Stargazing Tours in South America: 7 Weighed Up on Cost and Hours

1.Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 629 reviews · 2h 30m · from $41Our pick

Travel from San Pedro de Atacama to a dark desert site for a 150-minute astronomy evening led by guides such as Felipe, Claudio, or Salvador. Learn Western and Andean views of the sky, use large telescopes to see planets and star clusters, and receive a photo beneath the stars. English and Spanish tours are available.

“The tour was fantastic, and Felipe proved to be incredibly knowledgeable! It far exceeded our expectations, offering breathtaking views of the southern hemisphere's stars sights we don’t get to see in our own country. I highly recommend this tour!”

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2.Stargazing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 489 reviews · 2h 30m · from $35Best value

Meet in San Pedro de Atacama, ride 15 minutes into the desert, and spend two hours learning the southern sky with an English or Spanish-speaking guide. You may view planets, nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters through telescopes, then finish with hot drinks, snacks, blankets, and an astrophotography portrait.

“Knowledgeable guides and really amazing location they took us to to see the stars and Milky Way. Would recommend this operator”

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3.Astronomical Tour with Guide and Pick Up San Pedro de Atacama

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 145 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $38

You leave San Pedro de Atacama around 9:30 p.m. for a guided sky session with Patricio, Nathan or another astronomy guide. Telescopes reveal planets, clusters and the Moon, while a laser pointer helps you find southern constellations. Pickup, blankets, chairs, drinks, snacks and a professional night-sky photo are included.

“Brilliant. The guide made the your really interesting. I'd do this trip again. We saw storms on Saturn & Jupiter!”

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4.Guided Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 93 reviews · 2 hours · from $49

Meet your guide at Plaza Turistour in central San Pedro de Atacama for a two-hour drive into the desert night. Use telescopes to view stars and planets, hear about Andean cosmovision, and share Chilean wine or coffee with a snack. Hotel drop-off and two professional photos are included, but warm clothing is essential.

“Was super leuk alleen de bus zou ons om 20.30 halen en dat was zonder het aan ons te laten weten aangepast naar 21.30. Verder hele positieve ervaring! Let wel op dat je niet met volle maan gaat, door de felle maan zie je veel minder sterren.”

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5.Cusco by Night: Planetarium Cusco, Dinner, and Pisco Sour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $95Top rated

Start at 3 pm with a private guide such as Valentin or Kenny, explore Cusco sights and local markets, then visit Planetarium Cusco for an Inca view of the night sky. Dinner, one pisco sour, hotel pickup, and drop-off are included. The $25 planetarium fee is extra, and the evening ends around eight.

“Very relaxed tour...liked Herlin the guide very much standing in for his brother in law. Good communication and insights into Peruvian customs and culture. Loved the Planetarium. Does not get 5 stars only because restuarant OK but might have preferred a n even more traditional restuarant. Good insight into Cusco.”

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6.Rapa Nui Stargazing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 62 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $140

Spend about three and a half hours under Rapa Nui’s dark southern sky with a local guide, telescopes, and a small group of no more than 12. You’ll learn how Polynesian navigators used the stars, visit Anakena Beach and Ahu Nau after dark, enjoy hot chocolate and local cake, and receive hotel drop-off. Mark and Marc have led some sessions.

“Excellent astronomers and greatly helpful in finding southern sky objects to view. Wonderful experience. A little too cloudy to see full sky.”

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7.Stargazing Hiking Valle de Elqui

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Join Loreto for a private 4.5-hour evening hike from Vicuña toward Villaseca. Watch the sunset, try meditation and sound therapy with bowls, learn about Indigenous skies, and view Andean constellations through Celestron 20x80 binoculars. Hiking shoes and moderate fitness are required.

“Loreto is absolutely passionate about creating an experience that you will never forget. Fantastic and highly recommend her tour!”

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