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Salineras de Maras are some old salt mines which have been used since the Incas, and they are well worth a visit. It is quite a sight with the many white pools on the mountain side, and you are free to walk around and have a closer look at the salt production. The water from an underground saline spring is collected in small pools, and after the water evaporates, the salt can be collected. It is still done by hand, perhaps using the same method as 100 years ago? Each pool gives around 150 kg of salt every month, and it is families from the small city of Maras that operates the salt mines and will also split the profit from the mine.
Updated Aug 4, 2012
It about 40 km north from Cusco in Sacred Vallye is small town of Maras and from there few kilometers till salt ponds,that was exploited still pre-incas time ,there are about 3000 ponds that get the salt water from creek begins from mountain top spring. These salt wells belonged to local community people. They fill the ponds wit salt water and after one months when water evaporated ,salt collected. There is small souvenirs shop where is some figures made from salt and nature salt crystals. And you may enjoy very stunning views of surrounding mountains.
About 7 km from Maras is Morey one archeological site of this area,here is any deep hole in the earth that apparently was result of meteorite fall there, and Incas used it for constructing farming terraces with different micro climates the difference of temperatures on top terrace and lowest one may reach 15 degrees Celsius.
Written Aug 21, 2011
Address: Maras
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this strange, huge hole in the ground seems not to be an amphitheatre, a stadium or anything like that: each level has it's own microclimate so the incas used it to find out which area of the country was most suitable for each vegetable.
for sure someone will turn up sooner or later pretending it was an UFO landing site or a huge microwave dish to connect to alpha centauri.
no water on sales, bring your own
Updated Sep 7, 2004
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great scenery for an interesting method to get salt. the salt collectors apply a small ticket to get in, even if you walk from urubamba to maras without entering the salinas area.
it seems there's an agency in urubamba providing horses for the trip still for a few dollars. If I haven't had my motorbike horseback would have been my choice.
Updated Sep 7, 2004
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maras itself is worth a little look, at least a stop.
if you can, avoid just running through to moray spare a minute for maras.
Written Sep 7, 2004
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salines are a huge white mantle on the nawincocho sides.
on this damned land where nothing blooms (exc.salt flowers!) and where there are no cattles,indians live from centuries with sun and salt burns.
Updated Aug 9, 2003
at 3000meters high,maras salines are something unique in the world!since inca times,peruvian indians extract salt flowers,"gold" of the poor people which shoots out of the holy mountain.
Updated Aug 9, 2003
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definitely basic. I had a nice lomo saltado, a cusquena beer and a good chat with a couple of truck driver. we went on for a couple of hour jocking with incoming tourist looking for the salinas and moray. they're still not that used at that.
Favorite Dish: lomo saltado is what I had and it was fine.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: in the main square
Phone: bring your own :-)
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Favorite thing: men,women and children tread the salt underfoot and collect it with their hands.
3000 open wells built in inca timesand always in activity nowadays!
Fondest memory: enjoying the wonderful view on the cordillera overlooking the sacred valley of the incas!
Updated Aug 9, 2003
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Favorite thing: ...arranged in a concentric way,as in a amphitheatre,at bottom of a small 150m depth natural depression.
Fondest memory: the surprise of finding these salt works in a so unexpected site.... and nowadays always in activity!
Updated May 18, 2003
Since I went to peru in 1997 I wanted to go to the salinas which I had to skip due to lack of time. Being in Cusco again with friends going to macchu picchu and my own motorbike getting bored in the...
inca salt works in amazing surroundings
according to the inca legend,the chief yucay invoked the god sun to punish the maras ,because they didn't cultivate the soil....so a white rain covered the growing area. in reality,salt waters come......
Build your own Maras page
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