Chile Astronomy & Stargazing

Depart from your home city on an overnight flight to Santiago, the capital of Chile. Overnight flight (meals aloft)

Arrive this morning in Santiago and transfer to one of the city’s most exclusive areas for early check-in at our five-star hotel. After an afternoon orientation and city tour, we’ll have a welcome dinner followed by a visit to Chile’s National Astronomical Observatory. Operated by the University of Chile, the observatory is situated on Cerro Calán, which offers breathtaking views of the city. Afterward we’ll return to our hotel. Pullman El Bosque Ebro (D)

Depart Santiago on a flight to La Serena, Chile’s second-oldest city, founded in 1544. Take a guided city tour, then in the early afternoon travel to the picturesque town of Vicuña to visit a pisco distillery. We’ll learn about this Chilean liquor and enjoy a pisco tasting in the cellars of Pisco Elqui. After dinner in Vicuña, enjoy stargazing at El Pangue Observatory for breathtaking southern-sky stargazing through 16- and 25-inch telescopes. Hotel Terral (B, L, D)

This morning enjoy exclusive visits to the Gemini South Telescope, Southern Observatory for Astrophysical Research (SOAR), and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, all located on the peak of Cerro Pachón, an 8,900-foot-high mountain in northern Chile. The Gemini Observatory has an aperture of 8.1 meters, and the adjacent SOAR has an aperture of 4.1 meters. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, now under construction, is an 8-meter-class telescope coupled to a 3.2-gigapixel camera — the largest digital camera ever fabricated for optical astronomy.(Observatory visits are subject to final confirmation.) Dinner on your own. Hotel Terral (B, L)

We travel north of La Serena by road to Las Campanas Observatory for a day-long tour of the Magellan Project site and the two 6.5-meter optical telescopes that are housed there. We’ll also see the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) construction site (to be completed in 2027). The GMT uses seven of the world’s largest mirrors — each 8.4 meters (27.6 feet) across — as segments of its primary mirror, yielding a spatial resolution better than that of the Hubble or Webb space telescopes. (Observatory visits are subject to final confirmation.) Dinner on your own. Hotel Costa Real (B, L)

This morning, we take a guided tour of La Serena, followed by an afternoon flight to Antofagasta. Upon arrival, we will visit the Tropic of Capricorn Milestone north of the city and “The Gateway,” a prominent natural rock arch along the coastline shaped by erosion, before checking in at our seaside hotel. Terrado Suites (B, L)

In the morning, visit the Paranal Observatory home of the VLT (observatory visit is subject to final confirmation). Then, explore the Hand of the Desert with a picnic lunch, followed by dinner at the hotel. Terrado Suites (B, L, D)

In the morning, we drive by private motor coach to San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy leisure time throughout the day. In the evening, immerse yourself in the captivating world of astronomy with an unparalleled stargazing experience at San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations (SPACE). Here, marvel at the universe through several instruments including the largest telescope for visual observing in the Southern Hemisphere, a giant reflector with a 115-cm (45-inch) aperture. Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama (B, L, D)

This morning, visit ALMA (the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array), the largest astronomical project in existence (this visit is subject to final confirmation; travel to the top of the plateau is optional and requires verification of your physical suitability). Later, we’ll watch sunset from Moon Valley, whose extraordinary landscape has been shaped by the erosion of the Salt Mountains. Lastly, enjoy a second stargazing session at SPACE. Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama (B, L, D)

Start your day with a rejuvenating soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the Puritama Hot Springs, nestled in a stunning canyon setting. Afterward, head to the Chaxa Lagoon, where we’ll observe graceful flamingos in their natural habitat amid the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert. Enjoy a delicious lunch before spending the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening, savor a delightful group dinner. Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we transfer by motor coach to Calama and then fly to Santiago. Upon arrival, we’ll tour the renowned Casas del Bosque Vineyard, where we will enjoy a delightful lunch amid the scenic vineyards. Afterward, we’ll return to the airport for our late-evening flights back to the U.S. Overnight flight (B, L, meals aloft)

After an overnight flight from Santiago and your connecting flight, you return home with wonderful memories of your time under Chile’s amazing night sky.