"MOON VALLEY" PREMIUM Tour. Departure from SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

"MOON VALLEY" PREMIUM Tour

MOON VALLEY (VALLE DE LA LUNA) – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA, CHILE. Journey into one of the Atacama Desert's most iconic natural wonders, where dramatic geological formations, towering sand dunes, salt-covered landscapes, and vibrant mountain ranges create an environment unlike anywhere else on Earth. Located just a short drive from San Pedro de Atacama, Moon Valley is one of Chile's most celebrated attractions and forms part of the protected Los Flamencos National Reserve.

Its name comes from the remarkable resemblance of its terrain to the surface of the Moon. Over millions of years, powerful winds, tectonic activity, and the desert's extreme climate have sculpted a breathtaking landscape of jagged rock formations, natural amphitheaters, deep canyons, expansive salt deposits, and rolling dunes. The near absence of vegetation, combined with mineral-rich soils, enhances the valley's otherworldly appearance and highlights the raw beauty of the world's driest non-polar desert. Throughout the day, the scenery changes dramatically as the sunlight illuminates the landscape from different angles. Shades of gold, orange, crimson, pink, and violet gradually transform the mountains and rock formations, creating one of the most spectacular sunset experiences in Chile and making Moon Valley a paradise for photographers and nature lovers alike.

Exploring Moon Valley offers an unforgettable opportunity to discover the geological diversity and extraordinary scenery of the Atacama Desert. Visitors can admire ancient salt formations, impressive sand dunes, colorful sedimentary layers, and panoramic viewpoints that reveal the vastness and beauty of this remarkable desert environment. Whether you are passionate about geology, photography, outdoor adventure, or simply wish to experience one of South America's most extraordinary natural landscapes, Moon Valley promises an unforgettable journey through a destination where millions of years of natural forces have created one of the planet's most fascinating and awe-inspiring desert environments.

Itinerary

Your excursion begins in the afternoon with a scenic drive from San Pedro de Atacama to the spectacular Los Flamencos National Reserve, where the legendary Moon Valley awaits. Renowned for its striking resemblance to a lunar landscape, this remarkable desert has been shaped over millions of years by wind, erosion, and geological activity, creating an extraordinary setting of salt flats, towering dunes, rugged cliffs, and sculpted rock formations.
Throughout the tour, you will discover some of the valley's most iconic attractions, including the majestic Great Dune, the impressive Amphitheater, and several panoramic viewpoints that reveal the immense beauty and geological diversity of the Atacama Desert. As you explore these unique landscapes, your guide will explain the fascinating natural history of the region and the powerful forces that transformed this ancient terrain into one of Chile's most celebrated natural wonders.
The experience reaches its highlight at sunset, when the desert comes alive with an ever-changing palette of colors. As the sun slowly disappears behind the Andes, the surrounding mountains, valleys, and distant volcanoes glow in vibrant shades of gold, amber, pink, orange, and violet. This magical moment offers the perfect opportunity to appreciate the peaceful silence of the desert, capture unforgettable photographs, and enjoy one of the most spectacular sunsets in South America before returning to San Pedro de Atacama.

Includes

Guide service in Spanish and English.
Pick-up from your accommodation,
Moon Valley entrance fee.
Cocktail.

Note: Our PREMIUM collective excursion service provides personalized attention and the expertise of highly experienced tour guides, designed for groups from 1 up to a maximum of 9 passengers. This tour operates daily with a minimum of 2 passengers.

Does not include

Tips and gratuities.
Professional guide in French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. If you would like a guide in these languages, please request one in advance and pay an extra fee, subject to availability.
Other services not described in the program.

Estimated Schedule:

Pick-up: Between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM from accommodations located within the urban area of San Pedro de Atacama.
Estimated Return: Approximately 7:00 PM, subject to weather conditions, road conditions, visit durations, and daily operational coordination.
Approximate Duration: 3.30 hours - 4.00 hours.

Transportation available for this excursion:

1 to 4 passengers: Toyota Hiace, Toyota 4Runner, or Toyota Hilux.
5 to 7 passengers: Toyota Hiace or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
8 to 12 passengers: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. (Shared services accommodate a maximum of 9 passengers.)

Availability:

This excursion does not operate with daily departures, as tour availability depends on several factors, including seasonal weather conditions, actual availability and minimum passenger requirements.

December 25 and January 1: The excursion does not operate due to national holidays.

Reservation Deadline:

We strongly recommend booking this excursion as early as possible. Ideally, reservations should be confirmed at least 10 days prior to the scheduled departure date, with no further reconfirmation required.
As the operation of this excursion is subject to daily availability and operational conditions, bookings made less than 10 days before departure will be subject to confirmation. In such cases, the local operator reserves the right to decline the reservation if the minimum number of participants required to operate the excursion is not met.

