September - 2023
Maras - Peru
Maras is a town located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 40 kilometers north of Cusco, Peru, at an altitude of 3,380 meters. The town is renowned for its ancient salt evaporation ponds, known as the Salineras de Maras, which have been used since Inca times. Situated 4 kilometers north of the town, these salt ponds form a spectacular mosaic on the mountainside, covering an area of approximately 150 by 750 meters. The ponds are fed by a subterranean stream of highly saline water, which flows through an intricate system of channels into thousands of terraced pools. The cooperative system of salt production, established during the Inca era, continues today, with local families maintaining and harvesting salt from the ponds.
The process involves directing the salty water into the ponds, where it gradually evaporates under the sun, leaving behind layers of salt crystals. The first layer of salt, typically pink or white, is of the highest quality and used as table salt, while subsequent layers are of lower quality and used for various purposes, including industrial applications. This traditional method of salt extraction not only highlights the ingenuity of Inca engineering but also sustains the local economy, with some salt being sold in nearby gift stores.
The salt ponds, covering thousands of small pools, are managed by around 200 families. New families wishing to manage a salt pond are assigned one based on their family size and are required to adhere to the communal system of maintenance and harvesting. The Salineras de Maras remain a fascinating and culturally significant site, attracting hundreds of tourists who marvel at the breathtaking landscape and the enduring legacy of Incan salt production methods.
