Days 1 — Depart for Santiago, Chile

Day 2 – Santiago

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

Day 3 — Valparaiso and Casablanca Valley

Journey west of the city on a full-day excursion. The first stop will be the harbor town of Valparaiso. Prior to the completion of the Panama Canal, Valparaíso played an important geopolitical role in the second half of the 19th century when it served as a major stopover for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This World Heritage site city was built upon dozens of steep hillsides overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with a labyrinth of streets and cobblestone alleyways, embodying a rich architectural and cultural legacy. Continue on to the rolling vineyards of Casablanca Valley. Located near the Pacific coast, Casablanca Valley enjoys a cool climate ideal for producing acclaimed chardonnays and sauvignon blancs. Enjoy a private tour, tasting and lunch at the Kingston Family Vineyard, where the pioneering owners have coaxed award-winning red wines from a valley known for whites. Late in the day, arrive back at the hotel to enjoy dinner independently at one of Santiago’s many fine restaurants. (B,L)

Day 4 – Santiago

Discover the highlights and hidden corners of Chile’s capital city on morning walking tour where you will view the Palacio de la Moneda.  Stroll through the winding Parque Forestal and see the city’s massive cathedral. 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. Late in the day visit The National Observatory of Chile / Cerro Calan Observatory, located in the Northwest corner of the city. Enjoy remarks and stargazing with an astronomer. (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Santiago to La Serena

This morning depart Santiago and fly to La Serena, a seaside city founded in 1544. Enjoy a guided visit to see the cities long beaches, historic lighthouses, and lovely Spanish colonial architecture. Late in the day, check in to your hotel then gather for a group dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 6 – La Serena and Las Campanas Observatory

Today travel by motor coach north of La Serena to Las Campanas Observatory in the Chilean Andes. Take a tour of the site, where currently, there are two 6.5-meter Magellan optical telescopes 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 (planned to open by 2029), one of a few super giant earth-based telescopes it promises to revolutionize our view and understanding of the universe. Las Campanas has peaks with altitudes over 8,500 feet and is almost completely barren of vegetation, combined with clear nights, and a lack of rainfall, the area is ideal for astronomical telescopes. Enjoy the evening at leisure. (B,L) 

Day 7 – Elqui Valley, Vicuña & El Pangue Observatory

Depart this morning by motor coach for 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 for check in. This evening take a private van up to El Pangue Observatory for an evening of stargazing. Arrive back at the hotel late in the evening.  (B,L,D) 

Day 8 — Vera C. Rubin Observatory, Mamalluca Observatory

This morning depart for a private visit to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory to learn about its ten-year survey of the Southern Hemisphere sky (referred to as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, or LSST). Every night for a decade, the Rubin Observatory will take images of the sky using a 3200-megapixel camera and six different optical filters. Astronomers’ research will focus on dark matter, transient objects, an inventory of our solar system, and mapping the Milky Way. Return to the hotel late this afternoon. After dinner, enjoy an evening of stargazing at Mamalluca Observatory. (B,L,D)

Day 9 – La Serena to Calama / San Pedro de Atacama

This morning fly from La Serena to Calama (via Santiago). Calama is a city on the Loa River in the Antofagasta region in northern Chile, it’s known as a gateway to the Atacama Desert. Depart by motorcoach to venture deeper into the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. Crimson canyons give way to turquoise thermal pools and shimmering salt lakes, and geysers steam among volcanic peaks. Continue on to 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. (B,L,D) 

Day 10 – San Pedro de Atacama: Salar de Atacama

Spend a full day discovering the natural wonderland of this unique region of the High Andes, choosing from a variety of activities. You can take in views of the Salar de Atacama, Chile’s largest salt flat, set within a circle of mountains, including the active volcano Lascar. Visit Laguna Chaxa, where three species of flamingo as well as other waterbirds reside amid the salt-encrusted waters. And visit the picturesque Puritama hot springs and enjoy a soak after a scenic riverside walk. After free time back at the hotel, gather for an evening of stargazing from the hotel’s very own observatory featuring a Meade 16” f/10 LX200R Advanced scope with a main mirror that is 40 cm in diameter. (B,L,D)   

Day 11 – San Pedro de Atacama: El Tatio Geysers and Moon Valley

Today you will have your choice of activities: You can travel to the El Tatio Geysers the highest geyser site on Earth and the third largest—with more than 80 spurting geysers and 100 fumaroles, creating amazing vistas of columns of steam rising from the ground. Later, explore Valle de la Luna, or Moon Valley, aptly named for its lunar-like landscapes of sculpted stones, dry lakebeds, and caves. We will also have other activities available should guests wish to forgo the visit to higher altitude. Sip a sundowner cocktail as the setting sun infuses the scenery with changing colors. Celebrate our stargazing sojourn together with a special farewell reception and dinner under the dark skies of the Atacama Desert. (B,L,D) 

Day 12-13 – Depart for Home

After a leisurely morning, transfer to the airport in Calama and fly to Santiago to connect with your overnight flight home. (B,L)