Mirador hacia el valle de la luna
Viewpoint on the southwestern edge of the Valle de la Luna, overlooking the valley in the Cordillera de la Sal.
Chile
Valle de la Luna
Natural Area
The Valle de la Luna, some 13 kilometers west of San Pedro de Atacama, is a valley of salt, gypsum, and clay formations with sand dunes in the Cordillera de la Sal. Late afternoon sun tinges ridges and rock faces reddish.
by Felix Gillen
The Valle de la Luna, some 13 kilometers west of San Pedro de Atacama, is a valley of salt, gypsum, and clay formations with sand dunes in the Cordillera de la Sal. Late afternoon sun tinges ridges and rock faces reddish.
Sehenswürdigkeiten
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Duna Mayor
The vast sand dune sits on a rocky ridge, with a one-way path leading up to a viewpoint. Expect about 40 minutes, including the view. Only a few groups are on the path simultaneously. From the top, you'll see the valley and the amphitheater. The sand itself must not be entered.
Mirador Achaches
Viewpoint overlooking Amphitheater and Duna Mayor in Cordillera de la Sal. It's not on official ticket lists or Chile Travel. Confirm accessibility when buying tickets or with park rangers at the entrance.
The Three Marys
Erosion-formed rock figures of salt, clay, and quartz are at the trail's last stop. Cordoned off for protection, you view them from a few meters away.
Amphitheater
The semicircular rock face has been carved out of the sedimentary layers by wind and tectonic movements. Entry is not permitted, but it is clearly visible from the road and from the Duna Mayor viewpoint.
Essen & Trinken
Provisions
The valley has no kiosk or drinking water. Bring everything you need from San Pedro.
Bring your water
There's no food or drink in the valley. Bring enough water for the afternoon, significantly more if you're cycling there.
Supplies from San Pedro
According to official ticket sales, cars are admitted between 8 AM and 4 PM; you may stay at Mirador de Ckari for sunset. For the waiting time, fruit, nuts, or empanadas from San Pedro are suitable. Take your trash with you.
Dinner afterwards
After sunset, it's back to San Pedro, where many spots along Caracoles are open in the evenings. During high season, a reservation is recommended.
Background
Protected Area and CommunitiesThe valley is part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve. Visitor operations are managed by the Asociación Indígena Valle de la Luna, an association of the Atacameño communities of Coyo, Larache, San Pedro, Sequitor, Solor, and Quitor, in cooperation with CONAF. Atacameños with proof of heritage have free entry. Where salt crusts and dunes have been damaged by footsteps, areas are now closed: You may not enter the sandy area of Duna Mayor, and at the Tres Marías, a barrier keeps visitors at a distance.Salt and ResearchSalt was formerly mined in the Cordillera de la Sal. At Mina Victoria, you can still see remnants of the old mining sites and thick layers of crystallized salt. The formations themselves were created by wind, water, and tectonic movements from folded sedimentary layers.The extreme aridity makes the Atacama a comparison area for Mars research. In the ARADS project, NASA tested the K-REX2 rover in the Atacama between 2016 and 2019, which drilled up to two meters deep and searched for traces of life.
Directions and On-Site
From the outskirts of San Pedro, it's a good 13 kilometers to the entrance. The route is flat enough for a rental bike; expect about an hour each way and bring plenty of water. You are not permitted to enter the reserve on foot. In the valley, follow the road to the parking lots at the stops, where park rangers register visitors.Tickets, Times, and RulesThe easiest option is an afternoon tour from San Pedro. With a rental car or bike, you're more flexible and can go in the morning when it's less crowded.Tickets: Purchase them online in advance via the official ticket sales portal. In 2025/26, admission was around 10,800 Pesos, reduced to about half for children, students, and seniors.Opening Hours: The reserve opens in the morning; vehicles are admitted until approximately 4 PM, cyclists only in the morning. You are permitted to stay in the reserve until sunset. Times change seasonally, so check them before your visit.Rules: No drones, no pets, no alcohol. Stay on marked paths; dunes and salt flats are off-limits.Mirador de Ckari: The viewpoint at the end of the loop is the most popular spot for sunset. Park rangers limit group size and duration of stay there.
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