Tours and Activities:

A Look into the Universe

We went on an astronomic tour and made contact with the infinite sky of Elqui Valley. An excursion to feel how small and fragile we are in the bright sky that shelters millions of galaxies.

There are four features that provide the district of Vicuña with unique characteristics. One of them is Elqui Valley, the second one is the famous pisco made in the valley, the third one is the fact that this place witnessed the growth of talented writer Gabriela Mistral and, last but not least, the fourth of them, is its immense clear sky.
Aware of the tremendous tourist potential the local skies represent, the municipal authorities of Vicuña resolved to create an astronomic observatory open for visitors. Unlike most observation centers, where visitors end up their tour feeling a little disappointed for not having access to the observation instruments, at the Vicuña observatory, tourists have the chance to stay during the night and carry out various activities with the same equipment used by researchers.

The center stands on Mount Mamalluca, after which it has been named, and it is located only 9 kilometers northeast of the city and 1,200 m.a.s.l. in a clear spot amidst the mountains, where the sky seems to dive over the senses. The observatory is open for visitors and tourists fond of observation may indulge themselves every night by using important telescopes that make them feel closer to the stars, the planets and satellites that have captivated mankind from time immemorial.
Playing between science and mysticism, we went to the Cerro Mamalluca Astronomic Observatory to enjoy this particular experience of night sky observation. A specialized guide gave an interesting explanatory lecture on the universe and we slowly understood the particular language used there. We learned about such concepts as Ecliptic, nebulas, star clusters, satellites, stars, supernovas, galaxies and the Milky Way before we passed onto the observation station.

The Mamalluca is a scientific, tourist and educational resort that has a telescope with a 12-inch (30-centimeter) diameter donated by the Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory, as well as other smaller instruments we also used during the tour to make contact with the south latitude cosmos. The interaction generated between visitors and specialists is quite amusing. Suddenly, something that seems to be so far away appears before our eyes with a different shape and color. We were amazed at the brightness of the stars and the eternal darkness around it. We learnt about what one light-year represents and we chose to watch one star.

In these cases, it is ideal to attend this place on clear nights with no moon as, the darker the night, the more noticeable constellations become. Indeed, a very instructive experience indeed. You should not miss it.

See also: Hotels in Vicuña and other accommodation venues