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This is a continuation post from Postcards from Peru’s Sacred Valley Pt. 1, go check it out now if you haven’t already!

Postcards from Peru’s Sacred Valley Pt. 2

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Maras Salt Mines

The Maras Salt Mines, sometimes called Salt Pools, have been in use even before the time of the Inca. The site consists of thousands of shallow pools that fill with salt water and eventually evaporate leaving behind crystallized salt. The salt is then mined through a process that has been practiced for over 500 years. Today, local families still use the traditional method of mining the salt with no help from modern technology. The saltwater that supplies the pools comes from a subterranean natural spring, which is mixed with salt deposits from prehistoric salt lakes. To learn more about this process, check out: A Tour of the Maras Salt Mines.

It takes a lot of intensely hard work to produce the salt but the work the local families do does not go unnoticed as salt from these mines is enjoyed throughout Peru and other countries throughout the world. You can even purchase salt that is produced there at the stands just outside. Personally, I brought home with me a Pink Salt, a Smoked Pink Salt, and a Flower Salt, all of which are delicious.

This is a stop that cannot be missed when visiting Peru’s Sacred Valley. It is SERIOUSLY a photographer or instagrammers DREAM!

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Ollantaytambo Ruins

While we spent the first three nights of our trip in the ancient town of Ollantaytambo we also visited the area of the Ollantaytambo ruins known as temple hill or the fortress. The ruins consist of an ancient Inca temple and fortress used by Inca nobility and for religious purposes. Later, it was used as a stronghold against the invading Spaniards. It was one of the only places the Inca were able to temporarily ward of the conquistadors when they won a major battle against them. Since the site is located high up the mountainside, the Inca were able to maintain a high vantage point and keep a watch out for the invading Spanish.

The sun temple near the top of the site is also called the ‘Anti-Gravity Temple’ because the stone that was used to construct it was quarried on the opposing mountaintop. It was rolled down, across the valley and river, and then back up to the other mountain to create the temple.

The site also consists of fountains and baths that served religious purposes and for irrigation. The water running down through the channels and fountains is glacial water from the tops of the mountains.

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Alpaca Farm

Although during our trip we were calling the farm we went to an Alpaca Farm, it had more than just alpacas. There was also vicuñas and llamas. Here is a few interesting facts about these animals:

• Over 1/3 of the worlds alpaca population lives in Peru. There they eat the alpaca meat similar to how American’s eat beef. It is a very tender meat.
• Llama is not the original name of the animal. The name came about when the Spanish came to Peru and they were asking the indigenous peoples what is the name of this animal. They kept saying “como se llama? como se llama?” The people began to think they were calling the animal Llama so they finally ended up pointing and saying llama.
• Vicuñas are very special animals in Peru. They are indigenous to the high Andes regions. Their wool is extremely soft and highly coveted making it a very expensive luxury item. Vicuñas are shaved at only certain times of the year and once shaved cannot be shaved again for another two years. They are returned to the wild after their wool is removed. These restrictions were put into effect by the Peruvian government.

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On the Way to the Pisac Ruins

On the ride to the Pisac ruins, our driver made a quick stop on the side of the road overlooking an INSANELY stunning valley between mountains. Everyone in our tour had the chance to hop out and take some epic photos

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Pisac Ruins

700 years ago, the Inca inhabited this site which consists of agricultural terraces and a hilltop citadel with plunging gorges on either side. Completely fascinating and something I did not see at any of the other sites visited were hundreds of holes on the opposing mountainside. These honeycomb holes are remains of Inca tombs that have been raided by grave robbers and are off-limits to tourists today. This is a site where the transformed hybrid seeds from the experimentation at the Moray terraces were used.

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If you’re ready to book your bucket list trip to Peru, head on over to Travendly to get started! Be sure to use my referral code, CMCLAUGHLIN3

For more of my posts on Peru be sure to check out:

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Peru’s Machu Picchu

Postcards From Peru’s Sacred Valley Pt. 1