Loading
Phone1800 960 693AustraliaMonday to Friday 8am - 9pm (AEDT)
Travel Agent Login

9-Day Astronomic Journey Through Chile

  • view trip mapView Trip Map
  • downloadDownload
  • shareShare

Overview

Set off on an astronomic journey across Chile over nine wonderful days!

On this Chile itinerary, you'll begin in the capital city of Santiago where you'll discover the colonial buildings combined with ultramodern architecture in the city's downtown, colourful avenues and key landmarks.

Moving on, you'll head to the Colchagua Valley, an area known for its Andean views, different wineries and some of the country’s finest wines. Next, you'll fly to La Serena, then travel to the Elqui Valley, known for having some of the clearest skies in the world. You'll spend two days observing millions of stars from the observatory and learning astronomy.

Finally, you'll fly to the Atacama Desert to begin your five-day experience connecting with the desert and its landscapes. You'll immerse in local cultures from small villages that have maintained their customs and traditions through festivals, appreciate the fiery skies during the sunrise and the impressive starry nights.

Over five days, you'll be able to take part in various activities in the desert, visiting salt lakes, trekking in mountain ranges and of course, observing the stars.
Sightseeing
Outdoors & Nature
Culture & Arts
Food & Drink
Adventure
Hiking & Trekking

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Santiago de Chile & City Tour with Museum Visit

Hide details accordion
Arrival in Santiago de Chile & City Tour with Museum Visit

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in Santiago. After checking in, you'll discover Chile’s capital city that combines colonial buildings with ultramodern architecture. You'll start your tour downtown on the Alameda, a colourful main avenue with important buildings like the Chilean University, the San Francisco Church, and the Santa Lucia Hill. You'll then tour Plaza de Armas, the central market, the Pre-Columbian Museum and end your tour at San Cristóbal Hill.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Pullman Santiago El Bosque4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Santiago City Tour with Pre-Columbian Museum

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Arturo Merino Benítez Airport to Santiago

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Santiago Province

    Santiago

Day 2

Travel to the Colchagua Valley for a Wine Tour & Stay in Santa Cruz

Hide details accordion
Travel to the Colchagua Valley for a Wine Tour & Stay in Santa Cruz

Today, you'll drive about 120 kilometres south of Santiago to the Colchagua Valley. Colchagua Valley is a dry area with a river for irrigation, a warm climate, and fertile soils that are ideal for large productions of wine. On this wine tour, you'll appreciate the Andean views, visit two different wineries, learn about the winemaking process, and taste some of the country’s finest wines. At the end of the tour, you'll continue to your hotel in Santa Cruz.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Santa Cruz5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Colchagua Valley Wine Tour

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Santiago to Colchagua Valley, Chile

    Private Driver from Colchagua Valley, Chile to Santa Cruz

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Santiago Province

    San Fernando

    Santa Cruz

Day 3

Fly to La Serena, Travel to Elqui Valley & Stargaze in the Observatory

Hide details accordion
Fly to La Serena, Travel to Elqui Valley & Stargaze in the Observatory

This morning, you'll return to Santiago to go to the airport. Here, you'll catch your flight to La Serena and upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the Elqui Valley, known for some of the clearest skies in the world so is the perfect place to observe the millions of stars. The evening stargazing tour includes a talk on basic astronomy, which is supported by specialised software, and guided observation from the observatory using a state-of-the-art electronic telescope.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Elqui Domos3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Stargazing Elqui DomosOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Santa Cruz to Arturo Merino Benítez Airport

    Plane from Arturo Merino Benítez Airport to La Florida International AirportOptional Activity

    Private Driver from La Florida International Airport to Elqui Province

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Santa Cruz

    Elqui Province

    Coquimbo

Day 4

Tour to La Serena & Elqui Valley Plus Stargazing in Observatory Mamalluca

Hide details accordion
Tour to La Serena & Elqui Valley Plus Stargazing in Observatory Mamalluca

Today, you'll admire the beautiful landscapes of the Elqui Valley, passing the beaches, fishing towns and landmarks of La Serena. You'll visit the Archeological Museum and La Recova handicraft. In the Elqui Valley, the landscape is unique from the entire world, you'll be able to see typical Andean villages and visit a National Drink Distillery Factory to learn about the making of Pisco and taste the liquor! In the evening, you'll head to the Observatory Mamalluca for a night of stargazing.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Elqui Domos3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    La Serena & Elqui Valley Tour

    Night Star Observation in Mamalluca Observatory

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Elqui Province

    La Serena

    Vicuña

Day 5

Fly to the Atacama Desert & Begin Your Five-Day Experience

Hide details accordion
Fly to the Atacama Desert & Begin Your Five-Day Experience

Today, you'll fly to the heart of the Atacama Desert and begin your five-day experience connecting with the desert and its landscapes. You'll immerse in local cultures from small villages that have maintained their customs and traditions through festivals, handicrafts, and folklore. You'll relax in the natural hot springs, indulge in local flavours, and appreciate the fiery skies during the sunrise or the impressive starry nights.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    San Pedro de AtacamaOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Elqui Domos to La Florida International Airport

