Valle de Luna is located 13 Km from San Pedro de Atacama, named because of its rock and sand formations which are said to resemble the moon.
This is the most famous tour from San Pedro and there are literally a hundred companies offering the tour. The first stop, on the one we chose, was a walk through a salt cave.
We all got stuck half way, on the way out a girl had fell and split her head open halting everyone in their tracks. We hope she was okay. As we climbed past her and out of the cave we came upon the salt landscape, weathered by the yearly rains this landscape did look moon like.
Next up our tour guide drove us to the Tres Marias, though it should have probably been called the Dos Marias as some idiot had recently climbed on one and sent it crumbling to the earth.
It was another 45 minute drive in the bus before we had the chance to climb upwards out of the valley, this time by foot, with most people struggling due to the altitude.
It was worth it as the views were out of this world, though I’m tempted to say more like Mars than the moon.
We could see the salt on the valley floor
A snaking sand dune just waiting to be trampled on.
And some nice rock formations.
On the way down we got to watch vertigo induced people struggle with their fears, once we were all safely down we took to the bus again to find a spot to watch the sunset a fitting end to the tour.
