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.
