Valle de la Luna

The Valle de la Luna lies in the Cordillera de la Sal west of San Pedro, where beds of salt and clay laid down in an ancient lake have been folded, uplifted and then carved by wind into ridges, amphitheatres and dune fields, with salt crusts that crack audibly as the temperature drops in the evening. It forms part of the Los Flamencos national reserve and is administered together with the Atacameño community of San Pedro, which owns the land - a co-management arrangement that has tightened the rules considerably: fixed routes, closing times, and a ban on climbing the dunes where it once happened freely.

What you actually see

• Folded salt and clay beds - laid down in a lake and lifted by the Andes.
• Salt crusts that crack aloud - as the ground cools in the evening.
• Ridges, amphitheatres and dunes - carved by wind out of the beds.
• Community co-management - the Atacameño owners set the rules.

When to go

Year round, late afternoon into sunset for the light. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Routes are fixed and closing time is enforced - the days of wandering the dunes are over. Sunset viewpoints are crowded with tour vans. There is no water and no shade. Cycling out from San Pedro is uphill in full sun.

Nearby

Valle de la Muerte is next door; San Pedro is east.