Andacollo and Stargazing

So before leaving La Serena, I really wanted to visit an observatory to fully experience the incredible night sky of this region. I decided to go somewhere I hadn´t been yet, thus the small town Andacollo just an hour from La Serena. With no altitude indications on my map, I was yet again surprised by the gigantic climb up the mountains to finally breath out in Andacollo at 1100 m above sea level. It was a beautiful drive though!

The old mining village of Andacollo is not very big at all, but treasures the Holy Virgin of Rosario of Andacollo, currently found in Templo Chico. I was told that, as La Serena was at several occasions attacked and burned by pirates during the 1500s, the Spaniards hid the the Holy Virgin to protect her. By time this secrete passed out of knowledge, and by chance found again by indigenous miners. Today the town owns its name to the virgin, and puts on celebration twice a year in her name. The "big" celebration around Christmas, and the "small" the first weekend of October.  

 - And as always with celebrations in Chile, the police will not miss the opportunity to devotedly patrol.

Accommodation. Littile did I know that this particular weekend was the gathering for the "small" celebration, so I was lucky to find some accommodation for the night. I have now come to accept that there are no more hostels in this region, but "hostales", more like private rooms for 2-4 people which generally cost more. I was able to negotiate a fair price for my stay at hostal Kullu Kuri for $10,000 / night. 

 http://www.hospedajesandacollo.cl/cms/index.php/hospedajes/hostal-kullu-kuri.

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I had to find my way up to the observatory on my own, but turned out to be alright with thanks to the very helpful town folk, despite the dark night. I eventually arrived at the top of the 200-300 m tall "hill", and for a mere 3500 pesos enjoyed a splendid tour. We were told that there is a respective summer and winter "night sky", and since we were currently in the spring, none of the "skies" showed perfectly clear. Nonetheless, the incredible night sky left me the biggest impression! 

For more info and booking:  http://www.ingservtur.cl/collowara%20Observatory.html#

Andacolla and the Collowara observatory is a good day-trip from La Serena, including a sight-seeing of the town and stargazing at night. It is definitely not necessary to stay the night if you go by car or through a tourist agency.









On my way down the next day, I say people walking on the road, up this "gigantic climb". I thought, surely the buss has broken down or something... After seeing more and more people walking up along the road, I come to realize how important this religious festival must be. jajaja, But I was on the way to my own spiritual retreat, La Punta Choros!

1) Picture from www.ingservtur.cl