San Pedro de Atacama’s Valle de la Luna: A Tour Worth the Hype?
Alright, so you are planning a trip to San Pedro de Atacama and are maybe thinking about doing the Valle de la Luna tour? That’s a great question, really! It is super famous, that’s for sure, yet, is it something you should really spend your money on? Well, having been there and taken the tour, I wanted to give you my very own take on this experience, the things I thought were nice, what could be better, and what tasty snacks to look forward to.
What is the Valle de la Luna Exactly?
Essentially, Valle de la Luna, or Moon Valley, is this spot really nearby San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. What makes it worth looking at, that way, is that the scenery! Over lots of time, wind and water shaped the place, too. So it now looks more like the moon than earth, actually, with odd rock shapes, large sand dunes, and those very cool salt formations.
Why This Spot is a Must-See?
Why visit the Valle de la Luna then? The views! So think sunsets there that are mind blowing, spots ideal for picture taking, and really that sense of wonder that makes the journey unique. Plus, just about any tour you’d take will bring light snacks so you have that going for you, which means it could be an appealing thing after a busy day!
Booking Your Tour: How and Where
Alright, so about booking? Well, you have options. You can certainly wait ’til you show up in San Pedro and then look to do it, or book the tour early to just get it off your to-do list. There are also various local companies all about town, as well, yet going early via the web allows you time to check prices, read the written reviews, that way!
What Sorts of Tours Are Offered?
Valle de la Luna tour styles? Standard ones are common and usually take half a day – you leave at lunch time and go ’til sunset. Some groups have specialized photograph tours to catch the sun, really. Plus, others will bring you on bike, so you get a cool outdoors workout at the same time!
Tour Costs: So What to Anticipate
How much might it cost then, well? Okay, so a common tour will be $20 to $30 USD. Know, still, that national park entrance charges often aren’t in what the firms tell you. So double check those things ahead to avoid unexpected fees that bum you out at the ticket counter.
Tour Day: Things to Look Forward to Seeing
Alright, tour day! It has spots that stand out to look for; keep your phone or cameras just set! They usually plan several stops. The place really can make one imagine he has actually stepped onto some other world, sort of.
Las Tres Marías: Stone Wonders
So “Las Tres Marías” translates to “The Three Marys”, okay. These are odd rock parts that look like persons that are old. Sadly, you know, one rock part fell because visitors hurt it, really. So, in some respects, see them, then respect all the area rules!
Duna Mayor: Amazing Sunset Lookout Spots
Another spot that folks visit and like: Duna Mayor, also, the main Dune! Going up needs a little bit of working at, alright, however from the very top you will spot everything around so beautifully, that’s for sure, it is ideal when sundown begins.
Anfiteatro: Is It From Another World?
Consider the Anfiteatro now! So what it appears to be, actually, is a large place surrounded by rock. Its shape really looks odd making it amazing for photos which everyone likes to snap a million of. Many describe it very much like one would picture the Moon. Also it seems like this location might just appear in the movie “Dune”.
Snack Review: Eating Well in the Desert
The snacks! How can we go without it! So I am honest, I have been so psyched in this area because, you know, I heard tour firms generally bring stuff!
What Typical Snacks Might You Spot?
Just maybe you may spot: juice, that’s quite nice. Also cookies! Those often come along when you are super tired after having just worked up all those rocks! What also can happen is to find some Chilean sweets also, okay, something like alfajores — they melt right inside!
Consider Those Sundown Drinks
I spotted it once; several companies bring what they label sundown cocktails with either local vino or perhaps a Pisco sour, and it will feel fantastic actually when drinking even though the light gets fainter, still.
So What if I’ve Food needs to Consider?
Keep that, alright, many trips aren’t very careful with such considerations. If you happen to have unique eats that are necessary, telling your tour guide very, very early tends to be smart in my experience so as to handle it easily.
Taking Pictures at Valle de la Luna
The photo ops in Moon Valley? The kind one cannot easily leave aside!
The Best Times so One Can Take Shots
Aim that way when golden hours draw around as sun makes it really amazing — every rock shape appears alive very then!
Gear That Fits the Spot?
About tools then? Using an excellent lens on any SLR can make it very exciting. Plus that wide angle makes landscape areas appear extremely grand also.
Tips So One Can Take Unique Photos
Tips, then? Move often; areas tend to change. Maybe see just whether dark versus brightness improves views as it adjusts also what appears great!
Items You Might Have With You
Ok, the stuff. Really what matters one brings so their day passes by wonderfully? It’s mostly desert products that will assist.
Sun Defense Is Actually Key
UV gets intense; the area will damage pale things. Lather tons onto anything exposed!
Carry Fluids In a Way
Air stays really dried over places; bring liquid when leaving. Should one go there that is simply wonderful which feels satisfying every moment you choose any amount along!
Clothes Should Be Suitable and Good To Use Too
Layers will do okay then simply like always to manage cooling in periods like these! Perhaps carry good strong shoes so any ground will turn out to suit better just so that something great never causes you all sorts issues.
Other Atacama Trips You Want to Check Out
While “Valle de Luna” sounds great then check closely for others! Place has such wonder.
Lagunas Altiplánicas
Lagunas Altiplanicas, such as Miscanti along Miniques — beautiful pools surrounded over mountain peaks!
Geysers del Tatio
El Tatio: That spot where they spout lots whenever it will be fairly brisk as mornings dawn then happens as something that everyone really would treasure by getting into such locations!
Stargazing Visits Are Important!
Air keeps nice also that lights decrease: making seeing star arrangements easier simply from space, so go when chance permits whenever that becomes simply easy also awesome.
My Conclusion: What I Think of Valle de Luna
Fine — “Valle de Luna?” It’s great though really maybe simply consider timing stuff properly against budget things that are required. Simply going really might prove wonderful although it does depend just a bit of how anyone sees every area!
- See that one chooses visits really depending mostly with preferences on sights, or perhaps that style too.
- Try checking whether climate seems reasonable as periods happen so strongly.
- Be good! Treat every zone fairly. Make things really great which tends on better actions too!
Atacama desert feels great because it has spots; those make anything quite incredible just at the places people end by choosing when exploring around as they turn happy also thankful which should simply lead anything very lovely eventually!!
Hopefully, my experience assists anybody wishing see everything concerning one wonder from planet — or simply at minimum gives helpful material which helps greatly when finding times so great which should mostly improve any individual’s happy experience totally!