Atacama Desert (April 2017)

Valle de la Luna is located about 8 miles west of the town of San Pedro de Atacama in the “Cordillera de la Sal” (“Salt Mountains”). The area is part of the “Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos” (“Flamingo National Reserve”) and was declared a nature sanctuary in 1982. It is notable for its strange yet natural lunar landscape of sand and stone formations caused by the effects of wind and water on rocks and minerals. You see impressive textures and colors, similar to the surface of the moon and other planets, hence the name. In fact, scientists tested a prototype for a Mars rover there because of the valley's dry and forbidding terrain. You can also see dry lakes where salt composition forms a white layer over the ground. Saline outcrops appear like man-made sculptures, and you can climb through many twisting and turning caverns to appreciate the geology. Our driver transported us through this site, stopping at three different locations so that we could get out with Mari and explore. We visited the “Canon de Sal” (“Salt Canyon”), “Gran Duna” (“Great Dune”), and “Tres Marias” (“Three Marys”). Note that there are formal restrooms at a sort of ranger/welcome station when you enter the Moon Valley site, as well as more rustic facilities at one location inside.

We ended our day at “Mirador de Valle de la Muerte” (“Death Valley Lookout”; however, “Valle de la Muerte” is also sometimes called “Mars Valley”), where vanloads of tourists perched on a rocky cliff side to enjoy sundowners with a view. Dozens of viewers walk along the bluff in search of the perfect location for their cameras to record the moment. As the sun sinks over the multi-hued cliffs, it provides a beautiful panorama as the colors in the sky change from pink to purple and finally to black. Our recommendation is to be mindful and present as the sun (called “inti” by the locals) begins to set, because it happens quickly and then it is gone. Savor every moment, and take a mental photograph rather than a digital one! Mari and our driver produced a lovely sundowner of cheese, crackers, nuts, fruit, and all types of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Although there was a small rustic restroom facility on the nearby cliff side, it was closed by the time the sun set.