Mamalluca Observatory
Mamalluca Observatory
3.9
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
About
The Mamalluca Observatory ("mother who shelters" according to Quechua) is located 9 kms northwest of Vicuña, at 1,100 m.s.n.m. Is a must see in the region of Coquimbo, is the first tourist observatory in Chile, has a 12-inch telescope donated by AURA that has CCD detectors for electronic photography, as well as a computer for data transfer This observatory offers one of the most important attractions of the area, the cleanest skies in the world, perfect for watching the night sky and be amazed. Within the Mamalluca Observatory, there is a tour with a duration of approximately 2 hours, where guides specialized in the matter explain in details about the universe and answer the concerns giving a sample of quality and truthfulness to the visitors. There it is possible to observe the stars, the Moon, the planets like Saturn and its rings or Jupiter and its 16 moons, and the different constellations.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.9
715 reviews
Excellent
301
Very good
186
Average
122
Poor
51
Terrible
55
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Dreamer51666507104
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Couples
We did the astronomical tour on an evening near the full moon. We couldn't book an English tour (only Spanish) but we were lucky and our guide tried to translate most of it for us.
It was very annoying:
The ticket actually has to be reserved online in advance, which has to be done at least four days in advance. We wanted to take part spontaneously and couldn't make a reservation. So we just drove to the ticket counter. A ticket for the same day was possible.
We were able to reserve a ticket in the afternoon, but couldn't buy one. To buy one, we had to queue there again at 10 p.m. Then you wait at the ticket counter (in the middle of town). At 10.40 p.m. you drive to the observatory in a motorcade (everyone in a never-ending line of 30 cars). Why you aren't allowed to drive to the observatory on your own beforehand is beyond me.
At the observatory, the people were divided into six smaller groups of around 20-25 people. Each small group had a guide and their own area on a roof terrace with binoculars and a small telescope. There, various images of the sky were explained and everyone was allowed to look at them through the telescope. The highlight at the end was a larger telescope with which a nebula could be viewed.
Overall, the tour was not very exciting, but just under two hours for €15 was fine. Our guide was also very helpful and friendly.
The trip is particularly worthwhile for children
It was very annoying:
The ticket actually has to be reserved online in advance, which has to be done at least four days in advance. We wanted to take part spontaneously and couldn't make a reservation. So we just drove to the ticket counter. A ticket for the same day was possible.
We were able to reserve a ticket in the afternoon, but couldn't buy one. To buy one, we had to queue there again at 10 p.m. Then you wait at the ticket counter (in the middle of town). At 10.40 p.m. you drive to the observatory in a motorcade (everyone in a never-ending line of 30 cars). Why you aren't allowed to drive to the observatory on your own beforehand is beyond me.
At the observatory, the people were divided into six smaller groups of around 20-25 people. Each small group had a guide and their own area on a roof terrace with binoculars and a small telescope. There, various images of the sky were explained and everyone was allowed to look at them through the telescope. The highlight at the end was a larger telescope with which a nebula could be viewed.
Overall, the tour was not very exciting, but just under two hours for €15 was fine. Our guide was also very helpful and friendly.
The trip is particularly worthwhile for children
Written January 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolina G
7 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
We had high expectations of this experience, we scheduled it well in advance and had everything planned, however we were due.
First of all, the day we went to the moon was almost 90% what we were not warned to reschedule, so there was little we could observe. I think they lacked a Plan B for these situations (a lot of light), which should be foreseen given the high demand for these places. The guide frequently asked us what we wanted to see, I got the impression that there was no armed itinerary or a standard libretto to follow, other guides listened more prepared and with greater mastery of the subject.
We couldn't see much and for the price I expected better... We saw more planes than stars.
I didn’t notice much care in the treatment of telescopes, the one we used outdoors often lost focus and actually, several of us didn’t understand what we were looking at or what we should see... It was really disappointing.
First of all, the day we went to the moon was almost 90% what we were not warned to reschedule, so there was little we could observe. I think they lacked a Plan B for these situations (a lot of light), which should be foreseen given the high demand for these places. The guide frequently asked us what we wanted to see, I got the impression that there was no armed itinerary or a standard libretto to follow, other guides listened more prepared and with greater mastery of the subject.
We couldn't see much and for the price I expected better... We saw more planes than stars.
I didn’t notice much care in the treatment of telescopes, the one we used outdoors often lost focus and actually, several of us didn’t understand what we were looking at or what we should see... It was really disappointing.
