Chile: The world capital of astronomy

March 2025 - 12 days

With unique geographical and climate conditions and 70% of the world’s telescopes, Chile truly is the world capital of astronomy.

Accompanied throughout by New Scientist astronomer and features editor Abigail Beall, this tour will take you to world leading observatories including ALMA and Paranal. You will gain hands-on experience at historic and modern observatories, meet local experts and stargaze at several sites near San Pedro, Santiago and Vicuña 

Plus, enjoy the amazing landscapes of the Atacama Desert, traditional cuisine, and the fascinating towns and cities of this highly stimulating country.

This tour is suitable for both those with little background in astronomy as well as those with lots of experience.

In partnership with Intrepid Travel.

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN TO SANTIAGO AND MEET ASTRONOMER ABIGAIL BEALL

After transferring from the airport into the capital Santiago, you will check into the Hotel Panamericana Providencia. Here you will meet your fellow guests, your local guide and enjoy an introductory talk from New Scientist astronomy journalist Abigail Beall, who will be accompanying you throughout the tour. 

Abigail’s first lecture is on Our Black Hole, where she delves into the mysteries of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milk Way.

Then join Abigail for an evening meal with traditional cuisine and the classic national cocktail Pisco Sour.

As well as leading the stargazing on subsequent evenings, Abigail will be giving further lectures including:

• The Satellite Galaxies. The Small Magellanic Cloud and the Large Magellanic Cloud are only visible from the southern hemisphere. What are they and how to spot them.
• Life on Mars. The landscape, how the Mars Rover explores the surface and what it would take for humans to live on Mars.
• The discoveries of the Paranal Observatory. What is a Very Large Telescope, what it has found so far and what it hopes to do in the future.

DAY 2: TRANSFER TO ANTOFAGASTA

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for a flight north to the port city of Antofagasta.

You will check in to the Panamerican Antofagasta for two nights and have dinner together in the evening.

DAY 3: THE PARANAL OBSERVATORY

Today, you will journey inland a few hours to the Paranal Observatory, part of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the world’s most productive astronomical organisation. ESO provides funding for state-of-the-art research facilities and is supported by 15 European countries plus the UK and Chile.

Paranal hosts several world-class telescopes including the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and is considered one of the best astronomical observing sites in the world. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument consisting of four large unit telescopes and four smaller moveable telescopes. They work together to form a giant ‘interferometer’ that allows astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with individual telescopes.

The tour starts at the visitor centre before being taken to one of VLT platforms and entering the dome of an 8.2-meter unit telescope. If conditions allow, you will then visit the control room, where the astronomers work and is the technical hub of the site. Finally, a tour of La Residencia. The architecturally stunning hotel for Paranal staff and scientists as featured in the film Quantum of Solace.

On the return to Antofagasta, you will take a detour to view the site of the Extremely Large Telescope (planned to be the world’s largest optical telescope) which is under construction.

DAY 4: TRAVEL NORTH-EAST TO SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

After breakfast, your will journey by private coach towards San Pedro de Atacama.

On your way, you will stop at Chacabuco, one of the most famous saltpeter towns of the Atacama Desert. In the early part of the last century there were 170 saltpeter towns that made nitrates for export around the world until synthetic versions from Germany led the closure of all but one of the towns.

Your next four nights will be at the Hosteria San Pedro. An excellent base to explore the wonders of the Atacama. 

In the evening, you will head to the desert with Abigail to observe the stars with your naked eye, away from the light pollution of the town. In the desert, the Milky Way can be so bright your body casts a shadow. 

DAY 5: EXPLORE THE MARS-LIKE DESERT OF ATACAMA

Due to its extreme dryness, the Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the most important environments on Earth for researchers who need to approximate the conditions of Mars. Recently, the NASA Mars Rover was tested here.

You will head out to the Altiplano high plateau and its amazing landscapes which include geyserfields, petroglyphs, intensely coloured lagoons and giant salt flats. Accompanied by a very knowledgeable local guide. This includes the scenic lagoons of Miscanti and Meñique, the traditional towns of Toconao and Socarie and the amazing Atacama Salt Flats where flamingos and other birds nest. 

