The Salt Mines of Maras
The Salt Mines of Maras are about 6km (4miles) down the main road toward Ollantaytambo (northwest of Urubamba) in that place there are thousands of individual, ancient salt pans that form unique terraces in a hillside. The mines, small pools thickly coated with crystallized salt like dirty snow, have existed in the same spot since Inca days. Families pass them down like deeds and continue the backbreaking and poorly remunerated tradition of salt extraction (crystallizing salt from subterranean spring water).
The famed terraced Inca salt pans of Salineras are still in use and also take advantage of a natural phenomenon: the Inca dug shallow pools into a sloped hillside. The pools filled with water, and upon evaporation salt crystallized and could be harvested.
What to do in the Salt Mines of Maras?
- In the Salt Mines of Maras you can buy ‘natural salt pink’. This gets its beautiful color from the natural elements of the spring water including: magnesium, calcium, potassium and silicon.
- Another interesting thing about the Salt Mines of Maras is that you can pick up your own handful of salt or buy a jar at the Maras gift shop.
- You can also take amazing photos of the salt mines, one of the most incredible places in Cusco and Peru.
- Just 10 kilometers from the Salt Mines of Maras is the archaeological complex of Moray, another of the most incredible tourist attractions of the Sacred Valley.
- Maras has a colonial town famous for its traditional adobe houses and its typical traditions and festivals.
How to visit the Salineras de Maras?
- You can enter the Salt Mines of Maras paying 7 Peruvian soles (2.5 USD). The site does not need any tickets like many other archeological sites in Cusco.
- Please note that in Maras you will not be able to pay with your credit card, US dollars, euros or any other currency.
- Another option is to buy a tour to Maras, which includes the visit to the archaeological site of Moray.
Recommendations to visit the Salineras de Maras
- Most people who come to Cusco to visit Machu Picchu, take time to meet and take some photos of the Salt Mines of Maras.
- Take advantage of your visit to the Salt Mines of Maras to know the Inca platforms of Moray, one of the busiest tourist attractions in the Sacred Valley.
- If you choose to visit Maras with an organized tour, dare to do an ATV adventure through Maras and Moray. This is one of the favorite tours for tourists looking for some adventure in the Sacred Valley.
- After visiting the Salt Mines of Maras you can take advantage of knowing the famous town of Urubamba, in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
Do you like this place? You can book this place like Full Day Tour of Moray, the Salt Mines of Maras, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas
