Gabriela Mistral Dark Sky Sanctuary (Elqui Valley)

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About Gabriela Mistral Dark Sky Sanctuary (Elqui Valley)

The Elqui Valley, in the Coquimbo region of northern Chile, has one of the clearest skies in the Southern Hemisphere. The dry air and the large number of cloudless nights brought research observatories to the surrounding mountains. In 2015, the AURA observatory area in the valley was declared the world’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary, named for the poet Gabriela Mistral, who was born in Vicuña.

Vicuña is the most common base for star tourism. Nearby are tourist observatories such as the municipal Cerro Mamalluca and the Observatorio del Pangue, offering guided night sessions and telescopes. Higher up in the valley, the villages of Montegrande and Pisco Elqui also have dark skies and observation tours.

On clear nights, the Milky Way stretches across the sky, and the Southern Cross and the Magellanic Clouds, two neighboring galaxies, are visible to the naked eye. The full moon brightens the sky and hides fainter stars: nights near the new moon are usually the best.

The sky is typically clear much of the year. In winter, from June to August, nights are longer and colder; in summer they are warmer and it gets dark later. Observatory sessions usually require reservations, and days and times vary: check before you go.

By day, the valley combines stargazing with pisco vineyards, distilleries that welcome visitors, and sites linked to Gabriela Mistral, such as the museum in Vicuña and her tomb in Montegrande.

Dark skies for the Moon and stars

Learn more about the Moon

Seeing the Moon and the stars takes clear skies.

Dark skies to see the planets

Learn more about the Solar System

Stargazing depends on the weather and is not guaranteed.

Dark skies in the Southern Hemisphere

Learn more about comets and meteor showers

It takes clear skies and no full Moon: it is not guaranteed.

Southern Hemisphere: Milky Way, Southern Cross and Magellanic Clouds

Learn more about the Milky Way and the constellations

It takes clear skies and no bright Moon: it is not guaranteed.