Fodor's Expert Review Observatorio Cerro Mamalluca

The most welcoming of the Elqui Valley observatories and the one that attracts the most visitors, Mamalluca is 9 km (6 miles) north of Vicuña. On the Basic Astronomy tour, visitors are given an introductory talk before stargazing on the terrace and taking turns looking through a 12-inch digital telescope at sights including the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn. Another tour focuses more on the Andean interpretation of the constellations. Tours should be booked at least a month in advance during spring and summer. You can either make your own way to the observatory or contract transport from the tour office in Vicuña at 5,000 pesos per person.