Route:
Moray - Maras - Salineras - Pichingoto - Sol
& Luna Hotel
Biking
distance: 19 km
Degree:
M
The trip starts
at the Hotel.
We leave by van and drive out of the Sacred
Valley. During the 45 minute ride we have an impressive view
of the snowcapped Vilcanota mountains. The driver drops us off at
the ruins of Moray.
Our guide will
take us down into these ruins and explain their function. It is
said that the ancient agricultural terraces of circular and concentric
shape, which were built by the Incas, were used as a seed-producing
area for the principal crops of the empire: maize and potato.
After this visit
we head our bikes down a dirt road towards the town of Maras, the
snow-capped peaks of the Vilcanota Mountains before us. Maras is
a typical town dedicated to agriculture and cattle, with portals
built during colonial times. Near the Plaza de Armas, we rest and
enjoy a snack next to an old church.
Continuing our
ride down to Salineras, the saltpans, we have two options: taking
a single track all the way or the easier part-paved and part-dirt
road. Once at Salineras we get off our bikes and watch (and perhaps
participate in) the salt draining process.
The single track
which takes us into the Sacred Valley requires some skill. Some
people might prefer to walk the very steep and narrow parts. The
track leads us past Pichingoto, a small village with houses built
into the rocky slopes, giving the place a unique appearance. From
here we cross the Urubamba river over a hanging bridge. It is a
short ride back to the hotel. Our journey has been mostly downhill.
