San Pedro de Atacama- Valle de la Luna

South America » Chile » Antofagasta Region » San Pedro de Atacama
October 9th 2013

Published: November 24th 2013

Valle de la Luna, otherwise known as Moon Valley, is located about 13km west of San Pedro. It is part of the Reserva Nacional los Flamencos which is divided into a number of areas. More about that in the next blog. One of the driest places on earth, it is claimed that some areas of the valley haven't seen a drop of rain in hundreds of years. I was lucky enough to join Miri, Sergi and their ne... Read Full Entry

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Susan Storr

Sue Treadie

This blog was started in 2006 when I embarked on a new life adventure teaching English in China. It was a wonderful, enriching and enlightening experience. Many of you came on this journey with me. For those of you who are searching for more meaning and satisfaction in your life and feel that teaching languages overseas might fit the bill, I enthusiastically encourage you to take up the challenge as I did nine years ago. You will never regret it. In fact you will probably say "Why didn't I do this years ago?" I then began a journal of my journey home to Australia- the long way round! U... full info

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No pasar!

Miri playing "park guard"

Miri & Sue on the ridge

Spectacular!

Relaxing on the edge

What a view, heh?

Into infinity....

View from 2500m......

In another direction......

and another................

Lending a hand....

A lot of backpackers decide to hire a bike to do the teip to Valle de Luna, being so close to San Pedro. Unfortunately, this guy had come to grief on the hot roads. Sergi. master bike technician soon had him rocking & rolling. Saw him later in the day back in town- another puncture 5 mins later and had to walk back...

More salt......

Further into the valley, the salt is much more prolific, being left in dry lake beds and as solid formations with the sand & stone.

More spectular views....

Miri doing some "arty" shots

Salt crystals

Part of the rock formation

Loosely held together sand, salt & rock, carved by wind and rain (in the past)

Near the tres marias

Isn't it great???

Tres Marias & Dinosaur Rock

Apparently the two rock formations on the left were originally three, but one was knocked down by a British tourist while taking a photo. They were supposedly representing three different poses of Holy Mary. Hmmm..... need a good imagination, I'd say.... I liked the formation on the right, known as "dinosaur rock"

Hiding from the glare

Mid afternoon sun and salt make for glary condiions & tired eyes!

Second visit

Colours & textures changing in the early evening light.

View toward Death Valley

Are you sick of the view yet?

..and there's more

On top of the world....

Nowhere near, of course, but a very different experience in this light...

Sue presents........

24th November 2013

Lesley Ritchie
non-member comment

Love all your photos. Brings back many good memories of our trip. Sounds like you're following a similar route to the one we took. How are you getting around? Driving? The Pan American h’way stretches for as far as the eye can see with 'lunar landscape' either side

28th November 2013

Sue Treadie
Susan Storr

Bussing it!!
Hi Lesley! Having a ball and the buses are so convenient & affordable. In the south of Argentina and heading back to Chile tomorrow and the Navimag ferry Friday to Puerto Natales. Torres del Paine here I come.

25th November 2013

Spas
non-member comment

WOW
Have they got a salt mine!!! It looks fabulous and so do you love! XXXXXXX Spas

28th November 2013

Sue Treadie
Susan Storr

Hi Spas
Actually they do harvest the salt, but not from there. On the Salar proper.

28th January 2014

Anne Wasley (Wally)
non-member comment

Happy New Year Treadie!
Hi Treadie, Hope you had a great Xmas. Thanks for the photos & blog. Fantastic scenery! On On Wally

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San Pedro de Atacama- Valle de la Luna

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