🌟 Why 62% of Travelers Are Looking Up: Your Invitation to the Universe 🌟

Traveling to destinations with little light pollution to appreciate the galaxy is more than just stargazing; it's reconnecting with the cosmos and experiencing a perspective-changing encounter with the universe.

It is called Astrotourism to witness celestial phenomena—from the Milky Way arching across skies to eclipses, meteor showers, and the aurora borealis.

🎯 Your Call to Adventure

The universe is waiting. While 80% of the world lives under light-polluted skies, you have the power to choose differently. Whether you're watching the sunset from Mauna Kea's summit, peering through the world's largest telescope on La Palma, or standing beneath the Milky Way in the Atacama Desert, astrotourism offers something increasingly rare: genuine wonder.

62% of travelers are already planning their journey to the stars. Are you ready to join?

90% of Americans can no longer see the Milky Way from where they live due to light pollution. Astrotourism isn't just a vacation—it's reclaiming something humanity has lost.

🌍 The World's Premier Astrotourism Destinations

Atacama Desert, Chile: The Astronomy Capital of the World

The Atacama Desert is one of Earth's driest places, with over 300 cloudless nights annually. Its high altitude, crystal-clear air, and virtually zero humidity create unparalleled stargazing conditions—which is why it hosts some of the world's most advanced telescopes.

ALMA Observatory

ALMA has invested over $1 million since 2009 in local education programs, particularly supporting the Toconao E-21 Public School. The observatory contributes approximately $390,075 annually to the ALMA Antofagasta Region Fund, supporting community tourism, infrastructure, and development projects.

It is located in Llano de Chajnantor, at an altitude of 5,050 meters (16,568 feet). It houses 66 high-precision radio telescopes that study the origin of the universe, star formation, and distant galaxies.

Free guided tours are available on weekends (departing from San Pedro de Atacama at 9:00 a.m.), and you must book two to three months in advance through their website.

Full information is available at the official website.

Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA

The World's Highest Island Mountain Observatory is at 4,205 meters (13,796 feet) above sea level. Mauna Kea offers some of the world's darkest and purest skies. The summit houses 13 state-of-the-art telescopes from around the world.

Here you can make advanced optical and infrared observations of distant galaxies, star formation, and exoplanets. Free tours (just for residents) are available on Thursdays, but reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. The minimum age for entry is 13, and the tour lasts 45 to 60 minutes.

There are also tours for outsiders, but the schedule changes periodically. To find out about the monthly events, you can visit the observatory's official website and book your visit there.

SPANISH SECTION:

Gates of Hell, la entrada en Infierno (Turkmenistán)

Un accidente industrial que se volvió en una atracción turística: Gates of Hell en Turkmenistán. En medio de un desierto en el centro de Asia, este cráter de gas arde desde hace más de 50 años.

Fue en 1971 cuando unos geólogos soviéticos perforaron el terreno y, accidentalmente, abrieron una caverna subterránea de gas natural. Para evitar que gases tóxicos emanaran de la tierra, prendieron fuego al cráter. Casi medio siglo después, éste sigue ardiendo.

Other World Class Destinations

Jasper National Park, Canada

• World's second-largest Dark Sky Preserve.

• Annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival (October).

• Free stargazing at designated areas.

• Tour prices: $150-250 CAD.

NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

• Africa's only International Dark-Sky Reserve (Gold Tier).

• Luxury lodges: $300-500/day (includes observatory access, guided stargazing).

• Combine with safari experiences.

Aoraki Mackenzie, New Zealand

• Southern Hemisphere's premier dark sky reserve.

• View Southern Cross, Magellanic Clouds.

• Mount John Observatory tours available.

🗓️ When to Go: Timing Your Cosmic Journey

Best Seasons

• Winter (November-February): Longer nights, clearer air, best overall stargazing

• Autumn & Spring: Excellent visibility with moderate weather

• Summer: Best for Milky Way core viewing (June-August)

Moon Phases Matter

• New Moon: Ideal—darkest skies, maximum star visibility

• 3 days before/after New Moon: Excellent

• Full Moon: Avoid—moon brightness washes out stars

Time of Night

• Best: Middle of night until pre-dawn (darkest period)

• Good: 2+ hours after sunset

Special Events to Plan Around

• Meteor Showers: Perseids (August), Geminids (December), Orionids (October)

• Solar Eclipses: Next major ones in 2026-2027

• Aurora Borealis: September-March in high-latitude locations

💡 What You'll Learn & Experience