Maras

Maras is an ancient town located near the city of Cusco, Peru. The town was home to royalty and nobility in the past, however, today it is most well known for its vast salt flats. These salt ponds are situated throughout the town at varying degrees of elevation, making for an absolutely stunning sight. The ponds will change colors depending on the season one visits in from blue to brown, but they are most striking when white. This indigenous system of creating salt ponds used by local inhabitants is sheer brilliance and possibly one of the earlier architectural innovations. At the site, one can hire a guide to take them through the pans and visitors can also shop for mementos from nearby stores and enjoy food from some local stalls too.