Astronomical observation at Pangue Observatory

Reviews

What travellers say3.7 · 7 total

• emilianoc521

  Best Astronomical Tour Near Vicuña

  I have participated in several astronomical tours, and this one stands out as the best. The location is perfect—sufficiently distant from Vicuña to escape light pollution, situated at approximately 1,500 meters elevation. The sky clarity rivals that of Pisco Elqui, but it’s more accessible and not as chilly in September. We were accompanied by two outstanding guides who were not only knowledgeable but also very welcoming. The telescope, a remarkable 25 inches in size, revealed details I had never seen on past tours, including clusters of galaxies. It's genuinely astonishing. While it may cost a bit more than other options, it is undoubtedly worth it. I highly recommend this experience, particularly for international travelers, as both guides are fluent in English. It was an unforgettable adventure, and I would gladly do it again.

• colemanj235

  Not Good !!!

  I was not picked up at all and received no emails or communication, which has left me very disappointed. I paid $175 and didn’t make it to the observatory. Now I'm trying to contact the local tour operator and am hoping for a refund. Coleman Johnson

• Alkala

  El Pangue a Shrine Without a Milky Way

  It was a good experience, though we were disappointed not to see the Milky Way. Jupiter was also obscured by the quarter moon. Additionally, the timing was unclear; you mentioned 6:00 p.m., but it actually started at 7:30 p.m.

• Cymro29

  An awe-inspiring evening. A must, if your schedule, wallet and the moon permit.

  The evening was truly awe-inspiring and should not be missed, provided your schedule and budget allow. After some back-and-forth about the date, communication with Cristobal was smooth, and our pick-up was on time at 7:30 PM. We had a one-hour drive from La Serena to La Vicuña, followed by a switch to a smaller bus for a 35-minute journey up winding mountain roads. Our driver was skilled and cautious. We enjoyed two hours of stargazing from around 9:30 to 11:30 PM, where we observed Jupiter and Saturn, including their moons and rings, alongside the moon and various star clusters and galaxies. The Milky Way stood out beautifully. The moon being slightly less than a quarter full didn’t detract from the experience. Our enthusiastic astronomical guide made the night even better. We returned to my hotel around 1:30 AM—though it was a late night, it was absolutely worthwhile. While it was costly, the quality of the telescopes and the expertise of the guides justified the price. Highly recommended.

• Johanna_v

  Great experience

  This was an excellent trip for discovering the night sky. Our guide provided clear explanations. Despite some light pollution from the moon, we were still able to see plenty, including stars, planets, and the Orion nebula.

• 498juanmanuelo

  Thieves.

  This was a major scam. We were never taken to an observatory and ended up in a private home's courtyard with an amateur telescope. They put us on a different tour that was valued at a third of the price we paid. Disappointing.

• Igor_F

  Amazing southern night sky

  The southern night sky was incredible. Our guide, a very knowledgeable astronomer, pointed out fascinating celestial objects with a powerful telescope.

Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.