Experience one of the most breathtaking night skies in the world with the Astronomical Tour in San Pedro de Atacama. Far from major cities and light pollution, the Atacama Desert offers exceptional conditions for observing stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies throughout most of the year.
This nighttime excursion combines guided stargazing, astronomical interpretation, and telescope observation, allowing travelers to discover some of the universe’s most impressive celestial objects. Depending on the season and weather conditions, you may observe the Milky Way, southern hemisphere constellations, visible planets, star clusters, and deep-sky objects.
The experience also includes insights into astronomy, Andean cosmology, and the importance of Atacama as one of the world’s leading astronomical destinations.
Ideal for travelers looking for a unique, educational, and unforgettable experience in the Chilean Altiplano.
Estimated Duration
Approximately 3 to 4 hours
Departure Time
Usually between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM (Subject to seasonal sunset times)
Recommendations
Bring warm clothing
Wear comfortable shoes
Avoid strong lights during observation
Nights in the desert can be very cold, especially in winter
Physical Demand
low
Suitable for all visitors. Mostly panoramic or vehicle-based tours with minimal walking.
Departure from meeting point, in San Pedro de Atacama
Guided observation with telescopes
Includes hot drink and wine and 1 night portrait photograph (sent by email)
What to bring: Passengers should bring warm clothing suitable for wind and low temperatures, 1 liter of water per person.
Return to accommodation
About 100 kilometres from Calama, the world's driest desert hides a small oasis called San Pedro de Atacama. It's an adobe town and dirt roads that have stolen the hearts of thousands of tourists for the charms of Atacameña and Spanish culture contained in each of its buildings. What do you say you come with me and we go around
Frequently Asked Questions
The tour operates year-round since the Atacama Desert has some of the clearest skies in the world. However, from April to October conditions are often especially favorable for stargazing.
Yes. Winter usually offers very clear and dry skies, making it an excellent season for astronomical observation.
Depending on the season and sky conditions, visitors may observe:
The Milky Way
Planets
Nebulae
Southern hemisphere constellations
Star clusters
Galaxies through telescopes
Yes. The experience typically includes telescope observation along with guided explanations about astronomy and the desert night sky.
Yes, especially between May and August. Desert temperatures at night can drop significantly, so warm clothing is highly recommended.
Departure times vary depending on the season and sunset schedule, usually between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
Yes. In case of clouds, rain, or poor visibility conditions, the tour may be rescheduled or canceled depending on the operator’s policies.
Yes. It is a family-friendly excursion suitable for children interested in nature, science, and astronomy.
San Pedro de Atacama is located in one of the driest regions on Earth, with extremely low light pollution and a high number of clear nights each year.
Yes. Since it is a low physical demand activity, it is an excellent option for travelers adjusting gradually to the altitude.
Reviews
Samantha
Jan 9, 2025
"Loved the stories of the stars and powerful telescopes. Professional photos provided the next day were stunning."
Included
Transport Service
Bilingual Guide spanish/english During excursions and departures mentioned in the itinerary
Passenger Transportation Insurance
Expert advice and coordination Personalized guidance and coordination of your experience via phone, email, webchat, WhatsApp, and scheduled video calls.
Booking Fee – Reservation Management Administrative costs associated with managing and confirming your reservation, including payment processing and coordinating services with local operators.
General Conditions
Excursions are operated in Spanish and English.
The return transfer to accommodations after the excursion is included for hotels located within the urban area of San Pedro de Atacama (Ayllus and outlying rural areas are not included).
For safety and operational reasons, schedules may be modified without prior notice.
Commercial Conditions
Cancellation Policies
Cancellations with 5 days or more before arrival: 90% refund.
Cancellations with 4 days or less before arrival are not eligible for a refund.
Other Conditions
Weather Conditions and Force Majeure Cancellations: The operator (service provider) reserves the right to cancel, modify, or reschedule services due to safety reasons, weather conditions, or other circumstances beyond its control. In the event of cancellation, the amount paid will be refunded less a 5% administrative reservation fee (booking fee), which is non-refundable.
For security and operational reasons, the schedules may be modified without prior notice.
In transfer service, it applies from all hotels in San Pedro de Atacama (does not include Ayllus in the suburbs)
Excursions with bilingual guide Spanish and English.
Conditions of Minors
Minimum age for tours of minors is 7 years, except Geysers del Tatio whose minimum age is 12 years.
Discover the best of San Pedro de Atacama with an itinerary designed to help you make the most of your trip in just a few days. This 3-day, 5-tour package combines the most iconic landscapes of the Atacama Desert, guided excursions, and must-see experiences in one of Chile’s most amazing destinations.
Discover one of the most iconic landscapes in northern Chile with the Moon Valley Tour in San Pedro de Atacama. Located within the Salt Mountain Range, this extraordinary natural setting features rock formations, giant dunes, salt caves, and landscapes shaped by millions of years of erosion, creating scenery that resembles the surface of the moon.
Experience one of the most impressive excursions in the Chilean Altiplano with the El Tatio Geysers Tour in San Pedro de Atacama. Located at more than 4,200 meters above sea level, El Tatio is one of the world’s highest and largest geothermal fields, famous for its powerful steam fumaroles, geothermal activity, and stunning Andean scenery.
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To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
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The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
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"Loved the stories of the stars and powerful telescopes. Professional photos provided the next day were stunning."