Astronomical Tour in San Pedro de Atacama – Touring the Heavens Above

There are few places on the planet as majestic, scenic, and sublimely beautiful as San Pedro de Atacama, a tiny village nestled deep in the heart of Chile’s Atacama Desert.

Away from the bustle of everyday life – and far from the pollution and light pollution of cities and towns – San Pedro is the perfect destination for amateur astronomers, space gazers, and photographers.

Zero light pollution, dramatic nighttime skies, and some of the clearest night skies on the planet make San Pedro the ideal location for stargazing and astronomical tours. And of course, those who come here will get to experience some of the most breathtaking landscapes and views that this region has to offer.

What Can You See on San Pedro de Atacama’s Astronomical Tour?

San Pedro’s astronomical tour gives you a chance to witness a dazzling array of astronomical phenomena up close and personal. From star-studded skies and distant galaxies, to shimmering meteors and comets, there is something here for everyone in search of a little starry-eyed wonderment.

Here are some of the spectacular heavenly bodies waiting to be discovered on San Pedro de Atacama’s Astronomical Tour:

The Milky Way

The Milky Way stretches across the night sky like a majestic river of stars, spiralling and snaking around us. A timeless symbol of curiosity, mystery, and our place in the cosmos, the Milky Way often takes on an ethereal glow above Cerro Azul, providing space travelers with a breathtaking view of our galaxy.

Galaxies Beyond Our Own

The night sky also provides a tantalizing window into the galaxies beyond our own. Tourists can expect to lay eyes on distant star systems like Andromeda (found 2.5 million light-years away) and The Magellanic Clouds (found 170,000 light-years away).

Comets and Meteors

The cosmic wonders don’t stop there. After ending its trek around the inner solar system, comet NEOWISE graced San Pedro with its presence in July 2020 – a spectacular celestial show which continues to this day. And several times a week, visitors can witness streaking meteors burning up in the sky above them!

The Planets

And don’t forget about the planets; massive, mysterious worlds orbiting our sun with mesmerizing stories waiting to be discovered by inquisitive eyes. Saturn and Jupiter provide magnificently clear views which you can appreciate with either telescope or naked eye.

Where to go for San Pedro de Atacama’s Astronomical Tour?

When you visit San Pedro, heading out on an astronomical tour is easy and stress-free. You have plenty of reliable tour companies and operators to choose from who can provide you a brilliant experience with guided tours that involve high powered telescopes and knowledgeable tour experts.

To give you a headstart on your journey into space exploration, we’ve included a couple of examples below – each offering you cutting-edge technology and an unforgettable cosmic voyage.

1: Allur Tour Operadores

Established in 2004, Allur Tour Operadores has become one of the main adventures network suppliers in Bolivia and northern Chile. Here you can enjoy an incredible “Astro Adventure” evening tour of Lake Cejar and other nearby attractions; providing you with stunning views of some of the most breathtaking celestial wonders in this region of the world.

2: La Valle Starexpeditions

La Valle Starexpeditions offers exclusive tours to clients all year round and focuses primarily on providing stargazing experiences deep within San Pedro’s border-desert landscapes, providing access to world-class astro-tourism equipment such as binoculars and advanced telescopes.

What You’ll Need For Your Astronomical Adventure in San Pedro De Atacama

When you arrive in San Pedro de Atacama, you don’t need to worry about packing too much as most tour groups have all necessary equipment available (binoculars, long lenses and telescopes). However, there are a few things you will need to consider before starting your astronomical journey:

• Clothing – Bring sensible clothing for nighttime temperatures; think warm sweaters and jackets.
• Food – Bring adequate snacks and refreshments for shorter tours and full meals for longer ones.
• Batteries – It goes without saying that you should bring spare batteries for your device.
• UV protection – Sunblock lotion and sunglasses are essential for safe stargazing.

After all these preparations are made, all that’s left to do is marvel at a bejewelled sky filled with fascinating stories to tell!

Final Thoughts

Taking an Astronomical Tour in San Pedro de Atacama is an experience like no other! Whether it’s stunning views of galaxies beyond our own or shooting stars you’re looking out for (or hoping to spot), San Pedro provides a level of visual access that is truly out of this world!
If you find yourself drawn towards exploring space or simply soaking in views of a star filled sky – then this village is where heavenly dreams really do come true.

So if you’re ready to take your passion for astronomy international – gather your supplies, make your bookings (you can book your tour here) and embark on a journey full of passion, wonderment and awe!