The Salt Pools of Maras
Maras sits in the hills leading into the Sacred Valley in Peru. On the outskirts of the village a natural spring trickles out of the mountain, but for some unknown reason the water is laden with salt. Directed through a network of intricate channels, the water feeds in to hundreds of pre-Incan pools where it is left to evaporate in the sun before the salt is gathered.
We couldn’t resist stopping off en route to Ollantaytambo and spending a couple of hours wandering around this rather surreal place. Tasting the water is a must, and I assure you it is indeed laden with salt.
I love the almost abstract pattern of pools and the contrasting colours as the pools change from rusty brown to snow white over a few days.


Series: South America
- 1.The Ballestas Islands
- 2.Huacachina
- 3.The Nazca Lines
- 4.The Salt Pools of Maras
- 5.Ollantaytambo
- 6.Machu Picchu
- 7.The Terraces of Moray
- 8.Cusco
- 9.Sillustani
- 10.The Uros Islands
- 11.Isla del Sol
- 12.Valle de la Luna
- 13.La Paz
- 14.Laguna Colorada
- 15.Sol de Mañana