Is Maras Worth Visiting: Explore Peru’s Salineras de Maras

If you are visiting the Sacred Valley of Peru, you may be wondering, “Is Maras worth visiting?” Maras salt mines comprise a mosaic of ancient, multi-colored salt pools. These terraced salt flats etched into the hillside, make a stunning landscape. Without question, this unique site is a “must-see” attraction when you visit Peru.

Undoubtedly, the Maras Salt Mines in Peru’s Sacred Valley are worth visiting. Nested among the hillside, view over 4,500 colorful ancient salt pools that predate the Inca civilization. Learn how villagers have harvested precious Peruvian salt in these man-made pools for over 500 years.

During a recent tour in Peru, our extended family visited the Maras Salt Flats. I will share our journey so you can decide if a tour of Maras is worth it for you. Keep reading to learn all about our experience at the Maras Salt Mines.

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Where Are the Maras Salt Mines?

To visit the Maras Salt Mines, journey to the Sacred Valley of Peru. From Cusco, the Maras Salt Mines are approximately 32 miles away, outside of Maras, Peru. These distinctive salt pools are scattered along terraced hillsides of Qori Pujio mountains in the Urubamba Providence.

Maras is located in a valley called “Cachi Raqay” in Peru’s native language, Quechua. Aptly named, the term translates to “salt gorge”. Just like the city of Cusco, the Maras, Peru is at a considerable altitude, almost 11,000 feet above sea level.

Is Maras Worth Visiting: Map

What Are the Maras Salt Mines?

The salt mines of Maras consist of over 4,500 terraced pools constructed of mud and mortar. The Salineras de Maras, as they are called in Peru, are believed to have originated from the Wari Civilization and predate the Inca Empire. Archaeological evidence suggests the salt pans date back to 200 BC-700 AD. They have been mined continuously for over 500 years!

Ancient Peruvians believed this precious pink salt had medicinal qualities. It was also used in cooking and mummification.

The Maras Salt Flats Today

Geologists believe ocean water trapped within the mountains formed the Qori Pujio stream. Local villagers flood their flats with salty water from the stream. Every three days, locals fill pools with salt water and allow it to evaporate in the natural elements. This process occurs over and over, for approximately one month.

Finally, once the salt is 3-4 cm thick, they harvest the salt by scraping it off the surface of the salt pool. Pools are generally uniform in size, measuring approximately 53 square feet. An estimated 330-440 pounds of salt gets harvested from each well, per month!

Today, more than 633 local families of the Maras and Pinchingogo communities harvest the salt from their individual plots. In fact, the various shades of the Maras salt ponds help families identify which pools belong to one another.

Peruvian Pink Salt from Salinas de Maras

Salinas de Maras produces top quality salt that is exported around the world. In fact, in 2021 Peru exported $3.9 million dollars of salt, making it the 62nd largest producer of salt in the world. Peruvian salt is throughout Peru by the Marasal SA Company.

“Salt of Maras is the white gold of the Andes . . .”

Marasal

Is Maras Worth It: The Best Time to Visit Maras Peru

The best time of year to visit Maras Salt Mines is during the dry season from May-October. This coincides with the best time to visit Machu Picchu if you are including it in your Peru itinerary. During the rainy season, salt pools are often flooded. Visiting Maras during the rainy season is less desirable because the surrounding areas are muddy and pools are less vibrant.

Seeking Stamps Tip: Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds of tourists. Our guide told us the best time to visit is before 9:30 or in the evening.

How to Get to the Maras Salt Mines

Cusco to Maras Salt Mines

The Maras salt mines are approximately 32 miles from Cusco. By car, the trip takes about 1.5 hours. The best way to visit Maras from Cusco is through an organized tour. We booked a Moray Maras day trip by car with hotel pick-up to visit the ancient ruins.

For budget travelers, it is possible to take a “collectivo” bus, or shared “combi” shuttle, to Maras town. Then, hire a taxi to take you to the Maras salt ponds. 

Seeking Stamps Tip: Consider stopping at the town of Chinchero during your visit. You can even do a thrilling Chinchero zipline tour!

Ollantaytambo to Maras Salt Mines

Maras is a 30 minute drive from Ollantaytambo on route 288. I recommend a Sacred Valley tour from Ollantaytambo to the Inca sites. To make the trip independently, book a “collectivo”, taxi or bus to Urubamba.

Hiking to the Salt Mines of Maras

You also have the option to hike from Taratamba to the town of Pichingoto. Follow the small road next to the cemetery to the back entrance of Maras. It takes approximately one hour over a relatively easy hike.

Exciting Tours Make Maras Worth Visiting

Horseback Riding to Maras Salt Pools

For animal lovers, consider a horseback tour to Maras and Moray. Enjoy a scenic ride through the Sacred Valley with gorgeous Andes mountain views. This two hour tour includes hotel pick-up and lunch.

Mountain Biking To the Peru Salt Flats

Another exciting way to view Moray and Maras is on a mountain bike tour. Spend the afternoon riding through the Sacred Valley on this adrenaline pumping tour. Lunch and round trip transportation are included.

