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June 14, 2012

Thursday’s Child: Valle de la Luna, Chile

Last week I wrote about The Great Wall of China, and promised that I’d post about other breathtaking sights we’ve seen on our travels.  One place that I’ll never forget for its haunting beauty is Chile’s Valle de la Luna, or Moon Valley.
We visited Chile’s Atacama Desert in March 2009, and it was one of the most beautiful and diverse places I’ve ever seen.  Every day we went on one or two excursions in the San Pedro area, and every day was a new adventure. On our first day in the Atacama region, we visited Valle de la Luna.  This valley is one of the driest places in the world; some parts haven’t received rainfall in over a hundred years.  It’s well named, for the bleak, red landscape seems lunar in its beauty and remoteness. 
The diversity in this single valley is incredible. Red craggy hills give way to endless stretches of flat sandy plains.  Jagged stone outcrops have been carved by the wind over centuries.  Salt crystals cling to the stones and, in places, a veil of crystallized salt coats the flats.  The desert is ringed by volcanoes, some of which are still active, and in the distance the Andes soar to the sky.
This valley, barren and inhospitable to the eye, is actually a sanctuary of serenity.  When we visited, we apparently had the miles of desert to ourselves.  Something about this solitude made us feel like time had stopped.  Our guide invited us to close our eyes, and in the silence – no animals, no insects, no other people – we felt like we were wrapped in a cocoon of tranquility.

Filed Under: Chile

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Valerie says

    June 14, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    Wow, Beth! These photos are gorgeous!! (I especially love that shot with the Andes mountains in the distance…almost like a mirage.)

    I may have to add Chile to my list of places to visit. The sand looks like brown sugar! 😀

    Reply
  2. Angela Felsted says

    June 14, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    This is really a beautiful landscape.

    Reply
  3. Carol says

    June 14, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    You are so right, it's breathtaking. Stunning photos!

    Reply
  4. Belinda says

    June 14, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    Those colors are absolutely stunning!!

    Reply
  5. artofnaturalliving.com says

    June 14, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    What a great trip! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Barbara says

    June 14, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    Good heavens, Beth! Is there anyplace you haven't been? These photos are amazing, so beautiful.

    Reply
  7. Claudia says

    June 14, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    I love the starkness of a desert landscape – it is timeless. I have yet to visit South America… yet being the important word. The photos are breathtaking.

    Reply
  8. CJ - Food Stories says

    June 14, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    Gorgeous landscapes and beautiful pictures … love the one of you guys holding up the huge rock formation 🙂

    Reply
  9. Angela says

    June 14, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    What an amazing experience!

    Reply
  10. Bonnie says

    June 14, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    I do not do well with heat, but the beauty might make me forget. No rain in a hundred years? My we complain after a month. I love your travel photos. Bonnie

    Reply
  11. Cucina49 says

    June 14, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    Those photos are spectacular! I tried to convince David to go to South America for our honeymoon, to no avail. Chile and Argentina are still on my list.

    Reply
  12. Gloria says

    June 15, 2012 at 12:12 am

    Beth Im do glad you enjoy Valle de la luna and the pictures are stuning! !
    Im not sure you know but I live en Chile, we have beautiful and special places and if someone want come here tell me and i wil happy to receive you here!:)

    Reply
  13. Beth says

    June 15, 2012 at 1:12 am

    Thanks, Gloria! If I'm ever lucky enough to visit Chile again, I'll definitely give you a call!

    Reply
  14. Stina Lindenblatt says

    June 15, 2012 at 1:16 am

    The diversity of places you've visited is outstanding.

    Reply
  15. profiterolesandponytails says

    June 15, 2012 at 2:27 am

    Another inspiring post Beth. I'm going to close my eyes and imagine myself there right now!

    Reply
  16. Guru Uru says

    June 15, 2012 at 11:30 am

    What a wonderful desert place my friend, full of mystery and beauty 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    Reply
  17. yummychunklet says

    June 15, 2012 at 11:58 am

    Wow. What fantastic panoramic views!

    Reply
  18. Medeia Sharif says

    June 15, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    That is breathtaking, and it does look tranquil.

    Reply
  19. Mary says

    June 15, 2012 at 8:12 pm

    This is breathtaking!! What an awesome trip.

    Reply
  20. Vicki Bensinger says

    June 15, 2012 at 11:03 pm

    Stunning photos. I've never been there before but it looks like a place I'd love to visit. Thank you for sharing these photos.

    Reply
  21. glutenfreehappytummy.com says

    June 16, 2012 at 2:46 am

    wow, breath taking photos! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  22. Elaine says

    June 16, 2012 at 4:03 am

    I haven't been to Chile, but I have been to some of the deserts here and have had the same feeling of tranquility and feeling like no one else is around. It's a pretty awesome feeling. Moon Valley looks like a wonderful place to visit. Your photos are beautiful.

    Reply
  23. Kristy says

    June 16, 2012 at 11:52 am

    WOW. It's amazing how something so dry and desolate could be so beautiful at the same time. No rain in some parts for over a hundred years? Amazing!

    Reply
  24. lisa is cooking says

    June 16, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    Incredible. I really enjoy hiking in desert landscapes. One more destination is being added to my list of places to visit!

    Reply
  25. julie says

    June 16, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    Isn't that the area of chile where they are planning to build the ELT (extremely large telescope)? I had heard about it on NPR and they chose that area precisely because it was so dry and desolate (makes for fabulous star gazing). What a beautiful place Beth! I always enjoy sharing your travels with you. 🙂

    Reply
  26. Angie's Recipes says

    June 16, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    This is breathtakingly beautiful!

    Reply
  27. Miriam says

    June 17, 2012 at 4:11 am

    What a beautiful adventure!! Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

    Reply
  28. Kathy says

    June 20, 2012 at 12:07 am

    Such a beautiful place and a fun adventure! Your photos are gorgeous!

    Reply
  29. Worldly Nomads says

    July 17, 2013 at 9:58 pm

    Great article, we visited this year and loved it! We wrote about it here for anyone who wants more details!

    http://www.worldlynomads.com/index.php/valle-de-la-luna-chile/

    Happy travels!

    Reply

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