Las Salineras de Maras

Written by: Sam Travel | 28 October, 2024

Las salineras de Maras está directamente relacionadas al Pueblo de Maras que se encuentra en la ciudad de Cusco, este es un pequeño pueblo que está ubicado en la meseta de Chinchero, a una altura de 3300 metros sobre el nivel del Mar. Fue fundado por Pedro Martin de Orué en 1556, sin embargo, inicio a ser habitado de manera oficial, probablemente después del plan de reducciones indígenas, hacia el año 1575, aunque es claro que sus recursos minerales fueron usados durante el periodo del incanato pues la sal tuvo un papel preponderante en la conservación de alimentos, el uso cotidiano y finalmente el uso ritual para la momificación de cuerpos.

La leyenda

La leyenda cuenta que las aguas saladas que brotan de la montaña son las lágrimas de Ayar Cachi. Dentro de la mitología Inca, este era uno de los 4 hermanos y hermanas que originaron el gran imperio de los Incas: El Dios Wiracocha hizo salir a estos hermanos de una cueva para fundar un gran imperio. Ayar Cachi lanzó una piedra a una montaña formando una quebrada. Entonces sus hermanos, temiendo su fuerza y poder, lo encerraron con engaños en la cueva evitando que sea fundador del imperio. Las lágrimas de este personaje formaron las pozas que luego el sol secó formando los salares.

El escenario natural

Las Salineras de Maras cuentan con más de 3000 pozas, de distintos tamaños y dimensiones, las cuales son alimentadas por agua salada que brota del subsuelo de la montaña Qaqawiñay. El intenso sol hace que el agua se evapore, dejando cristales de sal que luego son “cosechados” con un trozo de madera con el que se va raspando la sal, la cual se coloca en pequeños cestos, para eliminar el agua sobrante. Luego de unos días, se vuelve a abrir el paso de agua y el proceso se repite.

En las Salineras de Maras se puede encontrar “sal natural de color rosa”; esta obtiene su hermoso color de los elementos naturales del agua proveniente de la montaña, incluyendo magnesio, calcio, potasio y silicio. Sólo hay 4 lugares en el mundo de donde se puede extraer sal rosada y Maras es uno de ellos, ¿te lo perderías?

Salineras de Maras

Maras

La Historia de Las Salinas de Maras

Los primeros estanques de sal poco profundos en Maras probablemente fueron construidos por la civilización Wari entre el 500 y el 1100 d. C. La mayoría de estas pozas, edificadas a lo largo de la ladera empinada de la montaña Qoripujio, no tenían más de 15 pies cuadrados (5 metros cuadrados) y 30 centímetros de profundidad.

Salineras de Maras 1

Durante el siglo XII y mediados del siglo XIV, el Imperio inca se hizo cargo de la operación de Maras. Los incas sazonaron y conservaron sus alimentos con sal. También pueden haber usado el mineral para la momificación y otras ceremonias religiosas. La propiedad y el manejo de las salineras individuales se les dio a las familias que vivían en la comunidad cercana de Maras. El mismo proceso de extracción de sal utilizado por estas familias durante los tiempos de los incas se ha transmitido de generación en generación y todavía se practica en la actualidad.

Detalles que tienes que probar

Además de la increíble vista panorámica de las Salineras de Maras que experimentarás, no puedes dejar pasar una visita al mercado. En este podrás probar distintos productos que incluyen el producto local: chocolates, caramelos y hasta productos de belleza, así como cremas corporales.

Cómo llegar a las Salineras de Maras

Para llegar a las Salineras de Maras te recomendamos hacerlo con un operador turístico o con movilidad propia. No hay un transporte público directo. Los operadores todos los días salen de Cusco a las 9 am de la mañana y toman la ruta Chinchero-Urubamba para a la altura de la comunidad de Maras desviarse e ingresar a las salineras.

El ingreso a las salineras tiene un costo aproximado de 10 soles por persona.

Un recinto milenario y misterioso espera por ti. ¡No pierdas la oportunidad de disfrutar una experiencia inolvidable!

