Atacama Desert ToursValle de la Luna Guided Tour
A 4-hour guided run through Valle de la Luna with Feel Atacama: hotel pickup, the Duna Mayor lookout, Las Tres Marías, the Amphitheatre and sunset at Mirador Ckari with a pisco sour. The Valle de la Luna entry ticket is included in the price.
This Valle de la Luna guided tour runs four hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, with the CLP 10,800 park ticket, a cocktail and snacks already in the $63 price. The valley sits about 13 km west of San Pedro de Atacama at 2,400 to 2,600 m, so most people do it as their first tour before anything higher. Below you get the minutes at each stop, the ticket and opening hours, when a guide beats going alone, and what happens on the rare day the valley closes. Every Moon Valley option sits in the Moon Valley tours hub, and the full catalog of Atacama Desert tours is one click away.
- Valle de la Luna entry ticket included in the price
- Duna Mayor, Las Tres Marías, the Amphitheatre and Mirador Ckari
- Sunset with a traditional pisco sour and snacks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in San Pedro
- Four hours from hotel pickup to hotel drop-off
Valle de la Luna Guided Tour: Quick Facts
- Starting price
- $63 per person
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Departure
- Varies by departure
- Hotel pickup
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Languages
- Spanish, English
- Physical difficulty
- Easy to moderate — short walks on uneven ground
- Entrance fees
- Valle de la Luna ticket included
- Food and drinks
- Cocktail and snacks included
- Cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Minimum age
- 1 and over
- Operator
- Feel Atacama
- Booked through
- GetYourGuide
- Park
- Los Flamencos National Reserve, about 13 km from San Pedro
- Last entry
- 17:30 to the reserve
- Group size
- Standard group, up to 100 people
- Sunset stop
- Mirador Ckari, with a pisco sour and snacks
- Bring ID
- The operator asks for a passport or ID card
Prices, availability and terms are set by the operator and confirmed at checkout.
Check Live Availability & Prices
Why Choose This Valle de la Luna Tour
The ticket is in the price, and that is the whole comparison
Valle de la Luna charges 10,800 Chilean pesos per person, and the ticket is sold online by card. Some tours fold it in and some leave you to sort it out yourself.
This tour includes it. That puts the real cost of the day at $63, with no roughly $11 to buy separately. When you line the Moon Valley tours up in one table, that single line reorders them.
Four hours, not five
This is the shortest guided valley tour listed here. That is a genuine trade: less time in the valley than the 4.5- and 5-hour alternatives, and the most common note in its reviews is that the pace can feel brisk when other groups arrive at the same stop.
It suits a day where the valley is not your only plan, a late-afternoon start still leaves the evening free for a stargazing session, which a longer sunset tour does not.
The stops are the valley's greatest hits, in the right light
Duna Mayor gives the wide view over the salt deposits. Las Tres Marías are three salt-and-quartz spires eroded into figures, the classic Atacama photograph, and better in late-afternoon light than at midday. The Amphitheatre is the natural rock bowl. Mirador Ckari is where you stop for sunset, and where the minerals in the rock throw the last light gold, then orange, then violet.
The guide's commentary covers the geology: this was ocean sediment, compressed and lifted and then eroded by salt and wind into what you are standing in.
What to bring on this tour
Preparing properly makes the difference between enjoying the desert and feeling uncomfortable. Essential gear to carry: Passport or ID card, Comfortable shoes, Sunglasses, Hat, Camera, Drinks, Hiking shoes, Sunscreen, Comfortable clothes, Clothes that can get dirty, Outdoor clothing. Dress in layers because morning and evening temperatures drop rapidly while midday sun is intense.
Who this tour is not for
The listing says this tour is not suitable for people with recent surgeries, babies under 1 year or people over 95 years.
What is not allowed
The listing does not allow high-heeled shoes, drones or feeding animals.
Tickets, Hours and Last Entry
The entry ticket is included in this tour, so there is nothing to buy at the gate.
