Moon Valley closes for staff training on 27 October

In San Pedro de Atacama, the site called Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) will close to visitors on 27 October 2026 for staff training. The temporary closure affects the reserve's main visitor area and gives travellers in Chile a specific date to avoid.

Moon Valley closes for staff training on 27 October

The Valley of the Moon Indigenous Association has announced that there will be no public service or entry on 27 October 2026. Its notice also lists other October closure dates, including 20 October, but 27 October is the next scheduled closure after the current date.

The official notice applies to the Moon Valley site near San Pedro de Atacama rather than to a general event elsewhere in the region. The operator's October closure notice says the interruption is for staff training and advises visitors to plan ahead. The site is managed by the Valley of the Moon Indigenous Association.

Moon Valley's geology explains the training closure

The attraction occupies part of the Salt Mountain Range, where mineral and sedimentary rocks form ridges, dunes and eroded shapes across the desert. The operator describes the geological formation process as beginning around 33 million years ago.

That setting makes the closure especially relevant to visitors planning a short itinerary from San Pedro de Atacama: access to the landscape itself is suspended on 27 October, not merely a single trail or lookout. The site rules require visitors to follow marked paths and protect the natural and cultural heritage of the territory.

The official tourism authority describes the area as part of Los Flamencos National Reserve. CONAF's visitor notice confirms that the reserve's sector six, Moon Valley, will not receive the public on 27 October 2026 because of staff training.

Access changes affect the October visit

The closure is not the only current access change. The operator says the Ckari viewpoint has been closed since 27 May 2026 after a safety assessment following an earthquake, and remains closed until further notice.

Other marked areas can still be visited when the site is open, subject to the operator's current rules and any safety instructions. The reserve does not allow visitors to enter on foot; access is by bicycle, motorbike, car or another permitted vehicle.

Visiting Moon Valley: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The main visitor area is closed on 27 October 2026 for staff training. The closure covers entry to the site, not only one viewpoint.
• The Ckari viewpoint remains closed until further notice after the safety assessment announced for 27 May 2026. Visitors should not plan an itinerary around that lookout.
• Moon Valley is 13 km west of San Pedro de Atacama in Chile's Antofagasta Region. The reserve requires access by bicycle or motorised vehicle, so walking from the town is not an entry option.
• Marked paths cross uneven desert terrain, including dunes, rock formations and exposed ground. Visitors must remain on signposted routes and follow local guide instructions.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Moon Valley

When does the temporary closure take place at Moon Valley?

The site is closed to visitors on 27 October 2026 for staff training.

What has changed at Moon Valley?

The Ckari viewpoint has been closed since 27 May 2026 after a safety assessment, while the wider site has a separate staff-training closure on 27 October 2026.

Where is Moon Valley and how do you get there?

Moon Valley is 13 km west of San Pedro de Atacama in Chile's Antofagasta Region. Entry is by bicycle or motorised vehicle rather than on foot.