Salinas de Maras, Maras

Used since before the Incan period, Salinas de Maras represents a patchwork of shallow geometric salt pools that cascade down the slopes of a canyon. These saltpans--still harvested by the local people using traditional methods--are feed by a natural spring. Geologists believe that salt-water spring originates from the halite deposits left from the ocean that covered the area some 110 million years ago. The salt owes its soft pink hue to the traces of various minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and silicon. Put Salinas de Maras on your schedule, and learn what else deserves a visit by using our Maras trip planner .