Automatically translated
Written February 20, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fabian030
Berlin, Germany102 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Well. First: you have to book a tour in the office in town (Vicuña), not only, or at the observatory itself. Then there are two tour options: 20:30 or 23.
We took the 20:30 on a Sunday. Again we got a “private” English tour as we were the only English only speaking people there. The Spanish tour group were around 30 people. The 23 tour was a loooot more packed with people, both speaking English and Spanish.
The tour itself was great. A guide too, you around to the telescopes, explained how they work, showed some stars, nebulas, and stuff, and explained how to pin poi;t or find a specific star. It was a very informative and interesting tour - and so far the only one we too, were we were able to look through the telescopes by ourselves. :)
Organization was a bit strange (waiting in a queue at the office, you get your tickets, but drive up to the observatory yourself...), but it was worth the effort. :) and pretty cheap with only 7000p p.p.
We took the 20:30 on a Sunday. Again we got a “private” English tour as we were the only English only speaking people there. The Spanish tour group were around 30 people. The 23 tour was a loooot more packed with people, both speaking English and Spanish.
The tour itself was great. A guide too, you around to the telescopes, explained how they work, showed some stars, nebulas, and stuff, and explained how to pin poi;t or find a specific star. It was a very informative and interesting tour - and so far the only one we too, were we were able to look through the telescopes by ourselves. :)
Organization was a bit strange (waiting in a queue at the office, you get your tickets, but drive up to the observatory yourself...), but it was worth the effort. :) and pretty cheap with only 7000p p.p.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karina C
2 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
A real scam !!! Totally a hoax!!!
You pay to go see a video on the roof of a planetarium, I went with my whole family, children from 6 years to 14 years, all excited to see some of the sky with some suitable instrument, until the 6 year old left after an hour watching a video, asking where the stars were !!
And the answer of the attendant was that if she wanted to see the stars she had to go outside and that the observatory was closed. When you buy tickets they explain absolutely nothing!!!
You pay to go see a video on the roof of a planetarium, I went with my whole family, children from 6 years to 14 years, all excited to see some of the sky with some suitable instrument, until the 6 year old left after an hour watching a video, asking where the stars were !!
And the answer of the attendant was that if she wanted to see the stars she had to go outside and that the observatory was closed. When you buy tickets they explain absolutely nothing!!!
Automatically translated
Written June 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
José G
Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile14 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Unfortunately the tour disappointed me. First of all the price, very expensive for what they offer. The logistics were poor, they assigned us to a guide who later told us that he was not there, so they assigned us to another guide with a group of more than 25 people. Many people left before finishing the tour since the observations in space were very poor.
Written March 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Héctor Q
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Family
HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE.
We were 4 people on Friday February 9, 2024 9:00 pm
Too many people!! We were several groups of approximately 30-40 people, so with luck we were able to observe the small telescope a couple of times.
Many children. There were small children at that time, children who were falling asleep, interrupting, etc.
To be able to see in the large telescope in the dome, we had to wait too long (more than 1 hour)!! Even the guide was upset, we were the last group and the wait was an ordeal to hopefully see once per person.
Even the guide was complicated by the wait to see in the large telescope
It was a nightmare.
We were 4 people on Friday February 9, 2024 9:00 pm
Too many people!! We were several groups of approximately 30-40 people, so with luck we were able to observe the small telescope a couple of times.
Many children. There were small children at that time, children who were falling asleep, interrupting, etc.
To be able to see in the large telescope in the dome, we had to wait too long (more than 1 hour)!! Even the guide was upset, we were the last group and the wait was an ordeal to hopefully see once per person.
Even the guide was complicated by the wait to see in the large telescope
It was a nightmare.
Written February 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod R
3 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
All good until the planetarium. Then as we passed the telescopes the ordeal began. Unfortunately in my group there were many children, all rude, without any control of the supposed parents. I don't know I could even hear the Guide's explanations.
Please for the organizer, separate the audience between those who come with children and those who do not.
On telescopes, they might show a planet instead of a blurred image of something you can't tell apart. The interesting thing for the tourist is to manage to observe something from the telescope. To watch documentaries we have TV.
Please for the organizer, separate the audience between those who come with children and those who do not.
On telescopes, they might show a planet instead of a blurred image of something you can't tell apart. The interesting thing for the tourist is to manage to observe something from the telescope. To watch documentaries we have TV.
Automatically translated
Written July 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
toledolarios
La Serena, Chile63 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
We took a tour that the website indicates from 11:00 PM to 01:30.
