Valley of the Moon tour: San Pedro de Atacama private transport

Salt mountains and wind-carved rock formations rise where the Andes once pressed the valley floor apart.

A four to five hour tour of Moon Valley near San Pedro de Atacama in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a live guide in English or Spanish, stopping to walk among crystallized salt formations, giant rock sculptures and dune lookouts across the Atacama basin. The guide times the visit to avoid crowds and catch the best light. A light 10 to 15 minute hike reaches the Big Dune overlook for views across the entire reserve. Pickup from your hotel is included. Bottled water and a moderate level of fitness are required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Moon Valley and Surroundings

• Drive through national reserve
• Stop and walk to see arid scenery
• Visit Moon Valley and Amphitheater
• See The Big Dune and Andes background
• Visit natural sculpture "The Three Maries"
• Light hike to Big Dune lookout
• View Atacama salt flat basin
• Return to San Pedro de Atacama

The experience

Four to five hours gives you time to move through the national reserve without rushing. You'll drive past arid terrain, sand dunes and sedimentary rock walls, stopping to walk among the crystallized salt formations that give the valley its otherworldly look. The Amphitheater and the Big Dune are the named landmarks (massive natural features that frame the Andes in the distance), and a formation called the Three Maries sits at the far end of the reserve.

The light hiking happens on the way back: a 10 to 15 minute walk up to the Big Dune lookout where you can see the entire Moon Valley spread below. From there you drive to a second overlook facing the Atacama salt flat, where the view stretches 100 kilometers across the basin before you return to San Pedro. Your guide chooses the timing to catch the best light and avoid the crowds, and adjusts the route if you want to hike more or prefer to stay in the vehicle.

Private transportation means you're not waiting for other groups or following a fixed schedule. The air-conditioned vehicle picks you up from your hotel, so you don't need to arrange your own way out to the reserve. Water is provided throughout the day.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from your San Pedro de Atacama hotel.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (2 and older) · Infant (under 2)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 31 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot for heart conditions

Operated by Sublime Travel

Is this one for you?The private vehicle picks you up from your hotel, so you don't need a car or a way to reach the reserve on your own. The guide adjusts the timing and route to match whether you want to hike more or prefer to stay mostly in the vehicle.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much walking is involved in the Valley of the Moon tour?

The main hike is a light 10 to 15 minute walk to the Big Dune lookout. The rest of the day is driving and short stops to view formations from the car or walk a few steps to a viewpoint. You'll need a moderate level of fitness.

What is the Amphitheater in Moon Valley?

The Amphitheater is a huge natural rock formation inside the national reserve that gives Moon Valley its name. It's one of the main stops on the tour where you'll see the scale of the salt and sedimentary layers.

Does the tour include hotel pickup in San Pedro de Atacama?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in San Pedro is included. The vehicle is air-conditioned and the guide speaks English or Spanish.

What time of day does the guide choose for the tour?

Your guide times the visit to catch the best light for viewing and photography, and to avoid crowds. The exact start time is arranged based on what works for you and the conditions that day.