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Small-Group Tour to Moon Valley in Flamencos National Reserve from San Pedro de Atacama
Day Trips

Small-Group Tour to Moon Valley in Flamencos National Reserve from San Pedro de Atacama

by Say Hueque Travel

4-5 hours
San Pedro de Atacama
$58.50$65 on ViatorSave 10%/person
From
$58.50$65 on ViatorSave 10%per person

Overview

This small-group bus tour lasts about 4 to 5 hours and starts in San Pedro de Atacama in the afternoon. The trip heads into the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places in the world, focusing on geological formations shaped by clay and salt. The tour takes you inside the Flamencos National Reserve to visit Moon Valley, a natural area known for landscapes that resemble the moon’s surface. Within the reserve, you will see the Salt Mountain Range and visit various viewpoints including the Amphitheatre, a rock and salt formation more than 40 meters high. You will also stop at Las Tres Marías, where natural sculptures formed from salt and mud stand as female-shaped guardians of the area. After that, there is a walk on the Great Dune, which offers views of the Andes, the Domeyko mountain range, and the Salt Mountain Range. On the return to San Pedro de Atacama, the tour pauses at Kari lookout point (Piedra del Coyote) at 2,550 meters above sea level to watch the sunset and see how the desert colors change. However, note that the Kari viewpoint is currently closed for safety, so the sunset is viewed from a safe nearby location chosen by the guide. The tour includes bilingual driver-guide assistance and air conditioning in the vehicle. Entrance fees, gratuities, and hotel pickup or drop-off are not included.

Highlights

Visit Moon Valley inside Flamencos National Reserve
See Salt Mountain Range and Amphitheatre formation
Stop at Las Tres Marías natural clay and salt sculptures
Walk on Great Dune with views of Andes and Domeyko range
Sunset at Kari lookout point or nearby safe location
Tour includes bilingual driver-guide and air-conditioned vehicle

What's included

Air conditioning inside the vehicle
Assistance from a bilingual driver-guide

What's not included

Gratuities for the guide and driver
Entrance fees to the reserve and sites
Hotel pickup and drop-off (available only on Private tours)

Itinerary

1

San Pedro de Atacama

The tour starts in the afternoon from San Pedro de Atacama. You will travel into the Atacama Desert, known as one of the driest and most hostile places on earth. The journey begins with views of geological formations created by the unique combination of clay and salt.

20 min

2

Reserva Nacional de Flamencos

Inside the Flamencos National Reserve lies Moon Valley, a natural sanctuary with landscapes that resemble the lunar surface. This area is well-known worldwide for its unusual terrain.

3

Valle De La Luna

At Moon Valley, you will spend about three hours exploring the Salt Mountain Range and several viewpoints. Among them is the Amphitheatre, a rock and salt formation over 40 meters tall, resembling Roman architecture and visible from miles away.

180 min

4

Las Tres Marías

As you approach Las Tres Marías, salt and mud formations shaped by natural forces become visible. These statues appear as female guardians and show the delicate nature of the clay in this area.

10 min

5

Great Dune

You will walk on the Great Dune for about an hour. From here, you can see the Andes Mountains, the Domeyko mountain range, and the Salt Mountain Range.

60 min

6

Mirador de Kari, Piedra del Coyote

On the return trip, there is a 20-minute stop at Kari lookout point, also called Piedra del Coyote, located at 2,550 meters above sea level. This spot offers panoramic views of the Salt Mountain Range and the canyon formed by water, wind, and temperature. Currently, Kari viewpoint is closed for safety, so the sunset is observed from a nearby safe location selected by the guide.

20 min

7

San Pedro de Atacama

The tour ends with a 40-minute drive back to San Pedro de Atacama. The schedule and order of visits may vary depending on operational conditions.

40 min

Meeting point

The exact meeting point will be provided on your confirmation (downtown area) Winter departure 3:00 p.m. / Summer departure 4:00 p.m. *Exact departure time will be confirmed after booking Drop off at downtown area.

End point

The exact meeting point will be provided on your confirmation (downtown area) Winter departure 3:00 p.m. / Summer departure 4:00 p.m. *Exact departure time will be confirmed after booking Drop off at downtown area.

Languages

English (guide)Spanish (guide)

Cancellation policy

  • Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.

Additional info

Up to 14 travelers
Mobile ticket
Not advised during pregnancy
Not advised for anyone with a heart condition
Suitable for all fitness levels
Passport name, number, and nationality are required when booking for all travelers.
Hotel name must be provided in the Special Requirements box to complete passenger forms.
Participants should bring closed or trekking shoes, a jacket, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, and optionally snacks.
The tour has easy difficulty with some slope on the Great Dune.
Accommodation details are necessary at booking to complete park entry information.
Flights on the same day as the tour are not recommended.
Meeting point and schedule may change slightly for operational reasons.
Pregnant women are not allowed to join this tour.
Kari Viewpoint is currently closed for safety; sunset is viewed from a safe alternative location.
People with hypertension, edema, or embolism must have medical authorization.
The height will reach 2550 meters above sea level, so some individuals might experience altitude sickness.
Minimum age to join the tour is 7 years old.

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Total
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