Registering for a guided tour

Visit Paranal from your armchair with our Virtual Tours.
Click on the thumbnail below to experience a 360°
visit to the Paranal Observatory and Armazones, the
future home for the planned E-ELT.

Guided tours for tourists and the general public are offered on every Saturday.

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 Paranal, please submit the Visitor Form. We do not accept bookings by mail or phone.

For special inquiries about the visit or information which is not available on our web pages, please contact: visits@eso.org. For emergency calls about the visit or booking: +56-55-716931.

Every visitor to Paranal (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 emailed copy of the form can unfortunately not be accepted.

Additional information is available on the following pages:

• About the VLT
• About the Survey Telescopes
• Some facts and figures

How to reach Paranal 

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

The road is completely paved so special vehicles are not necessary.

While on 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 Paranal.

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

While on Paranal

• All buildings and public areas on Paranal 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 Paranal Observatory permits photographs and videotaping during the tours.
• Paranal’s basecamp is located at 2456 metres altitude. The telescopes are at 2600 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 Paranal is between 2 and 10%. It is important to drink plenty of bottled water or juice 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 at Paranal.

Clothing

Paranal is located on a remote site in the middle of the driest desert in the world. You may be exposed to strong winds, high solar radiation and dust from construction or maintenance areas.

Please wear appropriate clothing such as trousers, walking shoes (no sandals), sunglasses, etc. We recommend a jacket or sweater for the VLT 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”.

Arrival at Paranal / Llegada a Paranal

Paranal Visitor's Center
Centro de Visitas de Paranal

At the guard desk, you will be asked for your name(s) and Release Forms. If you are on the approved visitor list, you will be asked to proceed to either the tour starting point (Tours, students) or the Residencia offices (Journalists, family).

Tours will begin at the Visitors Center. There is a brief presentation on the construction of the VLT, Paranal, and astronomy.
Other visitors will be assigned a meal card and given room keys (if overnight stays are involved). Your contact person will be informed of your arrival.

En la Portería de Paranal le(s) pedirán sus nombres y se le entregará el formulario de Advertencia. Si está en el listado de visitas aprobadas, las visitas turísticas y estudiantiles deberán dirigirse hacia el Punto de Inicio de la Visita (Tour starting point). Las periodistas y familiares deberán dirigirse hacia las oficinas de Logística (Administration).
La visita comienza en el Punto de Inicio (Tour starting point), donde habrá una breve presentación sobre la construcción de los telescopios, sobre Paranal y astronomía en general.

Los visitantes que tengan una visita especial (periodistas y familiares) recibirán una tarjeta magnética que les dará acceso al Casino y si está contemplada su estadía en Paranal, se les entregará las llaves de su habitación. Se informará oportunamente a su persona de contacto sobre su llegada.

The Control Room
Sala de Control

The VLT Tour / El Tour de los VLT

During the tour, you will be taken to the mountain top, where the telescopes are located. You will have the chance to enter one of the enclosures and see the actual telescope. We encourage you to ask as many questions and take as many pictures as you would like.

Durante la visita, se les llevará a la cumbre, donde están los telescopios. Ahí tendrá la oportunidad de entrar en los cobertores y ver el telescopio mismo. Con gusto contestaremos todas sus consultas y tendrá libertad de tomar cuantas fotografías desee.

The Control Room Tour / El Tour de la Sala de Control

If conditions permit, you will be shown the control room. This is where the astronomers work, as all control and communications with the telescopes takes place through computers.

Si las condiciones lo permiten, se le llevará hasta la Sala de Control donde trabajan los astrónomos, ya que la totalidad de las comunicaciones y el control de los telescopios se realiza desde ese lugar a través de computadores.

Important Information for Visits / Información importante para visitas

While on Paranal Mientras esta en Paranal

• All buildings and public areas on Paranal are non-smoking.
• During your visit, you should stay with the ESO Guide at all times. In an emergency, always follow the Guide´s instructions.
• The Paranal Site of the La Silla Paranal Observatory permits photographs and video taping during the tours.
• Paranal´s basecamp is located at 2,456 mts. The telescopes are at 2,600 mts. 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.
  
  
• Todos los edificios y áreas públicas en Paranal son áreas de no fumar.
• Durante toda la visita, deberá permanecer con el Guía. En caso de emergencia (terremoto, incendio, accidente, etc.), debe seguir las instrucciones del Guía.
• En Paranal se permite tomar fotografías y filmar durante los tours.
• El campamento de Paranal está ubicado a 2.456 mts. Los telescopios están a 2.640 mts. Recomendamos no caminar apresuradamente.
• Haga preguntas! Mientras más realice, mas aprenderá. Los Guías están entrenados para contestarlas.

