Maras

Salineras de Maras

The sacred Valley of Incas is a territory full of incredible landscapes and unique archaeological sites. One of the most visited is the famous Salineras de Maras. This attraction is made up of thousands of small pools dug into the mountainside. These wells of salt have been captured by photography lovers from all over the world.

What are the Salineras de Maras?

  • Las Salineras de Maras is made up of more than 3 thousand natural salt wells near the town of Maras. Each of the wells has a dimension of 5 square meters.

  • The 3,000 pools are fed by a hypersaline underground spring that originated 110 million years ago during the formation of the Andes Mountains.

  • Currently, these natural salt pools attract hundreds of tourists. The view that you get from this landscape is beautiful.

  • The inhabitants of Maras market this salt, just as the Incas did hundreds of years ago.

How to get to the Salineras de Maras?

  • Las Salineras de Maras are 10 kilometers away from the town of Maras.

  • From the city of Cusco there are approximately 50 kilometers to the Salineras de Maras, and to get there you must take a bus from Cusco to Urubamba and stop at a detour that leads there, after another trip by jeepney.

  • The thousands of shallow pools filled with salt water are carved out of the slopes of Qaqawiñay Mountain, 3,380 meters from the sea (11,080 ft).

  • Most tourists choose to arrive at the Salineras de Maras on a tour organized by a tourism agency. This service includes full transportation.

  • Las Salineras de Maras are 26 kilometers away by car from the town of Chinchero.

  • Las Salineras de Maras are 16 kilometers away by car from the town of Urubamba.

What to do in the Salinas de Maras?

  • In the Salinas de Maras you can buy "natural pink salt". It gets its beautiful color from the natural elements of the spring water including: magnesium, calcium, potassium and silicon.

  • Another interesting thing about the Salinas de 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 incredible photos of the salt mines, one of the most incredible places in Cusco and Peru.

  • Just 10 kilometers from the Salineras de Maras is the archaeological complex of Moray, another of the most incredible tourist attractions in the Sacred Valley.

  • Maras has a colonial town famous for its traditional adobe houses and its traditions and typical festivals.

How to visit the Salinas de Maras?

  • • You can enter the Salineras de Maras by paying 7 Peruvian soles (2.5 USD). The site does not need a ticket like many other archaeological 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 a visit to the Moray archaeological site.

What to bring to the Salineras de Maras?

During your visit to the Salineras de Maras do not forget to bring the following:

  • Poncho for rains.
  • Hat or cap.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Sportswear.
  • Anti-slip shoes.
  • • Photographic camera.
  • • Documents.
  • Snacks.
  • Cash (in Peruvian currency).

Recommendations to visit the Salinas de Maras

  • Most people who come to Cusco to visit Machu Picchu, they take time to get to know and take some photos of the Salineras de Maras.

  • Take advantage of your visit to the Salineras de Maras to discover the Inca terraces of Moray, one of the most popular 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 Las Salineras de Maras you can take advantage of knowing the famous town of Urubamba, in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

#DidYouKnow

Maras salt is formed after a process of filling salty (hot) water from the subsoil. The spring is blocked for a few days, the intense sun causes the water to evaporate, leaving crystals of pure salt that is then collected in bags.