Moray
The “Archaeological Site of Moray” is an archaeological site located in the region of Cusco, Peru. It is located about 50 kilometers northwest of Cusco, on a high plateau at about 3,500 meters above sea level and just west of the town of Maras. The site contains Inca ruins, mostly consisting of several circular terraced depressions, the largest of which is approximately 30 meters deep. Like many other Inca sites, it also has an irrigation system.
The terraces of Moray are built on retaining walls filled with fertile soil and irrigated by complex irrigation systems, which allowed the cultivation of more than 250 plant species. The site is composed of three groups of circular terraces (muyus in Quechua) that descend 150 meters (490 feet) from the highest terrace to the lowest. Each muyu has 12 terrace levels and the largest depression has a diameter of 600 feet.
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Meaning of Moray
Moray had an ancestral use and it is still not possible to determine the exact origin of the name, it is believed that Moray comes from the Quechua “Muyu” which means circle or round, and “Uray” which refers to the lower part, so it is believed that Moray means “Circle in the lower part”.
Climate and temperature in Moray
The climate at the archaeological site of Moray varies according to the season of the year. During the rainy season, which runs from October to March, temperatures can range from 20°C during the day to 7°C at night. During the dry season, which runs from April to September, daytime temperatures can reach 21°C, while at night they can drop by as much as 1°C. In addition, what stands out about this place is the great difference in average annual temperature between the top and the bottom of the depressions, reaching up to 15°C.
History of Moray
In pre-Inca times these territories belonged to the Maras Ayarmacas tribes who had control of the territory of the entire Sacred Valley and then later with the arrival of the Incas these territories were annexed to Inca territories, where these geographical depressions were used for construction and was a place of production and adaptation of plants with terraces that represent the altitudinal floors of the Andes, recent studies indicate that it would be related to the period of the Inca Pachacutec. As for its history, it is known that Moray was an important Inca research center, where they experimented with different crops and found different varieties of plants that today are used in local cuisine and medicine. When the Spaniards arrived in 1533, there is no information about its use. It is possible that the Spaniards never knew about this site because of the vegetation that covered Moray, which went unnoticed by them.
It was discovered by Shirppe Johnson when he flew over the site.
The archaeological site of Moray
Moray was an Inca agricultural research center that used a method similar to the technique we know today as crop spiral that as you can see is used for the cultivation of plants with different environmental needs, with the difference that in this case has natural depressions in which they were built, structures similar to an amphitheater, specifically platforms of approximately 1. 8 m high, in the form of concentric overlapping circles that gradually expand, and in which it has been proven that there are up to 20 different microclimates or temperatures, representing each platform, as John Earls says, a difference of about a thousand meters, because as you go down, the temperature rises and as you go up, the temperature drops.
Historians theorize that this place was used as a model for calculating agricultural production throughout the Tahuantinsuyo and as an experimental center that allowed the adaptation of plants from other altitudes, achieving the cultivation and adaptation of about 60% of the plants currently consumed in the Andes, all for better management of production at the state level.
The 12 terraces that make up the best preserved group called Qechuyoq, which has an approximate depth of 150 meters, are divided into three groups of 4 terraces that have different temperatures and characteristics, for example, the first 4 terraces at the base of the group are more humid and have lower soil temperature, due to increased transpiration, platforms 5, 6, 7 and 8 have temperatures 2 to 3 degrees Celsius higher than the first, and finally the last 4 have higher temperatures than the lowest platforms, but vary depending on the exposure to the sun, the greatest climatic difference between these platforms can be observed between the months of May and November.
Historian Edward Ronney indicates that this place was probably used for the development of special or precious crops such as coca leaf.
How to get to Moray
The archaeological site of Moray is located 7 km from Maras, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 38 km northwest of the city of Cusco. Below are some options to get to the site:
By car: It is possible to get to Moray by car, either owned or rented. From Cusco, take the Cusco-Chinchero-Urubamba-Calca highway and finally arrive in Maras. From there, take the detour to Moray, which is about 7 km away. The road is mostly paved and in good condition.
By cab: Another option is to take a cab from Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and from there take another cab to Moray. The price may vary depending on the negotiation with the cab driver.
By public transport: It is possible to take a bus from Cusco to Urubamba and from there take another bus to Maras. From Maras, you can walk or take a cab to get to Moray.
By tour: There are tourist tours that include a visit to Moray, as well as to other tourist sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. These tours usually include transportation from Cusco and a tour guide. Through tour agencies you will also find the option of taking a tour on bicycles or motorcycles.
It is advisable to check the schedules and prices of transportation before planning your visit to Moray. In addition, it should be noted that the entrance to the site requires a Cusco tourist ticket that includes visits to other tourist sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Moray’s questions and answers
Is it possible to see the terraces without the tourist ticket?
No, the only option to see the terraces is through the tourist ticket.
Can I go to Moray from Ollantaytambo?
Yes, you can take a cab or ask for a private tour service, remember that the private tour will also include the visit to other places such as the salt mines of Maras and Chinchero.
Can I go to Moray with a connection to Machupicchu?
Yes, it is recommended to do the tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas that includes the visit to Moray and in the afternoon make the train connection to Machupicchu from Ollantaytambo.
What are the opening hours for tourists in Moray?
The opening hours for the general public are from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
What agency do you recommend to go to Moray?
We recommend you to travel to Moray with Ukumari Peru Travel and organize your trip with them.