Cusco to Sacred Valley ATV Tour

I highly recommend doing an atv tour to see the Moray Ruins and Maras Salt Mines! Our teenagers aren’t always thrilled to sightsee, but everyone enjoyed the Inca sites on the ATV tour. After an introduction and safety briefing, we were on our way. The views throughout our easy ride were breathtaking. Maras is worth visiting on an ATV if you love outdoor adventures.

Seeking Stamps Tip: Plan to get extremely dirty and dusty on your ride!

Is Maras Worth Visiting: What to Expect at the Maras Salt Pools

Visiting the Maras Salt pool is a thrilling place to visit in Peru. During our tour, we parked our ATVs and hopped into a van to navigate the dangerous road.

As your vehicle makes its way down the steep hill, the vast array of salt flats are visible below. Shades of brown, tan and white dot the terraced landscape in an unusual spectacle. Prepare to be awe-struck at the unexpected, yet beautiful jigsaw pattern of white salt pools nestled into the hillside.

Once you arrive, you enter the site and walk down several levels to various viewing platforms. Sadly, you can no longer walk onto the salt ponds. However, I promise Maras is worth visiting to capture Instagram-worthy images.

Seeking Stamps Tip: Consider the altitude and steep stairs at Maras. This may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility. For reference, my 76 year old mother had to stop to catch her breath, but did not struggle.

What to Bring to Maras

• Dress in layers because mornings can be very cold and then warm up considerably
• Wear sturdy athletic shoes for the steep stairs and loose gravel
• Bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
• bottled water
• money to buy snacks and souvenirs

Is Maras Worth Visiting: Plan Your Visit to the Salt Mines

Price of Admission at Maras

Although transportation or tours are required to reach Maras, the price of admission is very reasonable. If you are visiting independently, make sure to bring Peruvian money. Other currency and credit cards are not accepted.

• It costs 10 Peruvian soles to view the salt pools.

Seeking Stamps Tip: If you plan to visit additional Inca ruins or museums in Cusco, consider buying a Cusco Tourist ticket. Mara Salt Mines are NOT included in this ticket, but Moray, Pisac, and Saqsayhuaman are included.

Maras Salt Mines Hours of Operation

• Maras is open from 7:00 am-5:00 pm

How Long to Spend at Maras Salt Flats

Plan to spend about an hour exploring Maras salt flats. Since 2019, tourists are banned from walking on the Maras salt terraces. Sadly, they were closed due to damage to the site and trash from tourists. You can walk among various points for scenic views and beautiful photos.

Facilities at Maras

Facilities at the salt pools are extremely limited. The site is very remote, yet has a small area for snacks and souvenirs. Make sure to use the bathroom before you climb down the steep stairs.

Maras Salt Tasting

After your tour of the salt mines concludes, many tours drive you to local shops for a Maras Peru salt tasting. We compared several types of salt- from mild Peruvian pink salt to gray salt. These have distinctive flavor profiles ranging from mild, earthy, or peppery. Andean salt is a fun souvenir to bring back home!

Is Maras Worth Visiting: FAQ’s

1. How Far Are the Salt Mines From Cusco, Peru?

Maras salt mines are 32 miles away from Cusco, outside of the small hamlet of Maras, Peru. By car, it takes approximately one hour and 20 minutes to reach the Maras Salt mines.

2. What Is Special About the Maras Salt Mines?

Maras salt mines encompass thousands of colorful ancient salt pools that predate the Inca civilization. In these terraced salt flats in the Qori Pujio mountains, villagers have harvested precious Peruvian salt in these man-made pools continuously for over 500 years.

3. How Old Are the Maras Salt Mines?

The exact age of Peru’s Maras Salt Mines is unknown, but they are believed to be over 500 years old. Archaeological evidence suggests the salt pans date back to 200 BC-700 AD.

4. Where Are the Maras Salt Mines?

From Cusco, the Maras Salt Mines are approximately 32 miles away, outside of Maras, Peru. These distinctive salt pools are scattered along terraced hillsides of Qori Pujio mountains in the Urubamba Providence.

5. What Is the Altitude of the Maras Salt Mines?

Similar to the city of Cusco, the Maras salt mines are at a considerable altitude. According to UNESCO, the site is 3,200 m.a.s.l above sea level or 10,499 feet high along terraced hillsides of Qori Pujio mountains of Peru.

6. How Do You Get to the Maras Salt Flats?

Private tours with hotel pick-up from Cusco or Ollantaytambo are the most efficient way to get to Maras. It is also possible to book tours to visit Maras on ATV’s or horseback. The most cost efficient way to visit Maras is by taking a bus and then hiking or taking a taxi to the salt mines.

7. What Other Sites Are Close to Maras Salt Mines?

It is worth visiting Maras and Moray together on the same day. Moray is another Inca site, just 5 miles away from the Salineras de Mara.

8. Are Maras Salt Mines Worth Adding to a Tour of the Sacred Valley?

The Maras salt mines are worth adding to your Peru itinerary. Not only are these colorful pools unique, the site is full of history. Combine a visit to Maras with Moray and Pisac for an easy tour from Cusco or Ollantaytambo.

Is Maras Worth Visiting: Final Thoughts

As you can see, it is worth visiting Maras salt mines in Peru. Whether you visit this impressive site by car, hike, or atv they are a must-see attraction near Cusco. Maras is worth adding to your Peru itinerary!