After relaxing back at the hotel, you will enjoy a second evening stargazing in the desert.

DAY 6: THE ALMA OBSERVATORY, MOON AND DEATH VALLEYS, AND DESERT STARGAZING

After breakfast, you will journey through the desert to the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA), an astronomical interferometer made up of 66 high-precision radio telescopes.

You will explore the Operations Support Facility at 3,000 meters above sea level and enjoy a full briefing. You will see their control facilities that manage 66 antenae, laboratories, the gigantic antennas under maintenance and their antenna transporter. As this is international land, you will need to bring your passport.

Later, in the afternoon, you will visit the Moon and Death Valleys, with their peculiar rock formations and otherworldly views. You will enjoy a cocktail as you watch the ever-changing colours during the stunning sunset. 

DAY 7: THE TATIO GESYERS AND THE PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS

Today is another early start as you head towards the Tatio geysers located to the north of San Pedro. They are the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere and the highest in the world at 4,320 meters. The geysers and fumaroles are at their most active in the early morning and watching the sunrise over the geyser field is a memorable experience. Breakfast will be served whilst you are there.

On your way back, to you will stop at the town of Machuca, a traditional Altiplanic settlement located above 4,000 meters. Your final stop is the Puritama Hot Springs, where you will be able to relax and enjoy the geothermal spring waters that emerge from the Andes. As the waters are sulfuric they are recommended for the relief of rheumatism and to combat stress and fatigue. Don’t forget your swimming costume.

Late in the evening you will return back into the Atacama for more stargazing, well away from any light pollution.

DAY 8: FLY TO LA SERENA AND VISIT EL PANGUE OBSERVATORY

After a short flight south to La Serena, you will travel east back into the mountains to the town of Vicuña. 

After checking in to the Hotel Terral for two nights you will visit the El Pangue Observatory. It has several large telescopes and has been designed for small astronomy groups to take advantage of the exceptionally clear skies. Abigail and local experts will ensure you gain the most out of their facilities.

DAY 9: THE CERRO TOLOLO AND MAMALLUCA OBSERVATORIES

Your first visit today will be to the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, a site dating back to 1965. It’s a large cluster of telescopes and instruments located at 2,200 meters and supported by numerous institutes and organisations across the world.

In the evening you will visit the Mamalluca Observatory and stargaze using it’s 12-inch telescope. The observatory was originally designed by the Club of Amateur Astronomy and is sponsored by the Cerro Tololo observatory. The evening will consist of a lecture then hands-on stargazing.

DAY 10: SANTIAGO

In the morning, you will drive towards the Pacific Ocean for a short flight back to Santiago where you will spend the next three days.

Santiago nestles within Andes mountains and encompasses ancient traditions, European influence, the natural world and a modern city. Founded in 1541 by Spanish conquistadors, the city is a mix of architectural styles and a rich vivid culture. 

This afternoon you will enjoy a tour of the city that includes ascending the Sky Costanera, the tallest viewing platform in Chile that affords stunning views over Santiago and towards the Andes.

DAY 11: THE PLANETARIUM, THE UNIVERSITY OF CHILE ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENT AND THE CERRO CALÁN OBSERVATORY

You will start the day with a visit to the Planetarium situated in the University of Santiago, which presents an informative show on its 22-metre dome.

Afterwards, you will travel to the University of Chile, to visit its astronomy department and the National Astronomical Observatory at Cerro Calán Observatory. 

The department runs a post-graduate course for students who wish to complete their professional training in astrophysics. The observatory was established in 1956 and contains several exceptional telescopes, one of them 160 years old. The visit will include a guided tour of all the historic telescopes and then using some of them for a final evening of stargazing with students of the university and Abigail.

DAY 12: RETURN TO SANTIAGO AIRPORT

After breakfast, there will be a short transfer through Santiago to the airport for you onward journey.