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Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour
Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour
Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour
Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour
Atacama Desert Stargazing TourAtacama Desert Stargazing TourAtacama Desert Stargazing TourAtacama Desert Stargazing Tour

Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour

San Pedro de Atacama – Central Office - San Pedro de Atacama – Central Office
Astronomy, Cultural, Nature

Discover the heavens above one of the clearest skies on Earth with our exclusive Astronomy Tour in San Pedro de Atacama. Just 7 km north of the town lies our dedicated tourist observatory, located in the heart of the Atacama’s pristine desert environment. You’ll be welcomed with a talk about astronomy, then head out under the stars to explore planets, deep-sky objects and the Milky Way with expert telescopes and guides.

 

Whether you’re a space enthusiast or simply curious about the universe, this tour offers a memorable, educational and highly immersive evening under the desert night. With certified bilingual guides, a small-group setting, and premium service, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable night in the Atacama.

Tour Detail

  • Duration 2 Hours
  • Type Trip Astronomy & Cultural & Nature
  • Group Size Private
  • Languages Eng. Esp.
  • Season Year Around
  • Difficulty Easy

Itinerary

Day 1Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour

21:00- 22:30h

Meeting & Departure
We pick you up from your hotel. Our bilingual astronomy guide will welcome you and provide an overview of the night’s experience. Then you board the minibus for the short transfer (≈ 10-15 minutes) to the observatory site.

Astronomy Talk & Naked-Eye Observation
Upon arrival at the observatory, enjoy a short introduction to astronomy: what you’ll see, how to use the telescope, and some Andean sky lore. Then with your eyes adjusted to the dark, you’ll begin naked-eye observation of the constellations, Milky Way and visible planets.
Telescope Observation
With powerful telescopes, you’ll explore planets, open and globular clusters, double stars, nebulae and more — depending on the season. For full-moon nights the focus shifts to the lunar surface and brighter celestial objects.

Snack, Cocktail & Astrophotography
After the main observation, return to the observatory lounge for a snack and cocktail. You’ll receive an individual astrophotograph of yourself under the stars — a perfect souvenir.

Return to San Pedro
At the end of the tour (≈ 23:00 or later depending on shift), we transfer you back to the meeting point in San Pedro.

Meals Included: Snack and cocktail

This trip does include

  • Round-trip minibus transport from San Pedro town
  • Certified bilingual astronomy guide (Spanish & English)
  • Snack and cocktail
  • Personal astrophotograph

This trip does not include

  • Tips (optional)
  • Any hotel pickup/drop-off outside the central meeting point (if applicable)
  • Extra drinks beyond standard snack/cocktail

Summary

Travel Route

San Pedro de Atacama/ Tourist Observatory/ Atacama Desert

[See the Itinerary – Next Tab]

 

Technical Details

Starts at:Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama Town
Ends in: Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama Town

Total Hiking: 0 km
Altitude: 3500mosl
Name of the Tour: Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour

Tour Destinations

Tourist Observatory (≈ 7 km north of San Pedro)
Night sky views over the Atacama Desert

Why us

  • 780+ 5/5 Reviews on TripAdvisor
  • Reliable tour operator, certified guides, and drivers. Guaranteed Quality!
  • Personalized assistance before, during, and after the trip
  • Explore the hidden spots to take that epic photos.

What to Bring

  • Water (at least 1.5 litres per person)
  • Warm layered clothing (evening desert temps drop significantly)
  • Trekking or high-ankle shoes
  • Lip balm (dry desert wind and sun)
  • Small backpack or handbag for your personal items

Not suitable for

  • None specific. Participation is open to all travellers able to walk a short distance and stand outdoors at night.

Important information

Looking for more inspiration? Visit our gallery: Visit South America  Before taking our Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour you should take into count the following information:

What is the ideal time of year to join the tour?

the tour runs year-round, but for the best deep-sky viewing we recommend periods without a full moon — the darker the sky, the more stars you’ll see.

How far is the observatory from San Pedro de Atacama?

The observatory is located approximately 7 km north of town — about a 10-15 minute minibus ride.

Will I be able to see planets and galaxies?

Yes—depending on season and sky conditions you may observe planets, star clusters, nebulae and double stars. On full moon nights the focus is more on the moon and brighter objects.

Is the tour suitable for children or non-astronomy enthusiasts?

Absolutely. It’s designed for general travellers. The guide explains everything in simple terms and makes it fun for everyone. Young children should be accompanied by adults and wear warm clothing.

How cold does it get, and what should I wear?

Desert nights at this altitude can get quite cold. We recommend wearing warm layers, a jacket, and closed shoes. Even in mild seasons the temperature can drop significantly after sunset.

How much does the Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour cost?

The Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour is priced per vehicle, not per person: USD 335 for 1 or 2 travelers, USD 375 for 3 to 6, and USD 428 for 7 to 12. When you book, the total is split equally among the travelers in your group. It includes your own certified bilingual guide and driver, hotel pickup and drop-off in San Pedro de Atacama and the meals listed. There is no entrance fee.

Booking & pricing

100% money-back guarantee (see our totally flexible Terms & Conditions)

Best price. Select # travelers w/ preferential discounts

$335.00 /person

price tooltip
From 2 pax $168 From 3 pax $125 From 4 pax $94 From 5 pax $75 From 6 pax $63 From 7 pax $62 From 8 pax $54 From 9 pax $48 From 10 pax $43 From 11 pax $39 From 12 pax $36
Departure:

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Australia

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From the time we arrived in Peru until the last minute that we stayed there, we were taken good care of by the VSA team! Loved how tailor-made their services are, custom-made to the time we had in Peru and the places we most wanted to experience. I look forward to visiting South America again and knowing VSA will be there to take care of absolutely everything makes us more at ease to travel there.

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United States

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Honestly, Visit South America is one of the best companies I’ve ever booked a tour through. Awesome driver and guide, they were tons of fun very informative, and oh-so-helpful! The Bolivia trip was incredible... Thank you guys!

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Canada

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5 stars all around! Great company, service, and transportation. They really take the anxiety and stress out of traveling as they run extremely smoothly including meals, transportation, translation, etc. Just about everything to make your trip to Cusco special. Highly Recommend!!!
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