The Agricultural Laboratory of the Incas - Three large natural depressions in which terraced co-centric circles were constructed. 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 plateaus 400 m above the valley floor 3,200-3,500 m 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 150 m a series of water channels can be seen finding their way to the bottom. Studies have found temperature variations up to 5 degrees Celsius.
Few books are available on 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.
On your way back from Moray, ask your taxi driver to take you to Salineras, a beautifully terraced Inca salt field. 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.
