Is Moray Peru Worth Visiting: The Mysterious Sacred Valley Ruins

If you are visiting the Sacred Valley, you may be wondering, “Is Moray Peru worth visiting?” Moray ruins in Peru are a series of stunning terraced circles etched into the hillside. Without question, this unique site is a “must-see” attraction when you visit Peru.

Moray Peru is worth visiting for its beauty and agricultural engineering. Nestled among the majestic Andes Mountains in the Sacred Valley of Peru, the concentric circles of Moray Inca ruins are a captivating enigma. Mystery shrouds these ancient terraces built between the 12th and 14th centuries.

During a recent trip to Peru, our extended family visited Moray Inca ruins near Cusco. I will share our experience so you can decide if a tour of the archaeological site at Moray Peru is worth it for you. Keep reading to learn all about Moray Inca ruins.

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Is Moray Peru Worth Visiting: 5 Reasons You Should See Moray

1. Moray’s terraced circles are breathtaking. The area offers stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley and Andes Mountains.
2. The ruins at Moray are an impressive archeological site with historical importance. They are a marvel of agricultural engineering used for agricultural experimentation.
3. Combine a tour of Moray with Maras salt pans and other sites in the Sacred Valley for a full day of exploration.
4. Day trips to Moray ruins are accessible and plentiful.
5. The trip to Moray is inexpensive.

Is Moray Peru Worth Visiting: Map

Where Is Moray Peru?

Moray Ruins are located in the remote hills of the Sacred Valley Peru, or Valle Sagrado. They are in the Urubamba province, west of Moray Village. Moray is 30 miles from Cusco and it takes about an hour and a half to drive to the site.

Seeking Stamps Tip: Combine Maras and Moray for a thrilling day trip. Keep reading to find out more!

What Is Moray Peru Known for?

Without a written language, the history of this Inca site is shrouded in mystery. Moray Peru is known for its beautiful and perplexing circular structures. These Inca ruins consist of a series of naturally formed depressions with stone-walled terraces.

Moray is a marvel of ancient agricultural engineering. Experts believe it was created for agricultural experimentation. Anthropologist John Earls proposed this theory in 1975.

Temperatures and sunlight on each terrace level vary. In fact, there is a 27 degree Fahrenheit temperature difference between the top and bottom terraces. This creates unique microclimates to grow a variety of crops.

In the largest basin, archaeologists found evidence of hundreds of types of crops. Experimentation at Moray may be responsible for the impressive genetic variety of Peruvian agriculture. Perhaps this is why you can find over 4,000 types of potato in Peru!

Moray is also known for its sophisticated aqueducts. Despite frequent rain Moray rarely floods. In addition, aqueducts from the Andes provide irrigation through underground channels.

Along with being an agricultural laboratory, Moray was used as a ceremonial center. To this day, locals gather at Moray to celebrate important festivals such as Inti Raymi.

Discovery of Moray Peru

In 1931, the Shippee-Johnson Aerial Photography Expedition revealed the topography of Moray Peru. It was the first use of aerial photography to locate and document both archaeological sites and geographical features in South America.

Moray Terraces Peru

Moray, Peru is known for its distinctive circled terraces built into the hillside. The Quechua term “Muyu” means “circle or ring”. There are three main areas and a smaller one off to the side (back left of the photo).

• Qechuyok Muyu- this is the largest and most impressive of the depressions, resembling a figure eight. It is almost 400 feet wide by 500 feet deep with 14 terraced areas.

• Simiyok Muyu- consists of seven terraced rings.

• Intiwatana Muyu- this has six terraced platforms.

• Kuychi Muyu- the smallest terraced portion at Maras. Measuring about 80 feet in diameter, many tourists miss this smaller area away from the three main circles.

Is Moray Peru Worth Visiting: The Best Time to Visit Moray

Weather at Moray varies little throughout the year, and rarely has snow. Daily averages range from highs in the 60’s Fahrenheit with low’s in the 40’s. Keep in mind that Peru’s seasons are opposite of North America.

The best time to visit Moray is in the dry season of Peru. Dry season is typically from April to October. Early May to mid June, or mid July to early October are the best times to visit Moray. During the dry season, the dirt roads leading to the ruins are more accessible.

During the rainy season, the site has verdant grasses covering the site. However, you risk having to contend with mud and rain during your visit.

How to Get to Moray Peru

Moray and Maras Tour

The best way to get to Moray is through an organized tour of the Sacred Valley. Visiting Moray is an easy day trip from Cusco. I recommend combining it with a tour of the Salineras de Maras, or Maras Salt Mines. Moray is about 30 minutes away and 10 miles from the Maras Salt Mines. You can also take an Inca taxi from Cusco to Moray.

