Valle de la Luna sits within the Cordillera de Sal, the Salt Mountain Range, just outside the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile. The name translates as Valley of the Moon, and the terrain earns it: ridged salt formations, wind-eroded clay, and sand dunes combine to produce a landscape that feels unlike anywhere else on Earth.
The Cordillera de Sal
Walking through the valley, travellers move between jagged salt crusts, smooth sandy floors, and craggy outcrops. The landscape changes character dramatically between midday light and late afternoon, when the low sun draws out the full spectrum of colour from the formations. The valley is reached easily from San Pedro de Atacama, making it a natural complement to other Atacama highlights such as the Geyser del Tatio.
Visiting with Undiscovered Destinations
Our small group guided tours in Chile include Valle de la Luna as a key highlight on two of our comprehensive South American itineraries: the 14-day Argentina and Chile Puna & Atacama Experience (from £5,750 per person) and the 28-day Argentina, Chile and Bolivia Explorer (from £8,295 per person). Groups are capped at 12 people. Travellers visit the valley to experience the surreal rock formations and glowing sunsets, the ideal time to see the salt ridges illuminate in warm evening light. Both tours depart on guaranteed dates in May and September.
