Tasting Incan salt- Salineras de Maras

“Gather around the fountain in Plaza de Armas “,the text said.

We were in Cusco finishing breakfast and sipping on some coca tea before heading out to the Plaza. Walking down the cobblestone streets with the bright December sun shining on us fiercely ,though it was already 9.00 am we saw the usually crowded plaza a bit empty.

We sat on the stone steps and people-watched while basking in the sun. Soon everyone in our group had gathered around the fountain and we boarded a van and were on our way to Salineras de maras .

The salineras de Maras are salt pans that were built during Pre columbian times by the Chanapata tribe. It is remarkable that it’s still functioning today almost 500 years, from the time of construction.

The salt mines were used to provide salt for the entire Inca empire which was spread over 2500 miles starting at Ecuador and continuing till Chile.

Unlike most salt pans which are situated near the ocean, this one is part of the sacred valley of Peru. This land was covered by the sea millions of years ago, and lead to subterranean deposition of salt in the mountains, due to tectonic activity.

So the water from the springs that pass through the mountain carry salt in them and are collected in these large pools.

The water supply to the pools is then cut off and left to dry leaving behind the salt which is then harvested. The salt ponds vary in size and each belongs to a salt farmer from the local community, the pool size depends on the size of the family.

The salt harvested here is sold in the stores next to the pans and previously you could pick the salt by yourself and buy it.The salt harvested here has a subtle pink color and is said to be rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium and is said to have a multitude of medical uses.