Attraction Guide: Maras Salt Mines, Maras, Peru

Maras Salt Mines Guide

Step Back in Time: Discover the Ancient Maras Salt Mines Guide

The Maras Salt Mines, also known as Salinas de Maras, are a breathtaking and unique landscape located near the Sacred Valley in Peru. This pre-Inca salt-evaporation site is a mesmerizing patchwork of thousands of individual salt ponds, cascading down a hillside. The stark white of the salt contrasts dramatically with the surrounding brown and green mountains, creating a stunning visual spectacle that has captivated visitors for centuries. Prepare to be amazed by this ancient engineering marvel and the enduring traditions of salt harvesting. The history of the Maras Salt Mines stretches back to pre-Inca times, possibly as early as 500 AD. The intricate system of terraced ponds was developed by the Chancas, a pre-Inca civilization, and later adopted and refined by the Incas. The salt water originates from a subterranean spring, which is highly saline. This water is channeled through a complex network of canals and slowly evaporated in the shallow ponds, leaving behind crystallized salt. The ownership and management of the individual ponds have been passed down through generations of local families, who continue to harvest the salt using traditional methods. Visitors to the Maras Salt Mines can wander along the narrow paths between the salt ponds, observing the salt harvesting process firsthand. You can purchase different types of salt directly from the local families who work the mines, including pink salt, which is rich in minerals. Photography is a must, as the landscape offers incredible opportunities for capturing unique and memorable images. Consider hiring a local guide to learn more about the history, geology, and cultural significance of the salt mines. While there isn't a specific culinary tradition directly tied to the mines themselves, the salt produced here is used extensively in Peruvian cuisine.