"MOON VALLEY + COCKTAIL IN DEATH VALLEY" PREMIUM Tour. Departure from SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

"MOON VALLEY + COCKTAIL IN DEATH VALLEY" PREMIUM Tour

MOON VALLEY & DEATH VALLEY. Discover two of the most spectacular natural landmarks in the heart of the Atacama Desert, where extraordinary geological formations, vast sand dunes, and colorful mountain ranges create landscapes unlike anywhere else on Earth. Located just a few kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama, Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) and Death Valley (Valle de la Muerte) are among Chile's most iconic destinations and are part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve.

Moon Valley owes its name to its striking resemblance to the surface of the moon. Over millions of years, powerful winds, rare rainfall, and intense geological activity have sculpted an incredible landscape of jagged rock formations, salt-covered plains, natural caves, canyons, and towering dunes. Rich in minerals and virtually devoid of vegetation, the valley showcases the remarkable beauty of one of the driest deserts on the planet. As the sun moves across the sky, the terrain transforms into a breathtaking display of golden, orange, red, and violet hues, making it one of the most photographed locations in Chile.

Just beyond Moon Valley lies Death Valley, also known as Mars Valley, a dramatic desert basin surrounded by rugged mountains and some of the largest sand dunes in the Atacama Desert. Its extreme aridity, striking rock formations, and vast open spaces create an impressive scenery that resembles the landscapes of Mars. The valley is renowned for its peaceful atmosphere, spectacular panoramic views, and unique geological features shaped over millions of years by erosion and volcanic activity.

Together, these remarkable valleys offer visitors an unforgettable opportunity to experience the raw beauty and geological diversity of the Atacama Desert. Along the way, you'll witness ancient salt formations, immense dunes, colorful sedimentary layers, and breathtaking viewpoints that reveal the immense scale of this extraordinary landscape. Whether you're passionate about nature, geology, photography, or simply seeking one of South America's most iconic natural wonders, Moon Valley and Death Valley provide an unforgettable journey through one of the most unique desert environments on Earth.

Itinerary

Your adventure begins in the afternoon as you depart from San Pedro de Atacama toward the breathtaking landscapes of Los Flamencos National Reserve, home to the world-famous Moon Valley. This extraordinary destination, shaped by millions of years of wind and erosion, offers a surreal environment of salt formations, dramatic rock formations, vast sand dunes, and colorful canyons that resemble the surface of another planet.
As you explore the valley, you'll visit some of its most iconic landmarks, including the impressive Great Dune, the remarkable Amphitheater, and several panoramic viewpoints that showcase the incredible geological diversity of the Atacama Desert. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating insights into the area's unique geology, history, and the natural forces that have sculpted this spectacular landscape over millions of years.
The journey continues toward the stunning Death Valley, a vast desert basin surrounded by towering mountains and magnificent sand dunes. Known for its rugged beauty and peaceful atmosphere, this remarkable location offers some of the most impressive desert scenery in northern Chile and provides outstanding opportunities for photography.
As the day draws to a close, you'll witness one of the most unforgettable sunsets in the Atacama Desert. The changing light paints the valleys, mountains, and distant volcanoes in brilliant shades of gold, orange, pink, and violet, creating an extraordinary natural spectacle. It is the perfect opportunity to pause, take in the silence of the desert, and admire one of the most beautiful landscapes in South America before returning to San Pedro de Atacama.

Includes

Guide service in Spanish and English.
Pick-up from your accommodation,
Moon Valley and Death 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: 4.00 hours - 4.30 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.