Valle de la Luna Trails
Two marked loops of different length navigate the main eroded canyon system. A third, less-marked area extends east of the main site for visitors who want to explore further.
Short Loop (1km)
The short loop descends into the main canyon system and navigates through the most dense section of eroded pinnacles before climbing back to the entry point. The trail passes between clay spires standing 4 to 8 metres high, through narrow passages where the walls close within arm's reach, and across viewpoints looking down into the deeper canyon sections. The erosion here is active: clay and sandstone formations continue to weather and collapse in the rainy season. Fresh collapse sections are visible along the path margins. The landscape colour shifts from tan to orange to grey depending on mineral content and moisture; the late afternoon light produces the most saturated colours.
Long Loop (2km)
The long loop extends the short loop into the outer canyon area, reaching viewpoints above the deeper erosion features and passing through a section with larger, more isolated pinnacles. The extended route includes a viewpoint overlooking the Valle de la Luna from above, where the scale of the erosion basin becomes clear: what appears from ground level to be a labyrinth of individual formations reveals itself from above as a continuous eroded plateau cut by a network of canyons. The surrounding urban context of La Paz (visible on the rim above the canyon) creates a surreal frame for the lunar landscape below.
Guided Experiences near Valle de la Luna
Valle de la Luna is 10km from La Paz — a labyrinth of eroded clay pinnacles, spires, and canyons at 3,300m that earned its name from astronaut Neil Armstrong. Most visits combine it with nearby Tiwanaku ruins, Chacaltaya glacier, or the Yungas cycling descent.
Valle de la Luna and Moon Valley walk
Half-day guided walk through the Valley of the Moon clay canyon labyrinth — pre-Hispanic sediment eroded into spires by rain and wind. Guide explains the geological formation history. Best light in afternoon.
Book canyon walk →Death Road cycling descent (Yungas)
Full-day guided mountain bike descent of the Yungas Road (North Yungas Road) — the famous "world's most dangerous road." 3,600m descent from 4,700m La Cumbre pass to 1,100m subtropical cloud forest. Bike, helmet, gear, and transport included.
Book Death Road ride →Chacaltaya glacier day hike
Half-day guided drive and walk to Chacaltaya at 5,421m — the highest accessible point by vehicle in Bolivia. The former ski slope still has remnants of the world's highest ski lift. Altitude acclimatization from La Paz recommended first.
Book Chacaltaya →Links go to GetYourGuide for real-time availability. Check guide certifications and cancellation policy before booking.
The Valle de la Luna does not require a multi-day expedition or a 4WD circuit. It is a half-day walk from La Paz by microbus or taxi, and it sits in a city neighbourhood. The incongruity is part of the experience: you walk through a gate off an ordinary paved road and descend into a canyon system that could be on another planet. It is one of the least-effort, highest-reward stops on any Bolivian itinerary.
The geology of the canyon
The Valle de la Luna formation is the result of differential erosion on sedimentary layers deposited when the Altiplano basin was partially filled with ancient lake sediments. The basin was then uplifted by Andean tectonics and the exposed layers began eroding. Harder layers (sandstone, calcite-cemented clay) resist erosion and form the pinnacles and spires; softer layers wash away between them, creating the canyon network. Rain on the Altiplano is seasonal but intense: when it falls, it erodes quickly through the clay layers. The active erosion means the landscape is genuinely changing on a human timescale; formations visible in photographs from twenty years ago have since collapsed.
In the context of La Paz
La Paz is one of the world's most visually dramatic cities. Situated in a canyon of its own at 3,640m altitude, with El Alto (the city on the rim above) at 4,150m, and surrounded by peaks including the 6,438m Illimani which is visible from the city centre on clear days. The Valle de la Luna fits naturally into a La Paz itinerary that includes the Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas), the cable car (Mi Teleférico) network above the city, the Cholita wrestling shows, and the nearby Chacaltaya ski station. It also works as an acclimatization activity: gentle walking at moderate altitude before ascending to higher sites.
When to go
The Valle de la Luna is open year-round and accessible in any weather except during or immediately after heavy rain, when the clay paths become dangerously slippery. The dry season (May to October) gives the most reliable path conditions and clear skies for photography. The rainy season (November to March) brings afternoon and evening thunderstorms but mornings are typically clear. The canyon is accessible any day of the week; weekday mornings are the quietest. Late afternoon on weekends draws La Paz families to the site and can be busier than expected given its proximity to the city.
Common Questions
By taxi from La Paz centre (about 20 minutes, $4 to $6 USD) or by microbus from Plaza del Estudiante toward Mallasa (route number varies, ask locals for "Valle de la Luna" direction). The taxi is easier, faster, and cheap enough that most visitors use it. Tell the driver "Valle de la Luna, Mallasa" and they will know exactly where to go. Return by the same methods; taxis return from the site area readily or can be arranged to wait while you walk.
Yes, with supervision. The short loop is accessible for children of walking age who can handle some uneven terrain. The canyon path narrows in places and some sections have moderate drops adjacent to the path; adults should supervise closely near canyon edges. The site is not stroller-accessible. Children generally find the alien landscape captivating. The low entry fee and short duration make it an easy family addition to a La Paz day without the altitude demands of longer excursions.
Yes, they are completely different places that share a name. The San Juan version (also called Ischigualasto Provincial Park) is a large desert basin famous for dinosaur fossils and gypsum formations, bordering the Talampaya National Park. The La Paz version is a compact badlands of clay and sandstone pinnacles near the city with no fossil significance. Both are worth visiting if you are in the respective countries, but they offer different geological experiences. This page covers the Bolivian Valle de la Luna near La Paz.
