Chile Earth and Sky

Arrive in Santiago after an overnight flight and transfer to your stylish hotel, set among the lively shops and restaurants of the historic Barrio Lastarria. Meet your fellow travelers, Smithsonian Journeys Expert, and Travel Director for an orientation, followed by a festive welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant. (D)

Discover the highlights and hidden corners of Chile’s capital city on morning walking tour. View the Palacio de la Moneda and the city’s massive cathedral, and stroll through the winding Parque Forestal. Then tour the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art to see an impressive collection of pottery, sculpture, and textiles from across the Caribbean and Latin America. Afterwards, have free time for exploring more and dinner independently. (B,L)

A short morning flight brings you to La Serena, a seaside city founded in 1544. On a guided visit, see its long beaches, historic lighthouses, and lovely Spanish colonial architecture. Later, check in to your hotel and gather for a group dinner. (B,L,D)

In the morning, travel north by motor coach to Las Campanas Observatory in the Chilean Andes. Led by the Las Campanas Observatory Associate Director, tour the site, where two 6.5-meter Magellan optical telescopes are currently housed on the ridge. These telescopes are operated by a consortium of institutions which include the Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Las Campanas will also be home to the future Giant Magellan Telescope, one of only a few super giant Earth-based telescopes. Scheduled to open by 2029, it promises to revolutionize our view and understanding of the universe. Las Campanas has peaks rising more than 8,500 feet and is almost completely barren of vegetation due to lack of rainfall. These conditions, combined with clear nights, make it an ideal place to situate astronomical telescopes. Enjoy the evening at leisure back in La Serena. (B,L)

Journey into the Elqui Valley, the world’s first International Dark Skies Sanctuary—a narrow strip of lush vegetation that winds between steep, arid slopes. Learn about the wines produced here, as well as Chilean pisco, a brandy made from grapes. At Puclaro Dam, take in sweeping views of the valley, then continue to a distillery for a tour and pisco tasting. Stop to visit the quaint villages of Monte Grande and Pisco Elqui. Arrive at the hotel late in the day and sit down to dinner together. Then take a private van up to El Pangue Observatory for an evening of stargazing. (B,L,D)

This morning, depart for a private visit to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory perched high on a rocky ridge.* Containing the largest camera ever built, the Rubin observatory has been continually scanning the sky for 10 years to create an ultra-wide, ultra-high definition time-lapse record of our universe. This 8.4 meter telescope at the observatory allows astronomers to take photos of the night sky in the hopes of gaining a better understanding of the mysteries of dark energy and matter. Tour the facility and get an insider’s look at how these huge complex machines function. Return to the hotel late in the afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. (B,L)

*Subject to confirmation

Depart for Calama. Set on the Loa River in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile, Calama is known as a gateway to the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. Venture into its surreal landscapes, where crimson canyons give way to turquoise thermal pools and shimmering salt lakes. Your destination is San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis originally settled by the indigenous Atacameños. This stunning spot, ringed by volcanoes and otherworldly geology, is your home for the next three nights. After time to relax and dinner, gather for a guided astronomy session on the hotel grounds. (B,L,D)

Spend a full day exploring this natural wonderland, beginning with the Salar de Atacama, the largest salt flat in Chile. In the middle of the Atacama Desert, the salt flat’s surrounding landscape is dominated by volcanoes, including Lascar, one of the most active in Chile. Take in views of Laguna Chaxa, a national reserve that is home to three species of flamingo, and stop in the village of Toconao, renowned for its church and belltower. Admire the vivid blue waters of the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, ringed by volcanoes, and visit the tiny hamlet of Socaire, where a typical Altiplanic lunch will be served. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon for some free time and dinner on your own. (B,L)

Early risers travel before dawn to El Tatio Geysers to witness a spectacular sunrise. El Tatio is also the third largest geyser site on Earth with more than 80 gurgling geysers and 100 hissing fumaroles. Enjoy a picnic breakfast as the sun rises over the High Andes and witness the breathtaking sight of columns of steam rising from the ground. Following free time in San Pedro de Atacama, travel to Valle de la Luna, a geologic wonderland of stone and sand formations, as well as dry lakes and caverns. Sip an unforgettable “sundowner” watching the setting sun setting sun infuse the scenery with changing colors. Celebrate our stargazing journey at a special farewell dinner. (B,D)

After a leisurely morning, transfer to the airport in Calama and fly to Santiago to connect with your flight to the U.S, arriving the following day. (B,L)