Maras solar salterns, Terraced salt evaporation ponds in the Sacred Valley, Cusco region, Peru.
Description
The Maras solar salterns consist of over 3,000 terraced ponds fed by a natural underground spring at 10,800 feet (3,300 meters) elevation, producing distinctive pink salt through evaporation under the intense Andean sun.
History
Salt exploitation at Maras dates back to the Chanapata civilization between 200 BCE and 700 CE, before being developed by the Incas who perfected the canal system and distribution of saline water across the hillside terraces.
Culture
Over 600 local families currently maintain this ancient tradition by working the ponds using artisanal methods, passing down unique expertise from generation to generation within their cooperative community structure.
Practical
The site is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and is located about 31 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of Cusco, accessible in one hour by road, with the dry season from May to September offering the best visiting conditions.
Did you know?
The saline water source mysteriously emerges from the rock at over 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) elevation, far from any oceanic source, forming pink salt crystals in just one month thanks to local geological minerals including iron.
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