We were summoned to the side of the Plaza de Vicuña and had to wait until 11:40 before leaving for the observatory. A lack of respect!!!
They should make an appointment at 1130 PM!!!
Also, unfortunately we had a very junior guide, who made the tour quite enjoyable.
We were summoned to the side of the Plaza de Vicuña and had to wait until 11:40 before leaving for the observatory. A lack of respect!!!
They should make an appointment at 1130 PM!!!
Also, unfortunately we had a very junior guide, who made the tour quite enjoyable.
Written February 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camila A
7 contributions
Feb 2025 • Solo
Nice place, but the talk is a little overwhelming a lot of information and exhausts you. I thought you'd see more stars, but I think it was because of the date. I wouldn't take it again, maybe try another agency. A transfer can be paid if you do not have your own mobilization which leaves you in the square.
Automatically translated
Written February 16, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frogANDpepper
Dublin73 contributions
I am backpacker, 37yrs old, 40+countries visited.
I visited Mamalluca observatory encouraged by good reviews on Internet. That was my second observatory, my first experience was in San Pedro de Atacama.
PRICE: 4.500 pesos for the entry, 3000 for return transport with a mini van arranged in a ticketing office in Vicuña (the lady in the ticketing office also reserves the transport).
WEATHER TIP: The observation of the stars depends strictly on the weather conditions, so before you make a reservation check weather forecast. Vicuna has normally clear sky in most of the days but you never know. We arrived to Vicuña on a cloudy day and we were told in a ticketing office that it's better to wait a few days so we went to Pisco de Elqui instead for two days. When we returned to Vicuna we were advised to buy a ticket at 8pm for the tour at 8.30pm if the sky is clear, which we did so.
TRANSPORT: I did not have any problems with the transport from Vicuna, minivans were punctual (by the way ticketing office was still open at that time) taking us from ticketing office (15 min drive) and taking you back straight after the tour to the center of Vicuña. You are back by 11.30pm.
PROGRAM:
** 9pm start of the tour, English/ Spanish groups to choose
** observation of Mars, Saturn, stars with the telescope inside the observatory with a dome roof and adjusted watching space and guide explanations
** observation of Milky Way, clusters with a telescope outside
** presentation in the observatory building: digital display of pictures of stars and planets and the moon, explanation of astronomy website 'stellarium'.
** finish about 11pm
***** there was no observation of the moon.
IMPRESSION:
- Too many people, lack of silence, there were 3 groups for about 15-20 people each including young Germans talking and laughing constantly - the guide should learn how to execute silence especially from people who do not appreciate opportunity;
- observation outside was at the same time for all groups which means that you hear other guides in the background and you can see other laser pointers in the sky...
- Guide's commentary was not structured well which was a shame cause he was very knowledgeable. It was more questions - answers type of a tour but he spoke very good English.
- Mars and Saturn was very small and the image was blured, we did not observe the moon and there was no option to choose the tour with the moon observation
- I had some questions to the guide at the end of the tour but I was rushed by a driver to finish which was not very nice.
OVERALL: I expected very good standard after reading reviews but after my experience in San Pedro de Atacama I found it disappointing, overrated with way too many tourists for a tour. For my partner it was the first observatory and he said he would not have visited it at all. I visited a private small observatory in San Pedro (10.30pm-12.30am) with just 5 people in total, we observed the planets and stars (the telescope view was much better then but I think it might depend on the timing) and then waited for the moon which was the most impressive. I liked digital presentation though, very interesting.
I visited Mamalluca observatory encouraged by good reviews on Internet. That was my second observatory, my first experience was in San Pedro de Atacama.
PRICE: 4.500 pesos for the entry, 3000 for return transport with a mini van arranged in a ticketing office in Vicuña (the lady in the ticketing office also reserves the transport).
WEATHER TIP: The observation of the stars depends strictly on the weather conditions, so before you make a reservation check weather forecast. Vicuna has normally clear sky in most of the days but you never know. We arrived to Vicuña on a cloudy day and we were told in a ticketing office that it's better to wait a few days so we went to Pisco de Elqui instead for two days. When we returned to Vicuna we were advised to buy a ticket at 8pm for the tour at 8.30pm if the sky is clear, which we did so.
TRANSPORT: I did not have any problems with the transport from Vicuna, minivans were punctual (by the way ticketing office was still open at that time) taking us from ticketing office (15 min drive) and taking you back straight after the tour to the center of Vicuña. You are back by 11.30pm.
