Valle de la Luna Backcountry Circuit

Drive through landscape that NASA uses to test Mars rovers in this otherworldly circuit through the Cordillera de la Sal. The route winds between towering salt spires and across ancient lake beds where flamingos once fed millions of years ago. Tres Marías rock formations mark the halfway point, where drivers thread between house-sized salt pillars carved by wind and rare desert rains.

High-clearance vehicles handle this moderate route easily, though the salt formations create sharp edges that can slice sidewalls. Carry two spares and a tire repair kit. The dry season from May to September offers the most stable conditions, though summer heat can push 45°C. Start early and pack serious water reserves—dehydration happens fast in this environment. The reward is experiencing one of Earth’s most alien landscapes without the crowds of the main tourist routes.