What is the best astronomical tour in San Pedro de Atacama?
- Rodrigo Zúñiga
- May 25
- 4 min read
My name is Rodrigo Zúñiga, and for the past eight years, I’ve been sharing the Atacama sky with people from all over the world. I’m also one of the creators of the Astronomical Tour Bajo la Noche de Atacama and the author of three books aimed at helping people reconnect with the experience of being under the stars.
In this post:
The most important question when choosing a tour
Astronomical tourism has grown significantly in recent years—from just one tour in the early 2000s to more than fifty companies operating today. The variety of experiences has expanded too, and despite major differences in infrastructure, equipment, location, approach, and guide quality, nearly all of them claim to offer the best astronomical tour in San Pedro de Atacama.
But that phrase—“the best tour”—overlooks the most important question: What are you looking for in the Atacama sky?
Variety of astronomical tours
Over the past eight years, I’ve realized that people book these tours with very different expectations and interests. The most common ones are:
Taking photos of the night sky
Observing through telescopes at one of the best stargazing spots in the world
Learning about Andean astronomy
Getting to know the night sky and reconnecting with the experience of being under the stars
Often, due to lack of information, these four types of travelers end up on the same tour—because when booking, they simply reserved “an astronomical tour.” The best tour in San Pedro de Atacama depends on what you're looking for (and a few other details).
This is a basic guide to help you find and choose the ideal experience for you, and to know what to look for when booking your astronomical tour.
There are currently four main types of tours available.
Science/Educational Tours
Andean Worldview Tours
Astrophotography Tours
Astronomical experiences, such as Bajo la Noche de Atacama.
1. Science/Educational-Focused Tours
These tours are ideal for those who want to learn about the universe from a technical perspective. They usually offer detailed explanations about astronomy and the celestial bodies observed during the tour. Almost by default, they include telescope viewing.
They tend to be fast-paced and information-heavy, with little room for personal reflection.
What should you look for in a science-focused tour?
Equipment quality: Make sure the tour offers high-quality telescopes. Advanced gear can significantly enhance your viewing experience. Keep in mind that having many telescopes doesn’t always guarantee a better experience unless there are enough guides to accompany you. It’s often better to join a tour with two or three excellent telescopes and a small group, rather than one with seven telescopes and twenty people.
Guide’s expertise: Ask about your guide’s credentials. A knowledgeable guide with a solid astronomy background will enrich your experience, offer clear explanations, and answer your questions with depth.
Educational approach: If your main goal is to learn, it’s worth choosing a tour that includes an introduction to astronomy. This can help you grasp basic concepts before diving into unfamiliar objects in the sky.
2. Andean Worldview Tours
These tours offer an immersive journey into the sky knowledge of the region’s Indigenous cultures. They explore how Andean peoples have related to the cosmos, presenting stars and constellations not merely as objects of study but as beings rich in spiritual and cultural meaning.
What should you look for in an Andean worldview tour?
Authenticity and cultural respect: Make sure the tour is led by people who truly understand and respect Andean traditions. Authentic storytelling is key to experiencing a tour that genuinely honors ancestral worldviews.
Connection with nature: Ideally, these tours take place in natural or traditional settings that foster a deeper connection with the environment. Check whether the tour allows you to experience these spaces in a respectful and reflective way.
3. Astrophotography Tours
These tours are designed for photography lovers who want to capture the night sky’s beauty. They offer the right gear and conditions for stunning images and are usually led by guides experienced in astrophotography.
What should you look for in a photography tour?
Photographer’s portfolio: Look up the guide’s Instagram or preferred platform to see their work. This helps you know whether their style and approach match what you’re hoping to capture.
Setting: Make sure the tour takes place in a natural, dark-sky location away from the lights of San Pedro de Atacama.
Time and patience: Night photography takes time. Look for a tour that allows enough time to shoot calmly, without being rushed.
4. Bajo la Noche de Atacama Experience
If your interest isn’t specifically scientific, cultural, or photographic—but rather to feel what it’s like to be under the Atacama sky—then we can say with confidence that our astronomical tour is made for you.
Our project, Bajo la Noche de Atacama, was born in 2023, after years of sharing the sky with travelers from around the world and understanding what people truly seek in an astronomical experience.
That, along with the personal relationship I’ve developed with the sky over the past eight years, gave birth to this tour—one that includes naked-eye observation with heartfelt storytelling, telescope viewing, and time by a campfire where we gather to share a glass of wine, coffee, or hot chocolate at the end of the night, while we take portraits of each guest in a dark part of our observation site.
The idea is simple: to recover, to relive the experience of spending time under the sky—as we have done for thousands of years.
We look at the sky with human eyes, highlighting the most meaningful elements of the heavens. We observe through powerful telescopes and enjoy quiet time around the fire—all without rushing, at a pace that soothes our thoughts and invites reflection on the moment we’re living under the stars.
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The best astronomical tour in San Pedro de Atacama depends on what you want to experience beneath the stars.Whether you're eager to deepen your scientific understanding of the cosmos, explore the Andean worldview, or capture the night sky’s beauty through photography, there’s a tour that fits your needs.
But if what truly moves you is to reconnect with the experience of being under the sky of Atacama, then our Bajo la Noche de Atacama tour is crafted for you.We offer a complete experience that goes beyond technical observation, allowing you to enjoy one of the best skies on Earth.
Find all the details of our tour through the button below.See you under the stars.
With warmth,Rodrigo Zúñiga
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