Transportation Transporte

• Currently the Paranal Site of the ESO La Silla Paranal Observatory does not offer transportation for Tourist Visitors. The drive from Antofagasta takes approximately two hours. The road is completely paved so special vehicles are not necessary.
• While driving on Paranal, it is mandatory that you use your safety belt and maintain the posted speed limits. If you do not have a valid Chilean or International Driver's License, you will not be allowed to drive on Paranal.
• There is a map for your convenience. From La Negra (outside of Antofagasta) you will drive approximately 20 minutes on the Panamerican South. You will see a sign indicating Paranal Observatory. You will drive approximately one hour, where you will see signs to ESO Paranal and a paved road leading up the mountain.
• If you contract transportation services, we recommend that you make sure that the bus/ vehicle has the maintenance license up-to-date, seat belts for all passengers and passenger insurance.
  
  
• Actualmente Paranal no ofrece transporte a las Visitas. El viaje desde Antofagasta demora aproximadamente dos horas. El camino esta pavimentado, por lo tanto no es necesario tener un vehiculo especial.
• Mientras maneja en Paranal, el uso de cinturón de seguridad es mandatorio y debe respetar los límites de velocidad indicados. Si no tiene una licencia de conducir valida (chilena o internacional), no podrá manejar en Paranal.
• Para más ayuda puede consultar el mapa. Desde La Negra (en la salida sur de Antofagasta), deberá conducir aproximadamente 20 minutos por la Panamericana Sur. Verá un letrero que indica Observatorio Paranal. Seguirá conduciendo aproximadamente una hora hasta que verá letreros que dicen "ESO Paranal" y el camino pavimentado que conduce al Observatorio.
• Si contrata un servicio de transporte, recomendamos que se aseguren que el bus/vehículo tenga la revisión técnica al día, cinturones de seguridad para todos los pasajeros y un seguro de pasajeros.

Dehydration & Meals Deshidratación y comidas

• The average humidity on Paranal is between 2 - 10%. It is important to drink plenty of bottled water or juice in order to avoid dehydration.
• Do not drink water from the faucets
• 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 stomache inflamation and digestive problems at high altitudes. You will be allowed on site one half hour before the tour is scheduled to begin, and restroom facilities are available.
• Please do not throw bottles, garbage or litter along the roadside or while on Paranal.
  
  
• El promedio de humedad en Paranal es entre 2 a 10%. Es importante beber suficiente agua o jugo embotellada para evitar la deshidratación.
• No beber agua de la llave.
• Puede traer un almuerzo liviano. Tome en cuenta que no existen negocios donde comprar comida por lo que le recomendamos traer algo liviano y fresco pues la altura puede causar inflamaciones estomocales y problemas digestivos. Se puede ingresar al recinto una media hora antes de que empieza el tour. Hay baños disponibles.
• Favor no tirar botellas o basura en el camino o en el sitio de Paranal.

Clothing Ropa

• Paranal is located on a remote site in the middle of the dryest desert in the world. You may be exposed to strong winds, and construction/maintenance areas. Please wear appriopriate clothing such as pants, walking shoes (no sandals), sunglasses, etc. We recommend a jacket/sweater for the VLT enclosures, which are kept at 5 - 11°C.
• While exposed to sunlight, we recommend the use of UV-rated sunglasses--especially while walking on the telescope platform.
  
  
• Paranal está ubicado en un área remota del desierto más seco del mundo. Puede que usted esta expuesto a vientos fuertes como tambien a áreas de construcción y mantención. Le sugerimos usar ropa apropiada como pantalones, zapatos cómodos (no sandalias), anteojos de sol, etc. Le recomendamos además, llevar una chaqueta o sueter cuando suba a la cumbre a visitar los telescopios ya que el área de los domos de los VLT es mantenida a una termperatura de entre 5 - 11°C.
• Dada la exposición al sol, recomendamos el uso de lentes para combatir la luz ultravioleta--especialmente mientras transitan por la plataforma de los telescopios.

Safety and Release Form Seguridad y el Formulario de Advertencia

• If during the tour you experience any of the following, please inform the ESO Guide immediately: acute headache, dizziness, breathing problems, ringing or blocking of ears, heart pains, acute muscular pains, seeing "stars".
• Every person coming to Paranal (or any ESO site) that is not a site worker must read and sign the Release Form. This is for your safety as well as for the safety of the instrumentation and organization.
• The form is available at all sites and you can print from here: pdf. Since the form must be personally signed by you or a parent/guardian, an emailed copy of the form will not be accepted.

• Si durante la visita usted presenta algunos de los siguientes síntomas, informe inmediata- mente al Guía ESO: Dolor de cabeza, mareos o nauseas, falta de aire, zumbido o tapona- miento de oídos, dolores musculares agudos, taquicardia, fotopsia (ver "estrellas").
• Cada persona que visita Paranal (o cualquier sitio de la ESO) y que no es un empleado del sitio, debe leer y firmar el documento de Advertencia. Esto es para su seguridad como para la seguridad de los equipos y de la organización.
• El documento esta disponible en todos los sitios y los puede imprimir desde aqui: pdf. Debido a que el documento debe ser firmado por usted o sus padres/apoderados, no se aceptarará el envio via correo electrónico.