Maras Salt Mines in Cusco: how to get there, prices, hours, and tours

If you’re planning a trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, there’s one place that looks like it belongs on another planet: the Maras Salt Mines. This stunning complex of white salt pools carved into a mountainside is one of the most photogenic and fascinating landscapes in all of Peru. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to visit without any hiccups.

What Are the Maras Salt Mines and Why Visit This Sacred Valley Attraction?

The Maras Salt Mines are much more than a simple salt deposit; they’re a living testament to pre-Inca and Inca engineering that has survived to this day. Visiting this site helps you understand how Andean communities have worked in harmony with nature for centuries.

Maras Salt Mines: Salt Terraces in the Peruvian Andes

It’s a complex of approximately 3,000 small salt ponds. What makes them unique is that they’re fed by an underground spring of hypersaline water that flows out of the mountain. The contrast between the bright white salt, the reddish earth, and the green mountains creates a truly breathtaking view.

Where Are the Maras Salt Mines? Location in Cusco’s Sacred Valley

They’re located in the province of Urubamba, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) northwest of Cusco city. The salt mines sit at an altitude of about 3,380 meters (11,090 feet) above sea level, on one of the valley slopes that descends toward the Vilcanota River.

History of the Maras Salt Mines: Origins, Tradition, and Artisanal Salt

The history of these salt mines is as old as civilization itself in the Andes. They’re not a modern construction, but an ancestral heritage that still supports hundreds of local families.

What Is the Origin of the Maras Salt Mines?

Although they became widely known during the Inca Empire, the ponds are believed to have been built originally by the Wari culture (between 500 and 1100 AD). The Incas masters of resource management—expanded and refined the system of channels that distributes the saltwater to each terrace.

How Is Salt Produced in Maras? Step-by-Step Artisanal Process

Production is still 100% artisanal and is divided into three stages:

1. Filling: Saltwater from the spring flows through channels into the ponds.
2. Evaporation: The Andean sun gradually evaporates the water, leaving a solid layer of salt.
3. Harvest: Once the salt reaches about 10 cm (4 in) thick, local community members remove it by hand, dry it, and classify it into table salt, pink salt, and industrial salt.

How to Get to the Maras Salt Mines from Cusco: Routes, Travel Times, and Options

Getting to Maras is fairly straightforward, but the best option depends on your budget and how much time you have.

Cusco – Maras – Maras Salt Mines Route: The Most Convenient Option

Most travelers leave Cusco toward Chinchero and then turn off toward the town of Maras. By car, the trip takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

How to Visit the Maras Salt Mines on Your Own: Transportation and Tips

If you prefer a bit of adventure:

• Take a shared van (colectivo) from Pavitos Street (Cusco) toward Urubamba.
• Get off at the “Maras turnoff” (Desvío de Maras).
• From there, you can take a local taxi or a mototaxi to the salt mines. You can also walk about 40 minutes if you enjoy hiking, but keep in mind the sun can be intense.

Maras Salt Mines Tour: Why It’s Worth Going with a Tour Company

The most comfortable choice is booking a half-day tour (Maras – Moray). The advantage is that it includes round-trip transportation, a knowledgeable guide who explains the history, and it often combines the visit with other nearby sites—helping you make the most of your time.

Maras Salt Mines Hours and Entrance Fee: What You Need to Know

To avoid surprises, keep these logistics in mind before leaving your hotel.

Maras Salt Mines Visiting Hours: Best Times to Go

The salt mines are open to the public from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It’s best to go early (before 9:00 a.m.) to avoid crowds, or near sunset when the golden light highlights the salt’s texture.

Maras Salt Mines Entrance Fee: Cost and How to Pay

Admission is 20 Peruvian soles (about USD 5). It’s important to note that payment is cash only at the checkpoint booth before entering the site.

Is the Maras Entrance Included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket?

No. This is a common confusion. The Maras Salt Mines are managed by the local community (Mara Sal), so the Tourist Ticket (BTG) does not cover this entry. You’ll need to pay the 20 soles separately.

Best Time to Visit the Maras Salt Mines: Weather and Ideal Season

The look of the salt mines changes dramatically depending on the time of year.

Dry Season in Cusco: The Best Time to Visit Maras

From May to October is the ideal season. With little to no rain, evaporation is steady and the pools look a bright, clean white. It’s the best time for photography.

Rainy Season in the Sacred Valley: What to Expect in Maras

From November to April, rain can muddy the salt a bit, giving the pools a more brown, earthy tone. It’s still beautiful, but the white color won’t be as intense as in the winter months.

What to See and Do at the Maras Salt Mines: Viewpoints and Route

In recent years, for conservation and safety reasons, visitors are no longer allowed to walk between the salt ponds, but the experience is still absolutely worth it.

Best Viewpoints at the Maras Salt Mines for Incredible Photos

There are several viewpoints strategically placed along the upper path. From there, you’ll get a panoramic view of thousands of ponds cascading down the canyon. The first viewpoint after the entrance checkpoint offers the best sense of the site’s scale.

Recommended Route at the Maras Salt Mines: Duration and Suggested Path

The walk along the viewpoints usually takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour. At the end, you can stop by the community shops to buy gourmet pink salt, bath salts, or chocolates with Maras salt great souvenirs.

What to Bring to the Maras Salt Mines: A Visit Checklist

Being above 3,000 meters (9,800+ ft) requires a bit of preparation so you can enjoy your visit comfortably.

Recommended Clothing and Footwear for Maras by Season

• Comfortable shoes: You won’t walk very far, but the ground can be uneven.
• Sun protection: A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (sunlight reflecting off the white salt is very strong).
• Windbreaker or light jacket: Weather can change quickly, and it’s often windy in the valley.

Altitude Tips in Cusco for Visiting Maras Comfortably

While Maras isn’t the highest point in the Cusco region, it’s still a good idea to be acclimated. Drink plenty of water, try coca tea, and avoid heavy meals before your outing to help prevent altitude sickness (soroche).

Maras and Moray: Other Places to Visit Near the Maras Salt Mines

People rarely visit Maras alone—the area has other highlights you can easily see on the same day.

Moray in Cusco: Circular Terraces and a Perfect Combo with Maras

Just 20 minutes from the salt mines is Moray, an impressive Inca agricultural laboratory made up of concentric circular terraces. It’s the perfect complement for understanding the sophistication of Andean culture.

Chinchero and Ollantaytambo: Perfect Add-Ons in the Sacred Valley

If you have a full day, you can start in Chinchero to see traditional textiles, continue to Maras and Moray, and finish the afternoon at the Ollantaytambo fortress then catch the train to Machu Picchu.