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Bernie s 2023/03/02

Had a great trip with our guide Ray Herrera and driver Alfredo. Lots of good experiences in a short period of time 4 days. Learnt a lot not just about the main tourist destinations but Peru in general by Ray. Ray has a passion for Inca history and local produce. Ray knows all the good photo spots and we managed the sun out every day .. Good culture and if you want to get on a tour ask for Ray at Sams Travel = amazing

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Ray was our Tour Guide and Alfredo was our driver for a 4 day tour we did with SAM Travel Peru. Ray's knowledge of the history of Cusco and Machu Picchu was outstanding. Ray was very accommodating with all our needs. He stayed alongside us when trekking and helped where he could. His sense of humour was pleasant to be around. Ray spoke very good English. He is such a nice guy. I would strongly recommend Ray to be your tour guide to visit Machu Picchu. Ray explained everyday what the plans were for the next day, which was reassuring what we needed to take etc

Captanjack 2023/01/012

Our 1 day tour thru the Sacred Vally with Danny was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable and able to answer all our questions in detail. I would recommend asking for him personally if you are able.

Sherry 2022/12/26

We booked the Classic Cusco to Machu Picchu tour with SAM travel which we really had a good experience. SAM travel is very responsive during the communication and cater to our changes needed. Our guide is Ray who is also an very awesome guide. He is knowledgeable, patient, humorous as well reliable, he help us take many good photos and also go extra mile to help with our request. Thanks Ray! Thanks SAM travel that gave us good memories in Peru! Highly recommend if you consider booking any tour in Cusco.

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C Clark 2023/01/20

Wow. We had such an incredible experience in Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Our guide, Dayvit, is the most knowledgeable guide we have ever had. He has such an extensive knowledge of the history and is very friendly and helpful. If you are planning a trip to Peru, I highly recommend SAM travel and be sure to request Dayvit!

Emma Dinzebach Clark 2023/01/10

2 day tour sacred valley / Machu Picchu highly recommend! David was the best tour guide. He knows an incredible amount about Incan culture and is personable and funny. He also kept us up to date on a political situation happening when we were there and was informative. Overall, this tour checks all the boxes. Thank you!

Nupur Joshi 2023/01/02

We used SAM Travel for a 2D/1N trip from Cusco to Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu on Dec 25-26, 2022. The team was good with communication from the start - both Saul and Junior were very helpful and professional with answering any questions and clearing up any misunderstandings. Our guide, Miguel, was prompt, pleasant, and quite knowledgeable. We enjoyed his company and insight over the 2 day trip and recommend him to anyone booking with SAM Travel.

Xueying Chen 2022/12/20

We booked the Classic Cusco to Machu Picchu tour with SAM travel which we really had a good experience. SAM travel is very responsive during the communication and cater to our changes needed. Our guide is Ray who is also an very awesome guide. He is knowledgeable, patient, humorous as well reliable, he help us take many good photos and also go extra mile to help with our request. Thanks Ray! Thanks SAM travel that gave us good memories in Peru! Highly recommend if you consider booking any tour in Cusco.

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Cheri Buccino April 21, 2024
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Powerful! This journey tests your humanity and leaves you in awe of yourself and the beauty that Pachamama provides. April 2024 We conquered the Inca trail and it was only made possible with the help and guidance from our expert guides Jean Pierre (JP) and Jimmy. The knowledge these gentlemen shared was admired by all of our group and the envy of other trail hikers who stopped to listen. The hike has many layers of challenges including language barriers, altitude sensitivities and food specifications. The team at Sam travel exceeded the needs and went above to ensure our comforts were met. A special mention must be made to Mario, the Chef who somehow performed magic with nutritious flavourful meals to satisfy even the pickiest consumers and Francesco who was our lead porter who orchestrated the harmony that happened behind the scenes to get everything done. Nothing less than marvellous from this team. Thank you to each of the group who made our trek a remarkable experience.

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Bhavana Lalwani April 18, 2024
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Jose and Henry were great guides for our first time exploring machu pichu! They were very attentive and kept everything on a smooth schedule. Highly recommend!

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Ryan April 9, 2024
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The whole experience was amazing. Ray, our guide answered all of our questions and definitely had our best interest in mind the whole time. Timothy the cook made fantastic food and somehow found a way to prepare a birthday cake with no notice! Boni our head porter and his whole crew were kind, accommodating, and had such upbeat attitudes which really made the experience great!

Isabel Batteria April 17, 2024
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I spent two days with Sam Travel’s guide Raymier, who guided us through the one-day 12-km stretch of the Inca trail and then took us to Machu Picchu the next day. In my group, I was always the last one on the trail because I come from the coast and I’m not used to altitudes, and honestly I could also have prepared physically a little better. Raymier respected my pace, never rushed me, and supported me throughout the ardous trail. He had much knowledge to share. I speak Spanish, but ended up in an English tour, and Ray’s English was very good. He was funny, respectful, and versatile. He knew where to take all the best photos and patiently took photos of all of us. I would trust Sam Travel again especially if I was lucky enough to have Ray as a guide again.

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