Planning a stay

Four hours from the sealed road, and that is the short way.

A stay is a minimum of three nights because two is not enough for your eyes to adjust and for the weather to give you one clear one.

Seasons and rates

April to August

Coldest, clearest, longest nights. Books a season ahead.

Rate as listed

March, September, October

Shorter darkness, milder nights, easier to get a room.

Rate less 15%

November to February

Short nights and the year's only real cloud. Cheapest, and honestly the weakest.

Rate less 30%

Rates are per room per night and include dinner, breakfast and every observing session. Room rates from €310 to €620; see the nine rooms.

There is no shortcut and there is no helipad. The isolation that makes the sky work is the same isolation you have to drive through.

Calama airport to Ossara junction: 2 h 40; Sealed. Hire car or our transfer.
Junction to the lodge: 1 h 20; Unsealed. High clearance only. We collect you if you would rather not.
Last fuel: 3 h 10 back; Fill at the junction. There is nothing after it.

A red torch. White light at night is the one thing we genuinely mind.
More warm clothing than the daytime temperature suggests. The swing is routinely 30 degrees.
Any medication you need. The nearest pharmacy is the airport.
Nothing to read at night. You will not.

Is there wifi?

In the common room, until nine. After that the access point is on the same timer as the exterior lights.

Can children stay?

Over twelve, in a room with an adult. Under twelve, no, and the reason is that dinner is one sitting.

What happens if it is cloudy?

It is cloudy on about eleven nights a year. If all three of yours are, we credit two against a future stay. We do not refund weather.

Is there a minimum stay?

Three nights. Five in core season.

Can I bring a telescope?

Yes, and there are three concrete piers on the north side with power. Tell us at booking and we will keep one free.

Tell us which month, how many nights, and whether the moon matters to you. We will reply with what is actually free rather than a form.