Moon Valley in the Atacama Desert

Moon valley (Valle de la Luna) is a part of the Atacama Desert with an unusual relief, which was formed due to prolonged exposure to water and wind. However water covered this place a long time ago when desert was the bottom of the ancient ocean. And now it is one of the driest places on earth, where precipitation practically does not happen. In some parts of the Moon Valley rain has not happened for hundreds of years.

Due to the great similarity with the surface of Mars, NASA tested its rovers here (find here photos and video).

We did not visit the valley, but in the evening went to watch the sunset at the viewpoint Mirador de Kari - Piedra del Coyote (S 22 55.002 W 68 15.222), which is located over the Moon valley. This is a popular place, a lot of tourists gather here every day. It can be reached by bicycle from San Pedro de Atacama (8 km). Although you need to go uphill.






Getting there: as part of an organized tour from San Pedro de Atacama. Either by car or by bicycle, go to this location S 22 56.118 W 68 13.956.