Those planning to take a trip to the famous South American Atacama Desert in Chile should be sure to grab the opportunity to visit one of the most surreal destinations in the world -Valle de la Luna.
Located 13 km west of the Chilean town of San Pedro de Atacama, in the country's iconic Atacama Desert, it comes as no surprise that the valley is said to have derived its name from the fact that it resembles the surface of the moon.This other-worldly destination, that forms part of the nature reserve of Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos, is a haven that simply appears to have been dug out of another planet and placed here, perhaps by one of the celestial bodies above. Aside from the stunning views of its landscape, the Valle de Luna also provides perfect conditions for hikers, trekkers and adventurers.
Fun fact: Mars Rovers, the motor vehicles designed to travel on the surface of Mars are tested here before being sent off to Mars.
Do remember that a visit to this place will require not much, but perhaps more than just a little in challenging one's physical fitness. So while you do get ready to face the challenges, here is a list of items that one should definitely pack for this trip.
- Wear comfortable shoes such as hiking boots, walking shoes or heavy duty trainers, since a visit to this place is sure to tire one's legs.
- Do bring a layer or two. The here drops quickly temperature when the sun sets.
- The place is known as one of the driest places on earth, so in order to remain hydrated, its essential to pack more than 2 water bottles. Wear hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect from the sun.
- For those bringing their cameras with them, remember to watch out for sand getting in them, or they may have to learn it the hard way here.
Once you have everything ticked off from the list mentioned above, get ready for an adventure that is out of this world!
This story is from the November - December 2022 edition of India Outbound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November - December 2022 edition of India Outbound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
La Mamounia is an oasis for travellers
In order to cement its foothold in the Indian market, Moroccan luxury resort La Mamounia, located in the picturesque town of Marrakech, recently organised a visit to Mumbai and Delhi, engaging with top-tier travel industry partners from India. General Manager Pierre Jochem tells India Outbound that the resort, which recently completed 100 years, is targetting the Indian visitors seeking to explore Morrocan art, culture and heritage, besides its captivating beauty.
Africa has come a long way as travel destination for Indians
The perception of Africa as a tourism destination has come a long way in India as travellers from India have gone beyond safaris to discover other elements that make travel to Africa attractive. The change is not just amongst Indian tourists, but destinations have also learnt more about their Indian clients and are taking steps to customise their offer to the Indian visitors, writes Alpa Jani, Founder, Ace Connect, a tourism marketing company.
ASCENIC RAIL TRIP ACROSS BALKANS
A rail journey through the Western Balkans, from Serbia's vibrant capital Belgrade to the culturally rich Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a more tranquil, scenic way to explore the region's breathtaking mountains, lakes and historical towns at a leisurely pace.
Shahnaz Husain's cool tips for skincare during travel
Celebrity beautician and hair care expert Shahnaz Husain tells India Outbound on her secrets for skin-care and hair-care while travelling.
Plovdiv: Timeless jewel in Bulgarian crown
With a history spanning over two millennia, Plovdiv is not only one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, but also a vibrant conduit linking Bulgaria's past and its present.
Navigating Natural Wonders of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
For us city dwellers, even the sound of a cuckoo might seem exotic. So now imagine discovering a vastness filled with shifting dunes and interlaced emerald lagoons.
Explore the Jewel of Southern Spain, Seville
Home to one of the largest historic centres of Europe and three world heritage sites, the stunning city of Seville, located by the picturesque Guadalquivir River in southern Spain, offers tourists an experience rich in history, culture, art, gastronomy and much more.
UPI IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A GAME CHANGER FOR INDIAN TRAVELLERS
Having revolutionised digital transactions in India, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now expanding globally. After tepid beginnings in the immediate neighbourhood, UPI is gaining acceptance in many countries making a win-win for Indian tourists and businesses overseas that are increasingly eager to tap the burgeoning Indian outbound travel market.
Debuting at COP29, can tourism lead march towards curbing carbon emissions?
Tourism will make its debut in global climate change negotiations in the next round of discussions, COP29, that opens in Baku later this month. So far, the discussions have spectacularly failed to produce any notable outcome, besides platitudes and numerous missed commitments. The global tourism industry has a golden opportunity to lead the way and show the world the true path to curbing carbon emissions. But the sector's own record in this aspect is hardly blemishless.
Bintan Island: SEESE
A haven of nature, with thriving flora and fauna, the Indonesian island of Bintan, that is barely an hour away from Singapore by ferry and comes with easy visa regimes, is an ideal extension for any Indian visitor to Singapore, looking to add a touch of wilderness to the experience.
