A visit to the salt pans is a unique experience. The salt mines of Maras are a system of artificial canals or salt ponds used for the management and production of salt by the local people since Inca times.
This set of salt mines in the Maras Valley, near the city of Cusco in Peru. They are located about 3,380 meters above sea level.
These salt mines are formed by a system of canals that originate in a natural water source that is part of a mountain. Water is directed through the channels and slowly evaporates on the terraces, leaving behind salt crystals.
The people of the area collect the salt and use it as a means of generating income for their families, although they have now found its healing properties and use in Peruvian haute cuisine.
The salt fields are divided into several sections, each of which is managed by different families. The settlers are generally members of these families and have worked in the salt mines for generations.
Although Cusco’s salt mines are a popular tourist attraction, they are also a place of work for local families who depend on salt extraction for their livelihood.
It is advisable to visit the site with a travel agency so you can learn more about the history and work behind the salt mines.