Marianne Martinez
The Maras Salt Pans, also known as the Salinas de Maras, are a set of around 3,000 to 4,500 evaporation pools in Peru that have been in operation for over 500 years. They are located 50 km northeast of Cusco city, at an altitude of 3,200 to 3,300 meters. To get to the Maras Salt Pans, you can take a bus, combi (shared public shuttle van), or colectivo (shared public taxi) toward Urubamba and let the driver know you're getting off at Maras. From there, you can either walk for about an hour or take a taxi to the salt pans. Once you arrive, you can enjoy the stunning views and learn about the traditional salt harvesting process that has been passed down for generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 50 km northeast of Cusco city, at an altitude of 3,200 m.a.s.l. |
| Formation | Evaporation of a water pool, such as a lake or pond |
| Age | Over 500 years old |
| Number of Pools | Approximately 4,500 |
| Transport | Bus, combi (shared public shuttle van), colectivo (shared public taxi) |
| Views | Multiple scenic viewpoints, including from the parking area |
| Access | Guided tours available, with the option to walk through the salt pans for an additional fee/donation |
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What You'll Learn
- The Maras Salt Pans are located 50 km northeast of Cusco city
- The ancient salt pans are fed by a natural spring that flows into a salt-rich stream
- Visitors can take a bus, shared shuttle van, or shared taxi to Urubamba, then walk or taxi to the salt pans
- The Maras Salt Pans are divided into three zones, each managed by two types of workers
- The Salinas de Maras are formed by thousands of cascading, angular, earthen evaporation pools
The Maras Salt Pans are located 50 km northeast of Cusco city
To get to the Maras Salt Pans, you can take a bus, combi (shared public shuttle van), or colectivo (shared public taxi) toward Urubamba. Inform the driver that you will be getting off at Maras. From there, you have the option to walk for about an hour to the salt pans or hire a taxi for the remainder of the journey. There are three access roads to the salt mines:
- From the town of San Francisco de Maras, through the bridle path or "runañan" to the salt mines
- The road affirmed from the town of San Francisco de Maras
- Crossing the Inca bridge of Tarabamba by the Pichingoto community
The Maras Salt Pans are best visited during the dry season, from March to October. Many Cusco travel agencies offer organized tours to the Sacred Valley, including visits to the Maras Salt Pans and the nearby Moray ruins. These tours can be tailored to your interests and often include activities such as hiking, biking, and cultural immersion in the local communities of Maras and Pichingoto.
The salt production system in Maras is a traditional community-based process, with production agreements established between community members. This cooperative system has been passed down from generation to generation, with many elderly community members still working the wells today, just as their ancestors did.
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The ancient salt pans are fed by a natural spring that flows into a salt-rich stream
The ancient salt pans of Maras, Peru, are a fascinating example of natural salt production that has been utilised by humans for centuries. The process begins with a natural spring, which releases highly salty water from an underground stream. This spring feeds a salt-rich stream that flows into the salt pans, also known as salt evaporation ponds.
The salt pans themselves are an impressive sight, with thousands of shallow pools or terraced ponds strategically dug into the mountainside. The pans are fed by the salt-rich stream, which is directed into an intricate network of tiny channels. The water gradually flows down these channels and into the individual ponds. The altitude of the ponds decreases gradually, allowing the water to flow through the various branches of the water-supply channels and enter the ponds through a notch in one sidewall.
The pans were first created in the 1400s by the Incas and have been passed down and expanded over the centuries. The process of salt extraction is simple yet effective. As the water in the ponds evaporates under the sun, the water becomes supersaturated, and salt crystals begin to form on the inner surfaces and floor of the pond. Once the pond has dried out, the keeper scrapes the dry salt into layers, with the first layer being the highest quality salt, used as kitchen or table salt.
The Maras salt pans are located about 40 kilometres north of Cusco, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. They can be accessed by taking a bus, shared shuttle, or taxi towards Urubamba and then walking or taking another taxi for the remaining hour-long journey to the salt pans. The area boasts stunning scenery, with the dirt trails of the Sacred Valley providing an excellent opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to explore.
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Visitors can take a bus, shared shuttle van, or shared taxi to Urubamba, then walk or taxi to the salt pans
To get to the Maras Salt Pans, also known as the Salineras de Maras, visitors can take a bus, shared shuttle van, or shared taxi to Urubamba. The Maras Salt Pans are located 50 km northeast of Cusco city, at an altitude of 3,200 m.a.s.l. They are strategically dug into the mountainside, with thousands of shallow pools filled with saltwater that evaporates and leaves behind crystallised salt. This process of salt extraction has been in operation for over 500 years and is still carried out by local families today.
