Located in the heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley, the Maras Salt Flats provide an incredible experience that is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime! Full of stunning natural beauty and rich in Incan history, this travel guide provides all the information you need to plan your own unforgettable visit.
Visiting the Salineras de Maras in 2023
The Maras Salt Mines or Salineras de Maras are a series of ancient salt evaporation ponds located in the Sacred Valley of Peru, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Cusco. The site is made up of over 5,000 small pools that have been used to extract salt from a natural spring that emerges from a mountain in the area.
The salt mines have been in operation since pre-Columbian times, and the Incas used them as a source of salt for preserving food and as a valuable commodity for trading. Today, the salt is still harvested using traditional methods, with workers scraping the salt crystals from the surface of the pools using simple tools.
Visitors to the Maras Salt Mines can explore the site on a half day tour from Cusco and learn about the history and significance of salt mining in the region. The surrounding landscape is also stunning, with views of the Andes Mountains and the Sacred Valley.
The Maras Salt Mines are often visited in combination with the nearby Moray ruins, which are a series of circular terraces used by the Incas for agricultural experimentation. Together, these two sites offer a unique glimpse into the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Inca Empire.
History of the Maras Salt Mines
The Maras Salt Mines have a long and rich history that dates back to pre-Columbian times. The salt mines are believed to have been first developed by the Wari culture, an ancient civilization that preceded the Inca Empire in the region.
However, it was the Incas who developed the salt mines into a major industry, using the salt as a food preservative and as a valuable trade commodity. The Incas built the intricate network of evaporation ponds that are still used today, channeling the saltwater from a natural spring that emerges from a mountain in the area.
After the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, the salt mines continued to be an important source of salt and income for the region. However, the production of salt declined over time as new methods of food preservation were developed.
Today, the salt mines are still in operation, with local families and cooperatives using traditional methods to harvest the salt. The salt is sold both locally and internationally, and the site has become a popular tourist destination in the region.
The Maras Salt Mines are not only a valuable source of salt but also an important cultural and historical landmark in Peru, showcasing the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Inca Empire and the enduring traditions of the local people.
How Do the Peruvian Salt Mines Work?
The Peruvian Salt Mines, also known as the Maras Salt Mines, work by using a series of ancient terraced pools to evaporate salty water that flows from an underground stream. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how the process works:
Salty water flows from an underground stream: The water that is used in the salt-making process is naturally salty, as it flows from an underground stream that passes through salt deposits in the surrounding mountains.
Water is channeled into the salt pools: The salty water is channeled into a series of terraced pools that have been carved into the side of a mountain. The pools are owned and maintained by local families and cooperatives.
Water is allowed to evaporate: The sun and wind cause the water in the pools to evaporate, leaving behind salt crystals on the surface of the pools.
Salt crystals are harvested: Once enough salt has accumulated on the surface of the pools, workers use simple tools such as wooden paddles to scrape the salt crystals into piles.
Salt is bagged and sold: The harvested salt is then bagged and sold, either locally or internationally.
