Valle de la Luna, Protected natural area in La Paz, Bolivia.
Valle de la Luna is a 15-hectare protected municipal area between Mallasa and Aranjuez, about 10 km south of downtown La Paz. Erosion of clay and sandstone has left craters, ditches, spires and caves, described as a desert of stalagmites or white chimneys. The slopes vary from beige to almost red with dark violet sections.
Erosion processes over centuries removed the upper sections of the mountain and shaped the clay soils into the current landscape. The area was later designated as a protected space to preserve the geological features.
The name was given by Neil Armstrong, who visited La Paz in 1969 and saw a resemblance to the lunar surface. Each 2 November the area hosts Day of the Dead celebrations, and on the night of 23 June, Saint John's Eve, the municipality organises night walks; since 2017 these have included large replicas of Star Wars spaceships, and in 2018 El Alto's symphony played film music alongside rock groups and DJs.
The protected area sits about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from downtown La Paz and offers walking paths and viewpoints for exploring. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the trails can be uneven and the altitude requires effort.
The valley's Quechua name, Killa Qhichwa, means Moon Valley. On Saint John's Eve, June 23, the municipality organizes night walks; since 2017 these have included large-scale replicas of Star Wars spaceships, and in 2018 the El Alto symphony played film music there.
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