Important Note:

Our agency strongly recommends that passengers follow an appropriate sightseeing schedule based on altitude levels. This gradual acclimatization helps the body adapt more comfortably to the region’s elevation and significantly reduces the risk of altitude-related discomfort during the trip. We recommend the following:

High-altitude excursions should be scheduled from the second day of your stay onward. Our suggested order is: Piedras Rojas & Altiplanic Lagoons first, followed by El Tatio Geysers, and finally the Salt Flats Route, which reaches the highest elevations.
For passengers continuing their journey to Uyuni, we strongly recommend completing at least two high-altitude excursions in San Pedro de Atacama before traveling to Bolivia in order to facilitate proper acclimatization.
For volcano ascents, we recommend a minimum of three full days of acclimatization in San Pedro de Atacama. Guests should ideally complete the region’s higher-altitude excursions before attempting trekking activities such as Cerro Toco or Láskar Volcano.

Following these recommendations will help ensure a safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable experience while exploring the Atacama Desert and the surrounding Altiplano region.

Notes:

Level of difficulty: LOW.
Maximum elevation during the excursion: 2,250 m.a.s.l. (meters above sea level).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Basic fitness level is sufficient. No trekking experience required. Suitable for most active travelers.
Recommended minimum age: There is no official regulation that prohibits or restricts minors from participating in this excursion. However, our agency does not recommend the participation of infants or young children due to the long travel distances, the nature of the terrain, the desert's weather conditions, and the limited access to medical facilities, as the nearest hospital is located approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from San Pedro de Atacama.
Children's rates: No special child fare applies. Under Chilean law, all minors must travel using an approved child restraint system or safety seat, occupying an individual seat inside the vehicle. Therefore, all children are charged the full adult fare.
The activity takes place in a remote area with no shelter or restroom facilities available. Weather conditions may change rapidly, and stop durations may vary accordingly.
Excursion days and schedules may vary depending on the season, weather conditions, and the groups forming.
The pickup and return times depend on the season and will be confirmed upon booking confirmation.

Ratebook are express in US Dollars (USD) and may be changed without prior notice.
Services and programs may be changed or cancelled in its execution, sequence and contents; in order to offer a better service, or due to extreme conditions or majeure force reasons.
This tour operates with a minimum number of passengers., Holiplus will reconfirm 48 hours before departure. If the supplier decides to cancel, for reasons of force majeure or adverse weather conditions, Holiplus will offer an alternative tour or fully refund the cost of your trip.
This tour will not run on the following dates: December 25 to January 1.
The client must be aware that that modifications in the original booking may generate changes on the final quotation.
SIB: Transfer and excursion services shared with other passengers.
Holiplus will try to avoid cancellation charges, the client must accept expenses incurred and charges established by the supplier, which may add be up to 100% of the original.
No show policy: 24 hours before the start of the tour: 100%.

DOCUMENTATION:

It is the responsibility of each passenger to carry the relevant documents for the proper completion of their trip.
Passengers must be informed and prepared to comply with visa, vaccination, and other regulations specific to the countries they are visiting.
Therefore, passengers must bear the costs incurred due to non-compliance or misinformation regarding entry and mobility regulations within the different countries they are traveling to. In the case of Chilean and foreign passengers, they must present their foreign documentation, otherwise, VAT corresponding to 19% of the fare will be charged directly to the passenger.

CANCELLATION AND NO-SHOW POLICY:

For Individual Services (Up to 8 people)

Cancellations made up to 16 days before the start of the trip: No penalty applies.
Cancellations made between 15 and 9 days before the start of the trip: A penalty of 25% of the total reservation amount applies.
Cancellations made between 8 and 0 days prior to the start of the trip: A penalty of 100% of the total reservation value applies.
No-Shows: If a passenger fails to appear at the designated time and place, the service will be considered rendered, and no refund will be issued.

For Group Services (9 or more people)

Cancellations made up to 47 days prior to the start of the trip: No penalty applies.
Cancellations made between 46 and 32 days prior to the start of the trip: A penalty of 25% of the total reservation value applies.
Cancellations made between 31 and 0 days prior to the start of the trip: A penalty of 100% of the total reservation value applies.
No-Shows: If a passenger fails to appear at the designated time and place, the service will be considered rendered, and no refund will be issued.
Cancellations due to the passenger’s health condition will only be eligible for a refund upon presentation of a medical certificate issued by the corresponding CESFAM (Family Health Center).
Rescheduling requests are subject to availability.