2017 Chile Astronomy Tour
March 17th to March 26th, 2017
Meeting with the Mayor in Vicuña
With Sky & Telescope Magazine
Photo Gallery
ITINERARY
March 18th (Saturday), 2017 - Santiago - Arrive Santiago
Arrive in Santiago and transfer from SCL Apt to your hotel.
Evening reception at the hotel to get acquainted with your fellow astronomers
Hotel Galerias 4* (Standard rooms ABB)
March 19th (Sunday), 2017 - Santiago
In the morning enjoy a Half Day City tour of Santiago
In the evening, visit to OAN (National Astronomy Observatory)
We will setup a visit to the Observatory during the evening. (Great view of the city of Santiago along with some antique telescopes). Dinner that evening on the Observatory grounds with a view overlooking the city of Santiago followed by an astronomy talk.
Hotel Galerias 4* (Standard rooms ABB)
March 20th (Monday), 2017 – Santiago / La Serena
Transfer from our hotel in Santiago to the SCL airport.
Fly to La Serena and transfer from the LSC Apt to our hotel in La Serena.
Walking city tour La Serena and Coquimbo
Evening excursion to Observatory Collowara
Night visit to Observatory Collowara
Hotel Francisco de Aguirre 4* (Standard rooms ABB)
March 21st (Tuesday), 2017 – La Serena / Vicuña
In the morning, visit to Observatory La Silla,
Transfer to Vicuña.
During the night, visit to Observatory Cerro Mamalluca.
Accommodations at Hotel Vicuña 3 or similar* (Standard rooms ABB)
March 22nd (Wednesday), 2017 – Vicuña
Full day excursion - Observatory Cerro Tololo
Night visit to Observatory El Pangue
Accommodations at Hotel Vicuña 3 or similar* (Standard rooms ABB)
March 23rd (Thursday) 2017 - Vicuña / San Pedro de Atacama
In the morning visit to GOSCh, Gran Observatorio Solar de Chile, located near Vicuña.
Transfer from there to the La Serena Airport to fly to Calama.
Arrival in Calama and then transfer to the Hotel Casa Don Tomas.
On the way we will enjoy a late dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel Casa Don Tomas 4* (Standard rooms ABB)
March 24th (Friday) 2017 - San Pedro de Atacama
Afternoon visit to Observatory ALMA
ALMA hosts guided visits for groups from schools, universities, institutes and related scientific organizations. The visits include a tour of the Operations Support Facility (OSF), the camp where ALMA personnel work and where visitors can observe antenna maintenance, the control room, laboratories. For safety reasons, operations on the Chajnantor Plateau (the Array Operations Site, or AOS, where the antennas are located) are not open to visitors, due to the location at 5,000 meters above sea level.
Hotel Casa Don Tomas 4* (Standard rooms ABB)
March 25th (Saturday) 2017 - San Pedro de Atacama
Visit to Geysers El Tatio & Machuca
Nighttime observation at Solor Ayllu observing site
Hotel Casa Don Tomas 4* (Standard rooms ABB)
March 26th (Sunday) 2017 - San Pedro de Atacama
Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport and then fly back to Santiago. There we will venture off airport during our layovers and have a leisurely lunch in a local vineyard.
From there we will transfer back to the airport so you can make your late connection flight home.
Program includes:
- Local English speaking guide.
- Arrival and departure transfers in a private coach with local guide.
- Private coach and guide for touring days.
- Meals as mentioned (ABB = American breakfast buffet).
- Entrances fees to museums and nacional reserves.
- Cocktails and beverages as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Mineral water and coffee during excursions.
- Excursions and transfers as mentioned.
- Transfers and excursions in bus pullman.
- Private services.
- Accommodations as mentioned (depending on providers availability at the time of bookings, if not, a similar hotel will be booked).
Program does NOT include:
• International airfare to and from Santiago
• Passport & Visa fees
• Travel insurance (highly recommended)
• Airport transfers if not arriving or departing with the group
• Beverages unless otherwise noted
• Room outside of normal check-in/check-out times
• Rooms for extra nights, before or after the dates of the group.
• Optional excursions or pre and post trips
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses and anything not listed in the included list
Download Hotel and Observatory List
With over 20 years of astronomical tour experience Spears Travel has become one of the premier astronomy and eclipse trip providers. Great care is taken with every aspect of the tour to insure your safety and comfort. No surprises!
Spears Travel is leading the way in astronomy-related tours and we invite you to take a look at our current list of adventures and some photos from past trips. You won't want to miss our group astronomy travel!
Contact:
Tom Reynolds - treynolds@spearstravel.com
918-336-2360
918-337-3630 Fax
