Maras Salt Terraces: Harvest Millennia‑Old Crystal Pools & Marvel at Andean Solar Engineering

Claim to Fame

Carved into a sun‑baked hillside above the Sacred Valley, the Maras salt pans comprise over 3,000 shallow pools fed by a natural hypersaline spring—continuously harvested by local families since Inca times.

📌 Navigating Maras Salt Terraces : Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Admission Fee: The admission fee is generally around 10 soles for adults, with discounts for children.
How Long to Visit: A visit usually takes about 1 to 2 hours to fully explore the terraces.
Washrooms: Washrooms are available at the entrance for visitor convenience.
Hours of Operation: Hours of operation typically run from 8 AM to 6 PM, but it's advisable to check for seasonal variations.
Important Information: It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially during the warmer months.
Handicap Accessible: The site has limited handicap accessibility due to uneven terrain and steps.
Pets: Pets are not allowed on the terraces to preserve the natural environment.
Guided Tours: Guided tours are available, offering insights into the history and processes of salt production.
Restaurant or Cafe: There are no restaurants or cafes directly on-site, but nearby options are available in the town of Maras.
Gift Shop: A small gift shop is located at the entrance, offering local crafts and salt products.
Parking: Parking is available near the entrance, with designated areas for visitors.
Family Friendly: Family-friendly, with educational opportunities about traditional salt mining practices.
Photography: Photography is highly encouraged, with stunning views of the salt terraces.
WIFI: WIFI is not available on-site; visitors should prepare for limited connectivity.
Picnic Area: Picnic areas are not provided, but visitors can enjoy the scenery while snacking in designated zones.

📌Heads up: All times, prices and visitor policies are subject to change without notice. Please check the official website for the most recent information.

Photos of Maras Salt Terraces

At 3,380 m elevation near the village of Maras, thousands of stepped salt ponds glint like a broken mirror in the Andean sun. Guided walks along narrow earthen terraces reveal how spring water is channeled into each evaporative pan, leaving pure white salt crystals for hand‑harvesting. This living landscape blends traditional community labor with stunning highland panoramas of terraced fields and distant snow‑capped peaks.

What to Expect

Park at the Maras overlook and follow the stone‐lined service road down to the pan cluster. A gentle 1 km loop winds among family‐owned terraces: watch salt‑workers rake crystals into cone piles, then bag them by hand. Small on‑site kiosks offer salt‐flavored snacks and artisanal salts—rosemary, chili, smoked—packaged in reusable muslin bags. The full circuit takes 1–1.5 hours at a leisurely pace.

Background and Cultural Context

These salt pans predate the Incas, maintained by Quechua communities for centuries under communal ownership. Inca administrators honed the channel network to regulate flow and maximize yield, linking the site to Cusco’s imperial tribute system. Today, cooperatives ensure sustainable water use and equitable distribution—preserving ancestral techniques in a UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

Best Time to Visit

Dry season (May–September) offers bright sunshine and maximal evaporation—salt crystals form fastest in clear, low‑humidity air. Visit mid‑morning (9–11 AM) for the driest conditions and best light on the pans. Afternoon clouds or light rains in the green season (October–April) can slow crystallization and make trails slippery—plan around brief showers.

How to Get There

From Ollantaytambo, drive 16 km north on the winding Cusco–Urubamba road, then turn onto the paved Maras access road (approx. 30 min). Private cars, colectivos, and guided tour vans all reach the hilltop viewpoint. Follow signs down the switchbacks to the terraces—parking is available at both top and bottom. Entrance fee (approx. S/10 PEN) supports community maintenance.

Photo Opportunities

Panorama of hundreds of geometric salt pans cascading down the hillside
Close‑up of glistening white crystals forming in shallow brine
Salt‑worker raking pools, framed by Andean peaks in the distance
Artisanal salt varieties displayed in colorful muslin bags at a roadside stall
Golden‑hour light casting long shadows across the terraced pans

Travel Tips

Wear sun protection and a wide‑brimmed hat—UV radiation is intense at altitude.
Bring sturdy, closed‑toe shoes for uneven, sometimes slick earthen paths.
Carry water and light snacks—the walk is dry and there are limited cafes.
Respect private terraces—stay on marked paths and ask before photographing workers up close.
Purchase a variety pack of artisanal salts to support local cooperatives and take home a taste of the Andes.

