The salt mines of Maras are located at 3300 meters above sea level, in the province of Urubamba in the region of Cusco, the salt mines and its exploitation was part of the Inca culture, which is located on a hillside that has the form of terraces filled by water that form this wonderful natural attraction. These incredible constructions continue to provide the city and our country with its pink salt, which has been recommended by experts as a healthy option for flavoring food due to its healing properties.
LEGEND OF THE SALT MINES OF MARAS
The legend of the Inca mythology tells that after a great rain the four Ayar brothers left from the sacred mountain with the mission to reach the Valley of Cusco and found the empire of the Incas, once arrived at the summit of the mountain of Huequey Willca, the brothers Ayar Cachi, Ayar Auco and Ayar Ucho left with the sole purpose of founding the Inca empire with Ayar Manco and his wife Mama Ocllo.
On the way of their walk Ayar Cachi began to cry with sadness and as a result of the abundant amount of dry tears, the beautiful salt flats of the Inca empire were born, so Ayar Cachi before his death asked his wife to turn his body into salt, she moved him to her husband to the Maras plateau where he spread salt throughout the Tahuantinsuyo.
SALT MINES A NATURAL SPACE
The salt mines of Maras have more than 3000 salt ponds, with different sizes and dimensions and are fed by water that comes from the subsoil of the mountain of Qoripujio. On sunny days, the water evaporates leaving salt crystals, which are then used to obtain the final product.
The color of the natural salt of the Salineras is pink, which has ingredients such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and silicon, a particularity of the pink salt is that there are only 4 places in the world, one of them is here in the Salineras de Maras.
PRODUCTS OF THE SALT OF MARAS
The products that are used with the salt of Maras are in the local production of chocolates, candies, beauty products, gastronomy and special creams for spa uses.
HOW TO GET TO THE MARAS SALT MINES
First option is to take a touristic tour through a tourism agency, we recommend you the tourism agency readytotravelperu.com.
Acquire the services of a private mobility in this case can be a cab or own mobility because there is no direct public service to the salt mines.
THE BEST SEASON TO VISIT THE SALT MINES
The best season is the dry season from April to October, when the weather is favorable and pleasant for excursions through tourist tours, bicycles, ATVs or horses. It is the season where you can see the salt ponds and see salt extraction activities by the local people.
The other remaining months of the rainy season, from November to March, is the time when you can see the green color of the Sacred Valley of the Incas all around this area.
ACTIVITIES TO DO IN THE SALT MINES
- Mountain biking
- ATV tours
- Horseback riding Horseback riding
