San Pedro de Atacama Astronomical Tour: Observing the Universe Through High-End Telescopes

Join our San Pedro de Atacama Astronomical Tour and explore the universe through high-end telescopes. Observe planets, clusters, galaxies, and stars while learning about Andean archaeo-astronomy.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • 3Q5V+8M Solor - To book the tour in English, please check availability first
    Photography can only be done without the moon

We will observe the deep sky through high-end, computerized and manual telescopes with which we will do an altazimuth scan of the objects visible during the night in Atacama. Depending on the time of year, we will be able to observe: planets, open and closed clusters, galaxies and stars. Where we will be able to distinguish their shape and colors with great ease. In addition to the scientific explanatory talk by our astronomy guides who seek to deliver scientific information about the universe in a dynamic and didactic way. In addition, we will be able to relate the visible constellations of the southern hemisphere with the help of a laser pointer. If you would like to know about Andean archaeo-astronomy in Latin America, you should ask the Spanish guide Patricio for an explanation, who is the speaker in the explanatory talk about how our American ancestors related the cosmos to the geographic and cultural area.

What's Included
  • Convenient pick up from accommodation
  • Astro Photography session under dark skies
  • Refreshments include carbonated beverages
  • Informative astronomy conversation with guides fluent in Spanish
  • Comfortable travel with in-vehicle air conditioning
  • Cozy blankets and chairs provided for your comfort
  • Access to WC facilities
  • Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee
  • Selection of alcoholic beverages available
What's Not Included
  • Pick up in ayllu de Cucuter, Coyo, Solor or Quitor
Additional Information

Utilizing top-notch, automated and manual telescopes, we will examine the celestial bodies present in the night sky of Atacama. Our exploration will be azimuthal and dependent on the season, enabling us to observe planets, open and closed clusters, galaxies, and stars in vivid detail. Our astronomy guides will complement the visual experience with informative and engaging presentations on the universe’s scientific aspects. Additionally, we will identify the southern hemisphere’s visible constellations using a laser pointer. For those interested in the Latin American Andean archaeo-astronomy, an enlightening talk by our resident expert Patricio, who explains how our ancestors related the cosmos with their geographical and cultural surroundings, can be requested.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(94 Ratings)
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R5027mianaa
Sep 1, 2024
A great experience under the stars - Patrício was amazing and gave us a wonderful experience. He knows a lot and was able to pass on some of that knowledge! We definitely recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
799tugrulb
Aug 31, 2024
How to learn and to be familiar as a tourist about Prague - The tour itself was highly enlightening. Furthermore our guide Lucie was so energetic and friendly as well as fully comptent on guiding and History of the places. Many thanks to her.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Coastal19996236698
Aug 21, 2024
Good location and cozy space, good telescopes and approach to the universe. - The experience was very nice, explanations about the universe, formation and death and composition of the stars was the main topic of the evening. As we went on a full moon night, it was a bit frustrating not to see the Milky Way as you only see in Atacama, so if that is your goal, check the lunar calendar and plan to go to the moonlight/new moon. Anyway, if you are a passionate in the night sky you will really enjoy the experience. What was missing was our photo on the tour as promised. Still rolls some meals/drinks at the end of the visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K9827zclaurac
Jun 30, 2024
Highly recommended - A great tour!!! We loved it! Very interesting and nice. A great experience, 100% recommended Heaven is a sight and Patrick a great connoisseur of it. With explanations, interesting, clear and eager to resolve all doubts that may have
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Liaay5436dh
Jun 21, 2024
Great experience - Patricio knows all the details of the tour. He was very patient and thorough in the experience. He showed us every detail, even though it was in a not so good period in terms of sky visibility due to the Moon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Babi
Jun 14, 2024
Perfect! - Patricio is an excellent guide, he knows a lot and is attentive. The whole experience was delightful and we learned a lot. It exceeded expectations.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fannyf23
Jun 7, 2024
An unforgettable experience - An exceptional sky and explanations given by a passionate man. I was able to see galaxies and stars from the past thanks to a super telescope. There was even a person who came just to translate into English for the other visitor. There were only 2 of us, it was great. We were able to take several photos at the time and then see a glass, either of coffee, of Pisco or of wine. There was a choice! Unforgettable
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alemazzuco
May 24, 2024
Nice ride - The person giving the presentation knows a lot about astrology, he also took a photo of the moon through the telescope and two photos of the stars with knots in the background, at the end there is hot chocolate and other drinks to warm up. I recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Camilacu1125gf
Aug 26, 2024
Good for those who want to know more about the stars! - We had an explanation about the stars, but there was nothing in Portuguese all in Spanish. Also did not have time to take the photos like those from the cover, when we finished the explanations in the telescope we soon went to the van. The day we went the sky was not so dark, we did not see the sky as in the photo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chris_d
Aug 20, 2024
Nice host, visibility below expectations - The tour takes place in Patricio's specially configured courtyard, a few minutes away from the center of San Pedro. There were two telescopes and chairs arranged around them in a circle. Patricio is an excellent host, very knowledgeable about stars, and explains things in a simple and accessible way. The tour consisted of Patricio pointing the telescopes to some stars, or planets and then we would take turns looking through the telescopes, while he would talk and explain things about the life of stars and galaxies, and respond to questions. Unfortunately, when I took the tour the moon was half full and we could not see the milky way or other special things. In fact, the visibility was not very different from what it would look like from my home town in the USA on a clear night. The things Patricio pointed at were not that interesting (except Saturn and the moon) and the telescopes did not offer huge magnification. So, overall, I found the experience below my expectations. It seems that to get the wow experience people talk about, one needs to do this when there is no moon.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 14 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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