Timeline
08:00
Arrive at Valle de Marte. The dunes here are the most popular in the region, but arriving early helps you beat the tour groups. You can walk the typical track along the sand-banks without the crowd.
08:45
Take your time exploring the base of the dune. It is almost 100 meters high, though the typical track covers only a fraction of that. This is the best time for clear photos without the harsh shadows of midday.
09:30
Head back. Since there are no food or drink shops listed in the immediate vicinity for a stop, plan to return to town for lunch. Check your route for transport back.
Local tip
Most sandboarding tours depart from here, so the area gets busy later in the morning. Staying for the quiet exploration before the groups arrive is worth the early start.
Check before you go
- No food or drink facilities are listed at Valle de Marte itself.
- Check the route for transport back to town.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to San Pedro de Atacama (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).