Stars Until Dawn

Stargaze all night at a private astro camp set in a remote location in the world's driest desert, with no time limit on your astronomy under the clearest night skies on Earth — a southern sky, with sights invisible from the northern hemisphere. Premium gear and all food are included, and children are welcome to join. It begins with a cocktail as the sun drops behind the Cordillera de la Sal. You dine on a freshly prepared meal on the patio of a centuries-old adobe house, then, as the sky darkens, Valeria and Juan Pablo — a couple with a combined twenty years of experience in astro-tourism — introduce you to the night sky. After a talk inside the adobe cottage, Valeria leads you out across the sand to observe the sky with the naked eye and through two state-of-the-art Dobsonian telescopes, 16- and 12-inch. From there you're free to drift between your cosy, heated tent and the dunes until dawn — with meteor showers, shooting stars, and the Milky Way overhead between spells of sleep.

While most stargazing experiences last a few hours — and get very cold when you're not moving — this one gives you the entire night in a setting that's paradoxical: real comfort in the middle of the desert, under a very dark sky — a spot Valeria and Juan Pablo chose and set up for exactly this. You're transferred from San Pedro to a private "camp" built within a centuries-old adobe compound. The thick walls break the desert wind and carry a genuine sense of expedition — being somewhere remote and old is part of the magic — while two oversized tents — heated, with real beds — sit sheltered beneath an ancient tree. Supper is served at twilight under the stars. Juan Pablo leads a science-forward talk on the fundamentals of astronomy. It flows into an intuitive open-air session with Valeria who teaches you to use the telescopes and draws out your questions. There's no script here: the evening unfolds around whatever happens to be in the sky. A roaring bonfire completes the glamping night.

This experience is co-hosted by Valeria and Juan Pablo. Valeria is a passionate naturalist and conservationist who has resided in San Pedro de Atacama for over a decade. While operating her tour business, she has fostered deep roots in the community. Her expertise lies in the region's natural history, from its intricate geology and flora to wildlife (in particular, its avifauna), to its astronomy. She worked as a senior astronomy guide at the largest privately-owned observatory in San Pedro for five years before developing this astronomy venture with her husband, who has worked as an astronomy guide for over 15 years. Juan Pablo now runs his own adventure tourism company in town. Together, Valeria and Juan Pablo will introduce you to the science, the heritage, the cultural significance, and the pure wonder of the Atacama Desert's night skies. Avid travelers and experts in natural history and astronomy, they'll make the experience illuminating in more ways than one.

Overnight amenities (washbag, sleepwear, etc.). Warm clothing: most of the experience takes place outdoors and the desert is cold at night. Down jacket/windbreaker, beanie hat, and gloves are recommended in all seasons. ** Sightings of specific celestial objects cannot be guaranteed. There is less visibility of stars in the days leading up to/during the full moon. ** Message Valeria on Fernwayer Chat if you have more questions about the camping/tents.