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Sacred Valley Salt Mines in Maras, Peru, seen during a hot summer day.
Sacred Valley salt mines in Maras, Peru,
Peru, Sacred Valley, Maras is a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 40 kilometers north of Cuzco. The town is well known for its nearby salt evaporation ponds, in use since Inca times. The salt-evaporation ponds are up-slope, less than a kilometer west of the town.
The salt pans of Salineras de Maras, Peru capture spring water that when evaporated leaves salt that is harvested for sale, tourists are seen in the foreground.
The detail of Salineras de Maras is made up of more than 3 thousand natural salt wells near the town of Maras, Cusco Relion, Peru
Awe-inspiring  view of salt mine (Salina de Maras ) in  Peru
Cusco, Peru
Maras, Urubamba Province, Peru, August 2024 – Local workers harvest salt at the ancient Salinas de Maras, a network of terraced salt evaporation ponds located in the Sacred Valley near Cusco. This centuries-old site, still operated by local families, produces high-quality salt through traditional techniques passed down since pre-Incan times. The vibrant palette of white, ochre, and brown ponds reflects varying stages of evaporation, while workers labor in the intense Andean sun, preserving a vital cultural heritage and sustaining the regional economy.
Since pre-Inca times, salt  has been obtained in Maras by evaporating salty water (provided by a nearby  subterranean stream) in the sun, leaving the salt behind. In the mines there are thousands of salt-pools. The Sacred Valley of the Incas or Urubamba Valley is a valley in the Andes  of Peru, close to the Inca capital of  Cusco and below the ancient sacred city of Machu Picchu. The valley is generally understood to include everything  between Pisac  and Ollantaytambo, parallel to the Urubamba River, or Vilcanota River or Wilcamayu, as this Sacred  river is called when passing through the valley. It is fed by numerous rivers which descend through adjoining  valleys and gorges, and contains numerous archaeological remains and villages. The valley was appreciated by the  Incas due to its special geographical and climatic qualities. It was one of the empire's main points for the  extraction of natural wealth, and the best place for maize production in Peru.http://bem.2be.pl/IS/bolivia_380.jpg
Landscape of the Salineras de Maras, salt production wells and travel destination in the Cusco region, Peru.
Terraced salt evaporation ponds in the Salt Mines of Maras. Sacred Valley, Cusco, Peru
This breathtaking aerial view captures the ancient salt ponds of Maras, Peru, a fascinating landscape of terraced pools carved into the mountainside. The ponds, filled with salt water from a subterranean spring, create a stunning pattern of white and brown hues as the water evaporates and leaves behind the precious mineral. The Inca created this ingenious system of salt harvesting over 2,000 years ago, and it remains in use today, providing a glimpse into the rich history and traditions of the region.
Maras, Peru
Man exploring Salinas de Maras during  experiential trip to Cusco, Peru
The image captures the Maras salt pans, a network of terraced pools used for salt extraction in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, near Cusco, Peru. These pre-Incan salt mines are fed by a natural spring and have been harvested for thousands of years, creating a mesmerizing mosaic of earthen tones and crystalline whites.
Maras, Peru, April 2022: Tourists visiting the salt Mines in Maras- Maras Salt Mines is located in the town of Maras,   in the Cusco province, in the Sacred Valley of southeastern Peru
Mountain salt extraction wells at Salinas de Maras, Peru;
Terraced salt pans also known as \
detail of the mountain salt pans with the white of the salt and the brown of the water which is turning into salt with evaporation in Peru in South America
Salt crystal formations on a pink background. Detail of a salt flat pond. Photo taken in Castro Marim traditional Salt Flats on a summer sunny day. These salt flats are located in the south of Portugal, by the Guadiana River, near the Spanish border. The area is named Sapal de Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Natural Reserve.
The Salinas de Maras, located in the Sacred Valley of the Peruvian Andes, is a breathtaking sight of thousands of ancient salt ponds cascading down the mountainside. These salt ponds, believed to date back to the Inca Empire, are fed by a subterranean spring and have been used for salt production for centuries. The stark white of the salt contrasts beautifully with the reddish hues of the surrounding mountains, creating a stunning visual landscape that showcases the ingenuity of the Inca civilization and the raw beauty of nature.
The Salt Mines of Maras ( Spanish: Salineras de Maras ) is one of the largest salt extraction centers of prehispanic origin in Cusco. It is in the Urubamba Province in Cusco in southeast Peru, at an elevation of 3,200 m above sea level.
Maras, Peru
Close up view of Maras Salt Mines is located in the town of Maras,   in the Cusco province, in the Sacred Valley of southeastern Peru
Since pre-Inca times, salt  has been obtained in Maras by evaporating salty water (provided by a nearby  subterranean stream) in the sun, leaving the salt behind. In the mines there are thousands of salt-pools. The Sacred Valley of the Incas or Urubamba Valley is a valley in the Andes  of Peru, close to the Inca capital of  Cusco and below the ancient sacred city of Machu Picchu. The valley is generally understood to include everything  between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, parallel to the Urubamba River, or Vilcanota River or Wilcamayu, as this Sacred  river is called when passing through the valley. It is fed by numerous rivers which descend through adjoining  valleys and gorges, and contains numerous archaeological remains and villages. The valley was appreciated by the  Incas due to its special geographical and climatic qualities. It was one of the empire's main points for the  extraction of natural wealth, and the best place for maize production in Peru.http://bem.2be.pl/IS/peru_380.jpg
Close-up shot of the terraced salt mines of Maras in Peru showing irregularly shaped evaporation ponds with visible color variations including white salt crust, brown mineral water, and dry salt deposits forming textured geometric patterns across the mountainside.Concept:Maras salt mines, Salineras de Maras, terraced salt ponds, salt evaporation pools, white salt crust, brown mineral water, dry salt texture, irregular salt ponds, Peru landscape, Sacred Valley, Andean salt mine, mineral extraction, traditional salt production, geometric patterns, natural resource, Cusco region, South America travel, cultural heritage site, textured background, highland Peru
the maras saline
Woman using smartphone photographing  at Salinas de Maras during trip in Cusco region, Peru
Salt evaporation ponds of Maras, in the Sacred Valley of Urubamba, Peru
Scenic view of Maras, Peru, showcasing the stunning salt terraces
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