    Plane from La Florida International Airport to Airport El Loa Calama (CJC)Optional Activity

    Private Driver from Airport El Loa Calama (CJC) to San Pedro de Atacama

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Elqui Province

    San Pedro de Atacama

  • notes icon
    Notes

    Today, you'll begin your five-day experience connecting with the desert and its landscapes. You'll immerse in local cultures from small villages that have maintained their customs and traditions through festivals, handicrafts, and folklore. You'll relax in the natural hot springs, indulge in local flavours, and appreciate the fiery skies during the sunrise or the impressive starry nights. Your experience includes a great selection of Chilean wines, daily activities (1 full, or 2 half-day outdoor tours and selected spa treatments), transfers to San Pedro Village and bicycles available 24 hours.

Day 6

The Alto Atacama Desert Experience: Day Two

Hide details accordion
The Alto Atacama Desert Experience: Day Two

Each day on this experience, you'll be able to choose from one full-day tour, two half-day tours and multiple spa treatments. Today, you may like to head out to the Atacama Salt Flat and Toconao Village on a half-day tour. To start the tour, you'll visit the Tamarugo (Prosopis) Forest in Tambillo before continuing up to Toconao, a local village known for its unique stone architecture. You'll finish the day at the Flamingos National Reserve where you'll watch the sunset.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    ToconaoOptional Activity

    Ojos del SalarOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    San Pedro de Atacama

    Antofagasta Region

Day 7

The Alto Atacama Desert Experience: Day Three

Hide details accordion
The Alto Atacama Desert Experience: Day Three

Another day of the Atacama Experience brings you another choice of full-day and half-day tours to head out on. Today, you may want to travel in time along the San Pedro River to find the 2,400-year-old village of Tulor, the earliest trace of an Atacamenian settlement in the region. You'll come back through the Coyo Ayllu up to the Pucará de Quitor, an ancient hilltop fortress dating back to the 13th century.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Valle de la LunaOptional Activity

    Lickan Antai Culture TourOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    San Pedro de Atacama

    Antofagasta Region

    Tulor

Day 8

The Alto Atacama Desert Experience: Day Four

Hide details accordion
The Alto Atacama Desert Experience: Day Four

Once again, your final full day of the Atacama Desert experience brings you a choice of a full-day tour, and two half-day tours, along with a choice of spa treatments. You may want to embark on the trek to Devil's Throat in the Salt Mountain Range. Starting at the abandoned sulphur mine in Vilama, you'll follow an ancient pass which was once used by shepherds, and continue until you reach the petroglyphs of Lickan Antai. You'll end your tour at the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat).

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Devil's Throat TrekOptional Activity

    Los ColoradosOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    San Pedro de Atacama

    Antofagasta Region

    Los Colorados

Day 9

Last Day of Alto Atacama Desert Experience & Departure

Hide details accordion
Last Day of Alto Atacama Desert Experience & Departure

This morning, your Chile itinerary comes to an end. After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel and drive 101 kilometres to the airport in Calama.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from San Pedro de Atacama to Airport El Loa Calama (CJC)

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    San Pedro de Atacama

Included in Price

  • 8 nights accommodation
  • 4 activities
  • 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Trekking permits

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
pdf icon

Want to Read This Later?

Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!

Why Choose Designer Journeys

access

Access Exclusive Experiences

Open your eyes to a world of exclusive experiences that will make your next trip extraordinary. Designer Journeys’ local travel designers are connected to unique experiences that are out of reach for most people – so you’ll return with some amazing stories to tell.

local expertise

Extraordinary Local Expertise

Using highly experienced local travel designers means you have access to your very own local expert. You'll find experiences you never knew existed, avoid some of the common pitfalls and, most of all, feel like you have an insider guiding you every step of the way.

support

Supported Every Step of the Way

Our in-destination local travel designers are the first line of support when you are travelling. They are in your time zone and have the local expertise and knowledge to solve any issue that may arise – making you feel more confident about your trip.

custom travel designed

Travel Designed For You

Designer Journeys style of travel is all about how you want to travel – its private travel designed exactly to your needs. Our local travel designers customise every trip to suit you, whether completely bespoke or based on one or more of our 2,000+ gallery of itineraries.

Image - Designer Journeys
Image - Designer Journeys
DESIGN YOUR EXTRAORDINARY

Why Travel with Designer Journeys

Smile icon
Your Trip. Your Version of Extraordinary.

At Designer Journeys, we know that we all travel differently. That's why you decide where you travel, how you travel and your travel experiences when you design your trip with us.

Message icon
Connect and Design With an Expert.

Our trusted Local Designers use their destination insight, local knowledge and travel planning expertise to build your extraordinary trip. Our dedicated Travel Concierge team will be there every step of the way to ensure your perfect trip becomes reality.

Trust icon
Book with Confidence. We are Trusted.

Secure payment platforms, multiple accreditations, rigorous Local Designer selection process, and decades of travel expertise means you are in safe hands with Designer Journeys.

As seen on
Partners