How to Visit the Popular Sacred Valley Salt Mines Without a Tour

This is a map and basic overview on how to reach the Sacred Valley Salt Mines in Maras without an organized tour.  While most people visit the wildly popular Maras Salt Mines as part of a Sacred Valley tour, it's easy and more affordable to take a self-guided tour to the Sacred Valley salt mines.

The Sacred Valley Salt Mines can be reached as a half-day trip from Urubamba Peru. Urubamba is an incredible village in Peru's Sacred Valley and also a gateway village to some of the best hikes in the Sacred Valley.

Here's how to reach the Salt Mines Maras without a tour.

⁉️ If downloading the map, please verify that the map is correct and follows the waypoints. Oftentimes, there are daily updates to the site, map platforms, and other external issues that may cause a bug in downloading. Be mindful that this map is solely for entertainment purposes. See my full disclosure here. Always hike responsibly and respect the mountains by following a no-trace philosophy, avoid hiking alone, be conscious of the weather and personal limitations, and do not stray from the visible trail.

Sacred Valley Salt Mines Day Trip

• Out & Back Trail

  • The trailhead for Sacred Valley Salt Mines starts from the tiny village of Media Luna

• One-Way Mileage: 1.25 miles
• A mostly flat trail along a dirt path that has a gradual ascent
• Trail Markers: A few occasional signs that point to the back entrance of the Maras Salt Mines
• Duration: 30 minutes to reach the back entrance of the Maras Salt Mines
• Make it an All Day Adventure! Continue to the Moray Archaeological Park

How to Reach the Maras Salt Mines from Cusco

The Sacred Valley salt mines are best reached from the village of Urubamba. From Cusco, multiple collectivos and buses run to the village of Urubamba. These collectivos depart multiple times per hour and take a little over an hour.

Once in Urubamba, catch a collectivo in the direction of Ollantaytambo from the main bus terminal. Confirm with the driver that you wish to exit at Media Luna. It's best to follow along with a map and shout out "baja" as a friendly reminder. An excellent visual marker for Media Luna is the large sign for Restaurant Tunupa.

Exit in Media Luna and cross the street. The small road next to Restaurant Tunupa starts the trailhead to the Maras Salt Flats.

Trailhead to the Sacred Valley Salt Mines Maras

Continue on the path and cross over the Urubamba River via the large orange bridge. Next, walk through the hamlet of Pichingoto, and take the first left. Make sure the cemetery is on your right. Follow along the road, eventually, it turns into a small path that climbs fairly steep uphill. On a clear day, you should be able to see those first glimpses of Maras Salt Mines.

Finally, you'll see the back entrance, which is the more local entrance to the popular Sacred Valley Salt Mines. There will usually be a man collecting the entrance fee to the Maras Salt Mines for 10 PEN ($2.75 USD per person).  It's best to carry small bills or exact change to ensure a quick entrance.

Follow along on the dirt path to see the beautiful Maras Salt Mines. Almost all of the tour companies enter from the main front entrance, so it's a lot less busy from the back entrance. Go on to explore the main viewpoint, or take a climb up to the top viewpoint. There are many women selling salts and flavored local salt that came directly from the salt ponds!

Friendly Reminder | It's no longer possible to walk down in the salt ponds anymore due to pollution.

Sacred Valley Salt Mines Add-On Hike | Maras Salt Flats to Moray Inca Ruins

Want to hike more after the Sacred Valley Salt Mines? Tackle on the scenic hike to the Moray Inca Ruins. This full day hike is the perfect alternative to experience two of the top attractions in the Cusco Region. Find out all the details with this complementing blog post:

Hike the Maras Salt Mines to the Moray Inca Ruins

Psst... Moray Archaeological Site is one of 16 sites on the Cusco Tourist Ticket. Here's an overview of the popular Cusco Tourist Ticket.

More Sacred Valley Guides

• The Ultimate One Week Cusco & Sacred Valley Itinerary
• What to See & Do in the Sacred Valley Peru
• Urubamba Peru Travel Guide
• Best Things to Do in Ollantaytambo Peru Guide
• 22+ Charming South America Villages in the Andes Mountains

Worthwhile Sacred Valley Hikes Nearby

• Huchuy Qosqo Trek Guide
• Pumamarca Ruins in Ollantaytambo
• Follow Along the Old Inca Quarry Trail to Ollantaytambo Inti Punku, the Epic Sun Gate
• Visit the Dimensional Portal of Ñaupa Iglesia in the Sacred Valley
• Perolniyoc Waterfall & Raqaypata Inca Ruins at the Top
• Hike to the Stunning Hilltop Saywa Ruins in Urubamba
• Laguna Juchuycocha An Epic Alpine Lake in Peru at 15,200 Ft
• Kinsa Cocha Pisac

Cusco Peru Guides

• 23 Spectacular Things to Do in Cusco
• Unique Cusco Itineraries from 3 days to One Month
• Where to Eat in Cusco Peru
• Discover Cusco South Valley
• 8 Free Inca Ruins in Cusco
• Cusco Day Hike to Cerro Picol
• Maukallaqta & Puma Orqo, is this the Birthplace of the Incas?
• 35+ Inca Sites to See in Peru
• Choquequirao Trek to the Other Lost Inca City
• Waqrapukara Trek, the Best Inca Ruins in Peru
• Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek, Adventurous Alternative Inca Trail
• 32 Peru Landmarks to Add to Your Bucket-list
• Ausangate Trek with Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley
• 14 Peru Hot Springs You Need to Experience