INCA SALT MINES
Maras Salt Mines, a half day trek in the Sacred Valley to Maras. The salt pans here have been used for salt extraction since pre-Columbian time. Double click any of the pictures below for a larger view. Water would carry the natural salt in the mountains down to the salt pans. As the water would fill up each pan, a worker would put a rock in the water entry way for the pan and block any additional water from entering a specific pan. The water would then begin to evaporate from the pans, eventually leaving only salt left for harvesting.
A panaromic
view of the salt mines from across the canyon. This was huge.
Double click for a larger view.
Below, a close up of the salt pans with some local workers in the bottom middle of the picture. Double click for a larger view.
Below, a worker tending to a salt pan, with the Sacred Valley in the distance. Double click for a larger view.
Below, a close up on a salt pan almost ready for harvest. Double click for a larger view.
