More than 3,000 salt ponds fed by one underground spring, worked by families of the Maras community, at 3,385 m. Visited only on the VIP routes, at 09:30 for 45 minutes, with a community ticket that the Tourist Ticket does not cover.
What you see
A ravine of white and ochre terraces, each pond a few square metres, filled in turn from a channel of salty spring water and left to evaporate. Families harvest the crust by hand; the salt is sold at the gate.
Practical
A downhill path along the upper edge of the ponds and the same way back up: gentle, but at altitude. Strong light; bring sunglasses. The community sells its own entrance ticket at the gate, paid in soles or added to your booking.
Which tour, which time
VIP ending in Cusco and VIP ending in Ollantaytambo: 09:30–10:15, between Chinchero and Moray. The Classic routes do not visit Maras. Maras and Moray in one day.
Updated 2 October 2026.
