Valle de la Luna, Chile: Complete Travel Guide to the Moon Valley of Atacama

Hola and welcome! I’m your local guide, and today I’m taking you on a journey to another world — Valle de la Luna, or the Valley of the Moon, located in the heart of Chile’s Atacama Desert. With alien landscapes, salt-covered rocks, and breathtaking sunsets, Valle de la Luna is one of the most iconic destinations in all of South America.
 

Let’s explore how you can experience this lunar-like valley to its fullest, from hiking through salt caves to watching the sun melt over the red desert horizon.

📍 Where Is Valle de la Luna?

Valle de la Luna is located in the Los Flamencos National Reserve, just 13 km (8 miles) west of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile. It's nestled within the vast Atacama Desert, the driest non-polar desert on Earth.

🗓️ Best Time to Visit Valle de la Luna

☀️ Best Season:

March to November (fall to spring) — cooler temperatures, clear skies

Avoid peak summer (Dec–Feb) if you’re not used to high desert heat

🌡️ Daytime temperatures range from 25–35°C (77–95°F)
🌙 Evenings and nights drop dramatically — pack layers!

🧭 How to Get to Valle de la Luna

🚐 From San Pedro de Atacama:

Most visitors stay in San Pedro, the main tourist hub

Join a half-day guided tour (sunset tours are most popular)

Alternatively, rent a bike or car and explore at your own pace

Valle de la Luna has a controlled entry point with an affordable entrance fee

🎟️ Entrance Information

Open daily (including holidays), roughly 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate

Price: Around CLP 10,800 (approx. USD 12)

Guided tours often include transportation, entrance fee, and a guide

🌋 Top Things to See and Do in Valle de la Luna

1. Watch the Sunset

This is the main attraction — and for good reason. As the sun drops below the Andes, the entire valley turns fiery red, deep orange, and lavender.

Best spots: Mirador de Kari (Piedra del Coyote), Duna Mayor

Arrive at least 45 minutes before sunset for a good viewing spot

Don't forget your camera — this is one of Chile’s most Instagrammable locations

2. Duna Mayor (The Great Dune)

A towering sand dune offering panoramic views of the valley.

Moderate climb to the top (can be tough in the heat)

Incredible 360° views of the salt flats, rock formations, and distant volcanoes

Perfect for sunrise or golden hour

3. Cavernas de Sal (Salt Caves)

Wander through narrow salt-crystal corridors and unique formations.

Cool, shaded, and unlike anything you’ve walked through before

Wear sturdy shoes — the rocks can be sharp

Guided tours offer fascinating geology facts along the way

4. Tres Marías Rock Formations

Three strange vertical salt-rock structures, formed naturally over thousands of years.

Believed to resemble biblical figures, hence the name

Nearby signs explain their significance and natural history

Great for close-up desert photography

5. Amphitheater

A natural rock formation shaped like a massive open-air arena.

The layers of sediment are clearly visible

Wind often whistles through the amphitheater, adding to the surreal experience

6. Moon-Like Hiking Trails

Valle de la Luna is named for its eerie resemblance to the lunar surface.

Explore marked trails and canyons

Don’t stray off the paths — the terrain is delicate and protected

The geological silence here is hauntingly beautiful

🌄 Full-Day Itinerary Suggestion

Morning:

Depart from San Pedro around 9:00 AM

Explore Cavernas de Sal and the Amphitheater

Light hike to Duna Mayor

Afternoon:

Visit the Tres Marías formations

Break for lunch or snack (bring your own food — no shops in the park)

Climb up to Mirador de Kari and relax before sunset

Evening:

Capture the sunset at Duna Mayor or Kari Viewpoint

Return to San Pedro by 8:00 PM

🛸 Why Is It Called Valle de la Luna?

The name “Valley of the Moon” comes from its eerily lunar appearance — no vegetation, jagged salt-covered peaks, and otherworldly silence. NASA has even used the Atacama region to simulate Martian and lunar environments for research and equipment testing!

📷 Best Photo Spots

Mirador de Kari (Piedra del Coyote) – classic viewpoint

Salt caves with natural backlighting

Duna Mayor – especially at golden hour

Amphitheater from above

Tres Marías with the Andes in the distance

🧳 What to Bring

Plenty of water (no shops or water stations inside the reserve)

Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses

Comfortable walking shoes with grip

A jacket or layers — desert temps drop fast at night

Camera or smartphone with good low-light capability

Snacks (but take your trash out — it’s a protected area)

🛑 Rules and Safety

No drones are allowed without special permission

Stay on marked trails — the fragile ecosystem is easily damaged

Do not climb rock formations unless permitted

Take all trash with you

Be respectful of the silence and fellow visitors — it’s a special place!

🏨 Where to Stay

In San Pedro de Atacama:

This charming desert town is your base camp for Valle de la Luna and other Atacama adventures.

Luxury: Hotel Cumbres San Pedro, Tierra Atacama

Mid-range: Hotel Pascual Andino, Hotel Kimal

Budget: Backpacker’s San Pedro, Hostal Pangea Norte

🍽️ Where to Eat in San Pedro

Adobe Restaurante – Chilean and international cuisine with live music

La Estaka – upscale dishes in a romantic setting

Sol Inti – local flavors and hearty portions

Emporio Andino – best coffee and empanadas in town

🪐 Stargazing in the Atacama

Combine your Valle de la Luna visit with a stargazing tour. The Atacama Desert has some of the clearest skies on the planet — it’s a must-do.

Book a guided astronomy tour in San Pedro

Visit ALMA Observatory or SpaceObs for deep space experiences

Best done after moonset for dark skies

📚 Cultural and Scientific Notes

Valle de la Luna is part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, a protected area

The region was originally inhabited by Atacameño (Likan Antai) people

It's a prime example of desert geomorphology: wind, salt, and sand have shaped it over millions of years

NASA and European space agencies frequently test rovers, drones, and suits here due to the extreme dryness and terrain

🧭 Nearby Attractions

Laguna Cejar – float in salty waters

El Tatio Geysers – early morning geothermal show

Valle de la Muerte – dramatic cliffs and dune boarding

Laguna Miscanti and Miñiques – high-altitude blue lakes

Pukará de Quitor – ancient fortress with views of the valley

💬 Final Thoughts from Your Guide

Valle de la Luna is not just a place you visit — it’s a place you feel. With its silence, stunning light, and geological wonder, it delivers one of the most surreal travel experiences in Chile. Whether you come to hike, take photos, or simply sit and watch the sun paint the rocks red, this lunar valley will leave you in awe.

So bring your sense of adventure (and your wide-angle lens) — the Moon awaits you, right here in the Atacama Desert.