- Location: Carreta a Maras | San Isidro G-15, Cusco 00051, Peru
- Average well area: 5 m²
Five kilometers from the city of Maras, there are salt mines on which the Peruvians labored for the extraction of salt during the reign of the Incas and continue to this day.
The work of the mines in our day
Over the centuries, the technology of work has not changed at all. The principle of operation is that water from salt sources enters special tanks and evaporates quickly under the scorching sun of Peru , after which only kilograms of salt remain. About a month a layer of salt is formed in 10 centimeters, which is dried, crushed and sent to counters. The extraction of salt is a family business, so most of the salt areas are owned by the same people.
What to see?
The salt mine of Salinas de Maras is 3000 terraces, occupying an area of 1 square kilometer. Every year, crowds of tourists come to this landmark and admire the view of salt springs, because outwardly they are like honeycombs, and in the dry months and at all look like snow-covered glades. Every tourist can even personally try to get some salt.
Practical information
Copies are located 5 kilometers from the city of Maras, which is located near the cities of Pisac and Ollantaytambo . You can get to Maras from Cuzco by public transport or a rented car .
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