Maras Salt Mines: guide to the Salineras de Maras
Few sights in the Sacred Valley are as surprising as the Salineras de Maras: thousands of small salt pools cascading down a mountainside in shades of white, cream and pink. They have been worked by hand since before the Inca, and they are still run today by families from the local community.
What the salt mines are
A naturally salty spring flows out of the mountain above the Urubamba Valley. For centuries, local families have channelled that water into shallow terraced pools and let the strong Andean sun do the rest: as the water evaporates, a crust of salt forms, which is scraped, dried and bagged by hand. Today there are more than 3,000 pools on a single hillside, each one worked by a family of the Maras community.
Why the salt is pink
The colour comes from the minerals carried by the spring and from the stage of the harvest. The first, finest crystals form a delicate pink flor de sal; lower layers are coarser and whiter or browner. This mineral-rich salt is prized by cooks, and buying a bag at the site supports the families who still do all the work by hand.
See Maras and Moray in a half day
Salt mines, Inca terraces and a Chinchero weaving demo, with transport, guide and hotel pickup included.
Visiting today: tickets and rules
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Entrance | A community fee, paid in cash; not part of the Boleto Turístico |
| On our tour | Not included: paid in cash on the day |
| What you can do | Walk the marked viewpoint path along the edge of the pools |
| Time needed | About 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| Best light | Morning or late afternoon |
Maras and Moray together
The salt mines are a short drive from Moray, the mysterious circular Inca terraces, so the two are almost always visited together. Our Maras and Moray tour (US $30) covers both in a half day, with a stop at a weaving centre in Chinchero, and includes transport, guide and entrance. Both sites are also part of our full-day Sacred Valley tour (US $35).
Tips for your visit
- There is little shade: bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
- Wear shoes with good grip; the paths can be dusty or muddy.
- Carry small notes in soles if you want to buy salt or snacks.
- During the rainy season (December to March) the pools are not harvested and can look muddy; the dry season brings the brightest whites.
Plan the rest of your trip with the 5 Sacred Valley sites you must see and our Cusco packing list.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. They are one of the most unusual sights in Peru, still worked by hand by local families, and easy to combine with Moray.
No. The salt mines charge a separate community fee, paid in cash. On our Maras and Moray tour the entrance is included.
No. To protect the pools, visitors follow a marked viewpoint path along the edge.
In the dry season (May to November), in the morning or late afternoon, when the light makes the pools glow.
About an hour and a half by road. They are usually visited with Moray on a half-day tour.
