Valle de la Luna, Desert valley in Atacama region, Chile
The Valle de la Luna spans across the Cordillera de la Sal, displaying mineral formations shaped through millennia by wind and extreme temperature variations.
Scientists selected this location in 1982 to test Mars exploration vehicles due to its geological similarities with the red planet's surface.
The indigenous Atacama people conducted ceremonies in this valley, considering its salt formations and caves as sacred natural monuments.
Visitors need to reserve entrance tickets 24 hours in advance and bring water supplies, as temperatures reach 40°C during summer days.
The valley contains dry lakes covered in white salt deposits that create patterns resembling the surface of the moon when viewed from above.
Location: San Pedro de Atacama
GPS coordinates: -22.93162,-68.30872
Latest update: May 27, 2025 07:00
South American monuments of historical value, including pre-Columbian sites, colonial architecture and modern structures. The monuments include fortresses, churches, archaeological sites and public squares
Brazil features natural areas and local sites beyond major cities. The landscape spans from waterfalls and caves to coastal regions and mountains. National parks contain sand formations, lagoons, and coral reefs. Cultural places include traditional villages and historical sites.
Atacama Large Millimeter Array
57.8 km
Licancabur
45.1 km
Los Flamencos National Reserve
92.4 km
Llano de Chajnantor Observatory
56 km
Toconao
42.2 km
Atacama Cosmology Telescope
53.5 km
Atacama Pathfinder Experiment
56.9 km
Pukará de Quitor
10.7 km
University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory
58.4 km
Simons Observatory
53.5 km
POLARBEAR
53.6 km
Q/U Imaging ExperimenT
57.1 km
Sairecábur
49 km
Cerro Toco
54.7 km
Cosmic Background Imager
56.7 km
Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor
53.6 km
Purico Complex
51.2 km
Atacama B-Mode Search
53.6 km
Catarpe
14.3 km
Juriques
50.6 km
Meteor Museum
11.3 km
Cerro del Quimal
41.1 km
Campanario de Toconao
42.3 km
Escalante
56.2 km
Cerro Chaxas
38.3 km
Simons Array
53.6 km
Cerro Jorquencal
46.1 km
San Pedro de Atacama
11.4 kmReviews
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