Moray

Moray, just outside the town of Moras, is a fabulous but lesser visited Inca Site. Circular terracing, which at first glance looks like a huge amphitheatre, forms a giant bowl. There are actually two such bowls at Moray, one of which is much larger and more restored than the other.

Stone stairs built into the terrace walls allow visitors to walk down to the very bottom level. From here the upward view is of all encompassing, surrounding stone walls and the sky above.

The different levels of terracing each have their own microclimate which the Incas used to their advantage. They were thought to have used Moray as an area for testing the optimal growing conditions for their crops. With this information the Incas could determine which areas were best for growing crops and ultimately where they should settle.

Moray is not part of the usual Sacred Valley circuit but makes a good half-day trip from Urubamba. Due to its proximity to the Salinas these two sites are best visited together.