get 10 soles per person to get driven to both Moray and the Salt mines and back to the turnoff. Less skilled negotiators will get 15 soles to get driven to the Moray site and left there. To avoid the negotiation problem, consider a pre arranged bike tour. Route 2 (from Cuzco) Take a taxi or ask the locals for a bus station where busses go to Chinchero and Moray. Expect to pay 3 soles. Take the bus and get dropped off at the blue and white bus stop that is the turnoff for Moray. Then follow the above instructions. Alternatively, instead of taking a taxi from the bus drop-off to the ruins, it is possible to hike. The walk is not as long as might be expected, as you can avoid the twists and turns of the road. It may be hard to find by foot though, so taking a taxi there and walking back to the more visible town might be a better option. Nearby are the Salineras de Maras, a terraced Inca salt field. Since you are so closeby, we suggest visiting it also. Stop to take photos while descending into the valley. The salt makes most of the valley glow white on a sunny day. Taste the warm saltwater streaming from the mountain at the source, then buy some packaged salt from the mine, but be prepared to open it up when you pass through security in the airport as this might look a little suspicious. At the town of Maras, on the way to the ruins, there are a few small stores that sell snacks and groceries. The taxi does not stop in Maras normally. At the ruins there are only walking snack vendors. Crossing back through the town and visiting the Salt Ponds, there are vendors with better snacks such as ice cream and salted nuts and dehyrdated bananas. However, bringing your own lunch is recommended. We were at the town of Moray at about 12:15 PM on the afternoon of March 22, 2011.

The first choice of where to go in order to visit the terraces of Moray, near Cusco, Peru is to fly in to Cusco, Peru. The Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (IATA: CUZ, ICAO: SPZO) is located in the city of Cusco, in southeastern Peru. Cusco is a principal tourist attraction in Latin America, and it receives various domestic flights as well as some international flights. There are several really nice hotels in Cusco. We found that when touring Peru, Magical Cusco Tours gave us the best service of all. They even arranged very personal tours based upon our ages and experience. They were there for us whenever we needed them. We have links to Magical Cusco Tours on our page so that they can arrange your tours of the town of Maras and the Salt Mines Of Maras, near Cusco, and the surrounding areas. Click on any of their links on our pages and they will give you a 4% discount for taking their package tours. Mention delange.org. Merchant Code Inka2010 for your discount! We suggest letting Ana Maria handle your tour. Note: The 4% discount applies to package tours only! Discount does not apply to hotel bookings, domestic or international tickets, meals or any other service booked as a single activity. Magical Cusco Tours also has a culinary tour that you may enjoy.Click Here For: Taste Of Peru.com their culinary tour page. We also have links to Priceline.Com on our pages, in case you may prefer to use their services.