Prices, Tiers and How the Ticket is Sold
General admission is CLP 10,800 (about $11). Ages 12 to 17, students and seniors pay CLP 5,400 (about $5). On this tour the ticket is part of the $63 price. The ticket is sold online by card, and travellers report the entrance kiosks also accept foreign cards. If you buy it yourself, The Traveling Ginger says the official site sells about a week ahead.
Hours matter more if you go alone. Last entry is 17:30 and the reserve is open all year. Walking is on delimited paths only and the speed limit inside is 20 km/h. With a tour, entry and the ride back are handled for you.
| Ticket tier | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | CLP 10,800 (about $11) |
| Ages 12-17, students, seniors | CLP 5,400 (about $5) |
How Long You Need
A short visit runs about 2 hours. Walk all the main trails and you need 3 to 4 hours. This guided tour is built on the shorter side at 4 hours door to door.
Source: San Pedro Atacama, The Traveling Ginger, valledelaluna.com.
How the 4 Hours Break Down
The listing's running order. Start times shift with the season and are given at booking.
-
Pickup
Met at your hotel lobby
The guide collects you in San Pedro de Atacama and the group boards the van. The start time moves through the year to keep the last stop on sunset.
-
Drive
Into the Los Flamencos National Reserve
West out of town toward the Cordillera de la Sal, with the guide setting up the geology of the valley on the way.
-
Stop 1
Duna Mayor lookout
The wide view over the salt deposits spread across the valley floor.
-
Stop 2
Las Tres Marías
A short walking trail out to the three eroded spires, formed by salt and wind rather than water.
-
Stop 3
The Amphitheatre
The natural rock bowl, with views across the valley.
-
Sunset
Mirador Ckari
The final stop for sunset over the desert, with a traditional pisco sour and snacks served.
-
Return
Back through central San Pedro
The tour finishes in the town centre, then transfers you back to your hotel.
The Stops With Minutes and Effort
Valley tours cover similar ground. The difference is how long you get at each stop.
What Each Stop Takes
The Traveling Ginger timed the main stops at about 40 minutes at Duna Mayor, with roughly 10 minutes on top, and 15 minutes at Las Tres Marias. This listing's itinerary names Duna Mayor, Las Tres Marias, the Amphitheatre and the Ckari viewpoint, so the Achaches loop and the salt caves are not part of it. At the Mirador Ckari sunset stop the light keeps working for another 15 to 20 minutes after the sun drops, so do not walk back the moment it sets.
All the walking is on marked paths with a few steep but short climbs. The listing rates the tour easy to moderate, and Wanderlust Chloe says a guide can adapt the pace.
| Stop | Time | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Duna Mayor | 40 min (10 at top) | Short steep climb |
| Las Tres Marias | 15 min | Flat walk |
| Mirador Ckari sunset | 15-20 min afterglow | Viewpoint, no climb |
Crowds and the Order of Stops
Tours from San Pedro tend to run the same route in the same window, so viewpoints bunch up. Sunset at the Ckari viewpoint is the busy moment, and staying 15 to 20 minutes after sunset thins the crowd fast.
Source: The Traveling Ginger, Wanderlust Chloe.
Who This Tour Suits
Good fit
First-time visitors who want the valley's landmarks with a guide, travellers who would rather not deal with buying park tickets online, and anyone planning a stargazing tour the same night.
- You want the entry ticket handled for you
- You have a night tour booked and need the afternoon to finish on time
- You want geology explained rather than just photographed
- Families, the listing accepts children from 1 year old
Look elsewhere if
Four hours is the shortest option, and reviews mention pace and pickup communication.
- You want longer in the valley, the 4.5-hour sunset tour or the 5-hour small-group loop
- You want to stop where you like, the e-bike tour covers the same valley under your own power
- You have had recent surgery, or are travelling with a baby under 1, both are excluded
- You need a small group. The listing allows up to 100
Guide, Self-Drive or Bike
The valley is one of the few big sights you can reach alone from San Pedro, so the choice is real.
