Travel
The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert
Slide Nr 1If you’re into exploring untamed places, chances are Chile is already on your radar. With its endless coastline, rugged mountains and year-round snowfall, this narrow country located at the southern tip of South America is an adventurer’s paradise. But Chile isn’t just for intrepid travellers – it’s for budding astronomers, too, who come from all across the world for a front row seat to the crystal-clear night skies of the Atacama Desert, enabling the observation of distant stars like nowhere else on the planet. Thinking of making the trip? We’ve got the perfect Atacama adventure all planned out.
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The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert.
Slide Nr 2Why The Atacama – You might wonder what makes this desert different from others around the world. As the driest place on the planet, and one at a high altitude with almost zero light pollution, the Atacama Desert provides ideal conditions for observing the heavens: clouds are rare here, and the skies are pristine most nights of the year. That’s why this region is home to a number of state-of-the-art observatories and astronomical facilities, including the powerful ALMA telescope. The best time to visit the Atacama for stargazing is between September and March.
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The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert.
Slide Nr 3Getting There – There are a few places you can make your home base, but for our purposes we’re heading to quaint San Pedro de Atacama, which can be reached by plane or by taking a three-day road trip from Santiago. The latter is only for the most daring, but adventurers are rewarded with the chance to make stopovers at beautiful coastal destinations like Bahía Inglesa, Punta de Choros and La Serena. If you want to get there faster, flying is the best choice: a flight from Santiago to Antofagasta takes about two hours, followed by a six-hour bus ride to San Pedro.
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The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert.
Slide Nr 4Pack Smart – Keep in mind that, in typical desert manner, the temperature will vary widely throughout the day. Mornings and nights are usually cold, so bring warm clothing. The days, on the other hand, are quite hot and sunny, so it’s better to dress in layers. Sunscreen is also a must, since the skies in the Atacama are generally clear and UV rays are strong. Also, as temperatures will drop dramatically at night, be sure to bring a thermos that you can fill with tea or coffee, which makes stargazing in the freezing desert much more enjoyable.
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The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert.
Slide Nr 5Starry Accommodations – For a small town in the middle of the desert, San Pedro de Atacama has a surprisingly solid selection of accommodations. There’s something for everyone, from five-star hotels to romantic cabins, as well as campsites for intrepid outdoorsmen and -women. For a romantic retreat, book into Nayara Alto Atacama, a luxurious hotel and spa built into a red rock face and offering unique packages for every type of traveller. If you’re travelling with family or friends, you might prefer a self-catering cabin or vacation rental with its own kitchen and more homely comforts.
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The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert.
Slide Nr 6Secrets Under The Stars – For the best stargazing, you’ll want to minimise light pollution and find a spot away from town. We recommend travelling a few miles to the popular Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) or Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley), where stargazers can enjoy an incredible sunset while they wait for the stars to make their entrance. Alternatively, guided tours can be booked in San Pedro, typically involving stargazing with telescopes and photographs. Astronomy Atacama Lodge & Tours, for instance, is staffed by specialised guides and uses top-notch telescopes.
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The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert.
Slide Nr 7See Astronomers At Work – Thanks to its reliably clear skies, this region is flush with astronomical observatories equipped with cutting-edge technology used to study the universe. The ALMA Observatory, located about an hour outside of San Pedro, is one of the highest observatories in the world and boasts the largest radio telescope in existence. Like many of the area’s working observatories, ALMA doesn’t admit visitors at night, but it does offer free daytime public tours on Saturday and Sunday mornings, where you can view the laboratories, control room and certain antennas while learning about the work of ALMA astronomers. [Note: The facility is temporarily closed to the public at the time of writing.]
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The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert.
Slide Nr 8Unmissable Sights – Starry skies aren’t the only attraction here: the Atacama Desert is full of incredible landscapes to take in when the sun is up. There are the spectacular and ethereal mountain-fringed vistas of the region’s salt flats, like Salar de Tara and Salar de Atacama, as well as the incredible rock formations of the Moon Valley and Mars Valley. For early birds, visiting the El Tatio Geyser is a must; tours are available which take you to see these fascinating ‘upside-down waterfalls’ that emerge at dawn, along with the beautiful endemic wildlife.
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The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert.
Slide Nr 9A Trip Through Time – History buffs will feel right at home in San Pedro itself. Along the charming adobe streets of the downtown area, for instance, you’ll find the church of San Pedro, a Chilean national monument that combines the Andean architecture of the area with Spanish influences, generating a striking mix. Exploring the outskirts of town, you’ll reach Pucará de Quitor, an ancient pre-Inca fortress. Plan a hike to explore the site and gain unbeatable views of the area.
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The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert.
Slide Nr 10A True Oasis – If hikes and tours have taken a lot out of you, perhaps it’s time to relax. Head for the Puritama hot springs, beautiful natural pools known for their medicinal properties that soothe both body and soul. The reserve is located at a high elevation, so we recommend taking it easy, bringing a light picnic meal and simply letting yourself be carried away by the wonderful experience of bathing in a natural hot pool. [Note: The springs are temporarily closed at the time of writing.]
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The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert.
Slide Nr 11Dining In The Desert – From the classic ‘empanadas de pino’ with a Chilean tomato and onion salad, to more gourmet options such as ceviche, you’ll find plenty to delight your palate on San Pedro’s dining scene. You won’t go thirsty, either: sipping a mango pisco sour is a must, as well as the iconic ‘piscola’ (Coke with Chilean pisco). And don’t miss out on a glass or two of award-winning Chilean wine, either – you can’t go wrong with a bottle of this true delicacy from the country’s celebrated vineyards.
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The Big Adventure: Stargazing In The Atacama Desert.
Slide Nr 12Bring Your Memories Home – Reaching the Atacama Desert is no simple task, so you’ll certainly want to bring home a few tokens by which to remember this monumental trip. Walking through the picturesque streets of San Pedro, you’ll find local crafts and authentic jewellery to take with you as a souvenir. Alpaca wool is iconic in this area, so consider getting a hat or poncho. If you want a more sophisticated memento, San Pedro is known for its stunning lapis lazuli stones used to create necklaces, bracelets and rings, all of which make beautiful gifts as well as keepsakes of your time in the Chilean desert.
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