Stargazing in Chile 

Touch down in Santiago to begin your extraordinary journey. Upon arrival, you’re warmly greeted and collected by a private driver who brings you to the Singular Santiago. We’ve left your afternoon open, but have secured a coveted dinner reservation. At the celebrated Boragó, avant-garde dishes rooted in Mapuche culture and hyper-seasonal ingredients send you on a terroir-driven tasting journey. 

Today, a private guide introduces you to Santiago’s layered history at the Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos. Later, balance reflection with beauty while ascending Cerro San Cristóbal by cable car, enjoying sweeping city views and sipping a traditional mote con huesillo. Continue through Bellavista to the modern eastern districts, with lunch at acclaimed Ambrosía or the beloved Galindo, and the option to browse the Los Dominicos artisan market. 

Fly to Calama and arrive at Nayara Alto Atacama. Framed by an ochre ridge and fronted by the San Pedro River, the adobe lodge melds into the rugged landscape. Settle into your suite, where hewn stone, timber, and terracotta interiors speak the desert architecture. Once unpacked, lounge in the shade of a poolside ramada where cocktails are hand-delivered and anticipate a dinner crafted with garden-grown produce.

By the light of day, the stark Atacama Desert is a beguiling moonscape. On foot, explore crooked canyons, Martian valleys, geyser fields, and hot springs while passing milky-opaque lagoons and volcanoes. Back at the lodge, rest your muscles in a steam room, sauna, or hot tub. After dinner, enjoy a private stargazing master class. Powerful telescopes open a door to the cosmos, and you’ll dabble in high-resolution astrophotography. 

Having acclimated, dedicate a day to adventure. Mountain bike Devil’s Throat, scan for vicuña in the Juana Wetlands, or hike the Rainbow Valley, pausing for a catered lunch. Return to Alto Atacama for a restorative, herb-infused massage at Puri spa. Dinner is an asado medley of meat, corn, and potatoes prepared and served in an atmospheric quincho (outdoor pavilion), complemented with fine Chilean wine.

Choose your final desert adventure, perhaps hiking to rock art that hints at the Atacama’s ancient history and earliest indigenous inhabitants. After sunset paints the desert pink, you’re brought to a scenic spot near San Pedro de Atacama where a local astronomer leads you on a private astrophotography workshop. You’ll depart with three edited, high-resolution keepsake photos. 

Fly from Calama to La Serena to reach the Elqui Valley, famed for year-round sunshine-drenched days and almost nonexistent light pollution. Named the world's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2015, the valley is the perfect second stop for your Stargazing in Chile odyssey. Check into CasaMolle, a stylish, desert-inspired hideaway set upon 42 private acres. This evening, you’re brought to Mamalluca Observatory for a guided astronomy tour. 

This morning, transfer to the Humboldt Penguin Reserve, a protected marine sanctuary sheltering comedic penguins, dolphins, and otters. Cruise a trio of islands where sea lions swim in ribbons, and dorsal fins reveal migratory whales. Tonight, you’ll gather in CasaMolle’s open-air amphitheater for a private astronomical experience. With eyes trained upon the heavens, guides decipher the southern skies in extraordinary clarity. 

Although the sky is the (literal) star attraction in Elqui, there are plentiful daylight distractions. Go hiking or horseback riding in the Andean foothills or tour charming wineries to sample high-altitude wine and pisco. Or, linger in CasaMolle’s spa where holistic treatments include quartz circle meditation and laugh therapy. After dinner, you’re driven to the impressive El Pangue Observatory where guides draw your attention to star clusters, nebulae, and distant galaxies. 

A private transfer returns you to La Serena Airport for a short flight to Santiago. A guide awaits your arrival to make the scenic drive to Valparaíso. Settle into Casa Higueras, your elegant hilltop retreat overlooking the Pacific, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon at leisure. This evening, dine at La Concepción as you begin discovering Valparaíso’s cosmopolitan spirit, shaped by centuries of global influences and creative expression.

Set out on a walking tour of Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage city of steep hills, storied staircases, and color-block street fronts. With an expert guide, uncover the city’s bohemian past, distinctive architecture, and world-renowned street art, delving into the artists, techniques, and cultural context behind the murals. Pause for coffee in a hidden café, take lunch at a standout local haunt, then visit La Sebastiana, Pablo Neruda’s former home.

Your trip reaches a gentle end. Enjoy an unhurried breakfast before a driver collects you for your flight to Santiago. From there, continue your South American sojourn or board your international flight home.