Rules and responsibilities for stargazing tours in Atacama
Passengers of any age can join, though we do not recommend the tour for children under 6. Age counts as of the tour date, and every passenger takes their own seat with a seatbelt whatever their age. If conditions force us to call the night off, you choose between rescheduling and a full refund.
Rules and responsibilities on the tour
A stargazing tour happens at night, in the desert, with a group that shares a vehicle, a set of telescopes and a good deal of silence. This page sets out, in plain language, the rules that bind both of us: who can join and on what terms, what we expect from you during the night, what we do when the sky does not cooperate, and what happens if your plans change.
Search around and you will find operators in San Pedro quoting minimum ages of four, five, six or seven — and none of them telling you when that age is measured, or whether a free child still needs a seat. Those two details decide whether your booking works. Here are ours, stated exactly.
Who can join the tour?
There is no minimum age that keeps anyone off the van. Every passenger falls into one of three age categories, and all three take capacity and a seat.
| Category | Age | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | 0 to 5 years | No charge, but takes capacity and a seat of their own |
| Child | 6 to 12 years | Takes capacity and a seat of their own |
| Adult | 13 years and over | Takes capacity and a seat of their own |
Every passenger must be declared when you book, with their age — including the ones who are not charged, because a passenger with no charge still takes capacity and a seat. This is the part that catches families travelling with a baby off guard, and the reason to declare them at booking rather than at the pickup point.
When is the age measured?
The age that counts is the age reached on the date the tour takes place — not the age at the time of booking. If your child has a birthday between booking and the night of the tour, the category that applies is the one on the night.
What is the recommended minimum age?
We do not recommend the tour for children under 6. That is a recommendation, not a ban: an infant may join with an accompanying adult. But it is worth knowing what you are signing up for — an outdoor night-time activity in the desert, with long quiet stretches waiting your turn at the telescope. That is rarely comfortable for a very small child.
Keep the two things apart: the category is what classifies a passenger and takes capacity; the recommendation is what helps you decide whether tonight's tour suits your family.
Do children pay, and do they need their own seat?
Infants are free, but they do take a seat. And this applies to everyone:
Every passenger occupies an individual seat with a seatbelt, whatever their age. No minor travels on an accompanying adult's lap.
This is not a house preference — it is Chilean law: Ley 18.290 (DFL 1/2007) article 79 prohibits carrying more people than the vehicle has seats, and Ley 20.508 makes the seatbelt compulsory per occupant, with the driver empowered to require anyone not wearing one to leave the vehicle.
What is expected of you during the tour?
If you are travelling with children or infants and want to take part in the tour, you are solely responsible for their care and for maintaining the tranquility of the environment, ensuring they do not interfere with other passengers' right to enjoy the experience in a peaceful atmosphere. Observing is done in near-darkness and near-silence, and a group of strangers is sharing that night with you.
One condition carries a registered consequence: if a booking is cancelled because a passenger arrives intoxicated, there is no refund. The full contractual frame for the activity lives in the Terms and conditions.
What happens if the weather does not cooperate?
Our tours depend on the sky, and sometimes the sky decides for us. A tour can be called off at three different moments:
- Before pickup starts. When conditions clearly indicate the night is not operational, we call it off as soon as that is clear — there is no minimum notice period and no cut-off time. It can affect the whole night or specific shifts.
- At the observatory, before you arrive. If conditions deteriorate after setup and before the group arrives, the guide can call off that single shift.
- During the tour. If conditions worsen while you are at the observatory, whether to carry on is each passenger's own decision, not the group's.
When you booked directly with us and we call the night off for weather, you have two options: reschedule to another available date — which is what we will offer you first — or a 100% refund of what you paid.
What happens if you cancel or do not show up?
Your refund depends on how far ahead of the tour's start time you cancel:
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 48 hours or more before the tour | 100% |
| Between 24 and 48 hours before | 50% |
| Less than 24 hours before | No refund |
On top of that, three situations carry no refund: not showing up at the agreed place and time without notice, a passenger's intoxication, and rescheduling — a rescheduled booking keeps its value and does not, on its own, produce a refund. The deadlines, the percentages and how refunds are processed are set out in the Cancellation policy.
Are there dates when tours do not run?
Yes. There are no tours on 24 and 25 December, nor on 31 December and 1 January.
Before you book
- Read what to wear for stargazing in the Atacama desert: the desert night is colder than almost anyone expects.
- If it is your first time, see what to expect on the tour.
- Specific questions are answered in the FAQ.
Once you know which format you are after, pick yours from our tours.