PROGRAM:
** 9pm start of the tour, English/ Spanish groups to choose
** observation of Mars, Saturn, stars with the telescope inside the observatory with a dome roof and adjusted watching space and guide explanations
** observation of Milky Way, clusters with a telescope outside
** presentation in the observatory building: digital display of pictures of stars and planets and the moon, explanation of astronomy website 'stellarium'.
** finish about 11pm
***** there was no observation of the moon.
IMPRESSION:
- Too many people, lack of silence, there were 3 groups for about 15-20 people each including young Germans talking and laughing constantly - the guide should learn how to execute silence especially from people who do not appreciate opportunity;
- observation outside was at the same time for all groups which means that you hear other guides in the background and you can see other laser pointers in the sky...
- Guide's commentary was not structured well which was a shame cause he was very knowledgeable. It was more questions - answers type of a tour but he spoke very good English.
- Mars and Saturn was very small and the image was blured, we did not observe the moon and there was no option to choose the tour with the moon observation
- I had some questions to the guide at the end of the tour but I was rushed by a driver to finish which was not very nice.
OVERALL: I expected very good standard after reading reviews but after my experience in San Pedro de Atacama I found it disappointing, overrated with way too many tourists for a tour. For my partner it was the first observatory and he said he would not have visited it at all. I visited a private small observatory in San Pedro (10.30pm-12.30am) with just 5 people in total, we observed the planets and stars (the telescope view was much better then but I think it might depend on the timing) and then waited for the moon which was the most impressive. I liked digital presentation though, very interesting.
Written October 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cuales serán los horarios de atención para fiestas patrias?
Written August 13, 2023
Navigator28474228989
Vina del Mar, Chile
Tengo un niño de 3 y 8 años ...
Me recomiendan ir?
O es muy engorroso ir con niños?
Written December 22, 2019
Es recomendable ir en los primeros tours ya que son de noche y muchos niños suelen terminar con mucho sueño. No llevar zapatillas con luces.
Written January 31, 2020
Donde compro la entrada y con cuanto de anticipacion? Agradeceria su respuesta
Written January 27, 2019
En la municipalidad, media hora antes que comience el tour (no la venden antes)
Written January 12, 2020
Estimados , llamamos y llamamos para reserva y nadie contesta.
Written January 3, 2019
Tienes que ir temprano a Vicuña y reservar para la noche, así lo hicimos porque los teléfonos nadie se digna a contestar.
Written February 4, 2019
Vorrei visitare l' osservatorio mammaria perché qui a San Pedro de Atakama si visita l'ALMA solo di giorno...vorrei vedere il cielo notturno
Written December 24, 2018
Una vez lo hice en mi auto pero en caravana. Eso me gusto. Como lo hago?
Written November 28, 2017
Hola Carmenfano, sigue utilizándose esa misma forma, la caravana sale desde la municipalidad de vicuña. Solo necesitas reservar una hora para ir al observatorio. Comunícate al número 51 267 0330 a mí me atendieron muy bien. Saludos!
Written January 24, 2018
Hay que hacer reserva previa para ir? Tiene horario o días determinados? Alguien puede ayudarle?
Written July 19, 2017
En realidad hace 2 días q llamo en diferentes horario 11:00 17:00 20:00 uno responde nadie. Vine por 5 días y imposible comunicarme.
Written July 21, 2017
Hola quisiera saber donde comprar o con quien contactarse para comprar el ticket de mamalluca ($7000) para el dia 24/06/17, quedo atenta, muchas gracias
Written June 5, 2017
Hola Valeria, en estas respuestas Tripadvisor no deja poner numeros telefonicos o correos electronicos. Puedes ver los contactos en el perfil del Observatorio en Tripadvisor o en nuestro fanpage de Facebook "Observatorio Mamalluca". Saludos
Written June 6, 2017
Diegoids
Valparaiso, Chile
¿a qué hora hay que subir al observatorio? ¿y hasta qué hora se pueden comprar las entradas en la muni?
Written April 25, 2017
Diego para visitar el Observatorio Mamalluca debes realizar una reserva y los ticket se compran media hora antes del comienzo del tour en nuestra oficina ubicada la esquina de San Martín con Gabriela Mistral al interior de la Municipalidad de Vicuña. En horario de verano los tours comienzan a las 20:30 hrs y en horario de invierno a las 18:30 hrs.
Saludos
Equipo Mamalluca.
Written April 26, 2017
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