The best hobbies and leisure activities Chile

The Observatory of La Silla is located 160 km north of La Serena. It is in a way the historical observatory implanted in Chile by the Europeans. The ESO (European Southern Observatory) has built no less than 19 domes there, housing as many telescopes and measuring instruments to study a large number of eclectic celestial targets. Today, La Silla is the largest active observatory in the southern hemisphere. For the visitor, it is also the epitome of the modern observatory as one imagines it, with its mostly traditional domes, set against a backdrop of intense blue skies, on a mountain peak some 2,400 m above sea level. The view of the surrounding desert at this altitude is magnificent and worth the trip alone, as is the slow climb to the observatory gates on a road that seems to lead straight to heaven. The guided tour begins with a video presentation of the observatory. Then we head towards the two "must-sees" on the site: the 3.6 m diameter telescope, which has become one of the most powerful instruments for detecting planets orbiting stars other than the Sun, and the NTT (New Technology Telescope), the first telescope in the world to have used new techniques to compensate for atmospheric turbulence (in order to increase its ability to "see" fine details), foreshadowing the VLT located further north, towards Antofagasta.

The Very Large Telescope is probably the best in the field of sky observation, apart from space telescopes! Installed on the summit of Mount Paranal at an altitude of more than 2600 m, it is composed of 4 giant telescopes, each equipped with an 8.2 m mirror, operating separately or in concert depending on the needs and the types of objects to be studied. Mount Paranal enjoys ideal climatic conditions with more than 300 clear nights per year, low humidity and a very stable atmosphere. The VLT has made it possible to make important discoveries: in 2004, an extra-solar planet was photographed through its telescopes for the first time. During the visit, you can see the domes with their metallic shapes and colours, before discovering one of the telescopes used by professionals. It must be admitted that at this stage the most blasé of travellers remains amazed at the gigantic size of the telescope and its main mirror. The mirror is surprising because of its thin monolithic design, only 17.6 cm for 23 tons (!). If you are lucky enough to visit the observatory during a technical maintenance, you can admire the telescope turning on itself in a cathedral-like silence, hardly disturbed by the noise of the accessories working 24 hours a day. The visit also includes the observatory's control room, from which the astronomers and technicians control the telescope and prepare their manipulations.

This exceptional lodge is primarily intended for sky lovers who wish to immerse themselves in their passion for the time of a stay, while taking advantage of the absolute change of scenery specific to the site chosen for its establishment: in the mountains, in a desert area accessible only by 4x4 (we'll come get you!). It is a French couple, Nadine and Raymond, who have embarked on the adventure... And the result is a delight for the enthusiast because the services offered, as much by their quality as by the kindness and the efficiency of the owners, are efficient.

Created in 2008, Chilean Cuisine offers a cultural experience based on Chilean gastronomy. You'll start your day at the market to procure the necessary ingredients, then begin cooking a typical Chilean dish: pastel de choclo, charquican, cazuela, empanadas or even pisco sour, the possibilities are numerous and mouth-watering! Last but not least, tastings are accompanied by local wines. A great way to discover Chile in a different way. Al and Sebastián will take care of you!

Observatory located about 60 km south of La Serena, near the municipality of Andacollo. This observatory is located at an altitude of 1,300 m and has excellent skies despite the presence of Andacollo not far away. The prices are particularly attractive for tourists passing through. The building that houses the dome and the main telescope is architecturally beautiful and it is possible to walk around it to enjoy the superb view of the area.

This atypical observatory is located about 25 km east of La Serena, in the municipality of Talca, at the level of the cultural center, a little outside the city to the east (road D.269). The building, which houses, among other things, a 355 mm diameter telescope and a conference room, has an architecture that symbolizes pre-Columbian culture, emerging from the ground and rising to the zenith. Observation evenings are programmed there: to know them, it is imperative to phone beforehand. Please note that the tours are in Spanish only.

This observatory is located in Las Condes and offers evenings of sky observation as well as a guided tour of the two main instruments that make it up, an antique telescope and a telescope of much more recent technology. Due to the surrounding light pollution, the conditions are obviously not optimal to guarantee a pure and clear sky. You will still be able to observe the Moon and the main planets, for example.

Cerro Tololo is located 80 km from La Serena, in the direction of the Elqui Valley. At its 2,200 m summit, the Inter-American Observatory proudly displays its immaculate domes and its absolutely superb views of the mountains and valleys of the region. The observatory is part of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), which works in collaboration with other renowned American scientific sites, such as the Kitt Peak Observatory in Arizona.