FAQs

Can I walk among all the pans?
Yes, but only on the designated footpaths and service roads to protect fragile earthen walls.

Is there shade?
Very little. Plan your visit for cooler morning hours and bring a sun umbrella if desired.

Are restrooms available?
Basic facilities are located at the top parking area; none on the terraces themselves.

Can I buy salt on-site?
Absolutely. Family‑run stalls sell hand‑harvested salt in various flavored and smoked varieties.

Final Thoughts

A visit to the Maras Salt Terraces is both a cultural immersion and a photographer’s dream—a place where ancient Andean ingenuity turns spring water into shimmering crystal mosaics. Stroll the pans, learn traditional harvesting, and depart with a handful of unique salts and memories of Peru’s timeless highland heritage.

📘 Peru Visitors Travel Information

Time Zone: Peru operates on Peru Time (UTC -5) and does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

Weather: Peru has a diverse climate due to its geography. The coastal region, including Lima, is arid and mild year-round. The Andes experience a rainy season from November to March and dry, sunny weather the rest of the year. The Amazon rainforest region is hot and humid with frequent rain.

Population: Peru has a population of over 33 million people. The largest city and capital is Lima, home to nearly 10 million residents.

Size: Peru covers approximately 1.28 million square kilometers (494,000 square miles), making it the third-largest country in South America. It features coastal deserts, high mountains, and dense rainforest.

Language: Spanish is the official and most widely spoken language. Indigenous languages such as Quechua and Aymara are also recognized and spoken in rural areas.

Currency: The official currency is the Peruvian Sol (PEN). U.S. dollars are also accepted in some tourist areas. Credit cards are commonly used in cities, but cash is preferred in rural areas.

Safety: Peru is generally safe for travelers, though petty crime like pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas. Visitors should remain aware of their surroundings and avoid isolated areas at night.

Tipping: Tipping is appreciated but not always expected. In restaurants, a 10% tip is standard. Tour guides and drivers also commonly receive tips.

Electricity and Plugs: Electricity in Peru is 220V, 60Hz. Plug types A and C are common. Travelers from countries using 110V should bring a voltage converter.

Water: Tap water in Peru is not considered safe to drink. Bottled or purified water is recommended, including for brushing teeth.

Annual Visitors: Peru welcomes around 4–5 million international visitors annually. Top destinations include Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Lake Titicaca.

Visa Requirements: Visitors from many countries can enter Peru visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. A valid passport is required for all international arrivals.

Health & Vaccinations: Travelers should be up to date on standard vaccinations like measles, flu, and COVID-19. Vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, and yellow fever are recommended for certain regions.

Transportation: Domestic flights, long-distance buses, and taxis are common for getting around. Major cities have rideshare services. In rural areas, transportation can be limited.

Food: Peruvian cuisine is world-renowned, featuring dishes like ceviche, lomo saltado, and aji de gallina. The use of local ingredients such as potatoes, corn, and quinoa is central to the cuisine.

Etiquette & Cultural Norms: Peruvian culture values respect and politeness. Greetings are important, and it’s customary to use formal titles. Bargaining is common in markets.

Telecommunications & Connectivity: Wi-Fi is widely available in cities and tourist areas, but service may be limited in rural regions. Local SIM cards are inexpensive and widely used.

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is recommended, especially for medical coverage and adventure travel. Altitude sickness is common in the Andes, so travelers should be prepared.

Did You Know? - Facts About Maras Salt Terraces

The salt terraces of Maras, located in the Sacred Valley of Peru, have been used for salt harvesting since pre-Incan times, showcasing ancient agricultural techniques that are still in practice today.

There are over 3,000 salt pools in the Maras terraces, which are fed by a natural saltwater spring, creating a stunning visual contrast against the backdrop of the Andes mountains.

The unique microclimate of the Maras region influences the evaporation process, allowing salt to crystallize in the pools, which are filled with water during the rainy season and then collected for use when the water evaporates.

Each family in the local community tends to specific salt pools, a tradition that fosters a strong sense of communal responsibility and sustains the artisanal salt production for generations.

The salt harvested from Maras is renowned for its distinctive flavor and mineral content, often marketed as "Maras salt," and has gained popularity among gourmet chefs and health-conscious consumers worldwide.