Salt of the Earth: Why the Maras Salt Mine is a Special Place
Today, I share another story from the road. This story was put together quickly. Please forgive the typos and hastily edited photos. I will add additional practical information in a few weeks.
Maras Salineras is one of my favorite sights in Sacred Valley and Peru as a whole. As I researched tours of the Sacred Valley for my family’s visit to Peru, I was surprised to see that many two-day tours of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu now leave out Maras Salineras, the salt mine of Maras. It’s a spectacular sight that I always look forward to seeing on my way through the Sacred Valley.
Maras Salineras on the way to the train station for Machu Picchu and should not be missed.
Maras Salineras, a Spectacular Sight
One of the things that captivated me during my first visit to the Maras salt mines was that it was a complete surprise. I had seen countless photos of Machu Picchu but didn’t know about this stunning pattern of many different squares of various hues carved out in the mountainside. The more I learn about the salt mine, the more impressed I am with its existence.
The salt mine of Maras is located 46 kilometers northwest of Cusco and 17 kilometers of Ollantaytambo where visitors take the train to Machu Picchu. It has been in operation since before Incan times and consists of over 6000 salt pans carved into the mountainside.
Salt Mining as a Family Business
When you think about miners, you likely have a particular mental image in mind. The salt miners at Maras span all generations from children working alongside their parents to older men and women who stay actively involved in the physically demanding process. The salt mines of Maras are entirely family-run; companies are not allowed to be involved in the process until the salt is placed in the storehouses.
Plots in the salt mines have been passed from generation to generation since Incan times. The Wari empire carved the initial mines, but the Incans recognized the economic value of the mines and expanded them. Nowadays, families in the community are responsible for mining different plots.
When you visit the Maras salt mine, you can observe the miners in action. All of the salt in Maras is mined by hand. When we went, the salt harvest season was just starting. Families throughout the community gathered near the church at the top of the mines to celebrate. As with crops, the miners believe that the salt is a blessing and tied to the complex cosmic interplay between the sun, moon, and earth.
Where does the salt come from?
The salt mines are fed by an underground spring that formed 110 million years ago when the Andes mountains were formed. The spring draws water from the salt water of the Andean lake. The miners harvest the salt which is then replenished by the spring.
The minerals in the water reflected by the sun are what give the Maras salt mines their varied colors. The colors vary depending on the season (the dry season running from May to October offers better weather and better photos) and the time of day (late afternoon is better for photography but you may not have a choice if it’s part of a tour).
Trying Maras Salt
The easiest way to visit the Maras Salt Mine is with a tour on the way to Machu Picchu. With admission, you get a bag of salt as a souvenir. In addition, on the way out you can find a variety of salt for cooking as well as bath salt and chocolate made with Maras salt. You can also find Maras salt at grocery stores and shops throughout Peru. Maras salt is renowned worldwide for its culinary properties and thus don’t be surprised if you find it at a specialty spice store in your country.
Of course, you can also find Maras salt as an ingredient on menus throughout Peru, especially at higher-end restaurants. Now that you know the story behind Maras salt, you will better appreciate it when you try it.
I loved visiting the Mara salt mines! Thanks for the great refresher :)
This place looks stunning, and so full of history!
I believe it lacks of awareness among tourists -personally didn’t know about it, although I did extensive research before visiting Machu Picchu and staying in Cusco.