Moray and Salinas
Moray
Just outside of Mara is the fascinating but lesser known Inca site of Moray, which consists of two large circular terraces that form giant amphitheatre-type shapes. It is uncertain exactly what this area was used for, but one theory is that each level of the irrigation canals were used for its different microclimate in order to acclimatize and domesticate different crops and determine which areas were best for agriculture.
Stone stairs were built into the terrace walls, which allow visitors to walk down to the bottom level. From this vantage point you can get an upward, all encompassing view of the stonewalls and open sky.
Salinas
The salt beds of Salinas are not too far from Moray, so it would be feasible to visit both sites in one day. The salt mines are located in the northwest of the Maras Village and have been used since ancient times.
There are 3000 small pools that line the mountainside, each yielding about 150 kilos of salt per month. The pools are fed by a saltwater hot spring, which has been diverted into the salt beds where the water evaporates and leaves crystallized salt to be harvested.
The geometric blocks of coffee-colored squares are a favorite site for photographers. The Mara village is also a beautiful site that lies atop a 3038m plateau where La Veronica and Chikon mountains can be seen.
The locals still harvest the saltpans just as their ancestors have for thousands of years. A special tour is offered, which allows the visitor to participate in the different stages of salt extraction: cleaning, irrigation, collection, and transfer.
The most convenient way to get to both sites is by taking a taxi or bus from Chinchero to the village of Maras. From there you can walk 9km/5.4 miles to Moray. Another option is to hike several hours from Urubamba to Maras or mountain bike from Cuzco or Urubamba.
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