Sacred Valley ATV Tour to Moray

For adventure-lovers, I highly recommend booking an atv tour to see the Moray Ruins and Maras Salt Mines! Our teenagers voted the Sacred Valley tour on ATVs as one of the highlights of our trip!

After an introduction and safety briefing, we were on our way. The views throughout our ride were breathtaking. Maras and Moray are worth visiting on a one day ATV trip! Along with Machu Picchu, they are some of the most impressive tourist locations in Peru!

Seeking Stamps Tip: Plan to get extremely dirty and dusty on your ride!

Is Moray Peru Worth Visiting: Plan Your Visit

Although it is less popular than Machu Picchu, that doesn’t mean Moray Peru isn’t worth visiting. Upon your arrival, the first thing you will notice about the site is its unique appearance. To be honest, it looks like something created by an extra-terrestrial!

Moray Entrance Fee

To visit Moray, you must buy a “boleto turistico” tourist ticket. If you are planning to see multiple sites, you can choose a “Cusco integral tourist ticket”. It includes 16 attractions including Inca sites and museums.

• The cost of a Cusco Integral Tourist Ticket for foreigners is 130 soles and 70 soles for foreign students.

I recommend buying a “Partial” Cusco Tourist Ticket when you visit Moray ruins. Partial Tourist Tickets have three different circuits which cover various attractions.

Moray is included in circuit three. It grants you access to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray. If you plan to visit Moray and Maras, you have to pay separately for Maras. You can purchase the tourist ticket at the Moray entrance. Soles are required.

• A Partial Tourist Ticket for Moray costs 70 soles for foreigners and foreign students.

Moray Peru Operation Hours

Moray is open 7:00 am-6:00 PM

What to Bring to Moray Peru

• Dress in layers because mornings can be very cold and afternoons warm up
• Wear sturdy athletic shoes for the steep stairs and loose gravel
• Bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
• Make sure to pack bottled water and snacks
• Money to buy souvenirs

How Long to Spend at Moray

You do not need an extensive amount of time to visit Moray. Plan to spend approximately an hour walking around the site.

Accessibility at Moray Peru

Moray, Peru is partially wheelchair accessible from the parking lot and dirt trail.

Restaurants Near Moray

MIL Centro Peru Restaurant

Inspired by the ingenuity of Moray Ruins, renowned chef Virgilio Martinez opened MIL dedicated to the food and people of Moray. It is regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world.

The MIL experience begins at 9:30 am with a Moray tour and includes an 8 course fine dining meal for $550 per person. We did not have a chance to dine here, but it sounds like an unforgettable culinary experience.

Is Moray Peru Worth Visiting: FAQ’s

1. Is Moray a Good Place to Visit When Acclimatizing in Peru?

Moray is easy to visit when you are acclimating to the high altitude in Peru. Similar to Cusco, the Moray Peru altitude is high. Moray is at an elevation 11,500 feet, so expect to notice feeling breathless when you visit. Fortunately, a trip to Moray involves some walking, but it is not rigorous.

2. What Is Moray Peru Known for?

Moray, Peru is known for its mysterious terraced circles. Surrounded by stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley and Andes Mountains, its beauty is awe-inspiring. Also, the Inca ruins at Moray Peru are an impressive archeological site with complex agricultural engineering and aqueducts.

3. Is Moray Peru Worth Visiting?

Without question, Moray ruins are worth visiting. The ruins are a unique Inca site near Cusco. Travelers can admire its unique beauty, advanced aqueducts, and interesting architecture. This is a “must-see” attraction when you visit Peru.

4. What Did the Incas Use Moray for?

Experts propose that the Incas used the circular terraces and unique micro climates for agricultural experimentation. Thus, leading to the impressive genetic variety of Peruvian crops.

5. Is Maras and Moray Worth Visiting the Same Day?

Maras and Moray are worth visiting when you travel to the Sacred Valley of Peru. Both offer ancient ruins that demonstrate the ingenuity of the Peruvian people. It is easy to combine both sites in a tour from Cusco.

Is Moray Peru Worth Visiting: Final Thoughts

As you can see, the Inca ruins at Moray Peru are worth visiting in the Sacred Valley. Although most travelers come to Peru to see Machu Picchu, there are numerous captivating Inca sites to visit. Not only is Moray visually stunning, but its history and intrigue make one of the best Inca ruins for your 1-2 week Peru Itinerary.