The Case for Each Option
The valley is 13 km from town, a 20 to 30 minute drive, and it sits at 2,400 to 2,600 m, the same altitude as San Pedro. No acclimatisation is needed, which is why most itineraries put it first, before El Tatio at about 4,300 m.
Going alone costs only the ticket. But the roads inside are graded gravel with patchy phone coverage, and the real argument for a tour is the ride back: 13 km on an unlit road shared with tour vans after a sunset finish. By bike the same road applies. If you ride, compare the Moon Valley e-bike tour,, which puts the ticket in the fare.
| Option | Ticket | After-dark return |
|---|---|---|
| This guided van tour | Included in $63 | Van, hotel drop-off |
| Self-drive or taxi | CLP 10,800 (about $11) | You drive, unlit road |
| E-bike tour | Included, $125 | Not stated |
Why First in Your Week
Because the whole reserve sits at town altitude, this is the standard day-one or day-two tour while your body adjusts. Save the lagoons at about 4,000-4,200 m and the El Tatio geysers for later in the week. The how many days you need guide sets out a full ladder.
Source: Atacama Chile Tours.
Where Valle de la Luna Sits
Who Runs and Sells This Tour
- Operated by
- Feel Atacama
- Booking handled by
- GetYourGuide
- Payment taken by
- GetYourGuide
- Cancellation terms set by
- The operator, through GetYourGuide
Feel Atacama also runs the El Tatio geysers sunrise tour listed here.
We do not sell this tour, take payment for it, or set its terms. We list it, check its published details, and link to the platform that handles the booking. If you book through that link we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Traveler Rating and Editorial View
Traveler rating
4.5/5
from 441 GetYourGuide reviews
GetYourGuide's own summary of recent reviews: travellers highlight the informative guides, the valley views and the sunset picnic, while some say earlier and clearer pickup communication would help.
- Value for money8/10The included park ticket is worth about $11 and closes most of the gap to cheaper tours.
- Itinerary quality7/10All the landmarks, but four hours is the tightest schedule of the valley tours.
- Operator transparency7/10Inclusions are clear. A group of up to 100 and no stated departure time.
- Cancellation flexibility9/10Free cancellation 24h, plus reserve-now-pay-later.
- Included services8/10Ticket, pickup, drop-off, guide, cocktail and snacks.
- Traveler feedback7/104.5 from 441 reviews, a solid sample, with pace and pickup timing the repeated complaints.
What to Bring
Sun first, cold second
You are at altitude in an extremely dry desert, walking on light-coloured salt that reflects everything back at you, and then the temperature drops the moment the sun goes down.
- Passport or ID card, the operator asks for it
- SPF 50+, sunglasses and a hat for the afternoon
- Closed shoes with grip for the short trails. Clothes you do not mind getting dusty
- A jacket or fleece for after sunset
- Water, the valley has no facilities to buy any
Similar Moon Valley Tours
The other ways into the same valley, at different lengths and price points.
Valle de la Luna Sunset Tour
The classic Atacama afternoon: salt caves, the Great Dune and an unforgettable sunset over Moon Valley’s lunar landscape.
- Category
- Landscape & Nature Tours
- Pickup
- Hotel pickup
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- PUKARUMI TRAVEL AGENCY
“A lovely wander through the lunar landscape of the Atacama Desert and a sunset platter and drinks. A perfect end to the day.” — Sharon
Moon Valley Sunset Tour
A loop through Valle de la Luna's viewpoints in a standard group of up to 15, ending at sunset over the Cordillera de la Sal. Suits travelers who want the park ticket in the price.
- Category
- Landscape & Nature Tours
- Pickup
- Hotel pickup
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Inspires Viagens
“We caught the last light from the dune ridge and the whole valley turned gold and pink. Our guide timed every stop perfectly.” — Claire
Moon Valley E-Bike Tour
32 km of desert single-track through the Salt Mountain Range on a 350W e-bike, on terrain the minibus tours never reach.