When travelling to Urubamba by bus, shuttle van, or shared taxi, be sure to inform the driver that you plan to get off at Maras. Once you arrive in Maras, you have two main options to reach the salt pans. The first option is to walk for approximately one hour to the salt pans. This choice may be ideal for those who enjoy hiking and taking in the scenic views along the way. The dirt trails traversing the Sacred Valley offer a unique outdoor experience and provide an opportunity to discover hidden gems in the area.
Alternatively, if you prefer a quicker mode of transportation, you can hire a taxi from Maras to the salt pans. This option is more convenient and will reduce your travel time significantly. The taxi will take you directly to the parking area near the salt pans, where you can begin your exploration.
It is important to note that the Maras Salt Pans are a working mine, and visitors are not allowed to walk directly on the pans. However, with a hired guide, you may be able to access a brief walk beside the pans closest to the fence. This will allow you to get up close and personal with the salt pans and observe the traditional craft of salt harvesting.
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The Maras Salt Pans are divided into three zones, each managed by two types of workers
The salt pans are owned and managed by families from the nearby community of Maras, who have inherited the salt pans and passed them down through generations. The process of salt extraction has been practised for over 500 years and is a combination of ancient traditions and knowledge with simple tools and techniques. The families work the salt pans communally, with each family owning individual plots.
The Maras Salt Pans are located in Peru, about 30 miles northwest of Cusco and 10 miles on the road from Urubamba. They are perched on the slopes of Cori Pujio Mountain in the Sacred Valley, at an elevation of over 3,000 meters. The stunning landscape features thousands of salt pans that have existed since pre-Inca times, with some sources claiming they were built by the Wari civilization between 500 and 1100 AD, and others attributing them to the Chanapata civilization, dating back hundreds of years before the Common Era.
There are several ways to get to the Maras Salt Pans. The most popular way is to join a tour that offers convenient transportation and informative guides. These tours often include visits to other nearby attractions, such as the Moray ruins or the Sacred Valley. Alternatively, one can take a colectivo (shared taxi) to Urubamba and then a 20-minute taxi ride to the salt mines, or hire a private taxi driver for the entire journey.
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The Salinas de Maras are formed by thousands of cascading, angular, earthen evaporation pools
The Salinas de Maras, also known as the Maras Salt Mines, are located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 40 kilometres north of Cusco, in the Cusco Region of Peru. The town of Maras is 39 kilometres away from the Salineras and Salinas. The salt pans are accessible by a paved road, which leads from the main road through the Sacred Valley between Cusco and the surrounding towns. The area is not widely industrialised, and the salt is bagged, packaged, and sold at the market.
The Salinas de Maras were first created in the 1400s by the Incas, although there is no transcribed record of their creation. The salt pans seem to have been passed down and expanded by various owners over hundreds of years. Salt is harvested from the shallow pools through a process of evaporation. A natural spring feeds a salt-rich stream that flows into the pools. Once a pool is filled, the water is left to evaporate, and then the salt crystals are scraped off the ground. This process is repeated, with the water passage reopened after a few days.
The intense sun in the region aids the evaporation process, and the unique natural elements of the mountain water, including magnesium, calcium, potassium, and silicon, give rise to the distinctive "natural pink salt" found in Maras. This pink salt is considered special and is one of only four places in the world where it can be extracted. The Salinas de Maras are a stunning sight, with the angular pools cascading down the hillside valley like uneven steps.
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Frequently asked questions
First, take a bus, combi (shared public shuttle van), or colectivo (shared public taxi) toward Urubamba. Inform the driver that you will be getting off at Maras. From there, you can either walk for an hour to the salt pans or hire a taxi.
The Salt Pans of Maras are located 50 km northeast of Cusco city, at an altitude of 3,200 m.a.s.l. They are situated in the lower part of the sub-basin and left bank of the Salineras stream, towards its mouth in the river Vilcanota.
The Salt Pans of Maras, also known as the Salinas de Maras in the local language, are cascading down a hillside valley like uneven steps. They are made up of about 3,000 to 4,500 angular, interlocking evaporation pools that produce around 100 to 150 kilograms of salt per year. The salt pans are divided into three zones, each managed by two types of workers: the "regadero" and the "almacenedor."
The Salt Pans of Maras were first created in the 1400s by the Incas and have been passed down and expanded over the centuries. They have been in operation for more than 500 years and are still mined by local families today, much like they were when the Inca discovered them over 1,000 years ago.
No, you cannot walk through the salt pans as they are a working mine. However, if you hire a guide, you may be allowed a brief walk beside the pans closest to the fence.
