Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Moon Valley. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Half-Day Tour to Valle de la Luna

• Tour to the Valley of the Moon, San Pedro de Atacama

• Multi-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama with Pickup

• Small-Group Tour to Moon Valley from San Pedro de Atacama

• 3-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama

Admission tickets to the Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) cost 10,800 Chilean pesos for adults, and 5,400 pesos for children (11 to 17 years) and seniors (over 60 years). Children under 11 years can visit for free. If you don’t wish to explore independently, come on a guided tour; group tours start at US$37 per person.

Yes, the Moon Valley is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the Atacama Desert, including unearthly desert landscapes, dramatic natural rock formations, and a gigantic sand dune. You'll need a car to get to and around the vast site, so if you don't have your own wheels, it's best to take a tour that includes pickup from San Pedro de Atacama.

Per one customer who booked the Half Day Tour to Valle de la Luna, "The Half Day Tour to Valle de la Luna was absolutely incredible! The landscapes were out of this world — dramatic rock formations, sweeping dunes, and a beautiful sunset. Everything was well organized and ran smoothly, giving us plenty of time to take in the views and enjoy the experience. An unforgettable tour and a must-do while in the Atacama!"

Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) is an area of Chile's Atacama Desert known for its moon-like landscape (hence the name). Its geologic formations make it a great place to explore, and many people head up here to take in views from the Valley's aptly named Big Dune.

Moon Valley is roughly 11 miles (17 kilometers) west of San Pedro de Atacama, where most visitors stay. As the area doesn't have much public transportation, most people visit by car, either independently or as part of a guided tour of the Atacama Desert’s highlights.

The best time to visit Moon Valley is in the late afternoon, when the sun begins to set, casting beautiful light over the valley's formations. People often watch the sunset from the Big Dune, and Moon Valley is usually the last stop on multi-attraction tours of the desert.

Yes, many guided tours, including small-group and private tours, are available to explore Moon Valley. Most last about half a day and typically stop at other popular attractions in the area, including the Tres Marías rock formations and the Atacama Salt Lake (Salar de Atacama).

When visiting Moon Valley, wear comfortable, close-toed shoes that can withstand rough terrain. Sun protection, sunscreen, lip balm, and moisturizer are also handy to combat the sun and dry air. It's also wise to pack layers, especially if you plan to visit on a sunset tour, as temperatures dip dramatically after dark.

There are many spots near Moon Valley worth visiting, and most Atacama Desert tours stop at a few of the area's top attractions before or after visiting Moon Valley. These include the geothermal fumaroles known as El Tatio Geysers, the flamingo-rich Los Flamencos National Reserve, and the Puritama Hot Springs.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Moon Valley. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around San Pedro de Atacama:

• El Tatio Geysers

• Chaxa Lagoon (Laguna Chaxa)

• Rainbow Valley (Valle del Arcoiris)

• Cejar Lagoon (Laguna Cejar)

• Altiplanic Lagoons

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in San Pedro de Atacama.