Registering for a guided tour

Visit the La Silla Observatory from your armchair with our Virtual Tours. Click on the thumbnail below to experience a 360° visit.

Guided tours for tourists and the general public are offered every Saturday except during July and August, due to the risk of snowstorms in winter time.  

The guided tours are free of charge, but registration is required as there is limited space. Large groups are asked to register as far in advance as possible. To register for a visit to La Silla, please submit the Visitor Form or contact recepstg@eso.org via email.

Anyone visiting La Silla (or any ESO site) must read and sign the Release Form in English or Spanish. Once signed, the form must be delivered on arrival at the observatory gate. An email copy of the form can unfortunately not be accepted.

Additional information is available on the following pages:

• About La Silla
• More about La Silla

How to reach La Silla

Currently the La Silla Observatory does not offer transport for tourist visitors. Please follow the link for useful information on how to reach La Silla. You should arrive at the Observatory 30 minutes before the start time of the tour.

While driving on the Observatory roads, it is mandatory to use a safety belt and to keep to the posted speed limits. If you do not have a valid Chilean or International Driver's License, you will not be allowed to drive at La Silla.

If you hire transport, we recommend that you make sure that the bus/ vehicle has a maintenance license which is up to date, has seat belts for all passengers and also passenger insurance.

While on La Silla

• All buildings and public areas on La Silla are non-smoking.
• During your visit, you must stay with the ESO guide at all times. In an emergency, always follow the guide’s instructions.
• The La Silla Observatory permits photographs and video taping during the tours.
• The La Silla Observatory is located at 2400 metres altitude. We recommend that you do not walk quickly.
• Ask questions! The more questions you ask, the more you will learn. The guides are trained to answer your queries.

General health recommendation

The average humidity on La Silla is between 2 and 10%. It is important to drink plenty of bottled water or juice in order to avoid dehydration.

Do not drink water from the taps.

You are welcome to bring a light snack or lunch. There are no facilities on site that offer meals. We recommend that you limit intake as excess can cause stomach inflammation and digestive problems at high altitudes. You will be allowed on site half an hour before the tour is scheduled to begin, and restroom facilities are available.

Please do not throw bottles, garbage or drop any other litter while on La Silla.

Clothing

La Silla is located on a remote site in the one of the driest desert in the world. You may be exposed to strong winds and high solar radiation.

Please wear appropriate clothing such as trousers, walking shoes (no sandals), sunglasses, etc. We recommend a jacket or sweater for the enclosures, which are kept at 5–11°C.

Safety

If you experience any of the following during the tour, please inform the ESO Guide immediately: acute headache, dizziness, breathing problems, ringing or blocking of ears, heart pains, acute muscular pains or seeing “stars”.