FAQ

We pick up passengers along the beach area of La Serena, from Enjoy Casino (Peñuelas) to the
Monumental Lighthouse, and then head to the city center.
If you’re staying in Coquimbo or another part of La Serena, we’ll arrange a convenient meeting point
that’s easy for both of us to access.

We don’t have a central office. For eight years, we operated in the heart of La Serena, but as digital
platforms increasingly replaced face-to-face interactions, we decided to close the office. Now, all
inquiries can be made via phone, WhatsApp, or email.

Reservations are secured through a deposit or full payment via electronic transfer or bank deposit. You can also pay the total amount using Transbank’s Webpay Plus system or a payment link we can provide
upon request.

No, but you can spread them over 2 or 3 days. Due to scheduling, the Mamalluca Observatory tour can be done on the same day as the Elqui Valley tour, and in summer, it’s even possible to pair it with the Isla Damas tour on the same day. However, for a more relaxed experience, we recommend doing them on separate days.

From December 15 to March 30, following Conaf regulations, we offer the tour daily. Passenger pick-up begins between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM, and we return around 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM.

From April 1 to December 14, the tour operates from Wednesday to Sunday. On Mondays and Tuesdays, Conaf is closed, so landing on and visiting Isla Damas is not possible on those days. Pick-up starts between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM, and we return around 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

– During summer, Punta de Choros gets crowded after 10 AM.
– Isla Damas can accommodate a maximum of 750 visitors daily, as determined by Conaf. Tickets
often sell out before 10 AM.
– To ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to visit, we start earlier.
– Returning by approximately 5:30 PM allows you to enjoy the rest of the day, such as visiting La
Serena’s beaches.

Unfortunately, swimming at Isla Damas has been prohibited for the past five years. As a National Reserve (Humboldt Penguin), it is not a recreational beach. Scientific studies have shown that sunscreen and lotions alter the water’s pH, negatively impacting the area’s wildlife. Additionally, there are no lifeguards on Isla Damas or nearby reserve beaches.

– Transportation to and from your accommodation in La Serena
– Lunch at a traditional restaurant
– Entry ticket to the Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve
– Tour guide
– Boat ride

Lunch includes an appetizer, main course, dessert, and beverage. On the tour day, the guide will present 2–3 menu options based on the restaurant’s availability. Vegetarian options are available, and passengers with dietary restrictions or allergies should inform us in advance so we can request an alternative menu from the restaurant.

This tour is available year-round from Tuesday to Sunday. Passenger pick-up begins between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM, and we return around 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. On Mondays, the tour is unavailable because the Gabriela Mistral Museum and Puclaro Reservoir are closed.

– Transportation to and from your accommodation in La Serena
– Lunch at a traditional restaurant
– Entry ticket to the Gabriela Mistral Museum in Montegrande
– Tour guide

Lunch includes an appetizer, main course, dessert, and beverage. On the tour day, the guide will present 2–3 menu options based on the restaurant’s availability. Vegetarian options are available, and passengers with dietary restrictions or allergies should inform us in advance so we can request an alternative menu from the restaurant.

The tour operates year-round, as long as the skies are clear in Vicuña (Elqui Valley). The schedule
depends on the availability of the observatory.
Summer: Pick-up begins between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Return is around 1:00 AM to 2:30 AM. Low Season: Pick-up begins between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Return is around 10:30 PM to 11:30 PM. The final schedule is confirmed on the tour day based on the observatory’s availability.

– Transportation to and from your accommodation in La Serena
– Entry ticket to Mamalluca Observatory

No, our tour does not include astrophotography. However, the Mamalluca Observatory often offers this service for free. The availability of the astrophotographer depends on the observatory and cannot be guaranteed.

The coastal weather differs from the valleys. Vicuña, where Paranao and Mamalluca Observatories are located, enjoys approximately 300 clear nights annually We confirm weather conditions with the observatories daily. If it’s cloudy in Vicuña, the tour will be canceled or rescheduled.