Located along the side of Qaqawiñay mountain, the salineras is an impressive network of approximately 3,000 shallow saltwater pools. A nearby spring pumps out salt-saturated hot water, which is channelled down through the field with little inlets to individual pools. This practice is believed to pre-date the Incans and is still actively managed by local families as a source of income. Once a pool has been filled up (depth of less than 30cm), a few days in the sun evaporates the water, leaving behind the reddish / brownish salt. The farmer scrapes off the salt content, and opens the small sluice gate to allow a new batch of water in. The salt initially looks like dirty snow, however once cleaned it is sold as a delicacy across Peru at top restaurants.