Stargazing in Andes: Night Sky Experience, Astronomer & Dinner
Description
Escape the city and experience one of the clearest night skies on Earth in the Andes. Watch the sunset, then explore the stars with a professional astronomer, uncovering constellations, galaxies, and stories from both Western science and ancient Andean cultures. Travel into the mountains to a remote observatory, far from light pollution and ideal for stargazing. Guided by an astronomer, explore the southern sky and learn how Mapuche and Incan cultures interpreted the stars while viewing planets, constellations, and deep-space objects. Between observations, enjoy a traditional Chilean dinner with local flavours and wine. This experience blends science, culture, and the natural beauty of the Andes into one unforgettable evening. ✔ Stargazing in the Andes, far from city lights ✔ Guided by a professional astronomer ✔ Western + Mapuche & Incan star traditions ✔ View planets, constellations, and deep-space objects ✔ Traditional Chilean dinner with wine ✔ Private / Small-group experience
Tour Options
Itinerary
We drive to a private, self-built observatory, located in the mountains 105 km north of Santiago. The driving time is made up for by 260 clear nights per year, and incredibly dark skies, perfect for stargazing, even through the naked eye!!! Your hosts will welcome you with a traditional “once chilena” (our version of tea), with homemade bread, tea, coffee, craft cheeses and other delicious homemade sweet and savoury traditional treats. After eating, our Astronomer introduces you to the cosmology of Andean Cultures, and the relevance certain celestial objects had to our ancestors. Afterwards, we move to the tower (every structure here is built to coincide with astronomical phenomena), where we learn to observe the negative spaces in the Milky Way (sacred to most ancient peoples of the South), and then move on to observation with telescopes, where the Astronomer addresses current, western cosmology to contextualise the objects we observe.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Send us your hotel in Santiago and we will make sure you will be picked up! -->In summer we pick you up around 17.00/ 17.30 -->In winter we pick you up around 15.00/16:30 Exact pick up times are determined by the astronomer and are communicated upon booking.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- The remaining time is allotted to the travel time
Reviews(5)
This was an incredible experience watching the sun set in the Andes to exploring the night sky with Jericho and learning about the culture of the various native cultures and how they perceived the stars. The area is a bit remote and takes up to two hours to reach but Oscar our driver made it comfortable and also shared information. There was wine and snacks as well
We’re glad you enjoyed the full experience, from sunset in the Andes through to exploring the night sky! Our host has a great way of bringing both the astronomy and the cultural stories to life. And I’ll be sure to pass along your note to Oscar as well—he’ll be happy to hear it made the journey that much more comfortable. It’s definitely a bit of a drive, but we’ve always felt it’s part of what makes the experience so special once you’re out there. Thanks again for joining us—we hope to have you back in Chile again soon.
Amazing aventure ! I was about to spend the night there and observe the sky and take lots of astrophotography ! Exactly what i was looking for !
Thanks Nik! Yerko and Ali loved hosting you at Torreon!
This was very low-key and a fun experience under the stars. I enjoyed the time looking through the telescope and the free time I had to do some astrophotography. Our hosts were super kind and interesting.
Hi Rick, thanks for this comment. We actually try and accommodate your needs as much as possible, so we try and adapt the rhythm of the tour to the group's needs and accommodate your personal interests as much as we can. Feel free to share your photos, I'm sure they're beautiful!
Unique experience with local family and professor of astronomy. Provides an ancient views on the stars Ali was so kind to open her home to us with fresh snacks thank you for a wonderful night under the stars
Thanks for your review! I'll forward it to Ali and Yerko, as you are 100% right. They open their home and welcome us as family, and they'll love to know how much they are appreciated!
We travel A LOT and this was one of the best tours we have ever experienced. The knowledge and expertise of the group was awesome. We would recommend to anyone interested in astronomy. VERY COOL TOUR.
Thanks Ryan! We try and have vendors who are small, local businesses, and build personal relationships with them. Yerko and Ali, are not only amazing at what they do, but they make us feel like family whenever we go there, and they'll for sure love to hear you had a great experience, I'll pass it on to them.