- Category
- Adventure Tours
- Pickup
- Hotel pickup
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- On Safari Atacama
“Juan was amazing - he told me all about the history of the area, the feology, and we saw some incredible views & took some great pics.” — Claudia
Questions About the Valle de la Luna Guided Tour
Is the Valle de la Luna entrance fee included?
Yes. The 10,800 CLP entry ticket is listed among the inclusions on this tour, so you do not need to buy it separately online. Not every Moon Valley tour does this, the comparison table shows which ones include it and which leave it to you.
How long does this tour take?
Four hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, which makes it the shortest guided valley tour listed here. The alternatives run 4.5 and 5 hours and spend correspondingly longer inside the valley.
What is the pisco sour stop?
At Mirador Ckari, the last stop of the tour, the guide serves a traditional pisco sour with snacks while the group watches the sun go down over the desert. It is included in the price.
How much walking is involved?
Short trails rather than hikes, the walk out to Las Tres Marías and around the viewpoints. The ground is uneven and dusty, so closed shoes matter. The listing excludes travellers with recent surgeries and babies under one year, but sets no fitness requirement beyond that.
Can I do this tour and a stargazing tour on the same day?
Yes, and it is the main practical argument for the four-hour version. It finishes shortly after sunset, which leaves the night free. Longer valley tours end late enough that a stargazing pickup the same evening becomes tight. The stargazing comparison lists what runs after dark.
How long do you need at Valle de la Luna?
A short visit takes about 2 hours and walking all the main trails takes 3 to 4 hours. This guided tour runs 4 hours door to door including transport from San Pedro, which covers the headline stops and a sunset finish without eating your whole evening. See the stops and minutes section for the detail.
Do you need tickets for Valle de la Luna?
Yes, everyone pays the CLP 10,800 (about $11) entrance or a reduced CLP 5,400 rate. The ticket is sold online by card and entrance kiosks reportedly accept foreign cards. On this guided tour the ticket is already in the $63 price, which is the main thing to check against any cheaper listing. The ticket section has the full breakdown.
Can you visit Valle de la Luna on your own?
Yes. The valley is 13 km west of San Pedro, about a 20 to 30 minute drive, and independent visitors can stay for sunset, with last entry at 17:30. The drawbacks are gravel roads with patchy coverage and the unlit night drive back. The guide or alone section compares every option.
What happens if Valle de la Luna is closed?
The reserve can be closed on the day. One recent reviewer of this tour was moved to Vallecito instead. A guided booking gets rerouted, while self-drivers on fixed dates risk losing the day. Details are in the closure section.
When the Valley Closes
The reserve can be closed on the day, and what happens next depends on how you booked.
A Closure Day and the Vallecito Swap
On one recent closure a verified traveller on this tour reported that the guide switched the group to Vallecito. A guided booking handles that swap for you. Self-driving on a fixed day risks losing the ticket day if the gates are shut, which is the strongest reason to take the guided version when your dates are rigid.
See the best month to visit for the weather picture.
Source: GetYourGuide listing.
What Travelers Say
An excellent tour to Moon Valley, our guide was Lukas, who provided thorough explanation regarding of the place, very dedicated to his job, eager to show around the place. Definitely recommended!
Kai is a great, laid back guide. The tour was well organized and the views are fantastic. I have learned so much about Chilean geology. We ended a day with a lovely picnic and watching a sunset. Highly recommend!
Our guide Andres was wonderful, he was so energetic and fun the whole time and made sure to talk to everyone in the group. I don't know how he does it everyday but this is clearly the perfect job for him :D I liked the tour, the views and explanations were amazing. At times it maybe felt a bit rushed when there were other groups coming in, but also it meant that mostly we got to stay only with our group with no other people around, which was a big plus. I would recommend this tour to others.
Prices, availability and terms are set by the operator and confirmed at checkout.
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