After last August’s solar eclipse we’ve all become a little eclipse-crazed. On July 2, 2019, witness a total solar eclipse at a unique location—the north of Chile, home to world-class astronomical observatories. Enjoy special access to state-of the art observatories in the desert including: the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, the world’s most powerful radio telescope, Paranal, home to the Very Large Telescope, and Las Campanas, home to the Magellan Telescopes and the Giant Magellan Telescope.
Your Harvard University-led journey also includes an exploration of the Atacama Desert and some of the most extraordinary landscapes of our planet—volcanoes, evaporated salt lakes, lagoons and hot springs as well as a host of animal life. Top this off with stargazing in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit the Elqui Valley, and a pisco distillery. Conclude your adventure with lunch and a tasting of select vintages in Chile beautiful Casablanca Valley at the Kingston Family Vineyards. Enjoy special entry to the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), Paranal Observatory and Las Campanas Observatory. Relax in thermal springs in the Atacama Desert Observe the dazzling evening skies of the Southern Hemisphere with large amateur telescopes.Visit the Elqui Valley and a Pisco distillery.Spend a day in Chile’s wine country at a winery founded by a Harvard alumnus.Tour Santiago and its Pre-Columbian Museum. $11,295 per person, double occupancy / $2,295 single supplement. Accommodations include two nights at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Santiago, three nights at the Explora Atacama Hotel, one night at the Hotel Terrado, and three nights at the Costa Real Hotel.
Participants should expect to walk one or two miles in length (sometimes over uneven terrain) with pauses to observe and discuss surroundings. Walks can be longer based on the participant’s discretion. The altitude in San Pedro de Atacama, where you spend three nights, is 8,000 feet. The ALMA Observatory located in the Atacama Desert, has an operations support facility at an altitude of 9,514 feet. There is an optional visit to the site of ALMA’s satellite dishes on the Chajnantor Plateau located at an altitude of 16,400 feet. Guests who would like to see the satellite installation on the plateau must have a medical release signed by their personal physician in order take part on this part of the tour. Paranal Observatory, outside of Antofagasta, has an altitude of approximately 8,645 feet. Las Campanas Observatory, outside of La Serena, is located at an altitude of approximately 8,370 feet.
All the hotels are located at comfortable altitudes. Please note, since some of the travel will be in remote areas, flexibility is required concerning time schedules, food, weather, and dust. To enjoy this experience, participants must be in good physical and mental health, and be able to keep up with the pace of the group. Program participants requiring additional assistance must be accompanied by a guest who will assist them throughout the length of the program. For complete details visit https://alumni.harvard.edu/travel/trips/Chile-eclipse-2019?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=travel_monthly&utm_content=haa_travel_sell_out_2018-01-25
