From Maras it was about an hour hike through the beautiful Sacred Valley to Las Salineras (or the Salt Ponds). We could not have asked for better weather!
Kenzo, ready to get started!
Some fellow travelers…the only other people we saw during our hike.
Look at the deep valley in the middle of the photo. It almost has an ominous look to it.
After getting lost for about 30 minutes (we took the wrong turn) we finally saw Las Salineras below!
So…the scoop about the Salt Ponds, they have been in use since Incan times. There is a salty, naturally flowing, hot spring at the top of the mountains that brings tons and tons of salt down to the ponds (which I assume were man-made). It was quite a site to see…and although not on the Tourist Ticket, it is DEFINITELY worth going to. It was one of our favorites.
PS… It looks like it’d be extremely cold, but that is not snow, it is salt. It was actually very comfortable! 
The stream of hot water.
A taste test. Yep – salty. Where are the margaritas when you need them?
A local salt-pond worker.
Impressive, right? They just keep going.
Another stream. I included this to show you the clay-like color of the mountain underneath the salt.
Our last view of the Salt Ponds as we headed down to Urubamba for the night, en route to the impressive Ollantaytambo Ruins.
Urubamba – here we come!
To be continued . . .