Chile An Astronomic Journey
Our Astronomic Tour of Chile is bursting with culture, jaw dropping scenery and delicious premium wines.
We’ll begin the tour in Santiago, Chile’s capital. Here, you’ll take a tour of Santa Cruz Winery and learn the intricate wine process of the region, followed by a tasting. Then, you’ll journey to La Serena to visit the intriguing Elqui Valley. Its futuristic observatories and frequent UFO sightings have earned it the title of the “energy centre of the world”. You’ll learn fascinating discoveries and see clear views of the starry night sky.
The tour continues through to San Pedro de Atacama, where you’ll visit the famous ALMA Observatory. In the home of the largest radio telescope in the world, you’ll be given a tour of the building and find out about some of the fascinating projects underway.
In San Pedro de Atacama, you’ll also stop at El Tatio, the third largest geyser in the world. Enjoy the sunrise among unparalleled views of gurgling lagoons and rising steam from the ground. The tour makes a stop at Machuca village, where you’ll see the local life, including the Andean gull, llamas and alpacas.
The tour comes to an end with a trip to the eerie Moon Valley and then back to Calama for the journey home.
Trip highlights
- Visit the world’s largest radio telescope at the ALMA Observatory
- Discover the “energy centre of the world” at Elqui Valley
- Explore volcanoes and lagoons surrounding Atacama Salt Lake
- Enjoy an astronomic tour and wine tasting at Santa Cruz Winery
Arrival in Santiago de Chile
Room only
Arriving at Santiago Airport, you’ll be met, greeted and accompanied to your hotel. Enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Santiago.
Suggested Accommodation
Santiago de Chile - Santa Cruz
Breakfast
Today, you’ll visit Santa Cruz Winery for a tour of the vineyards. In the colonial style building, enjoy a premium wine tasting in a boutique distillery surrounded by lush parks and wildlife.
Suggested Accommodation
Santa Cruz - La Serena
Breakfast
Enjoy an early buffet breakfast before leaving Santa Cruz behind and heading for Santiago Airport. After a short flight to La Serena, head to your hotel in Elqui Domos. In the evening, you’ll be taken on an astronomic tour at the hotel. Take in the beautiful surroundings and glittering night skies.
Suggested Accommodation
La Serena
Breakfast
On day four, you can enjoy a full day tour at Elqui Valley. Surrounded by vast deserts, orchards and pisco vines, you’ll soon see why visitors call this valley the “energy centre” of the world. Starting in La Serena, you’ll journey towards Vicuña and the pisco distillery for a tour of its cellars, followed by a wine tasting.
After a delicious authentic Chilean lunch, the tour continues down the valley, stopping at various significant sites along the way. You’ll leave La Serena in the early evening for a drive to Vicuna, a sleepy town where astronomers and stargazers flock.
Then, it’s time for a visit to Mamalluca Observatory, where you’ll see stars, constellations and planets in one of the clearest atmospheres in the world.
Suggested Accommodation
Coquimbo - San Pedro de Atacama
Breakfast
It’s time to head back to the airport in La Serena for a flight to Calama, where you’ll be welcomed and accompanied to your hotel in San Pedro. Take the day at your leisure before getting ready for a stargazing tour in the evening.
Suggested Accommodation
San Pedro de Atacama
Breakfast, Lunch
Today’s adventures start at Atacama Salt Lake. Explore nearby volcanoes and lagoons surrounded by the borders of the Andes Mountains. Discover wildlife like the Andean and James flamingos on the shore.
You’ll also visit Toconao, a little colonial village, before seeing the famous San Lucas Church bell tower. In the main square, pick up some handicrafts or alpaca textiles, before heading back for the evening.
Suggested Accommodation
San Pedro de Atacama
Breakfast
Start the morning early with the sunrise in El Tatio Geysers. Take in the incredible views of steam rising from open pockets in the earth and gurgling bubbles in the lagoon. Enjoy breakfast in the open air before visiting the tiny Machuca village, where you’ll spot the local wildlife. Llamas, alpacas and Andean gulls are just a handful of the incredible animals you can see.
As the afternoon draws to a close, it’s time for a drive to the Moon Valley to watch the sunset among the moon like landscapes and snow covered volcanoes.
Suggested Accommodation
San Pedro de Atacama
Breakfast
Today, you’ll visit the ALMA observatory - the largest radio telescope in the world. You’ll tour the control room, antennas and laboratories with a guide and learn about the study of cosmic light and where our stars and planets come from.
Suggested Accommodation
San Pedro de Atacama
Breakfast
After a final breakfast in San Pedro, it’s time to head to the airport in Calama for your journey home.
Included
- Cost of accommodation (double room based on two people sharing) for a total of 8 nights (alternative but similar accommodation may be used at certain times of the year)
- Board basis is breakfast and one lunch
- 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day
- English-speaking local guides for all guided excursions as illustrated in the itinerary
- Assistance and porterage: meeting and assistance on arrival/departure at airports and hotels
- Private/small group (air-conditioned) transport / transfers
- Taxes
Not included
- International flights and airfare taxes
- Visa arrangements and fees
- Gratuities for drivers, tour directors, local guides, naturalists and hotel staff
- Meals (unless specified)
- Optional attractions and excursions (unless specified)
- Car hire and insurance
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses, such as alcoholic beverages, telephone calls, laundry, camera fees, spa and business facilities in the hotel
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