"FIRE AND STARS, SCIENTIFIC, TRADITIONAL AND ANDEAN ASTRONOMY" Tour

"FIRE AND STARS, SCIENTIFIC, TRADITIONAL AND ANDEAN ASTRONOMY" Tour

Chile has 40% of the world's astronomical observation. The history of astronomy in Chile dates back to the study and observation of the stars and celestial cycles by various societies of indigenous peoples who have inhabited or still inhabit their territory.

SCIENTIFIC, TRADITIONAL AND ANDEAN ASTRONOMY – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA: Experience the magic of the Atacama Desert skies through a unique journey that blends modern science, ancestral wisdom, and Andean cosmology. San Pedro de Atacama, renowned worldwide for having some of the clearest and darkest skies on Earth, provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable astronomical experience. This tour begins in the evening with a transfer to a specially selected observation site located away from light pollution. Under the guidance of expert astronomers, guests will explore the night sky using professional telescopes, observing planets, star clusters, nebulae, and distant galaxies. The scientific component of the experience offers clear explanations of celestial phenomena, the structure of the universe, and the importance of the Atacama region for international astronomical research.

The journey then continues into the realm of traditional and Andean astronomy, where participants will learn how ancient Andean cultures interpreted the sky. Unlike Western astronomy, Andean cosmology focuses not only on stars but also on the dark spaces of the Milky Way, identifying celestial animals and symbols that guided agricultural cycles, rituals, and daily life. Stories, myths, and ancestral knowledge passed down through generations bring a deeper cultural dimension to the experience. The tour concludes with a moment of reflection beneath the stars, often accompanied by a warm drink, allowing guests to fully absorb the silence, vastness, and spiritual atmosphere of the desert night.

This experience is ideal for science enthusiasts, culture lovers, photographers, and travelers seeking a deeper connection with the universe, offering a rare opportunity to understand the sky from both a scientific and ancestral perspective in one of the world’s premier stargazing destinations.

Itinerary

• After departing from the hotel, we will journey into a natural oasis in the heart of the world’s driest desert, where the exceptional clarity of the atmosphere creates one of the clearest and most star-filled skies on Earth. In this unique setting, we will explore the wonders of the universe by blending modern scientific astronomy with the ancient Andean cosmological knowledge developed by the region’s earliest sky observers, long before the invention of the telescope.
• Gathered around a warm fire, we will observe constellations and celestial bodies while listening to fascinating myths, legends, and ancestral stories inspired by the night sky, shared in the same way they were passed down through generations. The experience is complemented by guided observation through a professional telescope, offering a closer look at stars and planets.
• At the end of this unforgettable night under the stars, we will enjoy some hot chocolate and return to the hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.

Includes

• Guide service in Spanish and English.
• Pick-up from your accommodation,
• Hot beverages.
• Appetizers.

Does not include

• Tips and gratuities.
• Professional guide in French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. If you would like a guide in these languages, please request one in advance and pay an extra fee, subject to availability.
• Other services not described in the program.

Notes:

• Level of difficulty: low.
• Minimum age required for the tour: 6 years old.
• The pick-up and return time depends on the season and will be confirmed the day before the reservation.
• The activity may be canceled in case of cloudy weather, in which case it is possible to reschedule the tour or receive a refund.