"When you first see it," says Alberto Gana, general manager of Chile-based adventure outfitter Latitud 90, "You know immediately that it's unlike any other place on Earth." Chile's Valle de la Luna, the Valley of the Moon, is one of several can't-miss places in the vast Atacama Desert that shares its borders with Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina. And it lives up to Gana's description.
In recent years, Chile has seen a dramatic increase in active travelers searching for outdoor adventure. But even though it's generally regarded as the safest and most developed of all South American nations, Chile remains a secret to many Americans. That means you've probably never been to, or even heard of, the Valley of the Moon. And that's why we've chosen it to kick off our list of five places you've never been—but can't afford to miss.
The Valley of the Moon, Atacama Desert, Chile
Hidden away in the driest desert on earth lies Valle de la Luna, a moonscape marked by giant rock pillars, windswept dunes, and an immense crown of volcanic peaks. Most visitors arrive in the late afternoon to hike across the crest of the valley's massive sand dune and wait for the setting sun to wash the distant volcanoes in shades of pink.
Getting a place to stay near Valle de la Luna is easier than you might think. The desert oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama houses scores of guesthouses and inns, including the ultra-affordable Residencial Juanita for about $14 per night, the upscale Hotel Altiplanico at $130 per night, and the pricier resort hotel Explora, starting at about $2,000 for four nights, including guided adventure activities. Most visitors add Valle de la Luna to an itinerary that includes a sunrise visit to the steaming El Tatio Geysers and a stop at the area's natural hot springs. Travelers on a tight budget could also arrive in San Pedro and seek out one of the many local tour operators who lead trips to Valle de la Luna for about $7 per person. Chile's national tourism website is another good source for planning a trip.
Chile's capital city, Santiago, is the country's international gateway. Flights from Santiago to Calama—the starting point for most visits to the Atacama Desert—take about three hours, and from Calama it's another hour's drive to the town of San Pedro. LAN Airlines operates flights to Santiago from New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and dozens of other U.S. cities. The airline also packages airfare and discounted hotels and activities through its recently launched vacation wing, LAN Vacations, which offers guided tours supplied by outfitters such as the upscale but affordable Latitud 90.
Murren and Gimmelwald, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
"Picture Yosemite with a Swiss village on top," says Troy Haines of Alpinehikers, a hiking tour operator that focuses on walking holidays in Switzerland. "That's Murren." It's an apt description. This tiny town of just 300 year-round residents sits at the edge of a 3,000-foot cliff and looms over the Lauterbrunnen Valley like something out of a Swiss storybook. Better yet, it's a real-life hiker's paradise—a gateway to the higher-elevation trails of the Swiss Alps.
Just below Murren is Gimmelwald, about a half hour's walk away. There are no cars allowed in these alpine towns, but you can reach them via a vertigo-inducing cable car ride (to Gimmelwald) or a rickety old funicular (to Murren). Travelers have to want to get there, which keeps the villages and their hiking trails relatively crowd-free. "The extra bit of effort to get there is definitely worth it," says Rich Perkins, a traveler who has visited Gimmelwald seven times since 1995.
