We Are All Stardust

This sunset and stargazing experience takes place under some of the clearest night skies on Earth. After picking you up from your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama, Vicente drives you to a secluded spot in the Salt Mountains, where you watch the sunset over a warming mug of vino navegado (a traditional beverage of hot Chilean red wine with orange, cinnamon, and cloves). Here, you observe how the sky changes during twilight, learn about the different stages of visibility, and understand what to expect once you reach the stargazing location. Once at the camp, you settle into reclining chairs and are offered an assortment of local wines, cheeses, and fruits as the sky ignites above. Vicente invites you to observe nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters using his state-of-the-art smart telescope, capturing images of the night sky that will be shared with you the following day. He also takes portraits of you beneath the glowing skies before returning you to your hotel.

Did you know that we humans are essentially stardust? That’s how Vicente opens his astronomy experience, placing human life into context with our surroundings — including those you cannot see with the naked eye. Your host has spent much of his life trying to make sense of the cosmos and our place in it. Beyond being an opportunity to learn about the universe, this intimate stargazing experience plays out as a dialogue about science, philosophy, history, culture, and the deep human fascination with the night sky. Unlike a typical astro-tourism experience, you begin the night by watching the sunset and learning how this daily transition affects the atmosphere and shapes the night sky. The stargazing section is customized to suit your background: amateur skywatchers may find the experience awakens a thirst to learn more about astronomy, while those with a scientific background can discuss theories and the latest research with your knowledgeable guide.

Vicente Litvak is the founder of a dark-sky tourism venture based in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Hailing from Santiago, the engineer’s passion for astronomy brought him north, home to some of the clearest skies on Earth. He created this project to share the wonders of the Southern Hemisphere’s night sky with travelers from around the world. His tours combine scientific knowledge with a deep sense of wonder, guiding visitors through galaxies, nebulae, and cosmic phenomena using professional-grade telescopes. His background in physics and astronomy brings depth to every observation and turns each session into an unforgettable journey through space and time. He also develops innovative water-harvesting technology adapted to extreme arid environments, driven by the same curiosity and love for the desert that fuels his stargazing. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or seeing Saturn's rings for the first time, Vicente aims to reconnect you with the universe.

Warm clothing; the desert is cold at night. Please advise Vicente of any food allergies at the time of booking. *Please note: the experience does not operate in the days leading up to and following a full moon. Cloudy conditions are a risk during the rainy months of January/February.